Canfield, Sebring, Warren receiving funding to replace water lines
Some communities in the Valley are about to benefit from either low-interest loans or principal forgiveness funding, which means the funding doesn't have to be repaid.
The city of Canfield will be receiving approximately $540,000 to replace water lines on Bradford, Neff Drives, while Sebring is getting $500,000 in forgiveness funding to replace lead lines in more than 250 locations in the village.
The city of Warren will receive over $1.7 million to remove the Water Works Summit Street dam, bank stabilization and remove accumulated sediment improving water quality and flow of the Mahoning River to a more natural state.
Mahoning and Trumbull Co. Health Departments and County Commissions will receive $150,000 in principal forgiveness loans for the repair and replacement of low-income property owners’ household sewage treatment systems in each county.
Communities in Northeast Ohio are receiving approximately $91.6 million in funding from Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements. These loans - financed through the state’s revolving fund - were approved between April 1 and June 30. The lower interest rates and principal forgiveness will save these communities more than $15.3 million.
Statewide, Ohio EPA awarded approximately $436.4 million in loans during the second quarter of 2022, including more than $9 million in principal forgiveness. Combined, Ohio communities will save approximately $71.9 million when compared to market-rate loans. The projects are improving Ohio’s surface water quality and the reliability and quality of Ohio drinking water systems. This funding includes assistance to local health districts to help low-income property owners repair or replace failing household sewage treatment systems.
Gov. Mike DeWine said, “With this support, more communities all over the state will make important system upgrades to ensure that drinking water is clean and that water infrastructure is dependable.”
The following Northeast Ohio projects are receiving funding:
- Canfield is receiving more than $540,000 to replace 2,885 linear feet of water main on Bradford Drive, 2,900 linear feet of water main on Neff Drive, and the water supply line under Herbert Road at North Broad Street.
- Sebring is receiving $500,000 to replace lead lines in more than 250 locations. This financing is entirely principal forgiveness, meaning it does not have to be repaid. Removal of lead service lines reduces exposure to lead in drinking water and improves deteriorating or failing infrastructure.
- Health Departments, Districts, and County Commissions in the following counties are receiving $150,000 in principal forgiveness loans for the repair and replacement of low-income property owner’s household sewage treatment systems: Ashtabula, Holmes, Lake, Mahoning, Medina, Summit, and Trumbull counties.
- Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is receiving $79.9 million to provide chemically enhanced high-rate treatment in four existing and two new combined sewer overflows. These improvements will help protect public health and the water quality of Lake Erie.
- Akron is receiving more than $3.8 million for two projects that include the annual replacement of deteriorating water mains and rehabilitating the water main along the West Side transmission main line.
- The West Creek Conservancy is receiving more than $1.3 million for the Bronson Creek Preserve project that includes purchasing and protecting 356 acres, including 336 acres of wetlands and more than 9,700 linear feet of Bronson Creek and Spring Creek.
- Warren is receiving more than $1.7 million to remove the Water Works Summit Street dam, bank stabilization and remove accumulated sediment, improving water quality and flow of the Mahoning River to a more natural state.
- Ravenna is receiving more than $1.2 million to purchase and protect an approximately 110-acre project site that contains 46 acres of high-quality wetlands.
- Alliance is receiving $1 million to replace lead service lines. This financing is entirely principal forgiveness, meaning it does not have to be repaid. Removal of lead service lines reduces exposure to lead in drinking water and improves deteriorating or failing infrastructure.
- The Nature Conservancy is receiving $389,450 to protect, in perpetuity, 100 acres of high-quality wetlands adjacent to Morgan Swamp. This property also will be incorporated into the Morgan Swamp Preserve.
Ohio EPA’s state revolving fund loans are provided to communities to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, upgrade home sewage treatment systems, better manage stormwater, address combined sewer overflows, and implement other water quality-related projects.
