A leak in a valve at the Merrill Creek Reservoir has been controlled, and work is under way today (12/12) to replace the valve.

The valve, part of a system that controls water releases to Lower Merrill Creek, was damaged around noon Monday (12/11) during maintenance work, apparently when debris dislodged, causing strong vibration in a pipe connected to the valve.

"A maintenance crew was able to make temporary repairs to control the leak Monday afternoon," said David K. Burd, project director. "Today technicians from International Piping Services Co. (IPSCO) will be installing equipment to completely stop the flow of water in the pipe feeding the valve so that it can be replaced. A bypass will be installed to continue flow to Lower Merrill Creek until the repairs are completed.

"We expect the valve replacement to be completed by Wednesday (12/13)."

The valve is part of the conservation outlet system that ensures a continuous flow in Lower Merrill Creek. It is located in a building below the reservoir's main dam at the junction with the creek.

There has been no threat to the structure of the reservoir's main dam during the incident, Burd added. The 650-acre reservoir is located in Harmony Township, Warren County, N.J.

Constructed in 1988, the reservoir is used by seven electric utilities to provide replacement water to the Delaware River during times of low-flow. The utilities, which have generating stations that use river water in their operations, are PECO Energy, Public Service Electric & Gas, Jersey Central Power & Light, Metropolitan Edison, Atlantic Electric, Delmarva Power and Light and PP&L Resources Inc.