Akron projects record 500 water main breaks in 2026 amid aging infrastructure challenges

Akron projects record 500 water main breaks in 2026 amid aging infrastructure challengesThe city has expanded its street restoration contracts to keep pace with unprecedented daily water main repairs, as the City Council approves new engineering and funding measures for long-term water system upgrades.

Akron's Service Director projects the city will hit a record 500 water main breaks this year due to aging infrastructure.

The city has extended a large restoration contract and added funds to repair the resulting street excavations, prioritizing arterial and collector routes.

City Council approved a contract for professional engineering services for the Akron Downtown Water Infrastructure Replacement Master Plan.

The council authorized funding applications to the Ohio EPA and OWDA for a Water Plant Water Main Upgrade Project.

The City of Akron, Ohio, is on pace to experience a record 500 water main breaks in 2026, a surge driven by the city's aging underground infrastructure. Speaking at the July 27 City Council meeting, Service Director Luttrell detailed the operational strain the breaks are placing on municipal crews, noting that the city is currently addressing two to three water main breaks every day. Each repair typically requires a 6-by-11-foot excavation, which the water department backfills with sand and a soft premix asphalt. Because these temporary patches frequently sink, the city's highway department must conduct continuous follow-up repairs. To manage the mounting backlog of street damage caused by the water network failures, the city recently extended its large restoration contract and allocated additional funds to help contractors catch up. Repair crews are currently prioritizing major arterial and collector streets—including Delia, East Exchange, West Exchange, and Albrecht—before moving into residential neighborhoods. In a parallel effort to address the root causes of the failing system, the City Council unanimously approved several water infrastructure measures via its consent calendar. The council authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into contracts for professional engineering services to develop the Akron Downtown Water Infrastructure Replacement Master Plan. Additionally, the council approved construction contracts to upgrade the water main at the city's Water Plant. To finance the construction, Akron will apply for funding through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). The council's agenda also noted the recent execution of a contract with Berrington Pumps & Systems, Inc. for a replacement fiberglass tank at the city's Water Reclamation Facility.