Posted: 3:17 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Council considers reactivating water line

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    Plans are in the works to reactivate an abandoned water main under the Great Miami River to be used as an interconnection between the city of Middletown and the Southwest Regional Water District.

    Middletown City Council will consider giving the green light to reactivating the 12-inch line at its April 7 meeting. The interconnection main between both water systems would be used as an emergency back-up water supply as well as creating the opportunity for bulk water sales. Council gave the proposed legislation a first reading at its March 17 meeting.

    A staff report by Scott Tadych, city public works and utilities director, said Middletown had provided water to some areas of Madison Twp. prior to 1997. The entities recently tested the main and found that it appeared to be in good working condition and are now seeking to reactivate it for emergency or disaster needs.

    The city and water district would share in any maintenance and repair costs to the interconnection main. The only financial impact to the city would be dependent on the need to buy or sell water, he said.

    The cost of accepting any emergency water is $1.07 per 100 cubic feet for both parties. The agreement allows the water district may purchase water at the same rate for regular use. However, the city reserves the right to limit the amount of water it makes available for sale to the water district.

    Tadych said at this time, the water district has no immediate desire to purchase water from the city.

    Middletown is also interconnected with several other water supply system including Warren County and Monroe, however, no formal interconnection agreements exist.