MIDDLEPORT — Production of water from the new water well the Village of Middleport is developing with federal stimulus funding looks “excellent,” according to Mayor Michael Gerlach, and the well will likely be put to work immediately, once results of water testing are deemed safe.

Work has also begun on a $2.3 million water line replacement project, Gerlach said.

The well has been dug and tested, Gerlach said Monday, and water from the well has been submitted for laboratory testing. The project is the result of federal stimulus funding distributed through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Downing Construction Co. is the contractor on the $428,000 project. Funding for that project will also be used to abandon a well the village drilled several years ago, but never used.

Flood plain issues have been cited as a reason the village ditched plans to develop that new well field, which was directed by the village’s formerly retained engineering firm, Floyd Browne Group.

Gerlach said Monday work has also begun on a $2.3 million water distribution system, which will see completion of a virtually new water distribution system. Fields Excavating will replace nearly five miles of old, worn out water lines with new pipes. Fields crews are now performing excavating work on Railroad Street, but are expected to complete work in every neighborhood in Middleport.

That water line project is directly funded through the federal stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The new well should produce 400 gallons of clean drinking water per minute. More than 27,000 feet of water main pipe and 70 valves are included in the water line project.

Police Chief Bruce Swift has advised motorists to use caution when driving in the village, because work zones will be set up, and workmen and large construction equipment could affect traffic.