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Cleveland Water seeks $150 million in year‑5 lead service‑line funds; council approves consulting authority and notice amendment
Summary
Cleveland Water told the committee it will apply for up to $150 million from Ohio EPA under the federal bipartisan infrastructure law to continue lead service line removal in year 5, with contracts split across multiple vendors; committee approved an emergency ordinance authorizing consultants and added a clerk‑notification amendment.
The committee heard Cleveland Water’s year‑5 request to continue an aggressive lead service‑line replacement program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the Ohio EPA. The utility requested authority to employ professional consultants and to use loan and grant financing to replace lead and galvanized service lines.
“This is year 5 for Cleveland Water’s submission of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law bill…we are seeking here for year 5 to submit to the State of Ohio for a $150,000,000” funding round, the Cleveland Water representative said. Staff explained that, per Ohio EPA requirements, the city plans to split work into multiple contracts (approximately 15 for service‑line replacement plus about five contracts for materials) to diversify the vendor pool.
A motion by Councilman Slife added a notice requirement that the director of public utilities provide written notice to the clerk of council whenever purchases are made under the ordinance, including cooperative‑purchase details; the committee approved the ordinance as amended. Staff said the funding mix included forgivable and loan components for long‑term replacement, and emphasized the city’s continuing effort to pursue and diversify contracting for the multi‑year program.
The committee voted to approve ordinance 624‑2026 as amended; the matter will proceed to signature and implementation by the Division of Water.
