County talks water issues

STEUBENVILLE - Jefferson County commissioners Thursday discussed several water and sewer department issues including the possibility the county taking over the Smithfield water system.

The subject came up after the reading of a letter from the Smithfield Township trustees who were inquiring about the status of the Bradley water line extension.

Commissioners have received requests from Bradley residents for years to extend a water line to the area outside Smithfield.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said he has received calls from Smithfield residents wanting the county to take over the village's water system.

The county received a common pleas court judgment against Smithfield for money owed by the village for purchasing county water. Smithfield years ago was forced to tap into the county water system after its wells weren't producing enough water.

Graham said Smithfield currently owes the county $98,000.

"They are in dire straits out there," Graham said.

The county is studying improving its water distribution system in the southern end of the county by installing new pumps and lines with water coming from the Brilliant Water and Sewer District. The county on Thursday signed a new 10-year contract with Brilliant to supply water. There is no increase in the cost compared to the old contract. The new agreement calls for both sides to negotiate a cost increase. The cost will go to arbitration if an agreement can't be reached.

County Commissioner Tom Gentile said the improvement to the distribution system in the southern end of the county is needed prior to any water line extensions in the Smithfield area.

Gentile said the county has no interest in taking over the Smithfield water system because of its problems with leaks. He said the county took over Bergholz's water system, which also has been plagued with leaks.

Graham said Smithfield can't take care of its system.

"They need the county to bail them out," he said, adding the county's water and sewer system already is making repairs to Smithfield's water system.

The county supplies water to Piney Fork after it flows through Smithfield. Shannan Gosbin, county water and sewer department director, said a leak in Smithfield strains and causes damage to the county's pumps outside Brilliant.

Commissioners also amended the time residents of the Crestview-Belvedere area outside Bloomingdale have to connect with that area's new sewer system once it is completed.

The commissioners in January approved action stating residents had 120 days to connect with the new sewer system. The commissioners lowered the time to 90 days on Thursday.

The commissioners also signed a resolution saying it is mandatory to connect to the sewer system.

The county is under an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandate to install sewers because of faulty septic systems.

Commissioners have signed construction contracts for the sewers and pump stations but work hasn't begun.

Commissioners also signed a letter of support in applying for an Ohio Department of Development loan to develop an Internet communications system for the oil and gas drilling in the county.

The commissioners' oil and gas committee suggested an Internet-based database to receive and provide information on such topics as employment, education, housing, drilling permits and notices and alerts pertaining to drilling sites.

The county can apply for up to $100,000 to develop and implement the database.

Gentile said information on drilling changes weekly and the county needs such a system to keep track of the changes.

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County talks water issues