Water towers to cost Ottawa County $900K

DANBURY TWP. — Rising water bills drain money from everyone's pockets.What happens if you don't pay your bill, even if it tops off at more than $200? Your water is shut off.But did you ever get a statement asking for $935,000? It happened to Ottawa County officials this year when they identified three water towers in need of upgrades.Those towers, however, can't be shut off as thousands of residents rely on them daily.The towers, located in Catawba Island, Danbury and Harris townships, haven't received extensive maintenance since they were built in the late 1990s, said Gino Monaco, administrator for the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer's Office."We're at the point now where it's just time to paint these towers," Monaco said. "There are also a few small maintenance issues we'll try to take care at the same time."Monaco said the new paint will have a lifespan of at least 20 years. Fishing for fundsSeveral area communities have a need for updated water towers. For instance, Huron's water tower, found off Ohio 2 near the U.S. 6 ramp, needed a new paint job two years ago.Although crews encountered delays, the tower was repainted in August to resemble a fishing bobber thanks to financial help from Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the area's tourism bureau. In total, Lake Erie Shores & Islands covered $150,000 of the $286,000 needed to update Huron's tower. A similar deal was in the works for Ottawa County earlier this year. If approved, Lake Erie Shores & Islands would have partially funded the $935,000 project in exchange for having the agency's logo emblazoned on each tower.Although the towers are maintained by the county, Monaco said they wanted input from township trustees.Ultimately, the trustees weren't in favor of this idea, he said. "We felt, given the rural nature of the township, it wouldn't be appropriate," Danbury Township trustee Dianne Rozak said. "We love what Lake Erie Shores & Islands does, but it's just something we didn't want." Looking aheadThe estimated $935,000 project likely won't begin until at least summer 2017. The sanitary engineer's office is pursuing funding with the Ohio Public Works Commission. "We'll find out if we'll be able to get those funds around July 1, 2017," Monaco said. "We'd like to bid this out as one project for all three water towers."Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and at Facebook.com/PatPfanner. Behind the police department, the Catawba Island water tower stands tall over East Cemetery road on the island. Ottawa County was approached by Lake Erie Shores & Islands about painting the water tower, along with one in Danbury Township, but the county refused the offer. The Danbury water tower stands off of Ohio 163 in Danbury Township. Ottawa County was approached by Lake Erie Shores & Islands about painting the water tower, along with one in Catawba Island, but the county refused the offer. Behind the police department, the Catawba Island water tower stands tall over East Cemetery road on the island. Ottawa County was approached by Lake Erie Shores & Islands about painting the water tower, along with one in Danbury Township, but the county refused the offer.