ABINGDON, Va. – Mendota might have a water line in its future.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to go forward with a second public hearing later this month on a $400,000 project that would connect the small community in western Washington County with neighboring Scott County’s water system.
Robbie Cornett, general manager of the Washington County Service Authority, said that while a specific contract has yet to be signed, Scott County is willing to sell water to the WCSA to serve its existing customers and allow more to connect.
Cornett said the water is needed because the WCSA serves its 60 Mendota customers with well water that turns brown when it is heated because of the minerals it contains – and also because the well’s capacity limits the number of customers it can serve.
Alternatively, connecting Mendota to Washington County’s main water system would cost $8 million, he said.
Two public hearings are required for the WCSA to seek funding for the project from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, said Bobby Lane, an engineer who attended the meeting with Cornett.
Applications are due March 31 for community development block grants, Lane said. He also said he’s optimistic about the chances of receiving funding for the project, which would involve adding about 3,000 feet of water line, building a small pump station and making improvements to the water distribution system.
The current water supply, he said, is inadequate.
The public hearing will be scheduled during the board’s March 23 regular meeting.
Supervisor Odell Owens, who represents Mendota on the board, said the people there are eager to see the quality of their water improved.
dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701
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