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Engineering firm DLZ outlines roughly $7.1 million water plan; council signals support
Summary
Representatives from DLZ presented a Phase 1 water infrastructure plan estimated at about $7.1 million, urged the village to be “shovel ready” for grants, and emphasized early resident communication. Council expressed consensus to continue pursuing funding and DLZ’s assistance.
A representative of DLZ told the South Zanesville Village Council on March 2 that a Phase 1 water infrastructure project could cost about $7.1 million but could be phased to match available funding. The firm said it often pursues multiple grants and low-interest loans for small utilities and described its role as an extension of the village’s team, with a principal overseeing the project and a project manager handling day-to-day work.
"Most of the clients we have don’t have any money," a DLZ representative said, explaining the firm’s experience in combining grants and loans and cautioning against overselling funding expectations. The representative added the firm would "mix them all together and try to figure it out." DLZ outlined a tentative timeline that could allow preliminary engineering to begin soon and construction to start in 2026 depending on funding availability.
DLZ emphasized the importance of being "shovel ready" to be competitive for grant programs and recommended proactive, simple communications to residents—newsletters, bill inserts and public meetings—to reduce surprise if projects carry costs to customers. "This is their opportunity to come in and say, hey," the representative said, describing public meetings as a venue for questions.
Council members discussed hydrant placement and fire protection and clarified the village’s role in supplying water rather than providing firefighting services. DLZ noted that improved hydrant spacing can yield indirect benefits such as better insurance ratings for some residents.
Council members expressed appreciation for the presentation and indicated consensus to continue moving forward with DLZ and to pursue funding opportunities; the record shows preliminary work has begun through the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress (MPP) at no cost to the village. No formal motion was recorded during the presentation, but council support was clear in follow-up committee reports.
