Governor announces funding for Brooke water project

WELLSBURG -- Planned renovations to the Hammond Public Service District's water treatment system will receive a financial boost through the office of Gov. Jim Justice.

Justice announced the award of $1,287,333 for the county public service district during a visit Friday to Wellsburg. The governor also made stops in Chester for a similar announcement involving the Chester water treatment system, and Wheeling for the dedication of Orchard Park Hospital.

Leaders of the Hammond PSD said the money will be used to match $4.6 million awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and supplement a $1.2 million interim loan taken from the state Water Development Authority and $986,500 allocated by the Brooke County Commission.

The project will include replacement of about 21,500 main water lines near Marshall Terrace, Coss Lane and the Mazzella water tank to improve water pressure and address recurring leaks in the present system.

It's expected to benefit 900 residents in 300 households in areas of southern Brooke County served by the Hammond PSD.

"It's a great day. This is a project that has been long in the works," said Justice, who noted funding for it came through the efforts of many local, state and federal officials.

Susan Donathan, chairman of the Hammond PSD board, said of the news, "I can't tell you how thrilled we are. This is long overdue."

Terry Stewart, who also serves on the board with Donathan and Frank Ainscough, agreed, saying, "It's a win-win for the Hammond PSD customers."

A.J. Thomas, president of the Brooke County Commission, thanked Justice for his support, noting the commissioners have made improving local water and wastewater treatment systems a priority through the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the county.

Other funds for the Hammond PSD were secured with support from the offices of U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and the staff of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Ben Erste, community planning specialist for BHJ, said preliminary designs for the project have been completed by the St. Clairsville engineering firm of Vaughn, Coast and Vaughn, with construction expected to begin early next year.

Hammond PSD officials hope for it to be completed by late 2026.

In addition to the replacement of water lines, the project is slated to include upgrades to the district's water plant near McCord Hill Road, the replacement of the Windsor Heights water tank with lines extending through the Mac Barnes Drive area, and the installation of about 900 new water meters.

Stewart said the new meters can be read remotely, reducing the time spent by crews in reading them from several days to one so they can focus their attention on servicing the water lines.

He said customers will be able to access their meter readings online and confirmed the meters will indicate any difference from their average readings, which may be a sign of a leak.

While addressing many gathered outside the PSD's office on the Wellsburg Town Square, Justice said Hammond officials had been faced with raising the district's water rates, from $40 per 3,000 gallons to $56 per 3,000 gallons, to support the improvements.

Following the announcement, Donathan noted the district's rates recently were raised to allow it to provide health coverage for its staff for the first time and she and the other board members can't be sure another increase, in some amount, can be avoided.

But she and Stewart added they hope to secure additional funding as the project is closer to completion.

"We're going to do our best to keep the rates down," said Donathan.

Stewart said the project will help ensure the district's customers won't have to worry about having good, clean drinking water.