Ohio EPA reviews Fairport Harbor's plans, contract bid documents for water-system changes
Nov. 20—Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing Fairport Harbor Village's plans for projects that are involved in making major changes in its water distribution system.
Last month, Fairport Harbor sent the Ohio EPA design plans and contract bid documents for four separate projects that are all connected to the village's plans to purchase drinkable bulk water that is treated and supplied by the city of Painesville.
Those projects consist of:
—Making improvements to Fairport Harbor's primary connection with the Painesville water system — an existing valve vault located on the south side of Richmond Street. The vault needs upgrading to include two pressure-regulating valves and a master meter for billing purposes.
—Constructing a new, elevated water storage tank with a 250,000-gallon capacity, which would replace a similar, but smaller existing structure in the village.
The new storage tank would be constructed on the property of the village Service Department at 1340 East St. Fairport Harbor's current water storage tank — which was built in 1935 and holds 200,000 gallons of water — is based on Orchard Street.
—Constructing a secondary connection to the Painesville water system.
Once Painesville begins supplying Fairport Harbor with bulk water, the village's water treatment plant will be decommissioned. At that point, the village's only connection to Painesville's water system would be through the vault on Richmond Street.
"A secondary connection is advised. "It's a guideline — not a mandate — from EPA for best practices," said Richard Iafelice, vice president of CT Consultants.
Based in Mentor, CT Consultants has been advising and assisting Fairport Harbor with the process leading up to the start of the bulk-water purchase program.
—The fourth project is not an upgrade, but would involve demolition of the Fairport Harbor water treatment plant at 5 High St. once Painesville starts supplying the village with bulk water.
Built nearly 100 years ago, the water treatment plant has become a costly place for the village to maintain and upgrade. The plant also is located on property along the Lake Erie shoreline that has often been touted as a prime spot for future economic development.
Ohio EPA's review and approval of all four projects is a requirement to proceed with seeking bids from contractors; for construction to begin on three of the endeavors; and demolition to start on the water treatment plant, said village Administrator Amy Cossick.
Fairport Harbor also is seeking EPA's approval of the village's general plan to execute these capital projects.
"This plan supports our efforts to purchase bulk water from the city of Painesville," Cossick said.
Once Fairport Harbor receives a permit to install from Ohio EPA, CT Consultants will prepare a bid package and advertisements for the valve-vault improvements, Cossick said.
Overall cost of the four projects planned in conjunction with the bulk-water distribution agreement is estimated at $4.8 million. However, the village will be receiving a $2.2 million Ohio EPA Principal Forgiveness Award — essentially a grant — to defray nearly half of the project's price.
The village also will be eligible for loans offering zero percent interest that could be stretched over 30 or 40 years.
Fairport Harbor has entered into a 20-year agreement with the city of Painesville for the purchase of bulk water. The village will buy bulk water from Painesville at an initial cost of $3.57 per 100 cubic feet.
Plans call for Fairport Harbor to maintain its current water-rate structure and continue to bill customers under that system.
