Springdale’s water system renovation project could be completed as soon as next month.

Project engineer Kevin Szakelyhidi of Bankson Engineers that the $7.4 million project is 85% completed, based on payouts to contractors.

Szakelyhidi said he hopes the project can be completed within the next month or so.

In providing an update on the project to council last Wednesday, Szakelyhidi said two well pumps that feed clean water into the distribution system have to be replaced. The first one has been installed and was scheduled to be tested Thursday, Oct. 17. If all goes well with that test, the second well pump would be installed and tested this week, he said.

Renovation of the plant’s old filter room also is nearing completion. Szakelyhidi said a new concrete floor has been poured. Walls are being erected for a new restroom and multipurpose room where drawings can be reviewed.

Other work still to be done includes programming of computers involved with plant operations and replacing the chemical feed system.

On Wednesday, council approved about $515,000 in payments to various project contractors. It also approved the 13th draw-down of funds from a $7.5 million loan from PennVEST that has financed the project.

The project has included the replacement of waterlines on James Street, Colfax Street and Rosslyn Avenue. It also involved the expansion and complete renovation of the water treatment plant, which was built sometime in the 1920s.

The project and Bankson Engineering have been targets of concern and criticism from some council members.

That goes back to Bankson’s initial underestimation of the bid projections by 43% in 2018. As a result, council sought an additional PennVEST $1.9 million loan.

Change orders that have added tens of thousands of dollars to the project’s cost since it began last year fueled more anger and criticism from some council members.

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