Bland County to address numerous water problems

BLAND (WSLS 10) - The Bland County water system is getting a makeover that should immediately start saving taxpayers money.

The county will use $2.4 million in grants and low-interest loans from the USDA's Rural Development Fund to build a new filtration system at the water plant, replace 9,300 feet of water line and perform water tank rehabilitation.

The water plant currently produces 40,000 gallons a day. Engineers estimate that the county is losing about 40 percent of that water because of leaks. They also estimate the new system will save the county $58,000 a year in maintenance and operations costs. The county will owe $53,000 a year on the loan for the project.

After upgrades, the plant will be able to hold 200,000 gallons of water. The goal is then to be able to supply the entire county with water. Currently, the county has to purchase water from West Virginia American Water to supply customers on the Rocky Gap side of the county.

"You just had numerous water leaks, old pipes bursting, that sort of thing," said Bland Square owner Tommy Dunn. His restaurant and gas station have been on the county water system since the 1990s. "Time ages everything, and it was time to get something done."

County leaders said despite the aging infrastructure, the water has remained clean.

Construction is set to begin in the fall. The upgrades are scheduled to be finished by summer 2017.