The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Opinion

August 27, 2010

OUR VIEW: Condition of old water pipes should wash away any gripes

---- — Have you been complaining about bouncing along on streets in the Shenango Valley over huge holes left by work crews installing water lines this past summer?

Have you been whining about the time you spent in traffic lines waiting at work sites because movement is slowed to one-way?

Then take a look at the photo that ran on Page 1 of Wednesday’s Herald and you will realize that the old PennDOT motto comes into play here: “Temporary inconvenience for permanent improvement.”

The photo we refer to is of a section of old water line that was removed in Sharpsville. The pipe was packed with residue — so much so that it appears that water flow would be greatly restricted. Not to mention discolored.

Yuck! No wonder residents complained about their water. It’s easy to see why a Sharpsville water cooler company like Herrmann’s Water or major water-treatment companies could be a thriving business, even in a suffering economy.

A few decades ago, who would have thought that people would buy cases of bottled water when tap water costs only pennies?

Some of the lines in Sharpsville were more than 100 years old. If fact, crews said you could barely see daylight through some of the replaced pipes.

Admittedly some of the work crews replacing water or sewer lines under roadways could do a better job at times in fixing roads. Stambaugh Avenue in Sharon for one is an embarrassment the way that has been handled. Many drivers weave their way through side streets just to avoid the roller-coaster ride left by pathetic patching jobs.

 However, there is no doubt that replacement of water lines is a key to the health of residents and needs to be a priority, even if it causes temporary inconvenience in moving from one part of the area to another.

So the next time you are in stalled traffic, waiting for your lane to move past work areas, think about that filthy pipe. It may not completely ease your temper, but at least it should make you understand why the delay may be necessary.

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