March 15, 2002 -- The Ohio cities of Vandalia and Tipp City approved an agreement to create a joint venture water authority called the T/V Water Authority. It will do business as the Northern Area Water Authority, or NAWA, to more accurately reflect its service area mission.
Vandalia City Manager Bruce Sucher explained that since Vandalia is striving for independent control over its water system, it made sense for the city to partner with its neighbor to the north. He added that while there may be an initial increase in water costs, the city's control of the plant will allow steady rates in the future.
Tipp City is looking to build a plant to provide softened water that meets the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) secondary water treatment standards. By working together, both communities will accomplish their goals in a cost-effective manner.
"The joint approach has proven less expensive than operating a single, city-owned water treatment plant," according to Tipp City Manager David Collinsworth. The cities will also benefit from an economy of scale and as a result, will keep their respective water rates below average.
The new agreement is similar to one currently in place between Vandalia, Tipp City and Huber Heights, the Tri-Cities Wastewater Authority. Vandalia Mayor Bill Loy said he looks forward to building on an already solid relationship with Tipp City.
"Our outstanding relationship with Tipp City is a tremendous boon to our citizens. Our communities have similar goals and we know the partnership concept works," Loy said.
"In the long run, residents will see higher water quality and stable rates while maintaining control over the system stabilization in their water bills, because the cities will have control of the water from the wellfield through distribution," Tipp City Mayor Vickie Blakey said.
Construction of the plant on Tipp-Canal Road, in Tipp City, north of Old Springfield Road, is scheduled to begin in spring, 2003; with the plant being will be operational in 2004. The anticipated cost of the 7 Million Gallon Per Day (MGD) plant, wellfield improvements and transmission line is estimated at $15 million. The cost sharing will be based on a proportional use approach, with Vandalia estimated to use 60% of the plant's capacity and Tipp City 40%.
