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Mount Hope asks Fayette County for $250,000 to double pump capacity and improve distribution; decision delayed
Summary
Representatives from Mount Hope requested a $250,000 county grant to replace pneumatic pumps with turbine pumps and add electronic actuators, aiming to double pumping capacity and reduce maintenance costs. Commissioners postponed a decision to Feb. 11 and requested written cost estimates.
Representatives from the Town of Mount Hope told the Fayette County Commission on Feb. 5 they seek $250,000 in county funds to upgrade their water plant's pumps and control systems to increase distribution capacity.
"With that $250,000, we'd like to make these plant upgrades," the Mount Hope representative said, describing plans to replace pneumatic/hydromatic pumps (currently pumping about 600 gallons per minute) with turbine pumps that would run about 1,200 gallons per minute each and to install electronic actuators on valves. The town said the change would both increase output and reduce maintenance; the presenter estimated about $15,000 per year in operations and maintenance savings.
Mount Hope officials said the town's raw water — described in the hearing as an artesian source tied to old mine workings and previously secured with grant funding — provides substantial untreated volume that the plant cannot now distribute because of pump limitations. The town described ongoing conversations with neighboring utilities about potential regional service or acquisition and said it is still in preliminary discussions.
Commissioners pressed for technical and financial details. Staff asked Mount Hope to provide written estimates and requested that the information be sent to county administrator Ruth (Ruth's surname not provided). A commissioner moved to postpone further action until the commission's Feb. 11 meeting to allow time to review estimates; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The commission did not approve funding on Feb. 5; it directed Mount Hope to submit cost estimates and additional documentation ahead of the Feb. 11 meeting.
