MASON — Cincinnati Water Works is expected to take over Mason's water system in March under a 30-year contract recently approved by city officials.

        The deal was struck in part because officials are concerned that Mason's main water source, Shaker Creek Aquifer, will not be able to handle the growth in the city. According to the 2000 Census, Mason's population has almost doubled since 1990 to 22,016, making it Ohio's second-fastest-growing city.

        Vice Mayor Jim Fox said council considered several factors.

        “Certainly two of the most prominent factors were the rapid growth of the city and the inability of the existing aquifer to meet the demands of that growth,” he said.

        The deal means customers will not only be spared a 30 percent increase, which would have paid for capital improvements, but they will see a decrease of about 11 percent.

        The average residential water bill in Mason is $19 a month, city officials say. Sewage and stormwater fees are additional.

        Cincinnati Water Works will take over the operation of Mason's entire water system. This means CWW will operate and maintain the city's water production, distribution system and supporting operations to the water plant, as well as take over billing, handle installations and customer service.

        Existing customers will see few changes. The only change is that the bills would come from CWW, not Mason..

        City Manager Scot Lahrmer said council has done an excellent job of creating a water system that was attractive to CWW, which made this possible.

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