Water issues flow before commission
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WELLSBURG -- Allocations of federal money for local water projects led to a discussion of the quality of local water at Tuesday's Brooke County Commission meeting.
The commissioners have allocated about $4 million in federal American Recovery Plan Act funds for water and sewer projects pursued by three public service districts that provide water or wastewater treatment to unincorporated areas of the county.
Ben Erste, a community planning specialist for the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, reported three of the projects are in early stages.
They are the refurbishment of water tanks serving the Washington Pike Public Service District, pump replacement and restoration for sewer customers in the Mahan Lane area served by the Brooke County Public Service District, and the extension of sewer lines by the district to unserved homes along St. John's Road.
The three projects are among several receiving a boost from the federal funds.
Brian Knight, a resident of Washington Pike, told the commission, "Anything that can be done to help with water infrastructure is worthwhile."
A local pastor, he said he's heard many complaints about the quality of local water.
"I just feel our water is in a lot of need of attention," said Knight.
Commission President A.J. Thomas noted water for the Washington PSD's customers is provided by the city of Wellsburg, which has done much in recent years to replace and improve aging water lines.
"Those projects take money," said Thomas.
"Not some money -- millions of dollars," added Commissioner Stacey Wise.
Thomas said to fund such improvements, local water and sewer providers often must raise rates, and many of their customers are senior citizens on fixed incomes.
Thomas said the commission has tried to prevent or offset such increases by supplementing grants and other funds secured by the public service districts with the federal ARPA money.
In other business, the commissioners noted they have received three letters of interest in four seats on the county's volunteer museum board and will accept others until its next meeting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, when they hope to fill the seats.
The letters should be sent to the office of County Clerk Kimberly Barbetta at the Brooke County Courthouse.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)