- "We of the RRC
believe that in a world short of fresh water, not a drop of this
refreshing source of pure mountain subterranean water should
continue to be wasted. But rather, that it should be shared as
our community's gift of a more healthful life to our fellow West
Virginians and Americans." gsn
PURPOSE: To determine
the feasibility of establishing a non-profit bottled water plant
in or in the vicinity of Rowlesburg for the purpose of adding
employment opportunities for Rowlesburg inhabitants and providing
additional funds to assist and further the aims of the Rowlesburg
Revitalization Committee.
LOCATION OF WATER: The aquifer that feeds the present
artesian well is located on the property of the CSX Railroad
Company (formerly the B&O). The continuously running water
faucet is located across the Cheat River from Rowlesburg, near
the former railroad engine repair shop building, and just above
the overhead wooden platform bridge that crosses the railroad
tracks on Salt Lick Road. Many of the local residents make use
of this source of drinking water.
WATER QUALITY AND
QUANTITY: It
is estimated that the continuously, flowing water from the single
artesian well water faucet produces over two million gallons
of aquifer water in a 365 day period. We are told that even in
periods of summer drought, the faucet water continues to run
at the same velocity. Older railroad employees of the B&O
have said that in the 1940's, there were seven artesian water
faucets in different locations. The artesian water from the CSX
aquifer appears to be of an excellent, pristine quality, attested
to by preliminary water samples taken this past summer (2003)
by the RRC, and then mailed and analyzed by the West Virginia
Department of Health in Charleston.
LOCATION OF BOTTLED
WATER PLANT: The
exact location of a plant is yet to be determined, pending our
on-going contacts with the Real Properties Representative for
CSX in Jacksonville, Florida. One possibility is to lease a piece
of land from CSX just across the Cheat River Bridge on the Salt
Lick Road. Another possibility is using a portion of the old
Rowlesburg High School Building, if it is purchased by our RRC.
CURRENT STATUS:
The Rowlesburg
Revitalization Committee is highly enthused about the possibility
of establishing a bottled water plant in Rowlesburg.
Presently, we are in contact with a CSX Railroad representative.
In the event that our correspondence with the CSX representatives
are unfruitful, then another site would be located for drilling
into the above mentioned aquifer (off CSX property), or another
aquifer, after consulting with a hydrogeologist, to be recommended
by the Bottled Water Division of the WV Department of Health.
Some RRC members have said that the limestone rock hills and
valleys surrounding Rowlesburg allow for excellent water purity.
WE NEED YOUR HELP:
We are asking
for your help and support in this very worthwhile endeavor. Please
contact us if you have any ideas on helping to implement the
above goals. We would like your input on the following items:
A name, logo or
labeling for our bottled water.
Ideas
for hiring and consulting a professional marketer, to insure
that there is a market for the bottled water, both In-State and
Out-of-State.
Marketing
the bottled water with prospective distributors.
Funding
(finances) for building a bottled water plant and providing transportation
vehicles (Federal/State Grants?)
Hiring
a Director of Operations for building the bottled water plant
and managing the on-site operations.
written by N. Joseph
Nassif, DDS
|