Tarentum beefs up security at water plant

Ahead of a possible $2 million upgrade at Tarentum’s water plant, cameras will be installed to boost security.

Council on Tuesday approved about $11,500 for five security cameras that will be mounted at the plant, pump house and water tanks.

Video feed will be collected from several locations, including parking areas and alleys.

The equipment will be purchased from 2Krew of Kittanning, the lowest of three bids submitted.

“Some of the feed will come back to the police,” Councilman Ray Kerr said.

Borough manager Dwight Boddorf said the idea for security cameras was discussed for more than two years but was postponed because of the cost. Initial plans included installing the cameras inside the water plant, but that proved to be too expensive.

“We’ve had several discussions about this, and we want to make sure no one is getting in and tampering with the water supply,” Boddorf said.

Police Sgt. Kurt Jendrejewski suggested officers also should be given keys to the water plant in case of an emergency.

Council is waiting for word on more than $2 million across four grants from the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority. They include about $1 million for the water treatment plant storage and pumping project, close to $418,000 for raw water intake work, about $340,000 for a water plant electrical project and about $560,000 for mechanical upgrades.

If the grants are approved, Boddorf said, Tarentum’s required contribution will come from the borough’s capital reserves.

The borough’s water plant dates to the 1930s. Most of the mechanical and electrical equipment is more than 30 years old.