Dunbridge water, sewer project ready to start

The Northwestern Water and Sewer District is one step closer to starting the largest infrastructure initiative in its 30-year history.
The Dunbridge, State Route 582 project will extend sanitary sewer and water lines to the Dunbridge area in Middleton Township and the I-75/Route 582 interchange to improve water quality, fire protection, and environmental conditions.
The district board of Trustees approved the award of a construction contract valued at approximately $13.1 million to Underground Utilities Inc. of Monroeville, Ohio. Construction is scheduled to begin late this year and is scheduled for completion in late 2025.
According to District President Jerry Greiner, "This project will significantly benefit the region by enhancing public health and environmental quality while also providing vital infrastructure for the future of Wood County and the region that will support our schools and local communities for years to come."

Project scope
The project will cover the area along SR 582 from Midstar Drive to Walnut Street in Dunbridge and on Dunbridge Road to the wastewater treatment plant in Bowling Green.
The project includes the installation of 5.8 miles of sanitary sewer and 2.3 miles of water line, in addition to two new sanitary pump stations.
About $8.7 million of the project is allocated from the Wood County commissioners through the American Rescue Plan Act. The remaining costs will be partially funded through a no-interest loan from the Ohio EPA. The loan will be paid for through future development and fees for connection to the water and sewer facilities.
The primary public health benefit, Greiner said, is eliminating pollution caused by aging septic systems. Ohio EPA issued findings and orders to construct sanitary sewers in Dunbridge because septic systems in the area are discharging untreated sewage into local ditches, posing significant health risks.
By providing a centralized sewer system, the project will prevent raw sewage from contaminating local water bodies, thereby improving the overall water quality in the area, he said.
The project provides a cost-effective solution for low-income households unable to afford new septic systems, with funding support from the allocation from the county commissioners.