Wellsburg Stormwater Project Hits Snag
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As city officials proceed with improvements to Wellsburg's water treatment system, they face a drawback in efforts to address the flow of stormwater on the city's east side.
In 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.06 million to design stormwater lines to convey excessive runoff that has flooded Pleasant Avenue and other areas below a hillside overlooking the city.
But City Manager Steve Maguschak said it appears the federal agency hasn't approved additional funding needed for the project. Upon learning the news at its regular meeting Wednesday, the city's water-sewer board consulted Thrasher Engineering, the Clarksburg engineering firm behind the estimated $14 million project.
The board's members learned the project's cost and the population benefiting it from may have hurt its chances but they could appeal FEMA's decision, particularly if the city were able to commit other funds to it. The engineers advised very little state grant money is available for such projects but a loan may be available through the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Maguschak also advised the board faces another expense: An inventory of all city water lines containing lead and copper to determine steps needed to prevent health risks caused by exposure to the metals.
A water crisis spurred by corroded, lead pipes in Flint, Mich., has led the EPA to order all water providers using lead lines, very common in older systems, to assess the need for preventive measures by 2024.
Board members heard from Joe Ritano of 120Water, who said the Zionsville, Ind. business uses various methods to identify the lines, including collecting samples. They agreed to hire the firm at a cost of $18,200 to do the work during a two-year period.
In other business, Maguschak updated the board on the installation of new water lines in three key areas of the city.
He said crews with Independent Enterprises of Oakdale, Pa., have begun laying water line along Main Street, are putting in lateral lines from the recently completed main line along Charles Street and are replacing the sidewalks that were torn up to install new lines along Commerce Street.
Maguschak said the new lines are larger, allowing for better flow, and are accompanied by the installation of several new fire hydrants along the streets.
He said, unfortunately, the work has resulted in unanticipated disruptions to service when crews struck other unmapped lines nearby.
The city manager noted crews with Grae-Con Construction of Steubenville also have been at work on improvements to the water plant.
In recent months a generator has been installed to prevent power outages from affecting the plant's operations and repairs have been made to its clarifier, a part used for mixing chemicals and which has been blamed at least partly for discoloration of the city's water.
The new water lines and other improvements are being funded through the sale of $5.9 million in bonds and revenue generated by increases to the city's water rates approved last year.