By Stephen Smoot
Last week, two announcements indicated how difficult the drought has made life for communities in the Potomac Highlands. The West Virginia Department of Highways deployed tankers full of non-potable water to Thomas in Tucker County, supplementing a dwindling water supply there. The City of Keyser also raised the possibility of restrictions on water use by the end of the summer if conditions failed to improve.
While the remnants of Hurricane Debby blessed the entire Eastern Panhandle with refreshing rains, the specter of dried up wells and streams has motivated local officials to keep an eye toward the future.
In its first meeting in July of this year, the Pendleton County Commission gave its blessing and support to plans for a study that would take a snapshot of water resources along U.S. Route 33 between Franklin and Sugar Grove. It would also work toward possible plans to extend public water into the area.
Carl Hevener, president of the Pendleton County Commission, shared during the meeting that it “was never a push issue for Pendleton County before” due to the fact that “everybody drilled wells and had springs back in the day.” Hevener concluded, however, that “looking down the road 20 years is, however, how the county should view the need.”
Though the region endured significantly worse periods of drought in the 1930s, 60s, and late 80s, the current problems have revealed weaknesses that could hamper or even prevent future development. Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Management coordinator, explained that “this drought has shown that we can be vulnerable to great stress on our public water supplies.”
The water study, according to official documents, will “field review the unserved areas generally known as Fisher Mountain, West Virginia State Police barracks/911 Center, school bus shed, Brandywine Lake Recreation Area/Campground, and Navy Base within Pendleton County.” It also stated that it would “include consideration of residential, commercial, and industrial properties within the study corridor.”
It will also “review existing served areas,” examining annual reports and rate charges and also studying how to extend public water from currently served areas.
Furthermore, the study will assess current “county and adjacent area water sources in the areas known as Brandywine and Franklin,” as well as treatment plant capacities, while looking at potential new water sources and also alternatives and options for possible service extension.
Gillespie stated that “it should be our goal to try and link as many of these (area public water systems and other sources) together as we can.”
Pendleton County Emergency Management operations are conducted from the building where the state police barracks and 911 Center is located. In the July Commission meeting, he shared that a well failure for the facility creates “a train wreck deluxe” and that the current situation represents “a ticking time bomb.”
Last week he said, “You can imagine the issues we would have if our 24/7/365/ 911 center, as well as adjoining state police office, ran out of water on a mid or long-term basis.”
Gillespie went on to add that “the second emergency management interest in expanding public water in a way that keeps the main lines next to the highways, versus cross-country, is to have accessible fire hydrants. The larger the area of the county with fire hydrants, the better.”
Laura Brown, representing the Waterfront Group currently developing Fisher Mountain as a golf and recreation destination, shared that “we were happy to see the committee and commission move forward with the request for a water study.” Last month, she shared that the developers had constructed their own $1.8 million water line extension, but that more should be done to help bring service to an entire developable sector of the county.”
Will Adkins, the Wayne County native who owns the Waterfront Group, added that growth of any kind in that area, whether it is residential, commercial, or industrial, will require an extension of public water service.
The Waterfront Group during the past year has developed the facilities at the golf course, including the installation of a virtual driving range and a higher end restaurant and bar. They have also drawn up lots and constructed and sold second and vacation homes on the ridge above the course.
“Rick (Gillespie) and I have talked about public water and the much-needed extensions and needs over the years,” said Brown, who went on to add that “just as in the broadband extensions that have done so much to create vital infrastructure for Pendleton County, it’s good to see steps beginning here as well for water.”
Sherry Mongold, representing Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority concurred and said, “There are a lot of things on US 33 that can’t be done without public water.” She noted that both public and private entities relied on consistent water sources and that “we need to do what needs to be done to help them out.”
