Akron greenlights Water Reclamation Facility electrical upgrades and secures 28-year state loan

Akron greenlights Water Reclamation Facility electrical upgrades and secures 28-year state loanThe Akron City Council unanimously approved bidding for the replacement of switchgear and a new transformer at the city's Water Reclamation Facility, backed by a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund agreement.

City Council authorized bidding for the WRF Secondary Treatment Process Electrical Improvements Project.

The project involves replacing existing switchgear and installing a new transformer at the wastewater facility.

Funding will be supported by a 28-year Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement featuring a 3.48% interest rate.

The council also accepted a U.S. EPA grant to create Akron's first inventory and assessment of municipal wetlands.

The City of Akron is moving forward with critical electrical upgrades at its Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) following unanimous City Council approval on March 30, 2026. During the public service committee report, the committee chair introduced legislation authorizing the Director of Public Service to advertise for bids and award contracts for the WRF Secondary Treatment Process Electrical Improvements Project. The chair noted that the scope of the project will "replace existing switchgear and install a new transformer" at the secondary treatment facility. The ordinance passed 13-0 under a suspension of the rules. To finance the wastewater infrastructure upgrades, the council concurrently authorized the administration to apply for and enter into a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority. The city secured favorable financing terms for the infrastructure package, with the committee chair stating, "This legislation will allow us to apply for a loan, and the term will be a 28-year, and the match interest is 3.48%." In addition to the wastewater treatment improvements, the council also unanimously approved an ordinance accepting funds from the U.S. EPA's Region 5 Wetland Program Development Grant program. The funding will facilitate the city's Wetland Mapping, Assessment, Research, and Strategic Habitat (MARSH) Plan. According to the committee report, the federal grant will "create Akron's first inventory and assessments of wetlands and resources within the municipality," providing a new baseline for local environmental and watershed management.