Contract awarded to fix Rand drainage problems, rebuild storm sewers

RAND, WV (WOWK) — Almost $5.5 million has been awarded to rebuild storm sewers and fix problems with drainage in the town of Rand.

According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, AMPECO Inc. bid the lowest at $5,459,299, which is about half of what the department’s engineers thought it would cost.

This announcement came from Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) and the WVDOH on Aug. 1, according to a press release.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation listed repairing the Rand drainage system as one of 30 projects in a bid letting on July 16.

“This is the first of several projects that will deal with some major drainage issues in the town of Rand,” said Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, P.E. “Once this is complete if should alleviate a lot of concerns for the citizens of Rand.”

13 News spoke with Rand residents , who said they have been waiting decades for a new storm and sewer system.

This all comes after DOJ engineers agreed in October 2022 to step in and help residents correct massive drainage problems they’ve been facing for years.

According to Doug Kirk, P.E., WVDOT Chief Engineer of Environmental Compliance, when Rand was first developed more than 100 years ago, the storm sewers and sanitary sewers ran together. They were separated at some point in the town’s history, but while the sanitary sewers were maintained, the storm sewers “fell into disrepair.”

The WVDOT said the plan is to use its resources to rebuild the storm sewer system, including running new lines to the Kanawha River to solve Rand’s flooding problems.

John Smith has lived in Rand for more than five decades and said water drainage has been an issue at his house almost that entire time.

Over the years, Smith said his house has flooded more times than he can count, and he has lost many valuable possessions as a result. Smith also said raw sewage has crept into his home from heavy rain storms in the past. He hopes to see the project in its completion soon.

“Move along expeditiously and show me what you got,” Smith said back in July . “Do something. Try to help us out here.”

Mack Reed said he’s been dealing with constant flooding and drainage issues at his house for about fifteen years.

In that time, he says his floor has warped, he had to replace his broken air conditioning unit after it was damaged by floodwaters and often has to wear rain boots just to get out of his home and to his car in the morning.

“They put us on the backburner if that makes sense. It seems like nobody cares. We pay our taxes. We vote. What about us? Not just Rand but this entire valley,” Reed said. “We shouldn’t be living like this. We are human just like anybody else is human.”

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