Bears attack sewage systems

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — Bear hunting season in Pike County starts Nov. 30. But as Chris Wood exclaimed at a recent council meeting, it's coming “not too soon!”

Wood, the sewage/zoning enforcement officer for Dingman Township, told supervisors Nov. 17 that black bears have been damaging sewage systems around the area. The creatures are vandalizing them in different ways. One was caught in the act on a security camera.

The bears usually rip up the pipes and pumps, Wood said. But in the case of a sewage system in Bluestone Ridge off Log Tavern Road, the bear that was “caught on tape” had actually bitten through the floats that regulate the system by turning it on and off, causing a trouble alarm to go off.

“All three floats had puncture holes from the bear’s teeth,” said Wood.

The bear had also ripped off the tank lid, which was held in place by eight screws.

Supervisors Chair Thomas Mincer agreed that bears are causing lots of damage.

Toilets save livesOn another note, Wood reminded the community that Nov. 19 is the World Toilet Day. Its motto: “Toilets save lives.”

Although the subject always elicits chuckles, it's in fact very serious. In many parts of the world, inadequate sewage management with resulting contamination leads to serious diseases and even death, said Wood. Properly working sewage systems keep water clean.

Mincer noted that Pike County is an exceptionally pure water area.

“We have at least supervisors who are looking after the cleanliness of the system,” he said.

Wood said that when power goes out, everyone soon understands the importance of a properly working sewage system.