Program held to mark funding of water project for mountain areas
MARKLEYSBURG – Richard Dennis remembers when efforts to bring a public water system to the mountain area years ago got resistance from vocal opponents. The chairman of the National Pike Water Authority, which rose out of the ashes on behalf of those who did not want to give up the search for public water, Dennis led a program Tuesday to celebrate the completed funding package for the first phases of a waterline installation project that will serve residents and businesses in portions of four municipalities.
The bulk of the funding is federal, a $3.4 million loan and $1 million grant. Tuesday’s program, held at the Mountain Fellowship Center in Markleysburg, was held to mark the confirmation of that funding award.
“The commitment of money is here today, but it really happened in April 2002. We’re celebrating that today,” Dennis said.
Dennis said he expects the authority to seek bids in January, begin work in March or April and complete construction six to nine months later.
The project consists of 101,800 linear feet of water distribution line, two water pumping stations, a 200,000-gallon water standpipe, two 50,000-gallon water storage tanks and two well pump and treatment buildings.
The system will be located along Route 40 from Markleysburg to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa and serve adjacent areas in Henry Clay, Stewart and Wharton townships and Markleysburg.
The funding package totals about $5.3 million and includes a $533,000 local contribution through tap-in fees, $350,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a $3.4 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and a $1 million USDA Rural Development grant.
The authority has 285 residents committed to tap in to the system and 56 commercial customers, including Nemacolin Woodlands, pledged to join.
Dennis talked about the time and effort that went into planning the project and securing the funding, thanking all parties that had a hand in it. Each individual, business and organization involved got a round of applause from the audience.
After a failed previous attempt, the National Pike Water Association was formed in 1998 as a private organization that ultimately was unable to secure government assistance, but the local municipalities stepped in to support the formation of the National Pike Water Authority.
Barbara McMillen, a rural development specialist with USDA Rural Development, said the project is about 10 years in the making, and she recalled a meeting in the fall of 1998 when she heard one horror story after another about the plight of people living without a reliable water source.
“I want to say one thing: finally, finally,” McMillen said. “Everybody here pulled together, and you as a community pulled together, too.”
Jim Marker, attending the ceremony as an interested resident, said he is looking forward to the project “with great anticipation.” Marker had a well that he could not depend on, and since the project plans were announced, he has had to drill a second well at his home.
“This is a great day,” he said.
The area that has been outlined comprises the first and second phases of the project, which could later expand.
“The intent of the water authority is to supply all of the mountain with water in the future,” Dennis said, noting that people from outside the project area keep coming to the authority’s meetings to ask for water.
Also speaking at Thursday’s ceremony were U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster – the Republican candidate for the 9th Congressional District, which in January will include the mountain area – along with Brad Clemenson, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, whose 12th District currently includes the mountain area.