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BELLEFONTE -- The Bellefonte Borough Authority received permission from borough council to conduct hydrogeological studies in Talleyrand Park to explore alternatives to covering the Big Spring.
The Big Spring, located in the Talleyrand Park Expanded Area adjacent to Water Street and Spring Creek, serves as Bellefonte's water source, producing approximately 15 million gallons of natural groundwater each day.
The Big Spring was covered in December 1998 to meet state environmental standards for protecting surface water. The authority is now considering the use of wells to draw spring water from underground instead of from the Big Spring pond. If successful, the pond could once again be uncovered.
For the spring to meet drinking water standards, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection required the cover, because the unfiltered spring was exposed to the atmosphere and vulnerable to pollutants such as algae, duck droppings and other debris.
The wells would draw the same spring water out of the ground and feed it into the distribution system for use as drinking water. The well water would not be in touch with any surface contaminants and therefore not need to be filtered, and the spring could be uncovered since the water would be drawn from the wells.
Borough Manager Ralph Stewart said the series of studies would cost the borough approximately $53,000, but could be paid for largely with grant money.
However, Councilmember Doug Johnson noted, "It was made perfectly clear by the engineer and our borough manager that this is not guaranteed to work."
"There are some risks, but the authority thought it was worth taking the risks based on what the engineers have provided us with," he said. "With the grant money we have received, and the options that we've had, this is the option that would be most likely to succeed."
A previous plan pursued by the borough would have replaced the cover with a more aesthetically pleasing version. The project was tentatively slated for bidding and construction in 2025.
According to council, other options under consideration could cost millions or affect the viability of the Stage at Talleyrand project.
"We were trying to find the most economical (option) and the one that would uncover the pond with the least impact on the park," Johnson said.
Councilmember Debra Cleeton was apprehensive about the costs, given the potential the project may fail, and asked if the money would be allocated as a lump sum or on a per-test basis.
Stewart assured Cleeton if the project proved unviable, they would halt testing.
The first test in the series of GIS work, geophysical survey data and hydrogeological assessments would require an investment of between $3,000 and $8,000, with additional tests planned based on the results.
"At this point there are many unknown variables and that’s what this will clear up," Johnson said, adding that, "most of the residents we were exposed to are hopeful to not have a cover on the Big Spring."
The Bellefonte Borough Authority is also finishing work inventorying all the water system's service lines to submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection before the Oct. 16 due date.
According to Stewart, the Borough will comply with the deadline.
In Jan. 2021, the EPA published an updated version of the 1991 Lead and Copper Rule, which limits the concentration of metals allowed at the consumer's tap. The revision ordered that all water systems must inventory their service lines and submit that inventory to their states' DEP by Oct. 16, 2024.
Water service lines are the small diameter pipes that connect the water main to homes and businesses. Service lines are made from either copper, galvanized steel, iron, plastic or lead. Water suppliers must classify each line according to material as either: lead, non-lead, lead status unknown or galvanized requiring replacement.
Homeowners who have unknown or lead service lines will receive a letter from the Bellefonte Borough Authority within 30 days of the inventory due date.
Those served by the Authority, who haven’t already, can help identify their service line by filling out an online form on the Borough website and taking a picture of the water service line where it enters their home or business. The form can be found online at bellefonte.net/2024/bellefonte-borough-service-line-inventory/.
In other business, council:
-- Submitted a Centre County Liquid Fuel Grant application for $25,000 to be put toward street lighting renovation work.
-- Appointed Julie Brooks as the new Right to Know/Open Records Officer.
-- Donated 357-square-feet of park property to PennDOT to complete the Mill Street bridge project.
-- Added discussion about contributing to an air service incentive fund to a future work session.
-- Adopted the real estate tax collector software, GSS, which is used by the Centre County Government.
-- Shared information about two upcoming events where the community can collaborate on the Centre County Hazard Mitigation Plan. There will be a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 12 to 1 p.m. The Meeting ID is 238 872 111 478, and the passcode is 4GZaTL.
Additionally, there will be an in-person meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Centre County Emergency Operations Center, located at 420 Holmes St. in Bellefonte, Room 9.
A public open house for the Centre County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) will also take place in person on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the same location. This open house will provide an opportunity for members of the public and other stakeholders to ask questions about the plan update and share their input.
For ongoing updates and access to participation forms, you can visit the project website at www.pennsylvaniahmp.com/centre-hmp.