COAL GROVE –– The village of Coal Grove is set to begin the third phase of its water system improvements.

Phase three will include cleaning and painting the inside of the water tank, replacing the village well and replacing an electrical panel in the water plant.

The majority of the money came from the Ohio Public Works Commission and breaks down to $300,000 in grant money, a $127,000 loan at 0 percent interest and $85,000 matched from the village through user fees.

“The village is trying to gradually invest in the water system,” said Paul Amburgey, from E.L. Robinson Engineering who acts as the village engineer. “It’s important to invest in infrastructure. The public only notices when there are large water breaks and their water doesn’t turn on or there are problems, but the village is trying to be proactive and reinvest in infrastructure.”

The first phase of the water system improvements took place in 2010 and included replacing 25 non-functioning fire hydrants and 15 shut-off valves. The second phase began in 2012 and included a replacement of the water line from the water tank to the treatment plant and the replacement of the aerator in the treatment plant.

For phase three, D&M Painting Corp., of Washington, Pennsylvania, was the lowest bid at $159,000 and will complete the cleaning and painting of the inside and outside of the water tank. Moody’s of Dayton Inc., of Miamisburg is taking care of the replacement of the well, as it has the lowest bid at $127,000. Amburgey said the replacement of the electrical panel is not yet bid out.

“We’re trying to stage construction so we don’t have everything going on at once,” Amburgey said. “But the plans for everything have already been approved by the Ohio EPA.”