×

Wetzel County Schools officials working on Valley High School water plan

(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PINE GROVE — Wetzel County Schools is devising a plan that would help both the town of Pine Grove and Valley High School get through their current water shortage.

The drought conditions of the last few months have lowered the water levels in Fishing Creek, from which Pine Grove pulls its water, to a point where little water is left for town residents and the town has called for a state of emergency. The water shortage has forced Valley High students to stay home and take classes remotely.

Wetzel Schools Superintendent Cassie Porter said Friday she has posed a solution to Pine Grove town officials — removing Valley from the town’s water system.

That move, Porter said, would allow the school district to connect to the Wetzel County Public Service District’s water supply. The PSD’s water lines run close enough to the high school to make that work.

The school district would pay an annual fee of $2,000 to Pine Grove to be a backup water source for the school. It would continue to pay all fees associated with the current bill, approximately $3,649.35 annually for sewage, police fees, municipal service fees and street lighting.

The change, Porter said, would free up 23,000 gallons of water per month, which would total 275,000 gallons annually, for the residents of Pine Grove.

“This … is not uncommon for a school to maintain a secondary supply,” Porter said. “This action will allow us to have a continuous supply of sanitary water. Valley High School is a big part of the community, as it is a place of education and supplying meals to students. The school has shower facilities and also serves as an emergency shelter location.”

Porter said she and the district hoped to meet with town officials this week to release Valley from the town’s water supply. The district already has been talking to the PSD to get the necessary equipment to link to its water supply.

“We are really trying hard to solve this problem quickly so students won’t have to take classes remotely any more than three to four days,” Porter said. “Our number one goal is taking care of the student and also taking care of the community as well.”

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today