Apr 04, 2012Ground Breaking Held for Crum Water Project

DUNLOW - One of the last areas to get a waterline project in place has now had its ground broken for the new pipes.

Local, state and federal dignitaries were on hand Thursday to break ground for the Crum Public Service District’s Phase I of the Dunlow water project at Cabwaylingo State Forest.

There was however, one minor flaw. Early that morning, a tractor trailer delivering pipe to the site ran into a ditch which caused the truck to overturn, spilling the new water pipes on WV 152.

Woody Meddings, director of Crum PSD, said there were no injuries in the accident but, much of the pipes were considered to be ruined as they had diesel fuel on them.

“We now cannot use these pipes,” Meddings said. “But, they will be delivering new pipes soon.”

WV 152 was closed for several hours while crews with the West Virginia Division of Highways got the pipes loaded onto another flatbed trailer. Drivers were detoured to the Dunlow By-pass access road.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Director Bobby Lewis was on hand to help break ground for the project.

The cost of the first phase of the project is $4,611,000 that is being funded with a $1,865,000 Rural Utilities Service loan, $2,746,000 RUS grant, $1,500,000 Small Cities Block grant and a $635,000 Infrastructure grant.

Phase I will serve 850 additional homes and small businesses as well as Cabwaylingo State Forest with water.

Since there are no public water or sewer systems, the residents rely on groundwater wells, cisterns or springs for drinking water which has the potential for public health risks.

“We are excited to get this project started Meddings said. “It’s a great day for all of us. I can’t wait to get started on Phase II.”

Wayne County Commission President Bob Pasley said the Dunlow project is a continuation of the 2010 plan.

“This starts the first of the final areas to get good, potable water,” Pasley said. “This also shows the cooperation of federal, state and local government and the foresight of the Crum PSD in putting this all together and getting water to everybody. The people need it and the park needs it. It will improve economic development in the southern end of the county.”

Though, they could not attend Crum PSD received a letter from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WVa). Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-WVa) and Congressman Nick J. Rahall II (D-WVa) thanking everyone for their hard work and congratulations on the day’s event. They also expressed how proud they were of the accomplishments that everyone has achieved together.

Lewis said much of the funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or what is known as the stimulus. “This is a monumental step in Wayne County,” Commissioner Charles Sammons said.

Sen. Truman Chafin (D-Mingo) said that many people do not know how important it is to get water into the home.

The Wayne County News, Weekend, March 31-April 1, 2012, www.waynecountynews.com