SHAMOKIN - An alarm will be installed at a drain and pump system on South Rock Street in an effort to avoid street flooding such as what occurred June 27.
The pump, which was installed near Patsy's foot bridge following the Flood of 2011 to help drain water during periods of heavy rain, was working fine, but multiple power surges during last month's storm caused it to shut off, said Paul Petrovich, general manager of the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority (SCTJSA).
"The surges caused the pump to go into a mode that stopped it before the motor could burn itself up," Petrovich said Friday.
At least two inches of rain fell during a 90-minute period that day, and three homes experienced basement flooding. Firefighters from the nearby Friendship Fire Company eventually forced the water out of the 16-inch storm drain and over a wall into Shamokin Creek, draining it from the street.
While they are called to help and are happy to do so, Shamokin Fire Chief Robert Wolfe always hopes that a fire doesn't break out while firefighters are stuck on a flooded basement or street call.
"Really, we are only supposed to use the pump if the water is threatening any electricial services, but we went above and beyond that. In the last storm, we were using equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to suck water off a street so it was clear for emergency vehicles," Wolfe said.
Routine checks
Petrovich said sewer department workers are now routinely checking the pump every two to three days.
"When we had four inches of rain in 2012, the pump worked fine," he noted.
But because of the problem on June 27, Petrovich said the authority will install an early warning system that will activate an audible and visual alarm if the pump doesn't work, giving emergency responders a head start on pumping the water away and ensuring public safety.
"The alarm will be loud enough to alert residents," Petrovich said. "If the red light comes on, a sign near the pump will direct residents to call 911."
SCTJSA will instruct the county 911 center that when someone calls about the pump, sewer authority workers, city fire chiefs and police officers on duty will be asked to respond.
"This is something we want to correct," Petrovich said. "The pump has worked several times to curb the flooding, and the early warning system is just another added level of protection."
On behalf of the Shamokin Fire Department, Wolfe thanked the authority for the improvement.
"We're all for anything that can be done to improve the system, prevent flooding and keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles," Wolfe said.