$1.7M in stimulus tagged for water projects

Funds will go toward two water projects, but officials must bid out the work by end of Sept.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 7:21 AM Wednesday, August 26, 2009

HAMILTON — Butler County has to act fast to get $1.7 million in federal stimulus dollars for two local water projects.

The two grants for roughly $850,000 each will help fund the first phase of the LeSourdsville Wastewater Treatment Plant and a water storage tank in Fairfield Twp.

The federal grant and other state loans and grants will cover all but $200,000 of the $3.4 million first phase in the treatment plant project.

Additionally, interest-free state loans will save the county another $738,112 on the $2.7 million storage tank.

“It saves the county big bucks on needed projects,” said county Commissioner Charles Furmon.

In applications for the stimulus funds, county officials estimated the projects will create a few dozen construction jobs in the next year.

When the roughly $44 million expansion is complete at the end of 2012, the treatment plant will process up to 15 million gallons of water a day, better handle stormwater and more thoroughly treat wastewater.

The new tank, near Walden Ponds subdivision in Fairfield Twp., will increase storage capacity and decrease pumping costs when complete in early 2011, said Water and Sewer Department Director Bob Leventry.

“We anticipate, with future growth, we will need this expansion, and we want to take care of it now,” Leventry said.

Some of the stimulus money was slated to go to other Ohio communities — $280 million was allocated for water and sewer projects across the state — but they couldn’t get started fast enough to qualify for the funds. In fact, Butler County may qualify for even more money if funding for other areas falls through.

Leventry said the local projects were “shovel ready,” but were on the back burner until the county could afford to start them. To get the money, the county must bid out the projects by the end of September.

“They want it done as soon as possible,” Leventry said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

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