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Clark County to advertise bids after Ohio EPA signals funding for Donnelsville water project; board authorizes loan-application steps
Summary
Clark County will advertise bids for the Donnelsville Water System Project after county staff said the Ohio EPA indicated about $4 million in additional funding; commissioners also authorized applying for a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account and designated county water funds as a repayment source if needed.
Clark County Commissioners on April 8 authorized advertising for bids on the Donnelsville Water System Project after county staff said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency indicated additional funding that could nearly finish the work.
County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson said that, after a recent call to Utilities staff, the Ohio EPA “has an additional $4 million which would basically finish out this project for Donnelsville” and that “there is a deadline of July 1 to get the project completed.” The board voted to instruct the clerk to advertise for bids; bids are due in the Commission Office by 10:00 a.m. May 28, 2026, with a public opening scheduled that same morning.
Chuck Bauer of the Utilities Department said Donnelsville’s water problems date back decades; he told the board he believes initial contamination began around 1990. Commissioner Richard L. Lohnes asked about the duration of the problem and Commissioner Charles A. Patterson pressed whether the county would saddle Donnelsville residents with debt. Bauer said the expectation is that customers “would just pay a bill like any other customer in that water district” and not carry a separate debt specific to Donnelsville; he noted free in-home connections are an intention but will depend on contractor bids.
Separately, by Resolution 2026-0283 the board authorized the County Administrator to apply for and enter into a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority for construction of the project. The resolution designates Clark County water funds as the dedicated repayment source for any loan financing needed in addition to principal forgiveness financing.
Commissioners emphasized keeping costs low for impacted residents. Commissioner Patterson thanked Utilities staff for pursuing funding and cautioned county planners to mark new water and sewer lines in future planning documents.
The bid-advertisement action (Resolution 2026-0274) and the loan-application authorization (Resolution 2026-0283) were approved by unanimous roll calls. The board also scheduled public bid opening for May 28, 2026.
Next steps: the county will accept and open bids on May 28 and pursue WSRLA principal forgiveness and any loan steps required by the Ohio EPA and Ohio Water Development Authority.
