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WINTON – A plan to assist Hertford County citizens living in a residential neighborhood along NC 461 who are experiencing issues with their private water wells is moving forward.

At their March 20 meeting, the Hertford County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment in the amount of $115,040.50 to cover the cost of extending county’s public water lines to homes located on Peachtree Lane. That residential area, located between St. John and Union, serves approximately 15 homes.

It was noted at the board’s Feb. 6 meeting that those residents were experiencing issues with their private water wells and that it was cost prohibitive to drill new ones.

The county’s Rural Water District Director calculated approximately 1,550 linear feet of pipe is needed to extend the county’s water line into the residential area.

Currently there is a county-owned six-inch water line passing by the entrance to Peachtree Lane from NC 461.

It was noted at the March 20 board meeting that three bids were received for Peachtree Lane project: $138,090 from Laser Construction Sitework and Utility Company of Winterville, $129,200 from GBS Construction of Ahoskie, and $115,040.50 from Herring-Riverbark, Inc. of Kinston.

The lowest bid was accepted.

It was also noted that the lowest bid is higher than the estimated cost of $91,255 that was discussed in February. That higher cost, county officials said, is due to an increase in the price of materials needed for this project.

Hertford County will use ARP (American Rescue Plan) funds to pay for this project. The county received $3 million of ARP funds to spend on qualifying projects.

At the board’s most recent meeting held April 3, it was noted that the project is scheduled to begin later this month and is expected to be completed by mid-May.