By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer

FAIRFIELD - Residents of the Monastery subdivision say they are pleased with the city's new agreement that keeps a Cincinnati Water Works plant sludge pit away from their homes, some of the most expensive in this Butler County suburban city.

"This is good for the homeowners' property values now, and for years to come," says Tim Meyers, who was part of the nearly two-year grassroots battle.

Cincinnati Water Works, which has operated the Charles Bolton plant on River Road in southwestern Fairfield since 1967, sued the city in November 2002.

The city had denied a Cincinnati Water Works' request to build a 9-acre sludge pit behind the plant, near homes on St. Thomas Court.

"It was going to be a mess," Meyers says.

A settlement approved Thursday by Fairfield City Council prohibits Cincinnati Water Works from building a new lime basin within 900 feet of Fairfield homes, says John Clemmons, city law director.

The restriction also covers the Groh property immediately east of the plant, if purchased by Cincinnati Water Works, he says.

Dave Rager, Cincinnati Water Works director, could not be reached for comment.

Under the agreement, Fairfield will pay $100,000 to Cincinnati Water Works for additional costs incurred by purchasing property south of the plant in Fairfield Township, away from homes, to expand the current pit.

Cincinnati Water Works also was granted permission to construct another sludge basin south of the plant. "That is basically the same site the Fairfield Planning Commission originally approved (in September 2002)," Clemmons says.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com