Why pinhole leaks cause pesky problems for the Quemahoning's 66-inch diameter steel pipeline
HOLLSOPPLE ― The Cambria Somerset Authority is working to repair several troublesome leaks along a section of the Quemahoning pipeline in the village of Maple Ridge, between Hollsopple and Seanor.
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The leaks were discovered on Feb. 1, said Rick Ames, the authority’s operations manager. Workers from Laurel Management Co. in Johnstown have unearthed about 150 linear feet of pipeline in that area, which runs next to the Stonycreek River, and have plugged 20 pinhole leaks, each about 3/8” in diameter.
That section of the pipeline was losing about 800 gallons of water per minute because of the leaks, Ames said. The Quemahoning pipeline transports industrial water from the Quemahoning Reservoir to various business and municipal customers in Johnstown.
“So far, we have been able to work on the leaks without impacting customers,” said James Greco, authority chairman, in an email to the Daily American.
Another 50 linear feet of pipeline in the area still needs to be uncovered to search for and repair additional leaks, Ames said.
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Section was replaced in 1954
That section of the Quemahoning Pipeline was replaced about 70 years ago, and the authority has since discovered that the wiring for the cathodic protection system in that section was not transferred to the new section of pipe when it was replaced, Ames said.
A cathodic protection system protects the metal pipeline from corrosion that would accelerate the deterioration of the pipe.
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Greco said the total cost to find and repair these leaks is expected to be at least $200,000, but the authority’s emergency repair fund can cover the cost.
Work in that area of the pipeline should take another week or two to complete, Ames said.
The Quemahoning Reservoir and pipeline were built in the early 1900s to provide industrial water for the Bethlehem Steel Company in Johnstown. Historical photos of the construction of the Quemahoning Reservoir are posted on the Cambria Somerset Authority's website.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Cambria Somerset Authority works to repair pinhole leaks on Quemahoning pipeline
