Salem nears deal to supply water

A Columbiana County
commissioner said a water deal is ‘a win-win situation.’

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — The city of Salem may have an agreement by the end of the year to sell water to the Buckeye Water District near Wellsville.

The agreement that is being worked out would open a new era for development in Columbiana County.

The proposal would also provide a safeguard to consumers.

Salem collects surface water, and Buckeye’s plant, which is under construction, will take water from the Ohio River.

If one supplier’s water became contaminated, Buckeye could pump water uphill to Salem, or Salem could let water flow downhill to Buckeye customers.

Don Weingart, Salem’s utilities superintendent, said Wednesday he expects an agreement will be reached by the end of 2007.

Al DeAngelis, Buckeye’s manager, agreed the proposal could help develop parts of the center of the county.

‘Win-win’

Jim Hoppel, chairman of the Columbiana County commissioners, said, “it’s a win-win situation.”

DeAngelis agreed.

There’s no big project on the horizon, DeAngelis said. But he added, “you have to take baby steps before you take big steps.”

The county commissioners and Buckeye have been at odds with Salem officials over which entity had authority to provide water outside of Salem.

Salem had built a water line from its treatment plant to the federal prison in Elkton. When the agreement expired, Salem tried to sell water directly to the prison but the commissioners gave the contract to Buckeye. Salem and county officials couldn’t agree on which entity owned the line.

None of the officials wanted to discuss the legal issues. They all said they wanted to look at the opportunities.

Hoppel said, “I think this cooperation will benefit all water customers in the county.”

Longtime goals

The commissioners have long wanted to improve water to county facilities, including the county jail, located west of Lisbon, where hard water quickly rots fixtures.

The commissioners have also wanted to expand water service north of Lisbon for development.

Salem produces 2.5 million gallons of water a day. That includes 100,000 gallons it sells to Washingtonville.

Salem also plans to sell between 400,000 and 450,000 gallons of water a day to Leetonia. That’s not included in the 2.5 million-gallon figure.

Buckeye’s proposal calls for it to buy between 50,000 and 500,000 gallons of water a day at a cost of $2.54 per gallon.

Weingart said the city would be able to produce those extra amounts.

Buckeye also wants to be able to tap into the city’s now idle water line to the prison.

Weingart said those are the starting points in the negotiations.

wilkinson@vindy.com