Published: June 16, 2008 09:24 pm      

Fresh water on the way for 89 more Buchanan County families

GRUNDY, Va. — Clean drinking water will soon flow to another 89 families in Buchanan County who are currently dependent upon private wells.

U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., traveled to the Buchanan County Information Park Monday to help break ground on the new Elkins Branch and Looney’s Creek Water Project.The new water system will serve families in both communities who for several years have experienced problems with poor water quality, Boucher said.

“The construction which begins today will extend public water service to residents in these two communities,” Boucher said. “As part of the project, nearly five miles of water lines will be installed along Elkins Branch Road, Looney’s Creek Road and Horse Branch Road. When completed, 89 homes will have access to safe and reliable public water service.”

Boucher said the cost of extending public drinking water service to the two communities is more than $1.3 million. The bulk of the funding is being provided through federal funding sources.

Boucher said a federal grant in the amount of $1.1 million was awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior through its Abandoned Mine Land program. Boucher said another $125,000 was awarded by the Coalfield Water Development Fund, and the county contributed another $100,000.

Boucher said the Elkins Branch and Looney’s Creek project brings public drinking water another step closer to Hurley.

“In November 2006, I joined with many of you here today to mark the formal start of construction of an extension of public water service in the Roseann community,” Boucher said. “That project was the first phase in a major, multi-phase effort, the goal of which is to eventually bring safe and reliable drinking water to the community of Hurley. The construction which begins today is another important step in bringing reliable water service to Hurley. The public water system in Elkins Branch and Looney’s Creek will eventually connect to the Hurley Regional Water system, when it is constructed, providing more reliable service to all of these communities. I am continuing to work with Buchanan County officials to secure the federal funds necessary for the completion of the Hurley Regional Water System”

Boucher said the extension of public water service to the Looney’s Creek and Elkins Branch communities also will help with attracting new employees and improving the overall quality of life for residents of Southwest Virginia.

“Today’s ceremony is an example of what can be achieved when citizens and government officials at the local, state and federal levels work together in aid of a common purpose,” Boucher said. “For that cooperation and successful work in establishing public water service for the Elkins Branch and Looney’s Creek communities, I want to commend everyone here and offer special congratulations to the residents who will soon be receiving the new water service.”