Council committee advances plan to replace unknown lead service lines, leveraging state loan forgiveness

The public service committee approved an ordinance to proceed with bids and contracting to replace unknown and inactive lead service lines across Akran.

Director Chris told the committee the city has removed active lead services and is now targeting about 2,400 properties where service material is unknown or inactive; staff estimate the total program cost at roughly $8 million. "We applied and we received 53% principal forgiveness" through the Ohio EPA WSRA program, he said, meaning the city will receive loan financing with a large share of the principal forgiven.

Officials described the construction approach: excavation in the street to the main, installation of a cap at the main, and restoration of the pavement and sidewalks. A portion of the program will be set aside for SBE (small business enterprise) contractors, as some restoration work is well suited to smaller firms. Councilmembers raised concerns about potential interruptions to street lighting and other buried utilities; staff said most work will occur in the roadway and that planning will seek to avoid direct burial utility conflicts and coordinate with planning/zoning when restorations affect buildable lots.

Staff said the program is planned to be largely funded by the WSRA loan with the forgiven principal reducing costs borne by the city, and they estimated completing the work by 2028.

Next steps: advertise for bids, include SBE targets in procurement, and begin phased replacement work; staff will coordinate with planning and utilities to minimize service interruptions.