Columbus advances $14 million in water line replacements pending state loans

Columbus advances $14 million in water line replacements pending state loansThe city council approved multiple construction and engineering contracts for water distribution upgrades, alongside real estate acquisition for the West Side Trunk Rehab-Phase 2 sewer project.

Over $14 million in construction contracts were advanced for the Heyl Avenue and Shamrock Drive area water line improvements.

The city authorized $755,000 from the Sanitary Bond Fund to acquire real estate for the West Side Trunk Rehab-Phase 2 Project.

Multiple engineering contracts were approved for the Cherry Hill, Desantis, and Hilock water line projects, all contingent on Ohio Water Development Authority funding.

The Columbus City Council advanced a suite of water and wastewater infrastructure investments on August 24, 2026, approving a block of capital contracts for Columbus Water & Power without substantive debate. The most significant authorizations involved two major water line improvement projects. The council advanced a $7.36 million construction contract with Fields Excavating, Inc. for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project, and a $6.8 million contract with JLD Construction Services LLC for the Shamrock Drive Area Water Line Improvements Project. Both projects are contingent upon the city securing loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). In addition to the construction awards, the council approved professional services contracts for future water main upgrades. These include engineering work by Resource International, Inc. for the Cherry Hill Drive area, Ribway Engineering Group for the Desantis Drive area, and Prime AE Group for the Hilock Road area. Each of these design contracts is valued between $455,000 and $486,000 and will be funded through the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, also pending OWDA loan approvals. On the wastewater side, the council authorized the expenditure of $755,000 from the Sanitary Bond Fund to acquire real estate necessary for the West Side Trunk Rehab-Phase 2 Project. The land acquisition targets properties along the Scioto Big Run River and the Scioto River, connecting the Jackson Pike and Southerly Water Reclamation Plants.