Project brings city water to development

Springfield, Clark County officials worked to improve water quality in Limecrest.

The $2.2 million Limecrest waterline is nearing completion, and residents could begin connecting later this month, according to Clark County Public Utilities and Waste Management director Alice Godsey.

She said the utilities department will send letters to residents sometime in the next two weeks. The installation of a water booster station in the next two weeks will complete the project.

She said they’ve had several calls of interest.

“We expect to have a good response,” Godsey said.

The area has approximately 280 properties, and the county is expecting to have as many as 150 connected over the next three years.

The county signed an agreement to purchase water from Springfield last year.

The county has been working towards improving water quality in Limecrest since 2009. In 2011, the county received funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account, which included $737,000 in forgiveness and a $1.1 million 30-year zero interest loan. The county also received a $400,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant for construction.

“The construction went well, and we’re pleased at how the project came out,” Godsey said.

Limecrest resident Don Hatfield said the project is much needed for the area. Hatfield, who owns and operates Hatfield Auto Sales at 2510 S. Limestone Street, plans to hook several of his rental properties to the water system. Hatfield said he won’t hook his business to the water because it’s zoned commercial, and he was told it would have to be annexed into the city.

“I don’t have any interest in doing that,” Hatfield said.

The prices are more than city residents pay, but “you have to expect that,” Hatfield said.

It’s worth it for clean water, Hatfield said, although some still oppose the project.

“Some of (the residents) have black water coming out,” Hatfield said. “It’s going to be beneficial to them.”

The Board of Clark County Commissioners approved connection fee and water rates for the subdivision last week.

Water connections fees for residents with 5/8-inch meters will be $925, or $80.94 per month. Residents can pay fees over a 12-month period with a 5-percent fee.

Residents with a 1-inch meter will pay $1,375, or $120.31 per month to connect. Residents with 1.5-inch meters will pay $1,375, or $162.58 per month.

Monthly water rates for residential customers will range between $32 and $51, depending on meter size. Monthly water rates for commercial customers will range between $33.96 and $56.14, depending on meter size. A $20.50 fee is also included to help the county pay down its debt service.

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