Public water meeting held at Stonewall Sporting Clays

“As of last year, everything is funded,” Smith said, adding that if interested residents reside outside the area currently mapped out for the project, it allows for connection through a future potential project.

Cary Smith with the Region VII Planning and Development Council said the by working with the EDA and the Lewis County Commission, they have completed the Roanoke Elementary School and the Northwest projects prior to the current one.

Smith said that while it may appear that the project is stalled, things have been moving along and Region VII, the EDA, and the commission have been working on residents’ behalf to get it closer to construction and completion.

“We are here to help you,” she said.

WV American Water contributes some funding, and will ultimately own and operate the lines once completed. All funding must be in place before construction begins, and the more agreements signed by residents, the more that offsets the loan amounts that have to be paid back, Smith said.

While no money is due on the part of residents at this time, there is a three-and- one-half year obligation upon completion to use city water. If that obligation is not met, the customer would have to pay the current rates and any applicable surcharge, as approved by the Public Service Commission for the remainder of the contract.

The project is being funded through the Infrastructure Jobs Development Council (IJDC) with a $500,000 grant and a $5.177 million loan, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $2 million, a WDA EEGF grant for $2 million, a WV American Water contribution for $499,296, and a local contribution from the LC EDA and the LC Commission for $100,000.

The total estimated project cost is $10,277,079.

Eric Sherrard with Thrasher Engineering said 130,000 feet of pipe has to be constructed for this project, which will be built in sections. A pre-construction video will be taken prior to construction to ensure everything is put back in its original condition after completion.

Sherrard said this includes driveway crossings and culverts. The estimated timeline once construction begins is one year.

“We’re in the process of getting signed easements. We have nearly 100 right now,” Sherrard said.

If residents wish to continue using well water for gardens, livestock, and other outdoor uses, they can do so, but they will be responsible for replumbing those pipes so that well water isn’t able to run through the city water pipes.

Smith encouraged those present at the meeting to talk to their neighbors about signing agreements.

“If your neighbors aren’t signing up, it’s not benefiting you and it’s not benefiting them. There’s no harm in signing up,” she said.

For more information, contact Smith at the LC EDA at 304-269-4993 or by email at rsmith@lewiscountywv.org.