West End water project declared nearly complete; Phase 2 design sent to EPA

Water Superintendent Jim Jenkins told the Steubenville City Council on Sept. 16 that the $16.4 million West End water project is essentially finished and that new facilities are already in service.

"That $16.4 million project is coming to a close with great success," Jenkins said, noting the pump station on Tweed Avenue and a new tank at the County Road 26 and Lovers Lane intersection have been placed into service. Jenkins warned residents that flushing and system integration has caused some temporary discoloration in parts of the West End as sediment is scoured from pipes, and advised households to leave affected laundry wet so a city-supplied detergent can clean garments.

Jenkins also summarized next steps for the plant upgrade. "Phase two at the plant... is 95% designed. Those drawings and project documents have gone to the EPA for their approval," he said, adding the project is expected to go to construction next summer and run roughly two years to completion in 2027. He said the city will apply for a loan after EPA review and then solicit bids.

The superintendent described ancillary work: a modular filling station building has been ordered (about a 12-week lead time) and design for a water interconnect with Wintersville is underway. Jenkins said the Wintersville interconnect is fully funded and will be structured so municipalities pay up front and obtain reimbursement, and that the tie-in improves emergency resilience by creating looped supply paths.

Council members asked follow-up questions about timing and costs for pipe replacements and longer-term capital planning. Jenkins said the department is preparing a 10-year capital improvement plan to prioritize pipe replacements across the city's roughly 98 miles of water main.