Work starts on new sewer plant & lines

Work has begun on the Berkeley Springs wastewater treatment plant upgrades, along US 522, north of town.

Portions of the new treatment units will be built in the first phase while maintaining the ability to continue to provide proper water treatment with the existing processes. Phase 1 will then be put into service while most of the existing plant is demolished. The remainder of the new plant can then be constructed. All this work must take place within the existing site due to sensitive habitat bordering the plant.

The contractor, Beitzel Corporation of Grantsville, Md., will have 12 months to substantially complete the project.

Also under construction are the line extension to provide sewer service to Lakewood Hills, Grove Heights, Martin Terrace and the Fairview Drive area, including the subdivisions of Woodside, OK Acres, Fairview, Key Acres and a portion of Fairview Oaks.

Surveyors from the selected contractor, Glenn Johnston Inc. of McKeesport, Pa., have been staking out the new manhole locations. Representatives of the contractor noted that it is a crime to remove the survey stakes.

All of the easements needed for the sewer lines have been acquired, including those requiring the use of eminent domain. The eminent domain process allows the utility immediate access to the easement, through the property owners may not have decided if they will accept the appraised market value that was deposited with Morgan County Circuit Court.

Glenn Johnston Inc. expects to begin installing the sewer lines around Monday, April 9. Work is expected to start near U.S. 522 north of the treatment plant and proceed east toward Fairview Drive and Fairview Subdivision.

A second crew is scheduled to start at Jimstown Road and Sherrill Lane and proceed east toward Fairview Drive and Martin Terrace.

The contractor is expecting to complete the job, including all property restoration, in November.

Questions or problems with sewer line installation can be directed to Mario DeFelice of Glenn Johnston Inc. at their field office on Martinsburg Road, 258-4765.

Glenn Johnston Inc. also has a $2000 reward policy for information that leads to the conviction of anyone tampering or damaging their property.

The Warm Springs office can be contacted at 258-4118 for answers to general questions about the project.