By : Amity Addrisi
Source : http://www.bakersfieldnow.com
Category : Small Business Grant
LAMONT, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Kern County leaders are working to get water flowing again in the Lamont community that has been without water service since last Friday.
On Thursday, those leaders met to come up with a strategy to help the small water district get back to business.
The first step in going ahead with any plan is to secure money. Late Wednesday, the small water district got some good news: an approved grant for building a new well.
With no working water wells, it's no secret that Athal Mutual Water Co. is in trouble, but county leaders want residents to focus on a solution.
"Finger-pointing is never helpful. When we work together to try to solve a problem, that’s when we make progress, and that's what we are committed to," said the county's 5th District supervisor, Karen Goh.
Part of the solution to that problem will come in the form of cash.
"Yesterday, we heard that Athal received a $200,000 grant from the state to build a new well," explained Goh.
At a meeting Thursday, the offices of Environmental Health, Engineering, and the Kern County Fire Department all met to find a way to help the resident run company get the water running again.
"Anyway we can help, from expediting permits to get a well drilled, to working with other water districts, to help get them a supply of water while they drill a new well," said Chuck Lackey of the Kern County Engineering Department.
Lackey, who also heads Kern County Code Enforcement, is keeping a close eye on the community. Lackey said the county needs to make sure the community has proper sanitation facilities, because without water the toilets won't flush.
"Unfortunately, if those are not provided and it becomes a detriment to the people living there, the ultimate solution is to make people leave their homes," warned Lackey.
The county made a three-day commitment to provide water, but after Friday, the county water supply will dry up.
"We are working now with others to figure out how we can transition that and so that water will continue to be available," said Goh.
Goh also said an engineer for Athal Mutual Water spent Thursday looking for solutions.
The state grant will pay for engineering, design and construction of a new well. That's not all, though. Goh said local grant writer Dave Warner is helping Athal apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Source : http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Lamont-water-company-gets-a-grant-to-build-a-new-well-142001573.html
