Lock Haven City Council Meeting Discusses Emergency Water Supply and Provides Updates: 90-Day Water Supply Remaining

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN – Just before the Lock Haven City Council meeting held Wednesday afternoon, the first City of Lock Haven Emergency Water Supply Activities Report was released. Updated on December 27, 2023, the activities report disclosed that the city’s current water supply is at 272.4 million gallons, with a target of reaching a full capacity of 558 million gallons.

Since October, the city has been relying on an emergency water supply and plans to replenish the reservoir through upcoming stormwater runoff. The actual costs for the project total $719,286.98 so far.

Efforts have been made to reduce water demand from residents in the city since October, but only a nominal 7.5% decrease in daily water usage has been reported. The city’s goal is to reduce demand even further to under 2.5 million gallons of water daily.

City Manager Greg Wilson provided a brief update on the water supply as it stands. “Currently, after a discussion with the engineer this morning, we are at about 90 days supply of water because of the recent rain. Still, we need 220 million gallons to fill the Ohl Reservoir, so that’s a significant amount of water that is still needed,” he said.

Wilson reported that 90 leaks have been found in the City of Lock Haven. He also reported that the loss of approximately 1,000-2,000 gallons of water have been eliminated through leak detection efforts, and he emphasized that leak detection will continue to prevent further loss of water.

According to the City of Lock Haven’s Emergency Water Supply Activities Report, a city-wide leak detection survey conducted by D. Bonkavich found 11 leaks, with most on property owner service lines. These leaks account for 150,000 gallons of water per day. The activities report states, “Bonkovich must return complete the leak detection survey for the transmission mains. Status report needed.”

According to what is stated on the meetings agenda, Condemnation Resolution 2023-33 is “for a temporary right-of-way and construction easement for the purpose of constructing, laying, establishing, maintaining, and operating a water main, together with all appurtenances and infrastructure necessary thereto, to convey water from certain wells located in Wayne Township, Clinton County”.

During Wednesday’s meeting, City Council voted unanimously to pass Condemnation Resolution 2023-33. In summary, the Resolution gives the City of Lock Haven the power to take possession of certain properties in order to build a water pipeline from Wayne Township to the city. The city has authorized the selection and appropriation of a temporary easement of land owned by various individuals and companies, and the city’s solicitor is authorized and directed to communicate with the Wayne Township Board of Supervisors and file a Declaration of Taking with the court to take any action that may be necessary or desirable to carry out the intent and purpose of the Resolution.

Greg Wilson spoke about the temporary easement and the property owners affected during Wednesday’s meeting, “The city has been in communication with all of the property owners listed in this resolution as well as to others,” he said. Wilson explained that the list of property owners included in the meeting’s agenda did sign and complete the necessary paperwork in agreement with the temporary easement for the project, however, there are a few others who are scheduled to meet with the City Council Wednesday evening for further discussion. “It certainly is the city’s hope that no condemnation will be needed for any of the parcels, and that easements can be signed and put in place for the temporary easement for the water supply. This is put before counsel so that the option is available in case any of the parties and the city are unable to come to a reasonable conclusion,” Wilson said. In the event of condemnation, connection of the system will be delayed until mid-February at a minimum according to the activities report.

The Coploff, Ryan, and Houser law firm, Solicitor for the City of Lock Haven, prepared Resolution 2023-33, and Attorney Justin Houser was present at the meeting to speak on the matter, “Some of the legal nuances that required this meeting to be held the way that it did is just so that the council is aware of where this goes,” he explained. “As the city manager said, there is no present intent to move forward with any immediate condemnations for these temporary easements. This is only to eliminate any delays in case that should become necessary, but we sincerely hope that it does not become necessary,” Houser said. “Again, we’re hoping not to have to do anything, but if we do have to do something we shouldn’t have as much of a delay,” he emphasized.

McElhattan property owner, Dawn Courter, addressed City Council with some of her concerns. “We’re concerned about our property in McElhatton where we put a so called temporary pipeline. We have not signed any papers with the city yet, and I think we have a lot of questions,” she said. “It concerns our property; the pipeline whether temporary or permanent, was ran right over top of our septic tank. The house is in the middle of being remodeled and our concern is that the pressure of the water going through that pipe crushing that septic tank… And what are you going to do to replace it?” she asked. “Our well, if you would happen to drain us, what’s going to happen there? There’s a lot of questions that we have,” she said before emphasizing that she is speaking on behalf of a family owner property.

In response, Attorney Houser assured Courter that he and City Council members would meet with her at the conclusion of the meeting to address her concerns and answer questions. Further approval from other property owners is still needed in order to move forward with the project.