Swancreek Township awards pact to develop water line

3/4/2004

DELTA, Ohio - The Swancreek Township Water District board last night unanimously approved a contract for a controversial project that will bring public water to more than 600 properties.

Underground Utilities, of Monroeville, Ohio, which was granted the $2.98 million water line contract, is expected to begin work next month, Mark Fowler, a board member, said.

The board intends to send letters next week to residents asking if they wish to have a curb-stop - which is a pipe that runs from the main waterline to the property line - installed in front of their property. The deadline to return the letter is March 31, Mr. Fowler said.

“No one is required to put in the curb-stops, and no one is required to tie into the water system,” he said.

The cost for a curb-stop will be $400, but that price would go up to as much as $1,300 if property owners wait until after the main line is installed, Mr. Fowler said.

Of the 547 affected homeowners in the project, 263 filed objections last year. Concerned Citizens of Swancreek Township, Inc., an organized opposition group to the waterline, had formed to oppose installation of the water lines, but dropped its opposition after an out of court settlement in December.

Answering questions about possible development that new waterlines could spur, board member Rick Kazmierczak said the project was started only to bring water to homes.

“The water line was never put in for development,” he said.