The history of Altoona’s water system dates back to the Pennsylvania Railroad, when the Altoona rail yard was active and operating.
The run-off from the railroad into the water system created contamination, making it necessary for the area to seek alternative solutions. The solution finally agreed upon was to align water systems, including the one that served Bellwood. The system would eventually run from Hollidaysburg to Tyrone consisting of elaborate reservoir systems, holding tanks, and back-up plans.
Looking back at the history of Bellwood\’s water system it is noted that, on June 6, 1893, the town council passed an ordinance to provide water for use by the borough and all persons and corporations located therein.
The ordinance authorized the proper officials to take land, water, labor and pipe, as necessary for furnishing water to the borough.
To defray expenses, the ordinance provided for increasing the debt of the borough by $18,000. At the election held July 5, 1893, the citizens approved and the loan was authorized.
In 1893, the borough purchased a piece of land over which Bells Run flows, some two miles above town where an intake was constructed and a system of water pipes was laid down along the streets.
Some years later, the old Logan Valley water line was purchased and added to the borough water system, which added many consumers and several miles more of pipe. The Logan Valley line was hooked in at a considerable distance below the borough intake.
Just recently, with CWA funds, it was deemed advisable to complete the Logan Valley line up to the intake. Now each line can supply itself, thereby increasing pressure and assuring more water for consumers. This would also supply the borough with better fire protection.
The borough now has a fine water system containing about eight miles of cast iron pipe and is operated entirely by gravity. The entire system has an approximate value of $90,000.
It brings in a yearly revenue and has proved to be a very profitable asset to the borough.
Bellwood\’s water system was eventually connected to Altoona, as was Tyrone, and other outlying community systems to produce the most efficient and largest system of its kind.
So why then would it be in the best interest of the people to sell the system?
Bill Cochran and Ralph Zitsch spoke during the Bellwood Borough Council meeting in May.
According to Cochran and Zitsch, the Altoona City Authority is pushing to sell the Altoona system to make up for a lack of funds in Altoona.
“We are sitting on a gold mine and they want to take it away,” said Cochran. “It has belonged to us since 1981 and what better way to provide for the future generations than to keep it ours.”
The system runs from Tyrone to Hollidaysburg. Cochran also added that if any of the systems connected would incur a water problem, due to contamination or any other disaster, no one would even know, because the system has backup tanks near the water supply so that water flow is never interrupted.
Mr. Cochran worked for the Altoona Water Supply since 1950. He started as a county engineer, then assistant superintendent…then the superintendent.
He also filled an unexpired term for the council and while running the system full time was elected as councilman again.
Today he is retired and serving the community through many ways; however, his main focus is the water system.
He was there and petitioned and negotiated for implementation of water supply reconstructions with government agencies. He was also there working with the earth to build them.
Bellwood Borough agreed to support him in this very important issue by standing fast against the sale to Pennsylvania American, a subsidiary of Thames from London.
