County commissioners continue to work on expanding residents’ access to safe drinking water, eying plans for $25,000 in state funding.

Tuesday, August 21, 2001

County commissioners continue to work on expanding residents’ access to safe drinking water, eying plans for $25,000 in state funding.

Last week, commissioners reviewed maps of current water lines and areas that do not have water lines.

Gallia Water is working on service to Lecta area residents, which means $25,000 in waterline money that was already secured by state Rep. John Carey can now be applied to another area.

There are several different areas where Hecla Water, for instance, can use the $25,000, commission president Paul Herrell said.

Under consideration: Areas on County Road 14, as well as Township Roads 160, 52 and 197W, and Tick Ridge near Waterloo, and four residences near Blackfork, just to name a few, commissioners said. The most need appears to be in northern Lawrence County, however, because that’s where maps show the least amount of water lines installed.

"We’re trying to group areas together that don’t have water that are eligible for help," commissioner George Patterson said.

The county is also trying to put together a $1.2 million water grant for next year, so gathering lists of areas without water will help in that endeavor, Patterson said.

"It still won’t take care of all the homes, but we’re working on it," Herrell said.

Meanwhile, county grant writers are seeking names of people who might qualify for tap assistance for water lines in Lecta – the project being handled by Gallia Water.

James Ward of the Lawrence County EMA, who receives drinking water requests from residents on behalf of the county, is assisting in that project, commissioners said. Residents need to return paperwork as soon as possible, they said.