Pennsylvania American Water Announces $3.5 Million River Crossing Pipe Project in Berwick
SCRANTON, Pa. (April 28, 2021) – Pennsylvania American Water today announced plans to install new water main across the Susquehanna River between Berwick and Nescopeck. The $3.5 million investment project will increase the reliability of the water system infrastructure by providing redundant supply to the customers in Nescopeck Borough. Currently, customers are supplied through a 12-inch cast-iron pipe in the riverbed.
The project, which got underway this week, involves installing approximately 2,200 feet of 12-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe underneath the Susquehanna River. Contractors will use horizontal directional drilling technology to drill a borehole approximately 120 feet under the bed of the Susquehanna River and then pull the new pipeline through the borehole.
“Horizontal directional drilling is a more economical and environmentally friendly option for this type of installation, as opposed to conventional open-trench methods,” said Rich Dudek, project manager, Pennsylvania American Water. “Working under the riverbed allows us to avoid the significant costs and other issues associated with damming the river. We can complete the project in a more timely and cost-efficient manner with less impact to the environment.”
Dudek added, “Because the new pipeline will run parallel to the existing main, we anticipate that water service to customers will be unaffected during construction.”
In addition, the company will install a new pressure regulator station along Canal Street in Berwick and 300-feet of new 12-inch pipe along Third Street in Nescopeck. Traffic detours will be in place during work hours. Final restoration and paving will be scheduled in Spring 2022.
Construction will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will continue through the end of the year.
Pennsylvania American Water employees and contractors will exercise caution and follow CDC guidance for social distancing and hygiene while performing this work. For our customers’ safety and the safety of our employees, we ask that members of the public do not approach our employees or contractors. For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. For more information, visit www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and follow Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter and Facebook.
About American Water
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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SCRANTON, Pa. (April 28, 2021) – Pennsylvania American Water today announced plans to install new water main across the Susquehanna River between Berwick and Nescopeck. The $3.5 million investment project will increase the reliability of the water system infrastructure by providing redundant supply to the customers in Nescopeck Borough. Currently, customers are supplied through a 12-inch cast-iron pipe in the riverbed.
The project, which got underway this week, involves installing approximately 2,200 feet of 12-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe underneath the Susquehanna River. Contractors will use horizontal directional drilling technology to drill a borehole approximately 120 feet under the bed of the Susquehanna River and then pull the new pipeline through the borehole.
“Horizontal directional drilling is a more economical and environmentally friendly option for this type of installation, as opposed to conventional open-trench methods,” said Rich Dudek, project manager, Pennsylvania American Water. “Working under the riverbed allows us to avoid the significant costs and other issues associated with damming the river. We can complete the project in a more timely and cost-efficient manner with less impact to the environment.”
Dudek added, “Because the new pipeline will run parallel to the existing main, we anticipate that water service to customers will be unaffected during construction.”
In addition, the company will install a new pressure regulator station along Canal Street in Berwick and 300-feet of new 12-inch pipe along Third Street in Nescopeck. Traffic detours will be in place during work hours. Final restoration and paving will be scheduled in Spring 2022.
Construction will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will continue through the end of the year.
Pennsylvania American Water employees and contractors will exercise caution and follow CDC guidance for social distancing and hygiene while performing this work. For our customers’ safety and the safety of our employees, we ask that members of the public do not approach our employees or contractors. For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. For more information, visit www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and follow Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter and Facebook.
About American Water
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.