CANTON – A $20 million project to replace thousands of aging waterlines across the city is expected to begin next year, pending City Council approval and federal financing.
Council is expected to vote Sept. 21 on the plan to replace about 2,725 private galvanized waterlines in compliance with federal requirements.
Project bids will be opened in early October. The city expects the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to approve financing for the project around December, Service Director John Highman said. Construction is expected to begin next year and take about four years to complete.
Here's some things to know about the project:
The project comes after the U.S. EPA's 2024 decision to require water suppliers to replace lead, galvanized steel and unknown service lines.
Property owners whose lines fall into those categories received notification letters in November 2024. No lines on the city's side of the service connection will be replaced.
Highman said Canton's water system is about 150 years old, and records do not exist for every service line. Under federal rules, lines with an unknown material status must be replaced.
Brent Burrier, assistant superintendent for the Canton Water Department, said galvanized lines that were once connected to lead service lines can retain lead particles, which can pose a risk to drinking water.
"If there's a chance for that, we want it out of our system," Burrier said, noting Canton has never tested positive for lead in drinking water during annual water testing.
Read more: Get the lead out: How Ohio and its cities are working to replace lead water service lines
City officials said construction will largely be limited to individual properties while crews replace service lines. Replacement of one line typically takes six to eight hours, with water being shut off for part of this time.
The project will be completed in eight phases, each lasting about six months.
Property owners will receive a project notification letter in the fall. Another letter will be sent out to property owners before construction begins, along with a work agreement.
Participation is free for property owners. Failure to participate will result in water turn-offs and potential disconnection from the utility, according to city officials.
The city plans to fund the work through an EPA loan. Estimates place the cost at about $20 million, though that figure could change once bids are received.
"Our hope is that it would come in less than that," Highman said. "It really just depends."
The city plans to apply for a loan matching the final bid amount. Highman said the loan could qualify for up to 53% principal forgiveness under federal funding guidelines. Any remaining balance would be repaid over about 20 years.
Questions about replacements can be directed to the Canton Water Department Laboratory at [email protected] or 330-489-3035. A map showing service line status is available at www.cantonohio.gov/2278/Service-Line-Map.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at [email protected] or by phone at 330-580-8513.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton plans to replace more than 2,700 waterlines. Here's what property owners need to know