PHOTOS: Rushing water floods rooms of Altoona non-profit

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)–After getting reports of water rushing into a building crews arrived to Sixth Avenue on Altoona, between 23rd and 24th Streets.

The building belongs to Arts Altoona, a non-profit aimed at promoting access to the arts in the community. Hundreds of gallons of water rushed out of a pipe in the basement of the building for what was originally thought to be a water main break.

President of the Board of Art Altoona, Donna Gority, says that at first when they saw water they didn’t think too much of it.

“We have had some issues with water coming up in the basement when there has been rain and there was a heavy rain the other night,” Gority said. “We thought initially it was just from that.”

However, the water didn’t stop rising, as it filled the basement and downstairs rooms that Arts Altoona uses for different activities.

“We also have rentals that use that space,” Gority said. “I’m not sure what our schedule is if we have anything coming up quickly. That might be an issue, but it will certainly stop us from using them for that purpose anytime real soon.”

Crews with the Altoona Water Authority quickly began searching for the source of the problem, digging up part of Sixth Avenue and checking down several manhole covers. Eventually, they found that it wasn’t a water main break.

“It’s an internal problem with sub pumps just recirculating water,” said Foreman with the Altoona Water Authority Rob Barr. “That’s basically what is going on, but there is an internal problem with the pumps.”

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For now, Gority says that they don’t know what the extent of the damage is or how much it will cost to repair. What she does know is that they will have to rely on their community for support.

“If anyone wants to help us with a donation it would be greatly appreciated,” Gority said.

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