By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Nearly $4 million in utility projects for this year were approved Monday evening by the Bowling Green Board of Public Utilities.
The projects will keep clean water pumping to customers, and improve wastewater treatment once customers flush their used water away.
The biggest project, estimated at $1.25 million, is the construction of a new pump station on Conneaut Avenue and force main improvements. The current pump station is undersized and cannot keep up with demand. The board approved applying for a low-interest loan from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority for the funding.
The city is also expecting to get some funding this year for road paving on Conneaut Avenue from Grove Street to Mitchell Road. So Brian O’Connell, director of public utilities for Bowling Green, suggested the pump station work take place prior to the paving.
“Obviously, we don’t want to pave a road then tear it up,” O’Connell said.
The board also approved the city going after $1 million in grant funding for upgrades to the sand filter system at the water treatment plant. O’Connell explained that the city is a good candidate for a zero interest loan since the upgrades will improve efforts to limit algae problems in water.
The original estimate for the work was $400,000. However, it was decided to expand the scope of the project and create a longer term solution to the algae problem. The expanded project could save some money in another area since it could reduce the work at the backwash pumping station, O’Connell said.
The board of utilities also approved the following projects go to bid for:
- $200,000 to replace the six-inch waterline with eight-inch lines on Troup Avenue between East Wooster and Scott Hamilton streets. The wider lines should increase the water pressure and improve fire protection.
- $400,000 for new valves on a 20-inch transmission main.
- $1,010,000 to improve sewer lines that are in poor condition or require regular maintenance. Those lines are on an alley from Pearl to Oak streets; West Wooster Street; Wolfly Avenue; Manitoba Drive; Dunbridge Road sewer manhole; and South Main Street pump station corrosion and odor control.
- $120,000 in chemical costs at water treatment plant.
- Several vehicles for the electric, water treatment, water distribution and water pollution control divisions, with a total estimated cost of $440,000.
