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Pennsylvania American Water Begins $5.3 Million Water Line Project in Wilkes-Barre

SCRANTON, Pa. (March 2, 2023) – Pennsylvania American Water today announced the start of a $5.3 million project to replace nearly 20,000 feet of water main in the city of Wilkes-Barre to improve reliability for customers, reduce service disruptions, and increase water flows for firefighting. The system improvements replace water main dating as far back as the early 1900s.

Company contractors recently began installing new eight- and 12-inch ductile iron pipe, replacing smaller diameter water main in the following areas:

  • McCarragher Street
  • Glen Street
  • Virgin Lane
  • Griffith Lane
  • Harkins Lane
  • Gilligan Street
  • North Washington Street
  • South Washington Street
  • Garnet Lane
  • South Hancock Street
  • Logan Street
  • New Frederick Street
  • Bank Street
  • Carlisle Street
  • Ruddle Street
  • Stucker Avenue
  • Taft Street
  • River Street
  • North Meade Street

Additionally, crews will also be installing more than 900 feet of pipe along Prospect Street in Wilkes-Barre Township at a cost of approximately $240,000. 

“We proactively invest in our local infrastructure to continue providing essential water service to our customers,” said Dan Rickard, senior manager of operations, Pennsylvania American Water.  “Projects are prioritized based on a number of factors, including the need for larger mains to handle system demands, age of existing pipe, and history of main breaks or service interruptions.”

Crews will work weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Traffic restrictions will be in place during construction.  The company expects to complete the water main installation, including connecting all customer service lines to the new mains, by early summer with final restoration and paving to start in the fall.

During construction, customers might experience temporary service interruptions, discolored water, and/or lower than normal water pressure.  Crews will work as quickly as possible to shorten the length of these temporary inconveniences.

This infrastructure upgrade project is not only an important investment in public health and safety, it also helps support the economic health of the communities we serve. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, upwards of 15 jobs are generated throughout the economy. Statewide, Pennsylvania American Water invested approximately $490 million in 2022 alone to improve our water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems, supporting more than 7,000 jobs through these continued investments.

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 wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. For more information, visit www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and follow Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter and Facebook.


Media Contacts

Susan Turcmanovich

External Affairs Manager, Northeast PA

570.351.0120

susan.turcmanovich@amwater.com