KINGWOOD — The Kingwood water board is seeking funding for its Ashpole project. Ashpole is a fresh water impoundment on Caddell Mountain the board is considering as a possible secondary water source.
Board President Robert DiRiggi said the first step in finding funding is to conduct an engineering study, which, he said, was completed several months ago.
“The water in the Cheat has greatly improved over the years but we still have a substantial chemical cost,” DiRiggi said. “The water (on Caddell) is blue water, it’s pristine, and its on water works property.”
He said the board is looking to improve the site so it will provide more water.
“Right now it can provide 1.1 million gallons per day and we’re looking at 8 million gallons,” DiRiggi said. “If needed, we could depend on it entirely.”
He said the water from Ashpole was used by the city in the past. Gravity fed down the mountain through a 6-inch line.
“We’re looking at an 18- to 24-inch line and we’ll still have to use the PRVs,” DiRiggi said.
A PRV is a pressure reducing valve that regulates the pressure coming from a water supply line. It works by allowing only a certain amount of water to pass through, which helps maintain an even flow rate and keep the water pressure in check.
Kingwood is the largest water producer in Preston County, serving about a third of the county’s water customers. There are 10 storage tanks, and between Kingwood and the former Public Service District 2 areas, there are 100-150 miles of line.
There was no action or further discussion.
In other business, board members approved five leak adjustment requests and one tap request.
Board members went into executive session to discuss personnel.
