Olive branch offered in Columbiana water dispute

LISBON — Columbiana County and Buckeye Water District officials say they’d be willing to meet with officials from the Salem Utilities Commission.

That olive branch could be the start of cooperation between officials from the county and the two water providers on development projects.

“There is plenty of water to be sold and plenty of money to be made, if we can get together,” Jim Hoppel, chairman of the commissioners, said today.

He added, “We want to commit to working with Salem.”

County officials for years asked the city for water to supply other areas in the county.

Salem’s general policy is that property must be annexed into the city to get water and sewer service.

The commissioners have wanted water service to the jail, the Tobin Center for troubled youths, the Robert Bycroft School and Sheltered Workshops for youths and adults with disabilities west of Lisbon, and the general area north of Lisbon.

The hard well water at the facilities corrodes pipes and fixtures, Hoppel said.

For full story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.