KINGWOOD – Denver Water Association was once again the topic of discussion at the Tuesday meeting of the Kingwood Water Board.
Sheila Williams, association attorney, said Denver Water wants Kingwood Water Works to take it over. She said Denver is willing to pay $4,000 toward the $9,000 feasibility study to make this happen.
Denver serves about 143 customers, and has applied for funding to upgrade its system through the West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Development Council. Without Kingwood or Tunnelton, IJDC will not give Denver the money to upgrade its system.
When asked if Denver could pay more toward the study, Williams said Denver has about $12,000, but wants to keep $8,000 in contingency, in case a line goes out.
Bob DiRiggi, Kingwood Water Board president, said he would like Denver to cover more of the costs.
“It benefits them more than it does us,” Board Member Bill Robertson said.
When asked why Tunnelton didn’t take over the project, Williams said they didn’t want to go forward with it. She said Kingwood and Denver lines are only about 500 feet apart.
The $1.3 million project Denver is working on would include a master meter line to Kingwood’s lines, three fire hydrants, replacing about 50% of the trunk 2- and 4-inch lines with 6-inch lines, and an 88,000-gallon storage tank.
If Denver remains with Tunnelton, it will have to add a new pumping station to the project. This will incur an additional $400,000-$500,000 cost.
Denver buys its water from the Town of Tunnelton water system, which buys the water from Rowlesburg. Tunnelton buys the water for $2.35 per 1,000 gallons and charges Denver $6.85 per 1,000 gallons.
Robertson questioned whether the 10.5% Kingwood water rate increase, which could go into effect in March, would be a detriment to Denver customers. The increase will add about $2.16 to minimum monthly bills.
Williams said it would not. She said Denver is aware of the increase.
“They will still have cheaper water,” she said.
Water Clerk Amy DeBerry said Denver customers pay $52.52. per month for 4,000 gallons.
Board members opted to go into executive session to further discuss the matter, but rescinded the motion when both of the reporters at the meeting questioned the legality.
A motion was made to see if Denver will agree to pay 50% ($7,500) of the cost of the feasibility study.
Further discussion was tabled until the board’s next meeting.
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