JACKSON TWP — It’s no longer a maybe, it’s a certainty. At least 32 properties in the township will get a new public water line.

Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday evening for the Hartzell/Gristmill Neighborhood Improvement District project.

The project, 10 years in the making, has come to fruition after the new FedEx distribution center near the neighborhood connected to a main water line earlier this year.

“I think the overwhelming support speaks for itself,” Chairman Ron Lutz said.

The water line will address problems residents have faced with their well water. Township Manager Chris Rearick said the main problem is wells drying up.

“It tends to be sporadic where property owners may experience a problem one year and not the other,” Rearick said.

Pennsylvania-American Water Company will construct the line. Along with that, Gristmill Lane and Gristmill Circle are expected to be paved in September. The entire project should be completed by the end of fall.

The project is expected to cost about $530,000 and will be managed by the Community Development Corporation of Butler County.

Residents will be responsible to tap in. Although the water line can reach 39 properties, 32 are expected to have a mandatory tap in. Supervisors also adopted an ordinance amendment requiring residents to do so.

Supervisors said the project will be beneficial to the neighborhood and is popular among residents and other entities.

“There has been really solid support from the CDC, residents, the business association and Pennsylvania American,” supervisor Allan Osterwise said. “It’s really rewarding for these entities to come together.”

“I think what’s made this project feasible is the contribution from Pennsylvania-American, who will be contributing $12,397 per household,” Rearick said.

Rearick said assessments for each house are valued at about $4,700, payable over a 10-year period. Any property not required to tap in but wishing to do so would lower the assessment value.

Pennsylvania-American’s contribution will go toward construction of the water line.