Richmond County Board Commissioners agreed Tuesday to submit an application to the N.C. Rural Center for a $500,000 grant to add to other grants for a rural water line to an area plagued with chemically contaminated water wells.

The county has a $500,000 grant promised from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a $600,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Program.

The county agrees to provide $89,158 from its water fund if needed.

Engineers estimate the project will cost, $1,689,158. County Manager Jim Haynes said bids could be less.

Water wells in the Ponderosa Drive/Fox Road area have been discovered to have been contaminated from chemicals used years ago in peach orchards which are now used as residential property.

Haynes said in recent re-testing, some of the wells in the area have less contamination than before.

Commissioner Pam Dillman said any percentage of contamination is too much.

Lisa England, who has been vocal at commission meetings expressing her concerns and dilemma over the contamination, has a well, however, which shows twice as much contamination as the first test, Haynes said.

He said some of the wells might have had a better reading because they have not been used in a long time, and using a well draws in contamination. He said contamination is known to shift in the soils.

“How long would a better reading last?” Haynes asked, and said that was unknown.

Dillman said the county should contact Rep. Melanie Goodwin (D-Richmond 66) as soon as possible about money for hook-up grants to those eligible in that area.

Haynes said the county would have to hire a contractor to do the work installing the lines under the conditions of the grants. In the past, the county was able to do such work on installing water lines in the area south of Hamlet making money extend further.

Commissioner John Garner said he hoped the county would move forward on the project in a timely fashion and then turn its efforts to get county water to the Boyd Lake Road area where there are wells contaminated from petroleum sources.

• • • • •

In other action, the county adopted for the first time a proclamation designating February as “Black History Month” in keeping with the state introducing a similar proclamation to recognize the many contributions by African-Americans which have had an impact in North Carolina.

The proclamation encourages citizens to “learn about and appreciate the outstanding contributions of African Americans and their impact on our past, present and future.”

Having arrived in bondage, they persevered toward freedom, it said, and in doing so helped build the unique character of the state and Richmond County.

Commissioner Paul Wilson Jr. was not present and is recovering from recent surgery.

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.