Ansted has the only sewer system on the north side of the New River Gorge Bridge.
The national park is a valuable asset and as it grows and the area grows Mayor Steve Pridemore says they appreciate a $500,000 earmark from Senator Manchin to add to last year’s $4.4 million.
The town continues to try to provide civic amenities that are necessary for the area to capture industry and visitors to their side of the bridge.
Over the last three years, the mayor says they’ve been trying to find a way to bring a sewer system to the National Park and Preserve, and Adventures on the Gorge, eventually taking it up through U.S. 60 and connecting in the Hico area.
“To really provide our citizens with services that they wouldn’t have without the support we have from both of our senators,” said Pridemore. “I’m really appreciative of what they’re doing for us.”
According to the mayor, Ansted is currently updating their sewer system and part of the process with the national park is building a new treatment plant that will allow them to accommodate extensions that they’re looking at.
“It’s very difficult for the national park and also for Adventures (on the Gorge) to maintain because our systems are very intensive, as far as labor and repairs and line repairs,” he said. “So we are hoping to provide that service to them.”
The mayor says it’s a lengthy process and if they were to get everything earmarked — they’re still looking at 2027 before they could even begin. But it would provide long-term benefits… starting with accommodating U.S. 19.
“There is water service there with West Virginia American but there’s no sewer system at all. So it will allow us to open that up for economic development,” said Pridemore. “Without the infrastructure in place, businesses are really hesitant to come into an area such as ours that can’t provide the facilities that they need.”
It’s about health and safety when it comes to water and sewer systems.
“Because we’re the only system here on the north side of the bridge it allows us to open up something to the benefit of the citizens and utilize the streams that we have available to us,” the mayor said.
