Columbus Water and Power proposes $1.9 billion 2025 capital program, advances fourth water plant and reuse study

Columbus Water and Power is proposing a $1.9 billion capital-improvement request for 2025 that the utility says is driven by regional growth and large industrial water demands, including data centers.

Deputy Director John Lee told the Finance and Governance Committee that the department is requesting about $1.7 billion in new funding and $177 million in carryover, for a total of roughly $1.9 billion. Lee said the largest single effort in the program is the long-planned fourth water plant, currently in final design and expected to be bid in the fall.

"This plant will provide the additional water capacity to meet the growing demand to the region," Lee said. He described the transmission work that will run from the plant through the Dublin area into the city's distribution system and said the plant will be built in stages; bidding is planned in 2025 and construction will continue for several years.

Lee also described an active…