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WEIRTON -- The Weirton Area Water Board is looking at its options after bids for its planned expansion project came in higher than anticipated.
As part of the board's meeting Thursday, Jesse Alden of Thrasher Engineering explained a bid opening for the water project, which would double the treatment capacity of the city's water treatment plant to 8 million gallons per day, had been held Oct. 26.
"We had two principal contractors submit bids," Alden explained, noting both came in approximately 32 percent over the estimates.
The board is seeking additional funding through the West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs and Development Council and the West Virginia Water Development Authority to cover the balance in lieu of additional rate increases.
"There is a plan in place and we're going down the path now for additional funds," Alden said.
Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni said, in addition, the board has received a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from having to meet requirements under the Build America Buy America Act, a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which requires "that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in covered infrastructure projects are produced in the United States," according to the U.S. Commerce Department. As the water project received more than $24 million in federal funding, it would have been affected by the BABA regulations without the waiver. Having the waiver could allow for some cost savings, Mastrantoni said.
The bids are set to expire Jan. 24, which also led to Weirton Council, during its meeting Monday, to approve the first of three readings to establish a new bond ordinance for the project as a result of the higher prices. The original bonds, passed in July, provided up to $12 million for the project, with the new bonds set to provide up to $18 million if approved.
"All the numbers stay the same," Mastrantoni said, explaining it will allow the board to borrow more if needed. "The rates stay the same."
In addition, Thursday, the Water Board approved a resolution authorizing a one-time payment not to exceed $145,000 to fully fund the board's 2016A and 2016B water reserve accounts, allowing for more flexibility in their financing.
Mastrantoni said he remains hopeful the avenues being explored are of assistance, noting a phone conference set for 1 p.m. today will provide more information.
"We're on course right now," he said. "Let's hope for no icebergs."