Saturday, November 06, 1999
Butler County may hook up to Cincinnati water
Growing area's needs increasing
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — The blossoming communities of southeastern Butler County need water to keep growing, and county commissioners are looking to Cincinnati as a source.
Officials from the Butler County Department of Environmental Services (BCDES) recently met with representatives from Cincinnati Water Works (CWW) and agreed to begin preliminary discussions about hooking Union, Liberty and Fairfield townships into the city water system.
Though Butler County buys most of its water from the Hamilton city system, the rapid growth in the townships has taxed the city's water capacity. County commissioners are moving to assure adequate supplies for the county's fastest-growing townships. CWW's water costs are lower, and that might lead to lower prices for consumers.
“The Butler County commissioners are very aware of the needs of the eastern portion of Butler County,” Commissioner Courtney Combs said. “We expect BCDES to explore all options and to recommend the best deal for the county's customers.”
James Parrott, director of BCDES, said, “It is imperative that the county finalize plans now to obtain future supply, so that ample time is allowed for construction of any improvement. In that way we avoid capacity constraints to our customers.”
Cincinnati water officials and the county are discussing a main transmission line that would extend into southeastern Butler County's Union Township, Mr. Parrott said.
About 1 million gallons daily are pumped from the Cincinnati water system into southeastern Butler County now, but the proposed water main could bring an additional 17 million gallons daily.
Mr. Parrott said Hamilton's system, which draws from groundwater sources, doesn't have the capacity to handle such water needs. Cincinnati, however, draws from the Ohio River to feed its water system and offers a plentiful supply at a cheaper price.
Cincinnati water costs $1.68 per thousand gallons, he said, while the Hamilton rate is $2.98 for the same quantity.
He said savings for residen tial and commercial Butler County customers would be minimal, but savings might appear five years after the proposed connecting water main is activated.
“It's too early to calculate what those savings might be,” Mr. Parrott said, emphasizing the preliminary nature of discussions with Cincinnati officials.
Hamilton City Manager Steve Sorrell conceded his city's water system doesn't have the capacity to supply the county's booming southeastern communities. He said he understands the county commissioners' negotiations with Cincinnati water officials.
“Hamilton doesn't want to be the water baron of Butler County,” Mr. Sorrell said.
David Gully, Union Township administrator, said, “Union and Liberty townships need more water because we are growing like gangbusters.
“It's only prudent for the county ... to seek a secure source of water that matches our daily peak demands,” said Mr. Gully, whose township's commercial and residential property valuation has grown from $1 billion in 1992 to $1.5 billion in 1995 and is projected to reach $2 billion in 2001.
Mr. Parrott said he plans to meet again with Cincinnati water officials in the coming weeks.
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