Winesburg water group hoping CDBG funding will put them under more pressure
Some people want nothing to do with pressure. The committee trying to obtain Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Winesburg would like nothing more than to be under additional pressure.
In an effort to bolster its under-performing water treatment system, the Winesburg Area Development Corp. (WADC) has been heavily involved in finding funding to create a system that will provide them with more water pressure, something they believe is a necessity since the current system is proving to be incapable of handling the ever-growing water flow in and around Winesburg.
The group began its project to construct a new water treatment plant, as well as distribution line extensions and new wells, last year. Water issues have been a growing concern for Winesburg and the outlying areas surrounding the town for some time, and the hope is that the WADC will be able to create a pair of new wells and replace one of the old wells, which is currently obsolete and failing miserably.
“We’re very exited to be on the verge of this becoming a reality,” said Sue McFadden, WADC member. “This is a $5.3 million project, and this current effort to obtain a $500,000 grant from CDBG money is a huge part of that. We have been diligent in saving for this project, having saved $1.5 million, but with the drilling and well easements, that has gone quickly.”
The water issues in Winesburg have arisen because the capacity of the town’s largest well is way down, and it is structurally taking a beating. The new plan would provide significantly greater amounts of water and service to outlying areas, and would allow both of the old wells to be replaced. Creating two, 100,000-gallon storage tanks would vastly improve the city’s abilities to extend far beyond the current areas the WADC reaches.
Currently, the zone extends to Alpine Alpa to the north, half way down Seven Lick Hill to the south, part way down the Trail hill to the east and near Fairview Pallet on CR 160 to the west.
The new system would allow many more people to hook up to the city water lines, thus generating more revenue for the city. McFadden said that eventually the hope is that the lines will extend clear to Trail to the south, something they have been wanting to do for some time. That, however, is something that will have to wait.
According to Commissioner Rob Ault, the CDBG request will now go to the state of Ohio Planning Commission, where it will hopefully be approved, allowing Winesburg to get started on its project. Ault added that the monies being secured for the project go above and beyond what the county is normally awarded through CDBG funding.
“We feel very confident that this is going to happen,” said Ault of the CDBG grant. “It is without a doubt something that is very needed in Winesburg.”
The WADC has been working with Pam Ewing, a representative from the Rural Community Assistance Program, a nonprofit organization that helps small communities find assistance on water and sewer projects. Both McFadden and Ault spoke highly of Ewing’s efforts to secure everything necessary for the project to take place.
The one largest asset that the project currently has going for it is the water tower to the south of town, at the industrial park where Wendell August Forge is located. The county gave the OK for Winesburg to take over the use of that water tower, and the city will now move its water capabilities out to at least that point.
Through its studies, the WADC has found that the corridor along U.S. 62 has been growing rapidly, and there is a need for water and sewer for further expansion. With more homes cropping up where farm land once existed, the need to expand its lines continues to grow.
“This is going to be crucial to our project,” said McFadden, “so we are obviously very anxious to get this funding taken care of. It’s imperative to get more water flow in our system to accommodate everyone the way we need to.”
In an effort to bolster its under-performing water treatment system, the Winesburg Area Development Corp. (WADC) has been heavily involved in finding funding to create a system that will provide them with more water pressure, something they believe is a necessity since the current system is proving to be incapable of handling the ever-growing water flow in and around Winesburg.
The group began its project to construct a new water treatment plant, as well as distribution line extensions and new wells, last year. Water issues have been a growing concern for Winesburg and the outlying areas surrounding the town for some time, and the hope is that the WADC will be able to create a pair of new wells and replace one of the old wells, which is currently obsolete and failing miserably.
“We’re very exited to be on the verge of this becoming a reality,” said Sue McFadden, WADC member. “This is a $5.3 million project, and this current effort to obtain a $500,000 grant from CDBG money is a huge part of that. We have been diligent in saving for this project, having saved $1.5 million, but with the drilling and well easements, that has gone quickly.”
The water issues in Winesburg have arisen because the capacity of the town’s largest well is way down, and it is structurally taking a beating. The new plan would provide significantly greater amounts of water and service to outlying areas, and would allow both of the old wells to be replaced. Creating two, 100,000-gallon storage tanks would vastly improve the city’s abilities to extend far beyond the current areas the WADC reaches.
Currently, the zone extends to Alpine Alpa to the north, half way down Seven Lick Hill to the south, part way down the Trail hill to the east and near Fairview Pallet on CR 160 to the west.
The new system would allow many more people to hook up to the city water lines, thus generating more revenue for the city. McFadden said that eventually the hope is that the lines will extend clear to Trail to the south, something they have been wanting to do for some time. That, however, is something that will have to wait.
According to Commissioner Rob Ault, the CDBG request will now go to the state of Ohio Planning Commission, where it will hopefully be approved, allowing Winesburg to get started on its project. Ault added that the monies being secured for the project go above and beyond what the county is normally awarded through CDBG funding.
“We feel very confident that this is going to happen,” said Ault of the CDBG grant. “It is without a doubt something that is very needed in Winesburg.”
The WADC has been working with Pam Ewing, a representative from the Rural Community Assistance Program, a nonprofit organization that helps small communities find assistance on water and sewer projects. Both McFadden and Ault spoke highly of Ewing’s efforts to secure everything necessary for the project to take place.
The one largest asset that the project currently has going for it is the water tower to the south of town, at the industrial park where Wendell August Forge is located. The county gave the OK for Winesburg to take over the use of that water tower, and the city will now move its water capabilities out to at least that point.
Through its studies, the WADC has found that the corridor along U.S. 62 has been growing rapidly, and there is a need for water and sewer for further expansion. With more homes cropping up where farm land once existed, the need to expand its lines continues to grow.
“This is going to be crucial to our project,” said McFadden, “so we are obviously very anxious to get this funding taken care of. It’s imperative to get more water flow in our system to accommodate everyone the way we need to.”
Published: February 14, 2011
