Some officials question Southington water deal

Warren says it isn't extending any waterlines into Southington.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County officials are questioning the proposed installation of waterlines to service Southington Township.
On Friday, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien and Southington trustees entered into an agreement that calls for the city to provide water to lines constructed by Aqua Ohio Inc., a private water provider.
Aqua would construct and maintain the line, although the specifics haven't been worked out.
Atty. James M. Brutz, an assistant county prosecutor, is taking exception to the deal, calling for a meeting of commissioners with trustees and Aqua.
In a Wednesday letter to O'Brien, Brutz said Warren has the authority to extend waterlines within the city.
"However, the installation of waterlines outside the geographic boundaries of a political subdivision is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Board of Trumbull County Commissioners," Brutz wrote.
In calling for the meeting, Brutz noted the commissioners have had no discussions with either the city or Aqua.
Response
Clifford Plott, trustee chairman, said Wednesday that the city isn't installing the five-mile-long line from U.S. Route 422 and Enterprise Drive to the center of the township.
Robert Davis, Warren's director of utility services, agrees with Plott.
"The city has nothing to do with extending anything anywhere," Davis said, noting the meter to measure the flow of water is on city property.
If there is a problem, Davis explained, it's between Aqua and the county.
Under the terms of the agreement inked Friday, the city will provide an initial 300,000 gallons daily for use in the township.
Plott said the line is private and has nothing to do with Warren, other than water being purchased from the city. Aqua would do the billing.
The trustee said he has no problem with meeting with commissioners, but questioned why it's being sought at the "11th hour."
"This hasn't been a secret for two years about what we want to accomplish here," Plott said.
County officials' objections
Brutz and Gary Newbrough, county sanitary engineer, said they understand the frustration of trustees to get water to Southington, but fear customers will face high rates with a private provider.
Also, Brutz said much of the land in Southington is vacant or is farmland and the owners don't want Warren water.
Trustees have said water is needed because residents have either contaminated wells or no water at all.
Construction of the line along Route 422 will be completed in nine months to a year, said Al Sauline, Aqua vice president.
Trustees maintain that the majority of the well water in the township either contains sulfur or isn't adequate for household use. Some residents have water trucked in or draw it from ponds that go through their private filtration systems.
yovich@vindy.com