Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultants recommend hydraulic study, phased water improvements for South Zanesville
Summary
Consultants from Verdantas told South Zanesville council they recommend beginning with a hydraulic model to identify low-pressure zones and develop a phased, grant-focused improvement plan; modeling was estimated at about $25,000–$30,000 and a decision was expected by mid‑February.
Alan Brown, Water Services Department Lead at Verdantas, and colleagues outlined a plan on Dec. 8 for addressing South Zanesville’s chronic water-pressure and distribution concerns and described how the firm would help secure grants and stage construction to limit costs to residents.
Brown described Verdantas as a regional firm with extensive water and wastewater experience and introduced Keith Doll, the proposed project manager, and Grant Schooley, a professional engineer. Schooley cited past projects in nearby communities that combined main replacements and storage-tank construction and said those projects reduced water loss substantially; he described one Crooksville project that cost about $6 million and cut water loss from more than 50% to near 10%. The consultants said similar work could be funded largely through state and federal infrastructure programs when a project demonstrates community need and grant eligibility.
The Verdantas team recommended starting with a hydraulic model to map pressures and identify where replacements or storage changes are most needed. Doll said the modeling and initial planning for a village this size would likely cost about $25,000–$30,000 and noted that programs such as the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress and Ohio EPA planning/design loans can offset planning costs; the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress was cited as a potential source of technical-assistance funding and Ohio EPA loans were described as having 0% interest and the ability to roll into longer-term construction financing.
Councilmember Paul Lowe said he was anxious about the potential scale and financial impact, noting village fund balances are about $1.4 million and that significant construction could require rate increases. Lowe asked whether the village should repair lines piecemeal or pursue broader, phased work; Verdantas advised that a system-wide evaluation yields better phasing decisions and that available grant funding can make larger projects feasible.
Verdantas said it had already obtained a Muskingum County GIS map of South Zanesville’s water lines and left a copy with council. The consultants urged a collaborative planning process that relies on village staff knowledge, recommended confirming GIS and tank-elevation data, and encouraged council to decide within about one to two months; council indicated a likely response by mid‑February. Verdantas noted Ohio EPA construction funding typically follows an annual cycle with application deadlines in the spring, while some planning/design funding is available on a rolling basis.
Next steps: Verdantas recommended the village authorize initial planning and hydraulic modeling so the project scope and funding strategy can be developed for grant applications and subsequent construction phases.
