Hydrants, like this one on Main Street, are being installed throughout the village, replacing many non-working hydrants. Work is estimated to be finished in late March or early April.

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POMEROY — The nearly $1.3 million dollar project to replace some fire hydrants and water lines in the Village of Pomeroy is nearing completion.

Fifty fire hydrants are being replaced throughout the village as part of the project, along with approximately 13,000 feet of a 12-inch water main from the water treatment plant to Nye Avenue.

Of the $1.3 million, $250,000 is funded through a grant, with the remainder financed through a loan available through the EPA. The loan is partially paid through the $5 fee that was placed on utility bills in the village last year.

Work on the project is being completed by Fields Excavating of Kitts Hill, Ohio. The original completion date on the project was set for April 15, but Village Administrator Paul Hellman estimated that the work may be completed by the end of March.

The new hydrants are being placed along Main Street, State Street, Locust Street, Mulberry Avenue, Second Street, Spring Avenue and Condor Street.

Late last week, Hellman said that approximately 12 of the 50 hydrants needed to be installed.

Hellman added that once all the hydrants are put in place, a training will be held for employees and possibly the fire department on maintaining the hydrants and the operation of them. He said that some of the hydrants will need to be turned to face the opposite direction, which can be done as part of the training.

Hellman also hopes to maintain a schedule to flush the hydrants which will allow them to continue to function properly over the course of time.

To date, the project has not had to use the contingency money, which may allow for the purchase of additional hydrants at a later time, Hellman said. If the village wishes to purchase additional hydrants, Dreier & Maller Inc. has guaranteed to village contractor pricing for the next two years.