BRADFORD — The Village of Bradford received welcome news in its quest to replace the town’s aged water treatment facility.

The village learned it has received a $500,000 grant to make improvements to the water system through the Residential Public Infrastructure Program and funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The project will reportedly benefit 649 households in the area.

“Reliable and safe water systems are integral to providing Ohioans with a strong quality of life,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

The Residential Public Infrastructure Program is administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Development.

Brice D. Schmitmeyer, president of Access Engineering Solutions, the firm which is handling the project for Bradford, said the new facility will consist of a 2,500-square-foot block building which will house the water treatment plant components. The original facility was installed in 1970.

“The new water treatment plant will have a capacity of 432,000 gallons per day,” he said. “It will consist of an aerator, raw water detention tank, high service pumps, pressure filters tanks, pressure softener tanks, and other miscellaneous items.”

The construction bid price is $1.8 million, with a total project budget of $2.15 million.

In addition to the $500,000 grant from CDBG program, the village is receiving a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission, a $500,000 30-year, zero-percent interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission, and a $650,000 30-year loan (interest rate to be determined) from the Ohio Water Development Authority.

Schmitmeyer said a start date has not been set, but work will likely begin this summer. He anticipates little-to-no interruption in service for residents.