From left, Rockport resident Calvin Cox speaks to Wood County Commissioners Blair Couch, Bob Tebay and Jimmy Colombo about his efforts to get water service to his residence during the commission meeting Monday at the Wood County Courthouse. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Wood County commissioners plan to reach out to the Mineral Wells Public Service District after a resident spoke to them Monday about wanting water service to his house.

“I’ve been trying for 30 years to get water down to my place at Rockport,” said Calvin Cox, who lives on Five Mile Run Road.

Cox said he has to haul water to his property from the Pond Creek Volunteer Fire Department and has not been able to get water service extended to his property. He said he believes everyone in West Virginia should have access to clean water service.

Commission President Blair Couch said cost can be a barrier to connecting properties in rural areas but in general he would support the county contributing funding to an extension for Cox’s and other nearby properties. However, it’s the public service district, in this case Mineral Wells, that would initiate the process and work to secure state and federal funding, commissioners said.

“We’ll get ahold of Mineral Wells and ask them to come in,” Couch said, adding that they would notify Cox so he could attend that meeting.

Commissioners said the district is working on a $3.5 million extension of water service in the Pond Creek area, to which the county is contributing 10%. It was not immediately clear Monday whether the extension would impact Cox’s property.

Todd Anderson, operations manager for Mineral Wells Public Service District, said he could not comment on the specific situation Monday when contacted after the meeting.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.