Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 27, 1991 TAG: 9103270165
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: STEVE KARK NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
The meeting was attended by county supervisors, the School Board, and the Pearisburg, Narrows, Pembroke, Glen Lyn and Rich Creek town councils.
During a preliminary report in February, King said the first phase of the proposal would involve linking Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Narrows and Rich Creek to two existing wells in Bluff City. King said Monday night that Pembroke would be added to this phase of the project since the town currently gets its water from an inadequate spring.
King said it would likely be 1995 before the first phase of the county water system would be operational. The remaining five phases could take much longer.
The second phase of the project would involve extending water lines in Narrows to Marlville subdivision. This phase would also provide water to Ripplemead and Virginia/APG Lime.
The third and fourth phases will bring water to Eggleston, Maybrook and Newport. Water also will be extended from Newport to the Spruce Run area and from Ingram Village to Oney subdivision, Wilburn Valley and Prospectdale.
The last phases of the project would extend the supply from Hoges Chapel to Mountain Lake and from Pearisburg to Celanese and Celco Heights. Finally, Narrows water lines would be extended to to Pinney Creek and the area off Virginia 711.
King said the projects' cost, which is estimated at $20,085,626, might be met by grants or loans from several federal, state, or private agencies such as the Economic Development Association, Farmers Home Administration or Virginia Water Project.
State Health Department officials have found a number of problems with drinking water throughout the county and they endorse the countywide solution. In the long run, King has said, a county water supply, distributed by a public service authority, may be the best way to go.
Assuming that each household uses 8,400 gallons of water per month and a 3 percent per year inflation, King has estimated the future monthly water cost per home at $19.63 in Pearisburg, $19.63 in Narrows and $24.71 in Rich Creek. This compares with $6, $7.73 and $10.90 paid currently in the towns.
The reason for the jump in prices is because a $3 million treatment plant will have to be built as part of the plan. And, King said, water in all county locations would pass Health Department standards, which is currently not the case.
by CNB