BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport officials received an update regarding the village’s water situation and the work that is underway to receive treated water from Martins Ferry.

Charles Husted, president of Bridgeport Village Water Board, met with Bridgeport Village Council during Tuesday’s meeting to discuss the village’s water and the installation of a temporary pump that will allow the village to receive treated water from Martins Ferry.

Last month, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency discovered that two of the village’s five wells tested positive for a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The village was forced to permanently shut down the two wells. Although the other three wells tested negative for PFAS, the village must find an alternative water source per the EPA.

Husted told council the water department is working on installing a valve and water lines which will run from Second Street to Martins Ferry’s water treatment facility.

“We’re going to be putting in a temporary booster station right now. They should have it done in the next 3-4 weeks, but we won’t be using it unless we have to. In the meantime we’re going to go to the permanent building on Second Street which will house the pump stations and everything,” he said.

Once all the measures are in place, the Bridgeport Water Works plant along Ohio 7 will be shut down and the village will begin receiving water from Martins Ferry.

Husted said the village still has not had the opportunity to meet with the city to discuss water rates. Council members said they are hopeful the rates will not increase. Husted said they will have to wait and see.

On Aug. 3, the EPA performed another test which resulted in a negative result for PFAS.

“Everything is good so far, so hopefully it stays like that until we get the permanent station built and ready to go” he said.

The EPA will continue to test the village’s water monthly with the next test slated for Sept. 1. Although the village’s water wells continue to test negative for the contaminants, the EPA wants the wells shutdown as soon as possible, Husted said.

Husted said the project should be completed in around 6 months.

In other village news, Jay Sells, of Aspen Energy Corp., met with council to discuss the village’s Electric Aggregation Program. The program was voted in by residents in 2015, but was never implemented.

Sells said the program could save money for residents who use AEP services. Residents may opt out of participation if they so choose, he said.

The next step to implement the program is for the village to hold two public meetings for residents. Once the meetings are held, council can then approve an ordinance to implement the program.

Council will discuss the matter further with Sells and set a plan for when the meetings will be held. The meetings must be announced two weeks beforehand.