Bellefonte is home to one of the most productive spring water providers in the state, but environmental regulations require it to be covered.
A new project is underway to get rid of the cover and in the process may have an impact on another potential project in town.
The big spring in Bellefonte is an amazing natural resource, providing up to 15 million gallons of water per day, which is then distributed to many residents in the region.
But many residents say they would like to see the blue tarp covering the big spring gone.
An eye sore is one of the kinder terms for the tarp, which is required by state and federal regulations to block possible pollution sources.
Now, testing is underway on a new idea to uncover the spring.
“We are doing some actual testing of a water well system that could be potentially placed in the expanded area of Talleyrand Park. If all goes well, it could provide drinking water, which means we would be able to take the cover off the big spring.”
Bellefonte Borough Manager Ralph Stewart says they hope to have preliminary results of the well testing, which is costing about 50 thousand dollars, by next month, or in January.
Nearby the spring, literally a hundred yards or so away, is the proposed site for a new performing arts venue known as the Stage at Talleyrand.
“The Stage at Talleyrand is kind of waiting to see where the wells go. They have some funding in place and they’re trying to get more funding. But now we are working to see where these wells would be located, to see if we can make both projects work.”
One other update on a long discussed Bellefonte project is the Waterfront Project, which will include a hotel, retail space and a parking garage along Spring Creek.
Stewart says it has been delayed once again with groundbreaking hopefully to take place next year.