Groundbreaking in Mccomb
On October 11, the Northwestern Water & Sewer District hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on the new McComb Water Reclamation Facility. Construction is already underway to replace the over-seventy-year-old plant, which is aged and requires constant maintenance. After years of planning and support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), groundwork is now underway on this $7.5 million project.
According to District Engineer, Tom Stalter, "All agencies, from local to federal, made this clean water project a priority for this rural village." Like many small rural villages in our state and across the country, the Village of McComb was challenged with aging water and sewer infrastructure and increasing regulations. In 2013, the Ohio EPA issued a permit requiring that the aged wastewater plant be replaced.
Budget & Rate Update
The District is currently reviewing our 2019 budget, including estimated revenue. The District Board of Trustees will review the final budget and we expect to reach decisions regarding any rate adjustments in early December, to go into effect January 1, 2019.
Award-Winning Tech
Our Information Technology/ Geographic Information Systems (IT/GIS) department has been awarded the Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program's (OGRIP's) Best Practices Award. The District's GIS program supports an extensive data framework detailing water and sewer infrastructure dispersed throughout Wood County and beyond. Our GIS staff does an amazing job of using the data to support our front-line workers with great mapping applications and our managers with great decision-making data to support The District's mission.
Announcements
District Board of Trustees Meetings is held on the second & fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 a.m. Board meetings are open to the public.
- Our office will be closed on Monday, December 24 at noon for Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 25 for Christmas Day, and Tuesday, January 1 for New Year's Day.
Construction Corner
Perrysburg Township-Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Through November, short-term intermittent lane restrictions are possible throughout Perrysburg Township, north of SR 795, for sewer work and manhole repair.
Perrysburg Township & Rossford Waterline Replacement
Through November, intermittent lane restrictions are possible on Vineyard & Groce Streets and on Riverbend Court & White Road for waterline work.
Rossford-Lead Service Line Replacement
Through December, intermittent lane restrictions are possible in Rossford for waterline replacement.
Weston Waterline Replacement
Through May 2019, intermittent lane restrictions are possible on Center Street and Euler Road in Weston for waterline replacement.
Mccomb Water Reclamation: Continued
In 2016, McComb joined The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District). Since then, The District has dedicated resources to assist in funding this rural community. The USDA is now fully funding the project in part with a $2.8 million grant.
The remaining cost will be funded through a USDA low-interest loan. "Our local staff over a period of time builds the relationships that allow us to be a partner to rural America," said David Hall, State Director for the USDA Rural Development. The project began in late September and will be complete in January 2020.
Economic Development
It's been a very, very good year for economic development in Wood County. Companies have committed to invest $750 million in new facilities and expansions, creating an estimated 700 new jobs. A few projects the Wood County Economic Development Commission has supported include a new First Solar plant, a Troy Township glass manufacturer, and the expansion of the Walgreen's Distribution facility in Lake Township.
In North Baltimore, Continental Plastics will expand and a new CSX/NorthPoint Development Logistics Park was recently announced. The District has supported this growth by planning water and sewer infrastructure to provide long-term, reliable service for all users.
We have used loans and grants to build the system's capacity to serve additional users without a lot of additional costs. We will continue to look for responsible ways to plan ahead to improve the capacity of water and sewer services in the region.