Akron seeks $20 million WSRLA loan to replace private lead service lines; 53% principal forgiveness included

Akron council members approved on consent an ordinance authorizing the mayor—s designee to file applications with the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority to fund the city—s 2025 lead service line replacement program.

Mister Lottrell, director of public service (as identified in the meeting), told the committee, "This WSRLA loan is for $20,000,000." He said the funds will be used to comply with the city—s obligations under the lead copper rule that the city expects will be enforced Nov. 1, 2027: "we will be lead free, with any existing business or residence," Lottrell said.

The ordinance directs the mayor—s designee to apply for planning, design and construction funds. Lottrell described the proposed use: the city has bid four contractor packages, each to replace roughly 1,250 service lines from the lawn strip to the meter, covering about 5,000 lines in the city. He told council the loan would be for 40 years at 0% interest and include "53% principal forgiveness," meaning the city would be responsible for the remaining 47%.

Lottrell explained the program covers private-property work that historically was the homeowner—s responsibility: contractors will contact homeowners to schedule interior access and will perform excavations in the lawn strip to reach the water box and replace galvanized or previously lead-connected lines with copper. He said contractors expect to finish many assignments within a year to a year-and-a-half and that the city will prioritize homes with active leaks.

Councilman Fusco asked whether the city will require signed agreements with property owners; Lottrell replied the city will not obtain signed agreements from every homeowner and described the process: contractors will contact homeowners to schedule work and the city will follow up if homeowners decline. Lottrell noted that ward council members can receive lists of addresses in their wards so they can verify contractor calls with residents.

The ordinance was placed on the consent agenda and approved without recorded roll call. The committee did not adopt additional conditions in committee; staff indicated further project details and sequencing will follow as the program is implemented.

The city did not provide a firm overall completion deadline in committee beyond the regulatory target; Lottrell said he expects most of the targeted lines to be replaced well before the 2027 enforcement date.