Prison fuels upgrades to county water system
City and county officials might compete to supply the facility.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Competing plans to deliver water to the federal prison in Elkton may help communities and aid county growth.
The Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday announced it's likely that they will get a $500,000 federal grant to run a waterline to the prison.
The line would be used to help clean the scrubbers at the county sewage plant that serves the prison.
Another waterline from Salem has been providing water to the prison -- and its scrubbers -- since the prison opened a decade ago.
When the prison was built, federal officials insisted on working with the commissioners. As a result, the city sold its water to the commissioners, who resold it to the prison with a small surcharge.
The initial contract is ending. Salem's Utilities Commission plans to directly apply for the contract to supply the water, saying it owns the lines and has easements to get to it.
The commissioners have refused to comment on any of its rights to the existing line.
But on Wednesday, the commissioners approved an agreement with the Buckeye Water District that will add $100,000 to the grant.
The commissioners say their waterline that ends at Columbiana County Career Center will be extended to the prison treatment plant. Officials said the line could be completed this fall.
Don Weingart, Salem's utilities superintendent, said it appeared the county will be submitting a competing waterline proposal.
The federal government is asking for bids by Sept. 13 for a one-year agreement to provide water, followed by a two-year reopener, followed by a 10-year agreement.
Residual effects
County residents may not care whether the county or city gets the pact. But having two water connections to the prison would be a major step toward a unified county water system.
Buckeye Water is building a multimillion-dollar water plant north of Wellsville. Buckeye now takes water from wells, but it will eventually take water from Ohio River.
Salem's water system collects ground water. Its facilities are at one of the highest points in the county. Officials believe that if the river was contaminated, Salem could provide water to southern communities. If Salem had problems, Buckeye could pump water to it.
Salem provides water to Washingtonville and recently agreed to provide some water to Leetonia. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has favored such connections as a safeguard in case of contamination or other problems. The county's planned new line to Elkton would be a another safeguard.
Officials said that having a large and reliable water source, such as the river, could also aid economic development.
wilkinson@vindy.com