Ralphton Desires Connection to Quemahoning Pipeline

Somerset County officials are working with U.S. legislators to secure funding to build infrastructure which will essentially connect Ralphton with the Quemahoning pipeline, a 22-mile pipeline that supplies water to municipalities from just north of Jennerstown to Somerset. County spokeswoman Kerri Burtner says the funding will be used to connect Ralphton with the Municipal Water Authority of the Township of Jenner which is in turn connected to the pipeline. Ralphton residents currently rely on wells for their water which can pose a problem in times of drought or in the event of a fire. Currently, there is no contractual agreement between the Municipal Water Authority of the Township of Jenner and Ralphton but Burtner says one is in the works. Plans for the infrastructure are already completed. The county will know if money for the project is secured with the passing of the 2009 federal budget.