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DPW restores water to Bulle Rock after rapid tower drain; city details race‑day street closures
Summary
DPW crews located and fixed a frozen check valve that drained the Bulle Rock water tower in under three hours; the council thanked crews by name. The city also published street‑closure and detour information for the Susquehanna River Running Festival.
Havre de Grace — City Department of Public Works crews located and repaired the problem that caused the Bulle Rock water tower to drain in less than two hours on the morning before the Sept. 15 council meeting, DPW Director Joe Conway reported.
Conway said the department received a call about 5:45 a.m., dispatched crews immediately, and had water restored to the Bulle Rock area by about 8:30 a.m. He identified the crew members involved by name and role: Dennis Underwood (Manager of Water and Sewer), David Morell (crew leader, Water and Sewer), Melvin Mahan (city utility inspector), Ethan Kron and Chris Dalton (on‑call personnel), and Bill Lauder (water treatment plant operator). Conway and Mayor Martin praised the team for resolving the problem quickly.
City staff later said the tower’s rapid drainage was caused by a check valve that had become stuck in the closed position, preventing the tank from refilling while customers continued to draw water.
Separately, Dr. Ritchie reviewed traffic and closure information for the Susquehanna River Running Festival scheduled for the coming Saturday. Key closures and guidance published to residents included:
• Westbound Route 40 (Hayden Bridge) between Otsego Street and Route 222: closed 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; westbound vehicles detoured to I‑95. Eastbound traffic will be shifted to westbound lanes while the westbound span is closed.
• Union Avenue and adjacent blocks (Otsego St., Juniata St.): closed to vehicles 7:45 a.m.–8:30 a.m.; Union Avenue will reopen when gaps in runners permit safe crossings.
• Multiple downtown blocks (including portions of Erie Street, North Adams Street, Park Drive, Water Street, Market Street, Commerce Street) will be closed approximately 7:40 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; Commerce Street adjacent to Tidings Park will be closed from about 5:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. for finish‑line setup and breakdown.
Police Chief (unnamed in transcript) reminded residents that no‑parking orders will be in effect beginning 48 hours before the race on certain streets and urged boaters to arrive early because street and ramp access will be restricted.
Ending: City officials urged residents to follow posted detours and law‑enforcement directions on race morning and thanked DPW crews for rapidly restoring service after the Bulle Rock tower drained.
