SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Water service has been restored to customers impacted by Monday’s major water main break in downtown Scranton, but city leaders say the conversation is now shifting from recovery to preventing it from happening again.
The latest break marks the second major water main failure in just 10 days, renewing concerns over the city’s aging underground infrastructure. Some of the water mains beneath downtown Scranton date back to 1885.
At a Tuesday press conference, Mayor Paige Cognetti said the city is urging Pennsylvania American Water, which owns the pipes, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to move Scranton’s water infrastructure higher on the priority list for replacement.
“We need to continue to push PAW to re-prioritize their list, re-prioritize whatever funding is necessary, working with their leadership at the state level, working with their corporate leadership across the country to make sure that downtown Scranton water mains are fully replaced as quickly as possible because we clearly see that this is an issue, and I know we’re all worried this could happen again,” Cognetti said.
The water main break forced widespread closures Monday, shutting down businesses, government buildings and roads throughout downtown.
Although businesses have since reopened, many owners say the financial impact continues.
Tom Borthwick, owner of The Cidery, co-owner of DaVinci Pizza and a landlord for several downtown apartment buildings, said the latest water emergency came on top of ongoing construction projects that have already made it difficult for businesses to attract customers.
“The biggest thing for me as someone who has employees, if they’re not working, they’re not making money and they’re not providing a livelihood for their families and we’re not bringing in money to sustain ourselves,” Borthwick said.
He said business remained slow even after water service returned.
“We were open today. It was a ghost town because we’re right center mass here for this problem. People don’t even want to risk coming downtown and that’s compounded by the fact that there’s constant construction and there’s really no communication about when things are going to shut down for how long,” he said.
Borthwick also said he feels for downtown residents and business owners who continue to deal with repeated disruptions.
“I feel absolutely terrible for all the tenants—not just in my building but all throughout downtown. I know there have been efforts that the city and other organizations have been making to try to get people water and help out, but it’s still a massive burden for people who are looking for downtown living.”
City officials say they are now trying to determine the full economic impact of the latest water main break.
Cognetti announced businesses will receive an intake form Wednesday to report financial losses and damages. The city hopes the information will help determine whether grant funding or other reimbursement options may be available.
“The first step for us while we try to work this out is going to be an intake form that we will send out publicly tomorrow that will collect some of the data points that will make it easier for businesses, ourselves and others to understand the scope of the loss and the scope of the economic damage and see what we might be able to do,” Cognetti said.
The mayor also encouraged affected businesses to contact their insurance companies and submit claims through Pennsylvania American Water for lost revenue and economic impacts.
During Tuesday night’s Scranton City Council meeting, residents also expressed concerns about the city’s aging infrastructure.
Councilman Sean McAndrew questioned whether enough investment has been made into replacing aging water lines.
“Over the last six years, they’ve increased our rates over 30 percent claiming it’s going to go to infrastructure improvements and reinvestments into pipes and aging infrastructure overall, but my question is where is it? I haven’t seen it,” McAndrew said.
Pennsylvania American Water did not attend Tuesday’s press conference.
While repairs to the damaged 24-inch water main were completed overnight and water service has been restored, a boil water advisory remains in effect while Pennsylvania American Water completes required water quality testing.
Mayor Cognetti is encouraging residents to continue supporting downtown businesses as they recover from another costly disruption while city leaders continue pushing for long-term infrastructure improvements.