By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
Workers recently drilled a new water well in the Groveport Cemetery.
The old water pump and well at the Groveport Cemetery have given up the ghost.
Recently, age and wear and tear caught up to the old pump and well when its casing collapsed rendering it unusable, according to Groveport City Councilman and cemetery committee member Shawn Cleary.
“No one knows just how old the pump and well were,” said Cleary, who noted the first grave in the historic Groveport Cemetery dates back to 1809. “When the well and pump failed we started to get complaints from people because they could not get water in the cemetery to water flowers and plants on their loved ones’ graves.”
Cleary said the new well and pump, which will cost $5,000 and will be paid for from the city’s cemetery fund, will be located in a new spot that will be easier for people to access.
“The new well is being relocated to be closer to the parking area,” said Groveport City Administrator B.J. King.
According to Cleary, in keeping with the historic nature of the cemetery, the new water pump will be “an old style hand pump.”
Cleary said digging the new well is cheaper than extending a city water line into the cemetery.
“Plus, there’s no convenient water line nearby,” said Cleary.
According to Cleary, the water from the well is not for drinking, it can only be used for watering flowers and plants in the cemetery.
An additional upgrade to the cemetery will include the installation next summer of a new granite podium, complete with an electric connection for a microphone, in the cemetery’s flag plaza.
“We budgeted $15,000 for the podium, but happily the cost came in less,” said Cleary. “It will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 and will be paid for from the cemetery fund.”
The podium will be used at the annual Memorial Day ceremony and other events.
