Wood County Commission wants PSDs to coordinate efforts
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PARKERSBURG -- County officials want two public service districts to work together to bring water to over 80 residences in Wood County and have a way to connect to each other if they would ever need to supply water to each other in the event of an emergency.
Representatives from the Lubeck Public Service District and the Mineral Wells Public Service District appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to discuss a possible joint project that would bring water to over 80 new customers.
Resident Roger Rawson had gathered a petition with 94 signatures of people who wanted water. Lubeck PSD Manager Rocky McConnell told commissioners earlier this month that he has only gotten a list of 85 people and many of the people listed on it fall outside their coverage area and are in areas covered by Mineral Wells PSD.
"We wanted Lubeck and Mineral Wells to come in to discuss how we can help facilitate this project," Commission President Blair Couch said.
Many of the addresses on the petition were in an area around Pond Creek Road that officials considered doing a water project in 2010, but did not come together at the time. A study was done in the area around the Pond Creek fire station, including the Limestone area and Josh Fork. Lubeck officials said they have looked at running lines to the fire station. Both groups go up to Interstate 77.
There were 75 households that signed up and meetings were held, said Todd Anderson, operations manager for Mineral Wells PSD. The inclusion of a sewerline charge put on the bill and many of the customers did not want that and the project ended up falling through.
"Mineral Wells is willing to do that project if there is money available," Anderson said.
In 2010, the project was estimated at $2 million, he said.
Officials wanted to see if any funding was available that could be used to have Burgess and Niple update the initial study. Officials on both sides want to do a hookup where one could supply water to the other if there is a problem in the future. Officials estimate there is about 25,000-30,000 feet between where their lines could connect.
Couch said he believes the project has probably gone up in cost. He said the commission would put money towards the project, but would not cover the entire expense of it.
There are funds available for waterline extension through federal, state and county sources, he said. He wants the two groups to come up with a proposal and potential costs.
Fred Rader of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council said the more local support for this kind of project the more attractive it would be to state officials looking at funding such projects. The state received $1.3 billion in federal recovery money and plans are still being worked on about how to spend that money. Once it is determined how much the state will put into water projects then they would have a better idea about how to apply for such money.
There is a need for city water in that area, officials said citing testing done.
Lubeck officials said they could do the project, but would need Mineral Wells PSD's cooperation since it is their territory. Mineral Wells PSD officials said they do not want to give up control of the area as the project could eventually generate income for them.
"There is an opportunity here for Lubeck and Mineral Wells to see if there is a coordination of effort to extend lines," Couch said.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com