Columbus advances $1.6B Home Road Water Plant, its first new facility in 50 years

Columbus advances $1.6B Home Road Water Plant, its first new facility in 50 yearsThe City of Columbus has officially advertised for construction on a generational 48 MGD water treatment facility designed to boost regional capacity and drought resilience.

Bids for the estimated $1.6 billion Home Road Water Plant will be opened on June 3, 2026.

The plant will add 48 million gallons per day (MGD) of capacity by 2032, with the ability to expand to 80 MGD.

City Council also approved a $12.6 million contract for stormwater rain gardens and a $7.8 million contract for upgrades at the Dublin Road Water Plant.

The City of Columbus, Ohio, has officially moved forward with the Home Road Water Plant, an estimated $1.6 billion project that ranks among the most significant infrastructure investments in the city's history. During the February 23, 2026, City Council meeting, the Public Utilities Director announced that the project would advertise for construction this week, with bids scheduled to be opened on June 3, 2026. Sited along the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on property purchased in 2015, the facility will be the city's first new water plant in nearly 50 years. The plant is expected to come online in 2032, providing an initial additional capacity of 48 million gallons per day (MGD). The design allows for future expansion up to 80 MGD as regional demand grows. The Director noted the investment will strengthen long-term water reliability and "enhance our system's resilience in the face of evolving regulatory, environmental, and climate challenges," particularly as the region prepares for more frequent periods of drought. The committee chair for public utilities highlighted the global context of water scarcity, emphasizing the necessity of the mega-project to ensure reliable drinking water for future generations. In addition to the Home Road announcement, the City Council approved a wave of other water and wastewater capital contracts during the meeting. These included a $12.6 million contract with Danbert, Inc. for the Blueprint Hilltop 4 project to construct rain gardens for stormwater management, and a $7.8 million construction contract with Kenmore Construction Company for filter media replacement and tunnel repair at the Dublin Road Water Plant. Council also approved a $3.7 million engineering modification with Arcadis U.S., Inc. to provide engineering services during construction for wellfield development at the Parsons Avenue Water Plant, drawing on the firm's background in groundwater assessments and environmental consulting across Ohio. Furthermore, the council authorized a $5.2 million contract with Driven Excavating, LLC for water line and lead service line replacements in the Sawmill Place Boulevard area.