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But Herron said he does not know when - or how much - the current water rates will increase to pay for renovations at the plant that has been pumping Wheeling's water since 1924.
Per month, current city water rates are $7.10 for the first 1,000 gallons used; $3.259 per 1,000 gallons for the next 499,000 gallons used; and $1.679 per 1,000 gallons for 500,000 or more gallons used. These rates went into effect on June 3, 2006.
Many citizens were left wondering what the city was doing to improve its water delivery system following the August breaks of a 20-inch water main underneath Main Street and a 6-inch fire service line on Market Street, both in the downtown.
Though officials still have not said what those breaks will cost the city, Herron announced this week the water treatment plant would receive significant upgrades during the next few years.
In preparation for those improvements, water plant officials this week began testing a new membrane microfiltration system at the plant. Public Works Director Russell Jebbia said the new membrane purification system could replace the old system of using chlorine to purify the water. Jebbia said these filtration tests would be completed some time next year.
"We have to test this system in both warm and cold weather to see how it will perform for us," he said.
Herron said the city will evaluate all upgrade options before deciding how much money to spend.
"We are not going to be making any final decisions on the funding until the tests are complete," he said.
But Herron does expect City Council to vote to increase the water rates to fund the project.
"City Council will have to approve the rate increase by passing an ordinance," he said.
Herron said the West Virginia Public Service Commission would need to approve the new rates only if the increase was contested.
Herron and Councilman James Tiu took a tour of the 84-year-old water treatment plant on Friday.
"We are currently using technology that has been in place since 1924 to pump our water," Tiu noted.
Tiu said council has not yet considered the water rate increase, but said it may be unavoidable.
"There are various possible upgrades that we are considering right now that would allow us to do a much better job of providing clean water to all of our citizens," he said.
Tiu responded with a "no comment" when asked if council would consider issuing bonds to fund the water plant improvements.
According to information provided by the water department, the plant currently treats about 7.5 million gallons of water per day - and distributes this water through about 200 miles of water mains. The waterlines begin as 30-inch mains at the plant, but the diameter of the lines decrease as the water is pumped through the city.
In 2005, Wheeling City Council unanimously approved a 35 percent increase in water rates to offset an $11.2 million bond for water distribution projects and the design of a possible new water plant. The projects included upgrades to the city's water distribution system, such as replacing waterlines. That water rate increase was also recommended to provide debt service coverage on the bond. The rate increase was also expected to help address rising costs related to the system.
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