AUSTINTOWN Youngstown ponders land purchase for tower to fix water pressure woes

The new, taller tower would replace two smaller ones.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Youngstown officials are considering buying land in the township for a $2.2 million water tower that is expected to solve some problems with water pressure in the area.
Township Administrator Michael Dockry wouldn't say what property the city is looking to buy, citing concerns that if it is made public, the cost of the property will increase.
MS Consultants of Youngstown, which is working with the city on the project, recently wrote a letter to Michael Kurilla, township zoning inspector, stating that the city is looking to buy one of two pieces of property for the tower.
Township trustees are slated to discuss water tower plans at their meeting Monday.
Youngstown Water Department officials have proposed building the 1.5 million gallon water tower to increase water pressure in parts of Austintown, Canfield, Boardman and Youngstown. Residents along state Route 46 and South Turner and Shields roads have said they have problems with low water pressure.
Some residents have installed pressure pumps to address the problems.
The new water tower will replace 150-foot-tall towers on Kirk Road and Red Apple Drive. Combined, those two towers hold a total of 625,000 gallons.
Eugene Leson Jr., the water department's chief engineer, said the new tower will be about 200 feet tall. The additional 50 feet of height will allow water to fall into waterlines faster, increasing pressure, he said.
The water department hopes to pay for the project using a $1.26 million federal grant and a $940,000 no-interest state Issue 2 loan. City officials will apply for the loan in the spring, and they plan to repay it with user fees.
Construction of the tower will take one to two years, city officials said.
hill@vindy.com