Carroll County awards contract to replace corroded water valve bolts in Freedom service area

Carroll County commissioners approved a competitively bid contract to replace cast-iron water valve bolts at 22 locations within the Freedom District service area.

County staff told the board that cast-iron bolts used on many valves installed during the 1980s and 1990s have rusted and occasionally snap during maintenance, limiting routine valve work and creating safety and reliability concerns. The contract awarded to Mid Atlantic Utilities Inc. of Boling Springs, Pennsylvania, is for $89,650, a figure staff said compares favorably to recent similar projects and is within the FY26 budget.

A utilities representative described the problem in frank terms: "These cast iron bolts are the bane of our existence," and said staff estimate roughly 30% of the district’s 4,300 valves — about 1,100 locations — were fitted with cast-iron bolts. The 22-valve project will bring the cumulative replacement count to 481 of those estimated 1,100 locations, officials said.

The project was competitively solicited; the office of procurement received bids from four contractors but only one proposal was submitted for this work. Commissioners moved and seconded the contract award; the motion passed unanimously.

Officials said the work is proactive to improve maintenance safety and system reliability, and that the county has a strong work history with the selected contractor. The county did not provide a firm timeline for when the replacement work will begin.