In June 2020, the Tucker County Development Authority began the process of commissioning a wastewater feasibility study. The purpose of this study was to assess the current wastewater situation and help determine the most advantageous and feasible plan to serve the Town of Davis, City of Thomas, Tucker County Landfill, and Tucker County Industrial Park both from a short-term and long-term perspective.
The study was completed in January 2022 and was developed by Potesta & Associates for the Tucker County Development Authority. It was fully funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Council. The grants were managed by Region VII Planning and Development Council.
The wastewater feasibility study was a collaborative effort.
Tucker County Wastewater Feasibility Study Timeline
July 2020
• Tucker County Development Authority Wastewater Feasibility Study Selection Committee Formed – Members include Mayor of Davis, Mayor of Thomas, County Commissioner, President of Development Authority
• Notice of Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services Developed
August 2020
• Legal advertisement Requesting Statements of Qualifications from qualified engineering firms appeared in The Parsons Advocate on August 5th and August 12th.
• August 21, 2020 deadline for Statement of Qualifications to be submitted to Tucker County Development Authority
September 2020
• Review of RFQ for Engineering Services Responses for Wastewater Feasibility Study
• Scoring of Statement of Qualifications
• Selection of firms for further discussions
• In-person interviews of engineering firms
• Selection of engineering firm
• Tucker County Development Authority Wastewater Selection Committee met with and interviewed the top 4 firms and they have selected Potesta & Associates, Inc. to recommend to the full Tucker County Development Authority board.
• Tucker County Development Authority full board approves the Wastewater Selection Committee’s recommendation of Potesta & Associates, Inc.
October 2020
• Negotiating cost and scope of work with engineering firm for wastewater feasibility study
November 2020
• Approval of cost & scope by Tucker County Development Authority
• Apply for grant from U.S. Economic Development Administration to fund study
• Seek matching funds
• Potesta & Associates Inc. revise scope of work and cost estimate for the wastewater feasibility study. Potesta estimates the study can be completed in 4-6 months once it has been fully funded. The new proposal does not include full Infiltration/Inflow (I&I) studies for either Davis or Thomas. Potesta will utilize generalized information pertaining to the I&I issues to estimate the potential positive impacts on both the Davis and Thomas wastewater treatment plants.
• The Wastewater Feasibility Study Selection Committee of the Tucker County Development Authority with all members presented voted on Tuesday, November 17 unanimously to recommend this revised scope of work and cost to the full Tucker County Development Authority board.
• Tucker County Development Authority approves Potesta & Associates revised proposal for the wastewater feasibility study.
• Tucker County Development Authority approves Region VII Planning & Development Council to manage the grants on behalf of the Tucker County Development Authority and any costs for their services would be included in the grant.
• Tucker County Development Authority authorizes Executive Director, to sign and agreements and applications pertaining to the wastewater feasibility study.
December 2020
• Application was made to West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Council for Preliminary Funding Assistance (PFA)
• The State Clearinghouse reviewed and certified that the requirements of the State’s Intergovernmental Review Process have been met for the Tucker County Development Authority’s request for financial assistance in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to the U.S. Economic Development Administration. If awarded, these funds will be used for the Tucker County Wastewater Feasibility Study.
• Application made to U.S. Economic Development Administration for financial assistance in the amount of $50,000
January 2021
• West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Council approves $50,000 Preliminary Funding Assistance (PFA) for the study contingent upon U.S. EDA providing match.
March 2021
• March 8, 2021 – U.S. EDA Awards Grant of $50,000 to Tucker County Development Authority for wastewater feasibility study.
April 2021
• Tucker County Development Authority holds meeting to introduce the team at Potesta & Associates to representatives from the City of Thomas & Town of Davis.
• Tucker County Development Authority signs contract authorizing Potesta & Associates to begin work on Wastewater Feasibility Study
May 2021
• Potesta & Associates begins work on wastewater feasibility study.
May 2021 – December 2021
• Potesta & Associates meets with stakeholders and develops study.
January 2022
• Final study presented. You can read it here.