POINT PLEASANT — For the past eight years, plans have been in the development stages for the refurbishment and expansion of an old sewer system along Fairground Road.

Three months ago, the project, which includes refurbishing the sewer line that once served the former Point Pleasant Ordinance (TNT) plant along with the expansion for the Mason County Fairgrounds, West Virginia State Farm Museum, Grandview Road and Staffhouse Road, began with a 150-day contract, according to Dave Nibert of the Mason County Public Service District.

However, recent bad weather has caused the schedule to fall slightly behind.

Nibert said the new system is designed to collect at least 30,000 gallons of wastewater through a gravity-fed line, pump it to an existing line at the industrial park and send it to the Camp Conley Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment.

An estimated cost for refurbishing the 6,500 feet of existing line and construction of the new 11,500 feet of line will be under $700,000. The cost also includes inspecting and refurbishing the existing manholes.

He said the existing manholes, which were constructed during the World War II era when the TNT plant was in operation, are brick-laid and in good condition. The TNT plant was in operation during 1943 and was declared surplus in 1945. When the plant shut down, the sewer system was abandoned.

Although a few houses in the area have been on the system for a while, places such as the fairgrounds and the farm museum were not, Nibert said.

“This project will allow for growth in the area and take care of the environmental problems,” he said.

He also said the project will benefit the fairgrounds and the farm museum when they host events such as the fair, motocross and tours.