Warren to build new bulk-water stations at treatment plant in Bazetta

Staff report

WARREN

The city’s water-treatment plant will have a new set of bulk-water filling stations on the south end of the property by the end of the year.

Bob Davis, water department director, said the main reason for spending about $600,000 for the new stations is to improve safety at the water plant, which is on Elm Road in Bazetta Township.

The bulk-water stations, which are used by tanker trucks, are on an access road to the plant that is inside the fence, which has caused some safety concerns and caused a lot of wear and tear on the access road, Davis said.

City council approved legislation earlier this month allowing the city to seek bids for construction of new filling stations.

They will be on land to the south and west of the treatment plant on a new access road that will be built. The new stations and road will be outside the water-plant fence.

“It will allow the gates [to the water plant] to be closed after hours,” Davis said.

Historically the bulk-water stations have been used mostly by pool-water haulers. The gas and oil industry brought additional tanker trucks to the facility, but that use has fallen in recent months, Davis said.

With the most of the area gas and oil drilling having been suspended earlier this year, it’s not known whether the city will be selling much bulk water for that purpose in the future, Davis said.

If it does come back, the new filling stations will be able to handle it, he said.