CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News)— Nearly $7 million dollars in funds has been granted to the Clarksburg Water Board by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be used for its lead line replacement project.
The funds will be used to replace service lines in the North View, Rosebud and Stealey communities, along with service line replacements on West Pike and West Main Streets.
The replacement of a transmission line intersecting with Van Buren Street and the installation of many valves and hydrants will also be paid for with these funds.
Clarksburg Water Board General Manager Jason Myers visited Washington, D.C. last Monday to meet with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and other lawmakers in his capacity as a member of the West Virginia Rural Water Association's Board of Directors.
"It just so happened that while I was there the funding was approved," Myers said.
The funds will be used as part of a ten-way funding plan to complete upgrades to the city's water system ahead of the statewide paving project set to begin this year.
Clarksburg Water Board was given the latest extension possible, which pushed the paving project in Clarksburg back until fall 2025, Myers said.
The lead line replacement project, which had initially been given a price tag of $28.5 million, is now estimated to cost $58.5 million.
The extra $30 million came from West Main Street and West Pike Street being added to the project as well as the addition of many valves and hydrants to the water system.
By adding more valves to the system CWB will be able to shut off water to a specific street as opposed to an entire neighborhood, meaning fewer people will be inconvenienced by necessary work, Myers said.
After meeting with Doug Smith of The Thrasher Group as well as representatives from the West Virginia Water Development Authority and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, CWB secured a grant for 20% of the total project cost but were required to borrow $18 million to fund the rest of the project, Myers said.
The $18 million loan will be paid back over 40 years with an interest rate of 0%, Myers said.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice also approved a $1.72 million grant to CWB.
More than 119,000 linear feet of water line will be replaced during the project including 58,000 feet of service lines.
During the project customers who have galvanized pipes which follow a lead service line will be asked if CWB can replace them, as it was ruled that is their responsibility.
Customers will even have the ability to retain their own plumber. CWB will reimburse the customer for the work done on their system. However, customers still retain the right to refuse to have their system repaired, Myers said.
The project will go out to bid at the end of May or the beginning of June, Myers said. Sixty days later the contractors should begin turning over dirt.
"Over the course of the project CWB customers can expect service interruptions and boiled water advisories," Myers said.
Boiled water advisories are not indicative of a contaminated water source. State code requires the utility service issue an advisory any time system pleasure drops, Myers said.
Residents and travelers of the aforementioned neighborhoods can also expect the inconvenience of detours in the months following the project's groundbreaking, Myers said.
"We'll never deny a resident access to their property," Myers said.
CWB's general manager thanked the public for their cooperation.
"It's a small pain for a long gain," Myers said.
The Clarksburg Water Board's next meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at 1001 S Chestnut Street.
As South Chestnut Street is still blocked by detours due to the water main replacement project which began last year, those interested in attending the meeting should plan accordingly.
However following this week, the detour on South Chestnut Street should be reopened at night and over the weekend while the contractors are not working, Myers said.
The work in that area will also likely be done by the end of March, with asphalting to come in April, Myers said.