ROSS COUNTY WATER COMPANY
PHASE VI

• Background
• Project Need
• Components
• Costs/Financing
• Unique Characteristics

Background

The Ross County Water Company (RCWC) is a rural non-profit water company serving about 13,000 users in portions of Ross, Vinton, Pike, and Hocking Counties of Ohio.  Water is supplied to the customers from groundwater wells and iron removal and ion exchange treatment facilities.  Due to the terrain, numerous pumping stations control valve stations, and storage tanks are needed to supply the distribution system.

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Project Need

Continued growth and system expansion projects gradually consumed the capacity of the original treatment facility.  The RCWC constructed a new treatment near the existing treatment facility.  The new facility began producing water in 2002.  The growth also consumed the transmission capabilities of the original transmission mains from the treatment facilities.  A study and project was launched in 2002 to increase transmission in the system.  RLM Engineering, Inc.  was secured to conduct the design and environmental report. 

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Components

The Phase VI Transmission and storage improvements project consists of:

• 19 miles of 12" and 16" transmission main
• One 400,000 gallon elevated tank
• One 700 gpm booster pumping station
• One 1,600 gpm booster pumping station
• Four Control Valve Stations
• Additional SCADA telemetry control and upgrade
• New distribution service to Yellowbud area

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Cost/Financing

The final project costs were $6,300,000.  The project was financed through the USDA Rural Development. 

Funding breakdown:

                            RCWC Contribution                         $    350,000
                            USDA Loan Fund                               4,900,000
                            USDA Grant Fund                                 950,000           
                            Total Funds                                      $6,300,000

A loan rate of 4.25% for 40 years was obtained.  Grant funds are not repaid.

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Unique Project Characteristics

• Efficient Use of Funds

               Due to several factors, including unused contingency funds, there was a surplus of grant funds for the project.  The surplus funds were incorporated into a change order for the construction of an additional 6 miles of 16" transmission main.

• Scioto River Crossing

            Crossing of the Scioto River was conducted with a 600 ft.  20" diameter HDPE directional bore.  The directional boring minimizes potential impact to water quality and endangered species inhabiting the Scioto River.

• Great Seal Archaeological District

            Additional storage was needed, and best location according to transmission in the system and groundwater for the tank was within the Great Seal Archaeological District.  Mitigation measures were needed to minimize aesthetic impact.

• Historic Mediation

           In the past, Native American cultures inhabited the area near the Scioto River, imparting historical significance to this land.  Several known and potentially significant sites lie in the area, making routing across the river difficult.  To minimize disturbance, the area was crossed by directionally boring 400 feet of 20" diameter HDPE.

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You may contact Ross County Water Company at:

            663 Fairgrounds Road
            Chillicothe, OH 45601

Send mail to richard@rlm-engineering.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 12/21/05