POMEROY — Construction on the first phase of the $1.5 million project which includes separating sewage and waste water lines in Pomeroy village is under way.

TAM Construction of Athens has a contract for $928,635 for construction of the first phase of the project which includes service lines and connections, manholes and two lift stations. Work is currently under way on the lift stations which are going in behind the Pomeroy Fire Department.

A bid for the second phase of the construction in the amount of $631,000 was awarded to Doll Layman, Ltds. of Tipp City. That part of the work will include improvements to the existing waste water treatment plant including bar screen, belt press, pumps, valves and electrical work with two generators.

According to Paul Hellman, village administrator, the entire project which will encompass about a third of the village is fully funded with state and federal grant money. He projects the work will require from 12 to 18 months to complete.

Another water project given approval by Pomeroy Village Council relates to replacing the water line leading from the well in Syracuse to the Pomeroy pumping station.

Mitch Altier of ME Companies, project manager, and Hellman contend that the line from Syracuse to the pumping station is inadequate because of the corrosion in the line and that by replacing it the current cost of pumping would be reduced by several hours each day and the cost of the pump operation would be reduced by about half of what it is costing the village now.

As for financing the $750,000 project, the village has been approved for an EPA loan of $358,589 at a two percent interest rate to be repaid by the village over a 30 year period. The balance of the cost for the line replacement will be paid with grants, $250,000 from the ARC and $153.681 from the EPA.