Thursday, July 18, 2002
Village water customers have complained for years about discolored water and low water pressure.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- Village Manager Gary Phillips is making plans to replace waterlines in various neighborhoods.
Phillips said he is seeking funding for a third and final main waterline. Once that waterline is installed, the neighborhood waterlines will be next on the to-do list.
Phillips hopes to secure grants to pay for a new 12-inch waterline to accommodate future growth. He does not have cost estimates or projected dates for construction.
Where it will be
He said the line will be on Chestnut, Front and Columbia streets and near the Port Authority's building on Cherry Fork Avenue, ending at the village limits on the east side of town near the Leetonia Mennonite Church.
Phillips said he knows replacing the neighborhood waterlines as well as main lines is important to village water customers, who have complained for years about low water pressure and water discoloration.
He said those problems are caused by the village's aging waterlines and should be minimized once new lines are installed.
Phillips said new waterlines improve water flow and pressure. Most of the village waterlines are 100 years old or older, and are ineffective because of decay, he said.
He said mineral deposits have nearly closed some waterlines. He said many of the waterlines from the street to water customers' homes or businesses are badly clogged, some allowing water flow about the size of a pencil to go through the half-inch lines.
Wants a deal
Phillips said he hopes to work a deal with contractors that will benefit water customers. When contractors begin to replace neighborhood waterlines, he hopes they will offer to replace the lines on customers' properties for a reduced price.
He said water customers are responsible for the waterlines on their properties. He said water customers won't benefit from the new neighborhood waterlines if the lines from the street to their homes or businesses are clogged or otherwise decayed.
Meanwhile, Phillips said waterline projects to be completed before winter include installation of a 12-inch waterline on Washington Street from Main Street to the water plant on St. Peter Street, and fire hydrant replacement on the north side of town.
Last year, village crews installed a 12-inch water main from the water storage facility on Washington Street to Main Street west along state Route 344 to the industrial park, and another line from the water storage facility down Washington Street to Main.