Loveland council approves engineering contract for PFAS treatment design at water plant

The Loveland City Council voted 6-0 to authorize a $1,337,640 contract with AECOM Technical Services for engineering design of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment at the city's water treatment plant.

The authorization follows Ohio EPA general-plan approval and notification that the city qualified for principal loan forgiveness of about $1.3 million to cover design costs. Assistant City Manager Chris Wynich told council the Ohio EPA approval and the loan-forgiveness award allowed the city to advance design work without drawing on local water-fund dollars.

"We received the loan agreement from Ohio EPA for principal loan forgiveness in an amount just north of $1,300,000," Wynich said. "This allows us now to be here at this stage where we're asking for the contract with AECOM."

Why it matters: Wynich and staff said the design step is only part of a larger project. Wynich said an earlier scope estimate that included construction engineering totaled about $2 million; construction funding will be the next step. He said current rough estimates place construction at roughly $17 million, a figure that staff expects to refine as design proceeds.

Councilmembers asked how the $1.34 million contract differed from a previously cited $2 million estimate. Wynich explained the larger figure included construction-phase engineering hours that are not part of the current Ohio EPA design funding, which covers work up through bid documents.

Council action and financing: The resolution authorizing the contract was introduced as Resolution 79 and passed 6-0. Wynich said the design contract will be paid entirely from Ohio EPA principal loan forgiveness funds and would not have a fiscal impact on the city's water fund.

Background: The city began planning PFAS treatment after a 2023 council-approved study to identify appropriate treatment options for source-water PFAS. Burgess (consultant referenced in the meeting) completed that study in June 2024 and staff obtained Ohio EPA general-plan approval before applying for principal loan forgiveness.

What happens next: Staff said the city will continue design with AECOM, then return for construction funding, which may include additional Ohio EPA programs that cap certain funding categories. No construction contract or timeline was finalized at the meeting.

Councilmembers present for the vote were Mayor Bailey and Councilmembers Bateman, Goodyear, Hart, Horry and Ping. The vote was 6-0 in favor.

The discussion and vote took place during the council meeting where staff also reviewed other capital projects and consent items.