Date: December 13, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Allen, Administrative Specialist
Greater Cincinnati Water Works / 513-591-7972
GCWW STARTS DRILLING UNDER OHIO RIVER TO PROVIDE WATER TO BOONE COUNTY AND FLORENCE, KENTUCKY
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) began to drill the tunnel this week to install an interstate pipeline under the Ohio River, which will provide water service to 60,000 Boone County and Florence, Kentucky residents. The pipeline, 36 inches in diameter and approximately 3,000 feet long, will go about 30 feet below the bottom of the Ohio River at Anderson Ferry, west of downtown Cincinnati. The installation of the pipeline under the river will be completed this year. Other parts of the project will be completed by 2003 when GCWW will begin to provide water.
The water main has been assembled on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Drilling will begin on the Ohio side of the river. Engineers are using a "directional drilling" method which allows them to guide the path of the drill head under the river. When drilling is complete, the drill rodwill be attached to the water main that will be pulled back through the opening.
Boone County and Florence officials contracted with GCWW after determining that this was the best and most economical way to meet the growing water needs of their residents. This is one of the largest interstate drinking water agreements in the United States.
"This is a very exciting project for us. This innovative technology will enable us to serve more customers, thus holding our costs down. Boone County and Florence will spend less money for additional water service. As a result everyone wins," said David Rager, Director of Greater Cincinnati Water Works.
The agreement is part of a 29-year contract that city and county officials view as mutually beneficial for Kentucky and Ohio residents. For Ohio customers, the agreement allows Greater Cincinnati Water Works to maintain reasonable rates and high quality water by spreading its fixed and regulatory compliance costs across a larger customer base. GCWW will utilize existing treatment capacity to provide water for these areas. For Kentucky customers, there is a guarantee of a continuing supply of high quality water at reasonable rates.
Installation of the pipeline under the river will cost approximately $2.4 million. It is part of a $57 million construction project including more than 30 miles of water main, a pump station, a storage reservoir, and three elevated storage tanks. Boone County and the City of Florence will finance infrastructure for this project through payment of $32 million in construction costs as well as through future water rates. The agreement is expected to save Boone County and Florence more than $1 million annually in water costs compared to other alternatives to meet their growing water needs.
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