COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik this week announced grant awards totaling $135 million that will support 90 critical water infrastructure projects in 64 counties throughout the state, including awards to two villages in Logan County.
The Village of DeGraff will receive a $545,050 Drinking Water Infrastructure Project grant to update the village’s water treatment plant and replace out-of-date equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. The project will benefit 1,215 people.
In addition, the Village of West Liberty will receive a $150,000 Wastewater Infrastructure Project grant to replace approximately 950 feet and 370 feet of existing clay sewer line along Linden Avenue and Race Street, respectively.
Project activities include the installation of one new manhole to reduce spacing between manholes to an acceptable level, as well as a 150-foot sewer line extension along Reynolds Street. Two new manholes and laterals to existing homes will also be installed. The project will benefit 220 people.
These grants are part of the fifth round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) water infrastructure program. Since its inception, the program has provided nearly $500 million to support 343 local water projects impacting each of Ohio’s 88 counties.
“From the first dollar awarded through this program to now, we’ve made hundreds of transformative investments in the future of our communities,” Gov. DeWine said. “Having a strong water infrastructure not only safeguards the health and well-being of our residents, but it makes our neighborhoods more resilient and better prepares local leaders for sustainable economic growth.”
The grants announced will help reduce or eliminate the financial burden community leaders face regarding critical infrastructure needs such as new water distribution systems, waterline extensions, water tower replacements, and new pipes and water mains. Grants will also fund projects to replace sanitary sewer systems, prevent system backups, and extend sewer lines to support economic growth.
“This additional round of funding will help communities from one corner of the state to the next replace aging, overwhelmed infrastructure, ensuring that Ohioans have access to clean drinking water,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “These projects will not only greatly improve the quality of life for residents in these areas, but they also boost economic growth related to business expansion and housing development.”
Projects funded in the surrounding counties include a $5,000,000 grant awarded to the City of Kenton for phase 2 water improvements to Kenton’s downtown infrastructure. The downtown sewer, storm and water mains are some of the oldest in the city. Much of this infrastructure is near or beyond its useful life for these utilities.
“Water infrastructure is a critical piece of the foundation of our community and it is worth investing in,” said State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton). “By investing in infrastructure, we’re preserving the importance of the small businesses and government entities in our downtown courthouse district for the next 100 years.”
“The City of Kenton is ecstatic and we are beyond blessed,” said Kenton Mayor bLynn Webb said earlier this week. “We are forever grateful to Director Mihalik from the Department of Development and State Representative Jon Cross who have both played imperative roles to make this happen. Today is a day that will go down in history; It makes our city’s future bright.”
Phase 2 improvements encompass the nine-block area in the core of downtown Kenton.
In addition, the City of Marysville will receive a $1,500,000 grant to install 16,000 linear feet of force main from the city’s pump station No. 4 directly to its water reclamation facility. Upgrades to the pump station and force main will allow for increased capacity of its wastewater system to account for the continued growth in the area. Project activities will also include modifications to the influent screening building.
The City of Sidney will receive a $1,077,407 grant to install a 36-inch sanitary sewer parallel to the existing sewer trunk line, allowing flows to be shared among both pipes. Continued growth in this area of Sidney, along with inflow and infiltration from aging sewers and illegal connections to the sewer have, at times, increased flow beyond the capacity of the collection system. This has led to backups into basements and foundations of connected buildings. This project would greatly increase the capacity of the sewer line, as well as reduce surcharging of sub-mains and private sanitary sewers upstream of the trunk line.
The Village of Forest in Hardin County was awarded a $239,000 grant for a pump station replacement project.
The Auglaize County Board of Commissioners will receive a $129,900 grant to improve the existing, 56-year-old sewer collection system, install a new lift station and 1,300 linear feet of force main, as well as the demolition of an old wastewater treatment plant.
The Village of Cridersville in Auglaize County was awarded a $725,000 grant to replace an existing 12-inch gravity sanitary sewer collection main with a proposed 15-inch main.
The Village of Fort Loramie in Shelby County will receive a $712,000 grant to upgrade an existing 6-inch waterline running along Park Street, between Main and Willman streets, as well as an existing 4-inch line running along Park Street, between Willman Street and Dogwood Drive.
