Avondale announces water is now drinkable

AVONDALE » The Borough of Avondale announced Friday morning that the local water is safe to drink following an alert earlier in the week.

On Monday, a warning was sent out that there had been a leak in the water pipes caused by construction and, because of that, there was a danger that bacteria and other organisms had seeped in.

The instructions said that residents should boil their water or buy bottled water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing and food preparation. Otherwise, they were at risk for reactions that could involve nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

The water pipes were vulnerable to a leak since they run perilously close to the State Street Bridge, which is under construction and actually collapsed in the midst of work Aug. 10.

The bridge had been classified deficient for several years previously and had prohibitions on heavy vehicles. But in July, it was shut down entirely and construction began.

Construction work proceeded until the bridge collapsed under the weight of a front end loader Aug. 10. Shortly after that, the remaining pathway over the Indian Run was removed and even walkers had to find other routes or make their way through the water.

Simultaneously, concern grew about the utility pipes nearby for water and gas that had to be rerouted before further work could be done on the bridge pavement.

Although some local residents grumbled about the pace of the repairs, county officials said they were awaiting approval of the water pipe and gas line relocation plans, which were issued late last month.

As work proceeded on the water pipes, a drop in pressure was detected on Monday, indicating that there was a leak.

The residents were issued the drinking water warning, and work was started for a repair in addition to several days of water quality monitoring.

As of Friday, residents were allowed to drink the water, and work on the pipes as well as the bridge superstructure were underway.

There is still no walkway or any other structure to cross the meandering Indian Run below, but it is so shallow that some workers were easily operating in the ankle deep water on a warm day.

According to information initially issued, the bridge is scheduled for completion next spring, assuming that winter weather doesn’t cause more delays.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Work has recommenced on the State Street Bridge and the adjacent water piped. Additionally, the warning not to drink the water was removed on Friday.