BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio -- Stimulus money and other loans and grants are making it possible for one of the largest villages in the state without a public drinking water system to create one.
Buckeye Lake officials ceremoniously broke ground Wednesday on the new system, which is currently under construction. The village will receive more than $6 million from a combination of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Ohio EPA funds, which includes a zero-interest, 30-year loan worth more than $1.6 million.
Ruby Sillin has lived in Buckeye Lake for more than 30 years. She has a well in back of her house.
"We think it's pretty special, but where we came from, we had to carry our water, so this is the first I could turn on the spicket and get water," Sillin said.
Keith Christman said he understands why Buckeye Lake is moving forward with its water project.
"It's an opportunity for people, the residents that live here, to get on public water system without really a high cost of installation," Christman said.
"First, I was worried. But then they told us about the stimulus money and everything seems to going to be a reasonable price, something we can all afford, so we're really kinda looking forward to is," Sillin said.
The average minimum water bill was estimated at $42, but the funds will help to greatly reduce that amount.
Mayor Frank Foster said there's no connection fee for residents. Homeowners only have to pay a contractor to connect from the main water line to the house -- a cost estimated between $750 to $1,000.
Construction is already underway in some neighborhoods.
The total cost of the project is $7 million and it will create 50 jobs.
Most residents use wells or small water systems, and the project will connect everyone, thereby reducing homeowners insurance rates and increasing development.
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