by Kate Evans
The Town of Paw Paw was approved for sewer system improvements that are estimated to cost $2.58 million.
In a press release, the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council announced funding for five sewer and two water system improvement projects at its August 3 meeting.
The council also approved technical reviews and requests to pursue funding for an additional 27 sewer and water projects, including the Paw Paw sewer system improvements. The projects were found to be technically feasible and approved to pursue funding.
The $2.58 million Paw Paw sewer system project that was approved is Phase 2 of the sewer system project, which is replacing or repairing the existing sewer gravity lines on the southern end of town, said John Cole, RK&K Engineering municipal engineering manager.
Phase 1 was a completed study of the significant influx and infiltration (I & I) that is getting into the sewer system, Cole said. They conducted a study to determine where the extraneous water flow/rain runoff is coming into the sewer pipe collection system. The influx and infiltration study determined the need for Phase 2.
The West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council found that the project is technically feasible and concurred with the Town of Paw Paw pursuing grant funding for it through the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Council and the Department of Environmental Protection, he said.
The Town of Paw Paw was encouraged to split their sewer system improvements project into two projects to maximize grant funding for the project, Cole said. The sewer collection system improvements are all grant funded.
With the approval of funding the town can start the next phase of their plans, which is the design phase, Cole said.