By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
managing editor

KEYSER — Mineral County has been approved for a $92,990 grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for the purpose of continuing its groundwater study of Knobley Mountain.
County Coordinator Mike Bland announced Tuesday that the grant had been awarded and would be used for the study begun in Summer 2008 by Dr. Joe Donovan of  the Hydrogeology Research Center at West Virginia University, and Kevin Rega, one of Donovan's graduate students.
“The purpose of the study is to do an evaluation of the ground water resource in Knobley Mountain,” Bland said, explaining that Carpendale, Waxler Road, Fountain and Burlington currently get their water from Knobley Mountain.
Since those areas are identified as the sites for potential growth in the county, officials want to be able to calculate how much additional water would be available from that source.
“We want to be able to determine how much we can impact that resource without affecting the existing systems,” Bland  said.
“Up until now, you didn't know you were out of water until the pump stopped working.”
Commission President Wayne Spiggle, who has helped spearhead the drive to get Donovan, Rega, and WVU involved with the
groundwater study, emphasized the importance of being aware of the county's available water resources.
“If we don't know what we have, we can't protect it,” he siad.
Bland noted that Dam Site 21 is located in the study target area, and that if growth continues at the predicted rate, it may have to be utilized as a water source.
“At some point in time I'd say we'll probably have to put a treatment plant on that dam,” he said.
The commissioners also announced four Governor's Community Partnership Grants which have been received by the county:
Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, $3,000 to improve the drainage at the newly-installed walking track beside the fire hall.
Elk District Volunteer Fire Department, $6,000 for the purchase of equipment and repairs to the fire hall.
Fountain Volunteer Fire Department, $12,000 for the purchase of AEDs and other equipment.
Short Gap Volunteer Fire Department, $3,000 for the purchase of equipment.