PHILLIPSBURG – At the April 11 meeting of the Board of Public Affairs, Phillipsburg residents got a temporary reprieve of higher water rates.
Because Water Clerk Nicole Adamson was ill, the letter notifying residents of the increase on water rates could not be prepared and signed in time to be included in the bills sent in April. Accordingly, the board delayed the letter and the increase for a month.
Water Commissioner Wendell Harleman reported he and Mike Myers had to hire Leak Seekers to find the underground water leak that almost doubled the village’s use of water. The company found one, but Harleman said there seemed to be another that was still eluding them.
The board authorized the payment of $1,000 to Leak Seekers.
There was some discussion of attempting to buy the equipment needed for such detection. Harleman and Myers said that at the moment there were a few leaks that they could not locate and repair but said there might be a need in the future if the village purchased its water from the City of Union.
Purchasing water from Union is a solution suggested to deal with the PFAS contamination in the village wells. (The EPA has issued standards of 4 parts per trillion, with towns given three years to remove the contaminants.) Currently, the village is uncertain of the cost or details of a purchase with Union.
The problem of the contaminants occupied the rest of the meeting. Union’s water aquifer has been tested, although Myers said he had not received the results yet.
Board Member Keith Koontz said no matter what is done, it is going to cost money, and he said there would be public opposition. He questioned whether the board needed to ask the residents or “just do it and then next thing you know everyone has a $200 water bill.”
Phillipsburg has yet to establish the rate residents will be charged for water if the village enters into a contract with Union to supply water. The annual 2024 annual Water Cost Survey lists Union with the second most affordable water in the Miami Valley.
Rates are based on 22,500 gallons or 3,000 cubic feet of water in a three month period based on rates in effect as of March 1, 2024. Union residents paid an average of $83.37 per quarter.
Phillipsburg bills residents for water on a monthly basis.
Member Jackie Wysong said the monthly water bill could include an explanation of the problem and an announcement of town meetings to discuss it “and if they decide not to come, they can’t complain that they weren’t consulted.”
The village is also part of a class action lawsuit that may bring some money to defray the cost of water treatment. Board President Mary Combs said the federal government is going to have to supply some help, since there are lots of small communities affected.
Koontz pointed out that the EPA is trying to encourage affected communities to choose regionalization over other forms of treatment because it will be cheaper for the agency to provide help.
The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, in the municipal building at 10868 Brookville Phillipsburg Rd.
