Lock Haven resident urges faster fix after front-yard water break; public works outlines investigative steps

At the Lock Haven City Council meeting, resident Rita O'Brien described a prolonged water problem at her home on Quiggo Avenue after a large leak she recalls from last August. O'Brien said crews temporarily fixed a break the night it occurred but standing water has persisted, the curb and topsoil were damaged and her yard and lamppost need repair.

O'Brien said she has been in touch with several city staffers, including Greg Wilson and Tony Stauffer, and that she was told she was "third on the list" for follow-up. "I'm just kind of fed up," she told the council, urging more timely attention.

Public works staff responded that they have repeatedly tested the water and found no chlorine residual, and that a deep sample was sent to an outside lab (PACE analytical) for analysis with results pending. Staff said leak-detection efforts are complicated where plastic pipe is installed, that some replacement work has occurred on services across the street and that a restoration order was placed for needed materials. The department also said a removed hydrant at the corner will be reinstalled as part of follow-up work.

Staff noted limitations of leak-detection on plastic mains, described planned restoration steps (stone backfill and compaction ahead of planned paving) and said the city would pursue longer-term fixes to reduce repeat incidents. No new formal vote or expenditure was taken at the meeting, but staff acknowledged the resident's concerns and committed to further investigation and repairs.

Next steps: staff will follow up with O'Brien about scheduling repairs, await the lab results, and proceed with the planned restoration and hydrant replacement actions.