Akron is moving into the final stages of eliminating its remaining lead water service lines.
Akron City Council voted 12-0 Monday to forgo the timetable for adopting new legislation and immediately authorize the city to begin installing copper tubing to replace roughly 1,500 of the 2,000 lead service lines still connected to occupied homes. Ward 8 Councilman James Hardy did not attend the meeting.
Public Service Director Chris Ludle told the Beacon Journal via email that the $12 million project will be funded by a state loan at 53% principal forgiveness. The remaining 47% will be paid at 0% interest over a 40-year loan period, making the total cost to the city $5.64 million.
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“Construction will begin in August 2024 and completion will be in late fall of 2025,” Ludle wrote. “After this project is completed near the end of 2025, there should be no occupied homes being served by a lead service line in Akron.”