WEST FARMINGTON, Ohio - Homeowners and businesses in western Trumbull County communities could soon tap into a new water source.

Trumbull County Commissioners met with leaders from across the county Tuesday, to discuss a plan to install water lines to customers in areas including Braceville, Southington, Farmington and West Farmington. The suppliers would include the city of Warren, Mosquito Lake and the Mahoning River. 

While the proposal is still in the planning stages, the county anticipates the Ohio EPA will fund up to $5 million of the overall project that could reach up to $20 million. The remaining balance would be covered with 30-year zero interest loans.

"There's water concerns in West Farmington, Braceville and Southington, so this is an opportunity, it's huge to Trumbull County if we're able to obtain that funding," Dan Polivka said, Trumbull County commissioner.

Property owners in Southington Township rejected the most recent proposal to install water lines in August. The difference this time around is that property owners won't have to pay for the lines, just a tap in fee.

Some customers in West Farmington tell 21 News they often opt for bottle water instead of drinking from their tap. 

"This past summer when we had a drought and temperatures of 98 degrees, there was some odor, there was some taste," Shirley McIntosh said, village mayor.

McIntosh says the water in West Farmington is still safe to drink, but it's been difficult to maintain the quality. For the past two years, she says the village has issued public notices to customers.

West Farmington has a 40-year-old surface water treatment plant that's used to treat water from the Grand River. McIntosh says the river is no longer a viable water source due to agricultural runoff and waste water issues.

"We have to find another solution," she said. "The only other choices are regionalzation, bringing water from somewhere else, or ground water, which would be drilling wells."

The county plans to gage the interest of up to 3,000 potential customers to tap in. Polivka says the average fee would range close to $2,000, with assistance for low income and moderate income customers available.  

The county will host a public information meeting at 7 p.m. February 4, at Warren G. Harding's auditorium.