KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette This barge on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near the mouth of Lycoming Creek is doing test bores as part of a project to lay a new water transmission line beneath the water surface, a project overseen by the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority.

Curious individuals may have recently noticed a barge floating on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near the mouth of Lycoming Creek.

The barge, which won’t be there for many more days, is actually doing directional test bores to determine water depth and the geology and type of rock formations beneath the river.

It is there at the direction of Williamsport Municipal Water Authority which has plans to replace a 50-year-old cast iron water transmission line with a new high density polyethylene water line.

Teaming up with the authority is Colton Seagrist, serving as contract engineer with Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. (HRG), engineering, according to Michael Miller, executive director of the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority.

This is a proactive measure to replace the existing water transmission line that is nearing the end of its useful service life, he said. It is not a failing line, he noted.

The intent is to determine the bore results and then lay the water transmission line under the river between Summer and Rose streets, he said.

Miller said the funding for the project was made more feasible by Congressionally-directed grant funds pursued successfully through the offices of U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, and U.S. Senator John Fetterman, D-Braddock.

“The legislators have been wonderful advocates for the authority,” Miller said.