Friday, January 28, 2000
Visalia water plan resurfaces
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
VISALIA — As crews dredged a fire lake near Visalia School this week, officials continued exploring ways to get public water to the southern Kenton County elementary.
“We've started dialogue with the (Northern Kentucky) Water Service District, and they've been very open” to discussing extending water lines to Visalia, said Susan Cook, superintendent of Kenton County Schools.
This summer — pending approval of an additional $72,800 in federal funds — the water district will extend mains 12 miles and install fire hydrants in parts of southern Kenton County.
The project, serving about 315 homes, is among $8.5 million in improvements planned for one of Kenton County's fastest-growing areas.
However, the extension would stop about a mile from Visalia School, which has 173 pupils in kindergarten through grade 5. The school had sought public water in 1992, but failed to get enough households in the area to commit to help pay for the project, said Richard Harrison, director of engineering and distribution for the water service district.
Households would pay a $30 monthly surcharge for 40 years.
Eight years ago, more than 90 percent of Visalia residents said they wanted public water, Mr. Harrison said. But when it came to making a financial commitment, the interest was closer to 60 percent, less than the recommended range of 70 percent to 80 percent, he said.
“Because of last summer's drought, the interest has really gone up,” he said.
Visalia School relies on a cistern for most of its water, and has drinking water trucked in daily. Because there are no hydrants in the area, a lake across from the school provides fire protection for the elementary and surrounding area.
County crews began dredging the lake after the Kenton Community Volunteer Fire Department told them the water had dropped to 3 or 4 feet and was filled with silt and moss.
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