Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Columbus) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine awarded 28 water infrastructure projects with nearly $44 million in financial support as part of the second round of funding offered through the new Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure grant program.

“It’s astonishing to me that there are communities in Ohio today where it’s difficult to get clean water. For our people to thrive and for our communities to grow, clean water and reliable infrastructure are an absolute must,” said Governor DeWine. “There is a tremendous need for water infrastructure upgrades all over our state, and through Ohio BUILDS, we’re funding projects that will be life-changing in some communities.” 

Several area communities will benefit from Round Two of the Ohio BUILDS Project Drinking Water/Waste Water Infrastructure Projects.

Chillicothe (Ross County, House District 92- Rep. Mark Johnson, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $5 million grant to make needed repairs, update wastewater treatment capabilities to prepare for economic growth and address upcoming Ohio EPA
regulatory requirements to reduce phosphorus discharges. The majority of the equipment at the Chillicothe Wastewater Treatment Plant is 35 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. Major renovations will include replacing most of the mechanical and electrical equipment, changing the biosolids digestion process to aerobic digestion process, and adding phosphorus removal. This project will benefit 22,000 people.

Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney told Litter Media’s Mike Smith the entire project will cost an estimated $40 million.

Leesburg (Highland County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $974,563 grant to replace 4,500 linear feet of watermain, install monitoring and water treatment plant components to assist in preventing depressurization, and replace old and faulty water meters. The watermain in the project area is cast iron and has exceeded its useful life, experiencing numerous breaks during the past year along State Route 28. The existing system lacks sufficient valves, therefore, when breaks occur in this area, the result is widespread water outages. This project will benefit 1,455 people.

Wilmington (Clinton County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $5 million grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet new phosphorus discharge requirements to help improve the water quality in Lytle Creek and address deficiencies at the plant. The project consists of a 50 percent capacity expansion to the wastewater treatment plant, improvements to the treatment process, and conversion of existing
tanks for solids handling. This project will benefit 12,400 people.

Logan (Hocking County, House District 78- Rep. Brian Stewart, Senate District 20- Senator Tim Schaffer) will receive a $250,000 grant to cover the planning and engineering design for a project that will replace 20,000 linear feet of sewer line, 1700 linear feet of storm sewer lines, 68
manholes, add 300 service connections, and five new catch basins. The city completed an extensive infiltration and inflow study after Ohio EPA issued a schedule of compliance to the sewer system serving. This project addresses the highest‐priority areas identified in the study.
This project benefits 7,020 people.

Jackson (Jackson County, House District 93- Rep. Jason Stephens, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $1.01 million grant for the Mill Street Area Sewer Extension Project, which will extend public sewer to approximately 24 households who do not currently
have access to it. This project will bring reliable sewer infrastructure to unsewered residents with failing household sewage treatment systems on Mill Street, Putnam Street, Ohio Street, Summit Street and Crossin Street. This project will benefit 80 people.

Ashville (Pickaway County, House District 78- Rep. Brian Stewart, Senate District 20- Senator Tim Schaffer) will receive a $250,000 grant to cover the planning and engineering design for a sanitary sewer replacement project. The proposed improvements north of Church Street include replacing the aged sanitary sewer lines, providing an adequate storm sewer system, and to separate roof drains, sump pumps, and sanitary services. This project will benefit 4,500 people.

Pike County Board of Commissioners (Pickaway County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $400,000 grant to install new storm sewer lines, new manholes, and a new curb and gutter system on Waverly Gables Blvd. The stormwater drainage system on Waverly Gables Blvd. is more than 50 years old and is highly corroded due to the excessive amounts of salt used on the roadway. Pike County cannot allow failure of this system since the boulevard is the only way to access Pike County’s hospital.
This project will benefit 27,088 people.