Issues involving water, whether it be what flows through the city’s water treatment system or what’s contained in the local swimming pool, were a recurring topic at Monday’s Follansbee Council meeting.

Mayor Scott McMahon announced the Army Corps of Engineers has opened bids for the city’s long-awaited water project.

But he said unfortunately, the lowest bid came in at $9.5 million, far above the $4 million that had been secured for the project.

The Army Corps of Engineers had assumed the task of selecting a contractor, as a condition of the $3.1 million it awarded to the city, while the city has committed $1 million toward it.

McMahon said in light of the discrepancy, he, City Manager Chris Manack-Stover and representatives of the federal agency are working to cut the project with the hope that other aspects can be pursued in the near future.

“We’re trying to get it to budget,” he said.

McMahon said repairs and improvements to the downtown water treatment plant had been named a chief priority by Ghosh Engineering, which designed the project, and will likely be the city’s first goal.

Plans had called for the project to include upgrades to the facility and the water plant serving customers in the Hooverson Heights area and replacement of some main lines.

Proposed second and third phases were to include more line replacements and the installation of valves to reduce the number of customers affected when a line break occurs.

Resident Marty Bartz asked if there still are plans to establish a new water tank in the McKim’s Ridge area and was told that project has been abandoned.

Many of the city’s water customers have experienced disruptions to their service in recent months.

But following the meeting, Manack-Stover confirmed that has been the result of a sewer project that’s underway, with crews inadvertently breaking water lines while attempting to replace sewer lines, as well as aging water lines that have plagued the city for some time.

Officials in Follansbee and nearby communities have cited poor mapping of old lines as one reason for the accidental line breaks.

In related business, Manack-Stover said the city continues to seek an engineer to serve on the city’s sewer board to comply with state code.

In other business, Councilman at large John Schwertfeger said he’s learned the city’s swimming pool is at a deficit of about $62,273 while Follansbee Park is at a deficit of about $98,952.

Schwertfeger said that’s a combined deficit of about $161,225 though that will be brought down some by two anticipated donations of $40,000.

Tom Ludewig, seasonal manager for the pool and park, estimated at about $25,000 will be needed to replace several filters and a valve required to operate the pool.

Ludewig said the pool’s shallow end and the baby pool need to be repainted but he’s offered to do that.

Schwertfeger said to keep the pool open next year, its hours should be limited to Thursday through Sunday.

He said meanwhile, members of the park advisory board being formed could explore new features, such as fountains or a splash pad, and special events that could attract more youth to the pool and park as well as grants and other funding sources.

Schwertfeger said the ultimate goal would be to re-establish weeklong operations for the pool.

Earlier in the meeting, council heard from Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer hired by the city, who reported on efforts to secure a federal Land and Water Conservation grant for the pool and a local grant to improve the sound system for council chambers.

Edmiston encouraged council members to consider smaller projects in their wards for which he may seek funds.