From NORTHWESTERN WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District Board of Trustees passed the 2021 budget at today’s meeting and approved a 0-percent rate increase – that’s no increase for District rates. Depending on location, some customers may see increases if their treatment provider raises their rates.
The trustees also approved a $30-million capital budget that includes $19 million in total water projects and $11 million invested into our wastewater network across The District’s five-county service area.
“Economic development is the biggest reason there are no rate increases this year. Overall water usage was flat, but a single local industry, that started additional production this year, caused a significant increase in water use. It’s important to note that past decisions by our Board of Trustees attracted these types of industries, and it’s paying off now. Additionally, our staff has taken multiple steps to safely maintain quality water and sewer services throughout the pandemic. The District team was able to reduce expenses and curtail expenditures during this challenging year.” according to District President, Jerry Greiner.
While the full impact of COVID-19 has yet to be assessed, it was not a significant impact on revenue.
Looking Forward to 2021
The District will construct a new 1.5-million-gallon water tower in Lake Township. This elevated tank will serve Walbridge, Rossford, parts of Northwood, and townships in northern Wood County. The District will also build several new waterlines including a rural waterline southwest of Bowling Green to enhance water quality and flow. A new waterline will be constructed from Weston, west to the Village of McClure, and extend north across the Maumee River to provide water service to Liberty Center in Henry County.
Maintaining the wastewater infrastructure is the goal for 2021. Major sewer projects include new pump stations at Ford Road in Perrysburg Township and Willowbend in Middleton Township. There will also be continued work in upgrading the sewer system in McComb and the Village of Weston.
New agreement with North Baltimore
The board also approved an agreement with the Village of North Baltimore that will allow The District to purchase and distribute water to serve areas in southern Wood County and Northern Hancock County, including the Village of McComb.
In the spring of 2020, The District completed a study outlining necessary long-term improvements and estimated costs to maintain the McComb Water Treatment plant, as well as several options for replacement of the plant. One of those options was to secure another source to provide potable water directly to the citizens at a similar cost.
“This contract with The Village of North Baltimore could make that long-term option more viable”, says Jerry Greiner, president of the District.
“The Village of North Baltimore appreciates the opportunity to assist The District in meeting the community water supply needs for McComb and District customers in southern Wood County. This type of cooperation will be a key element in meeting long-term water supply and growth opportunities for this region” says North Baltimore Mayor Janet L. Goldner.
Since 2016, when the village of McComb joined the District, the village’s water supply has been a priority for The District’s operations department. Many improvements have been made to maintain and improve the water treatment process. The village’s raw water source is a small stream called Rader Creek. Water from this source must be collected and stored throughout the year in reservoirs to serve the community.
The water from Rader Creek includes minerals and other contaminants, including manganese, that are expensive and difficult to manage each year. “The manganese itself is hard to manage and has received increased attention by Ohio EPA,” says Dan Wickard, District Superintendent, in charge of water and sewer operations.
“We intend to provide the highest quality of water for the citizens at the most economical (long-term) price,” Greiner said. “The District expects to continue meeting with the McComb council to review this study and its implications, however, COVID-19 has made that a challenge to do.”
Also, at today’s meeting,
