Columbus advances $1.6B Home Road Water Plant with $57.5M engineering contract

Columbus advances $1.6B Home Road Water Plant with $57.5M engineering contractThe Columbus City Council has approved a major contract modification to oversee construction of the city's fourth water treatment facility, with main plant construction slated to begin in late 2026.

The council approved a $57.5 million contract modification with Hazen and Sawyer for inspection and cost control services during the construction of the Home Road Water Plant.

The new facility, estimated at $1.6 billion, will serve as the city's fourth water plant, improving supply reliability and resiliency.

Phase 1 site work is already underway, and the city recently advertised for bids for the main plant construction.

Main plant construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will take 60 to 72 months to complete.

The council also approved an $11.1 million sanitary sewer lining contract and a $2.9 million residuals removal contract for the Hap Cremean Water Plant.

The Columbus City Council approved a $57.5 million contract modification on March 9, 2026, advancing the development of the city's massive $1.6 billion Home Road Water Plant. The contract with Hazen and Sawyer covers professional engineering and construction administration services for what will become the fourth water treatment facility in the municipal system. The Home Road Water Plant is designed to improve the reliability and resiliency of the city's water supply. Funding for the engineering contract is contingent upon loan approval from the Ohio Water Development Authority through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund. According to a deputy director from the Department of Public Utilities who briefed the council, Hazen and Sawyer has been involved with the project since the detailed design phase. The new funding authorization transitions their role into the construction phase, covering critical oversight tasks such as inspection, cost control, schedule monitoring, and shop drawing review. "These activities are needed to protect our $1.6 billion investment," the deputy director noted. Phase 1 site work at the Home Road location has already commenced. The city officially advertised for bids for the primary plant construction last week. Construction on the main facility is projected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and is expected to last between 60 and 72 months. During the same meeting, the council also approved other significant utility investments. This included an $11.1 million construction contract with BLD Services LLC for the 2025 annual sanitary sewer lining project, which aims to mitigate drainage issues and reduce sewer overflows into waterways and basements. Additionally, the city authorized a $2.9 million contract with Synagro Central LLC for residuals and grit removal at the Hap Cremean Water Plant's Lagoon 2 to restore emergency storage capacity.