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Pulaski council accepts state funds to repair water plant, add pressure-reducing valves
Summary
The Pulaski Town Council voted to accept Virginia Department of Health funds to install pressure-reducing valves and support water-plant upgrades, including $660,000 described as principal forgiveness and $1,289,000 for a Needmore PRV project. Council approved the measure by roll call.
The Pulaski Town Council voted to accept Virginia Department of Health (VDH) funds to support pressure-reducing valve (PRV) installations and water-treatment-plant upgrades. A council member moved to accept the funds and the measure passed on a roll call vote with all members recorded as “aye.”
Joel Burchett, who briefed the council on the projects, said the town has applied for about $25 million in grants for the water-treatment plant and sewer upgrades but that the current awards include two items the town must recognize. "We've been awarded some additional funds, which one of them is $660,000," Burchett said, adding that the $660,000 is "principal forgiveness" with no debt service. He also identified a separate allocation of about $1,289,000 for the Needmore PRV project and said the PRV work is 100% funded.
Burchett told councilors the plant currently produces high-quality water but that the treatment facility and surrounding distribution infrastructure are deteriorating and need investment. "The quality of water coming out of the plant is ... top notch water, but the plant is deteriorating around it," he said, noting the health department has identified weaknesses that the funds will help address.
A council member moved to approve the acceptance and use of the VDH funds "as written," and the council conducted a roll call. All voting members recorded aye on the motion.
Council materials and speakers cited two project lines: the Needmore PRV allocation (approximately $1,289,000) and a separate $660,000 award described as principal forgiveness tied to hurricane-related funding. The council did not specify a project implementation timeline in the meeting record. Staff said the awarded funds will be applied directly to the PRV installations and water-plant work rather than toward unrelated purchases.
The council did not discuss any amendments to the VDH offer during the meeting. Next steps identified at the meeting: the town will recognize the grants in its accounts and proceed with planning for PRV installation and plant upgrades under the terms provided by VDH.
