Randolph Offi Cials Discuss Water System
By Allyson Bond, High Point Enterprise, N.C.
May 11–RANDOLPH COUNTY — The decision to construct Providence Grove High School in the Liberty area prompted Randolph County officials to choose not to use groundwater wells for the water source and take the fi rst step in implementing a countywide water plan.
The county, Randolph County Board of Education and the town of Franklinville will work together to install a water line to the new high school which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
Franklinville was the recipient of $750,000 in grant and loan funds for the water line. The U.S Department of Agriculture recently approved the town’s request for the money, which will be used to install 8.7 miles of water lines, a 200,000 gallon elevated storage tank, 200-gallon-per-minute booster pump station and fire hydrants.
The new water lines will not only benefit the high school, but Grays Chapel Elementary and 70 town residents as well. The water line would run along N.C. 22 north of Franklinville.
The plan had been for the county to provide the major infrastructure improvements among the municipalities — there are eight muncipalities and two private companies that supply water to county residents. The goal of the county is to have about 10 water lines throughout the county that interconnect the muncipalities and private companies.
One of the fi rst water lines interconnection improvements would be between Archdale and Randleman — extending a water line down U.S. 311 south from Island Ford Road to Glenola. The Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority would buy the water, then re-sell it to Randleman. Earlier this week, Randleman voted in favor of requesting the PTRWA provide water to the city through the water line.
During Monday’s county commissioners meeting, County Manager Richard Wells said the county had been in contact with the USDA about funding options.
“We had a meeting with USDA in Raleigh last week and we found out that we indeed do qualify (for loans and grants) — wewould haveto jump through a few hoops, but we can certainlydo that,” he said.
abond@hpe.com|888-3515
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Copyright (c) 2007, High Point Enterprise, N.C.
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