POMEROY — Nearly $4.8 million in federal stimulus and state no-interest loan funds for drinking water and wastewater projects geared to protecting public health and the environment has been provided to Meigs County by the Ohio EPA.

“”Middleport, Pomeroy and Tuppers Plains are like hundreds of local communities all across Ohio that are being helped by this much needed stimulus funding,” said Ohio EPA Director Chris Karleski, crediting President Obama and Ohio Congressional members for recognizing the need to put Ohioans back to work while investing in drinking water and water pollution control facilities.

Meigs County recipients of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) along with state loan funds are as follows:

Meigs County — A total of $49,787 in ARRA funds to improve 10 onsite septic systems.

Middleport

• $2.8 million ARRA subsidy to combine with a $709,127 interest-free loan from the state's Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), totaling more than $3.5 million to replace water lines, to develop a new well and properly abandon 11 existing wells. The project will decrease the frequency of breaks in the current distribution system and the village's maintenance costs, while increasing the quality and quantity of drinking water.

• $181,402 ARRA subsidy for completion of improvements at the wastewater treatment lagoon including installation of solar-powered circulators in the lagoon to aid in the treatment process. This green infrastructure project qualifies for 100 percent principal forgiveness which means the village will not have to repay the ARRA loan and will save more than $300,000 compared to current market loan rates.

Pomeroy

• $188,430 ARRA subsidy and $81,039 through an interest-free WSRLA loan for a total of $269,469 to replace water meters. This project will allow the village to more quickly and accurately record water usage and improve billing, while reducing production costs at the water treatment plant.

Tuppers Plains-Chester Water District

• $273,602 ARRA subsidy and an equal amount interest-free WSRLA loan totaling $547,204 to extend the existing drinking water system to residents in portions of Scioto, Bedford, Salisbury, Chester, Lebanon and Letart townships in Meigs County and Carthage Township in Athens County.

Tuppers Plains Regional Sewer District

• $158,222 ARRA subsidy and a $52,741 interest-free loan from the state's Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), totaling $210,963 to repair lagoon dikes; replace a pump house with a weatherproof building; install valves, a primer and lagoon gauges; and purchase a tractor and work truck.

Zorleski said that the funds for the drinking water and wastewater projects funded in Meigs County will protect public health and safety and improve the environment while providing multiple jobs to further stimulate Ohio’s economy.

“As a result, the quality of life for many will be improved,” he concluded.