Lock Haven, PA- This winter, there has been a noticeable difference in water main and pipe repairs on the Lock Haven campus of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Water main breaks are common occurrences in nearly all cold environments, but there have been multiple issues in the Spring 2025 semester.
“I had a fairly sizable relocation occur, I was unable to be in my room on the 3rd floor of Fairview for a little over 2 weeks… I was relocated to Smith, which proved to be really bad for my health on account of some disability problems.” Current Lock Haven student Richard Hilliard said when asked about how the flooding effected her.
When these strike in a certain area, it can be an inconvenience for students, staff, and faculty at Lock Haven, especially while the repairs are still ongoing.
“It can be a domino of repair work,” says Mikayla Reagan, a Certified Water & Wastewater Operator. “Once one main breaks, it opens a world of repairs, especially when replacing lead, copper, or cement pipes.”
The cold weather that the campus has been facing is also a huge factor in how water moves underground. Reagan also added that, “Metal pipes condense with cold, when they condense, weaknesses in the age of the pipes, corrosion and even the smallest pinhole can cause a water main break.”
Repairs also then bring new issues, such as potential contamination from construction
crews. Students, much like anyone when their water is being repaired in your area, are
encouraged to monitor the water in their house or apartments by doing the following
practices:
● Let the water run a little longer before taking a shower
● Check for boil water advisories
● Monitor water for discoloration or strong smell of chlorine
With spring and warm weather approaching, there is hope for less breakages in water. For more information on water in Lock Haven visit: https://lockhavenpa.gov/dept/public-works/water/
