FOLLANSBEE — The city has received another boost from the Army Corps of Engineers for more than $3 million in improvements to a water treatment system that serves both Follansbee residents and water customers in Hooverson Heights and other areas outside the city.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. confirmed the federal agency has awarded a $1.32 million grant for further improvements to the system, which he expects to include replacement of a failed control panel at the Hooverson Heights water plant.

He added the grant is under a different section of the Army Corps of Engineers’ grant program that doesn’t require the agency’s direct supervision of the next phase of improvements.

In 2021, the city was awarded a $3.1 million grant from the Army Corps of Engineers that had been a major boon to the project under the condition the agency oversee its first phase, including advertising for and selection of the contractor.

After reviewing designs for the project completed by Ghosh Engineering, the federal agency held a pre-bid meeting in January for potential contractors.

Costs for a new control panel have been estimated at $600,000 and had not been foreseen when the project was planned, making the second grant from the Army Corps of Engineers “very timely,” said Velegol.

Velegol said because that grant is under a different section, the funds could become available by mid-summer.

But he said the city may not seek reimbursement for any funds expended prior to that, so he and other city officials are looking into “short-term fixes” that may be made to the Hooverson Heights plant until then.

Velegol said in addition to the control panel, the grant could be used for other improvements, including upgrades to a pump station that conveys water from the Ohio River to the Hooverson Heights plant.

He noted the city has continued to serve all of its customers through a link between the city’s downtown water plant, which draws water from underground wells, and the Hooverson Heights water plant, which draws water from the Ohio River.

Asked about a local match for the local grant, he said it’s possible it may be reduced from 25 percent of the awarded amount to 10 percent because of the average incomes of those served.