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Athens begins work to address water breaks on North Hill

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Athens City Council is moving forward with plans to address water line breaks on North Hill and Columbia Avenue. 

Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
At Monday’s meeting, Service-Safety Director Andy Stone provided a plan for the city to appropriate $200,000 dollars to address the breaks in the area. He did not ask council to speed up the funding process because the city is still unaware of the cause.  

“We’re not entirely sure why,” said Stone. “The lines are aged, the pumps are not that new.” 

Stone said the project would include some replacements for the water lines and some replacement parts on pump systems. His proposal received a ringing endorsement from Councilmember Michael Wood, who represents residents in his ward affected by the breaks. 

“Thanks so much for taking this on,” said Wood. “I know it’s been tedious, I know we’ve had the public come and talk about what they’re going through, and also, highlighting the city crews working in snow and ice and absolutely shit conditions.” 

Wood thanked the public for their patience and commended the administration for assuming responsibility for a large project.  

The public comment occurred at the first meeting in January after the council returned from recess. Alison Sincoff, who lives on Columbia Avenue, documented several water main breaks from July to mid-December in the North Hill area. Sincoff described the destructive effect the breaks had on the area, flooding property and overwhelming the drainage system. 

“We feel the city has a responsibility to better ensure water drainage is directed away from all residential property, specifically in this area,” Sincoff said at the Jan. 5 council meeting. She also highlighted the breaks affecting residents along Old Peach Ridge Road and Strouds Run Road but said the majority of the affected parties live along Columbia Avenue.  

The ordinance will be formalized this week, and it will have its first reading at council on Monday.