$455K grant will update Frazeysburg water system

FRAZEYSBURG — A big source of help to maintain clean drinking water is coming for Frazeysburg residents

Ohio's First Lady Fran DeWine presented a $455,000 grant to village officials recently. The money will be used to update an old water system due for a major upgrade.

The plant needs a new media that removes contaminants in the water filter. A project was started in 2017 to replace it, but it wasn't completed due to costs.

Mayor Gerald Howard said it's routine maintenance, but it comes at a high price.

The cash granted by the state makes up about one-quarter of the village's annual budget. Without the state'e help, "We would have been in trouble, because we don't have the money to do it.

"We'd probably have to try to get a loan or do some other route with USDA or some grant," he said. "That's the only way we can survive with these grants."

Frazeysburg has an aging population, Howard said. Many of its 1,326 residents are retirees, so the village didn't want to raise water rates, creating a financial burden.

The village water system also serves surrounding communities. Howard said many people who live in surrounding rural areas use the bulk water station in the village every week.

The grant is part of the Ohio BUILDS act aimed at improving water infrastructure and quality of life for Ohioans. In all, it will distribute $250 million to communities across the state.

Plans are still underway for bids and a project start date in Frazeysburg.

ecouch@gannett.com

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Twitter: @couchreporting

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: $455K Ohio BUILDS grant will update Frazeysburg water system