New Water Supply District will bring progress to County

Most of us take for granted that our water supply is safe and reliable. But for some areas of rural Scott County, that's not always the case. Wells, pumps and water softeners are simply a way of life in many rural areas. That is both costly and often unreliable.

But voters in rural areas of the county will have a chance next Tuesday to approve a Water Supply District that will serve nearly 3,700 households in Scott County. The cost of forming the district will be paid by a revenue bond that would be retired through charges for water use. It would mean no tax increase. And the estimated monthly cost for these homes would be somewhere between $40-$47 depending on the participation. That is a substantial savings for those residents and a major improvement at the same time.

We strongly support approval of this new Water Supply District. It has the great potential of being a boost to the economy since a safe and reliable supply of water is essential for our county to grow. Those rural residents who have no interest in receiving the water would simply not hook-up to the program. But an earlier survey showed overwhelming support in the rural area.

The proposed project would make water available along every road that has a house on it. That is an amazing project and we commend the County Commission and former County Economic Developer Jim Schwaninger for their vision on this important project.

The project will help property values and encourage development. And communities and schools throughout the county with existing water supplies could also purchase water from the district. All in all, the project is a win-win situation for the entire county.

Inexpensive and dependable water may not be an issue that is on our minds daily. But for some in the rural area of Scott County, safe and reliable water is a daily concern. This new district will solve that problem and open a new era of growth potential for the entire county.