Karen Martin
Staff Writer
kamartin@elkintribune.com

The N.C. Local Government Commission awarded the town of Ronda a loan in the amount of $1,493,484 to begin the inter-local water project with the town of Elkin. The loan structure is zero percent interest, to be paid back over a 20 year term and half of the loan will be forgiven, making the payback amount $746,742.

"The water project will cover the Pleasant Hill area," Mayor of Ronda Victor Varela said. "The engineering phase of the project is complete and now the bidding process will begin. I expect it to take three to six months before the work will begin. I estimate that the water project will be complete in less than two years."

The entire Wilkes county side will be included in the water project providing water services to an estimated 2200 - 2500 people. C.B. Eller school and a proposed daycare facility in the Pleasant Hill area will be serviced with water along with an additional 400 - 500 residences.

"Being able to provide water to the area will allow: A. It will help the economic growth of the region as well as help Elkin with the sale of 66,000 gallons of water a day to the project, B. provide opportunity for business already in the area to grow, C. It will solve the water quality issues, the sub-performance of the wells in the area. The sub-standard water is well documented by the health department and this prevented the Pleasant Hill area from expanding, D. It will create construction jobs, E. With the municipalities between Elkin and Ronda, we'll have to employ four to five people for permanent positions for operations, and since Pleasant Hill is a relatively compact community, it will allow for them to create new jobs."

Varela spoke of the cooperation between Elkin, Ronda, the engineering firm, and the other entities that worked diligently to bring the water project to fruition.

"Bergie Speaks, Director of Wilkes County Maintenance, was instrumental in this project," Varela said. "The Wilkes County Commissioners helped with the fees for making the application for the loan, John Holcomb, Elkin's acting town manager, forged a good relationship with us, as well as state representative Shirley Randelman and state representative Steve Goss, who both worked behind the scenes to make this project work. The engineering firm has done a great job and the brunt of the work in applying for the funding. "

"This is the first inter-local water system that I know of," Varela said. "Our wells are not adequate to supply water to our residents and business and this will give the area a good, sufficient water source. We hope that sometime in the future there can be a combined water and sewer system. This is just the first step."

The water lines will run Little Elkin Church Road, Austin-Traphill Road, W. Walker Road, C.B. Eller School Road and Pleasant Hill Road.