“West Virginia American Water has approached us with an offer,” said Ronceverte Mayor Deena Pack during the city council meeting Monday evening.
After almost a decade-long struggle with trying to mitigate water issues in Ronceverte, the offer might have come at just the right time.
On Monday evening, the council moved to approve “Phase 4” of the on-going water upgrade in Ronceverte, which at this stage will still allow for the installation of new water lines along Monroe Avenue within a year’s time. Pack pointed out how the seven-year project has been a painstakingly long process, especially with having to seek the approval of CSX for permission to bore under rail lines. After previous water rate hikes in 2019 and again in 2022, the City of Ronceverte has indeed been able to successfully replace or repair numerous tanks, meters, hydrants, trenches, main and service lines. However, Mayor Pack and city council members are apparently still facing an uphill battle when it comes to Ronceverte’s nearly century-old water system.
“We are still purchasing more water from Lewisburg than we are actually bringing in,” Pack stated.
Despite bringing in leak detection experts and technology, not all of the leaks have been successfully found in the incoming water supply from Lewisburg, leading to ongoing and compounding losses. With an old water system made primarily of cast iron and galvanized steel, the city has certainly had, and still has its work cut out for them. Considering options moving forward, City Council member Matt Bergman mentioned how the sale of the Ronceverte water and sewer system to WV American Water might actually be the relief the city has been looking for.
“With the water leaks from Lewisburg, and the fact that our water infrastructure was ignored for so long before the last decade” Bergman noted, “this could be the most realistic and sustainable option for the future.”
Going forward, the city will hold a public hearing (date to be announced soon), with WV American Water to discuss the details of what a sale of the water and sewer system would mean for citizens. Residents of Ronceverte are highly encouraged to come out, ask questions, and get answers, before anything is put into motion regarding this offer. Pack reiterates, “nothing will be done until we hear from our citizens about it first,” stressing that the city has its peoples’ best interest at heart, first and foremost.
After discussing water and sewer issues during Monday’s meeting, the city council moved on to tackle a few other things on the agenda.
Pack and council members subsequently approved funding for purchasing a new sanitation truck for the city, which City Manager Pamela Mentz suggested “we really need after the other has served us faithfully for 14 years”. The council also agreed to soon change operational City Hall hours from 8:30–4:30 PM to 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, citing resident demands.
Pack concluded the meeting by praising the new mini-golf course in town and mentioned how the new pickleball courts are also starting to get used and noticed.
She wrapped up the meeting by saying, “there are good things happening for the city of Ronceverte”.
