Bolivar to begin buying county water; residents to be notified about fluoride

Village Administrator Chuck Williams told the Bolivar Village Council on July 11 that the village will soon begin purchasing water from the county and that all vaults and delivery lines have been prepared for the transfer. "Purchasing water from the county will begin soon and all vaults and delivery lines are ready for transfer," Williams said.

Williams said the county-supplied water contains fluoride and that residents must be notified of the change. He also said the village is negotiating operational details with the county and coordinating with local water partners so service remains uninterrupted.

Mike Jones of the Tuscarawas County Water and Sewer District (TCWSD) — named in council discussion as the party seeking assurance that the village wells remain operational — will speak with the EPA to determine regulatory requirements for keeping the wells as a backup source, officials said. The council heard that the village wells would remain active as a county backup pending the EPA discussion.

Fiscal Officer Maria App told the council the annual Consumer Confidence Report required by the EPA has been mailed to residents. The council did not take a formal vote on the water purchase at the July 11 meeting; Williams presented the operational readiness and the notification requirement as informational items to the body.

Next steps noted in the meeting: TCWSD will consult with the EPA about backup-well requirements and the village will issue a notice to residents about the incoming county water supply and fluoride content.