Fall 2018 Suburban Water Main Renewal Program Awards Announced

Cleveland Water has awarded over $7 million in funding to 7 communities for 15 water main replacement projects. These awards are part of our $25 million annual capital investment in buried infrastructure.

Twice annually, in April and September, Cleveland Water awards funding for water main projects in direct service suburban cities through the Suburban Water Main Renewal Program (SWMRP). The SWMRP provides suburban communities with a mechanism to have their water mains replaced at no direct cost to them.

Since the program’s inception, Cleveland Water has facilitated substantial improvements to the water infrastructure throughout the 35 participating communities. To date, over $130 million has been invested in water main renewal and replacement.

In 2007, Cleveland Water partnered with the Suburban Water Council of Governments to launch the SWMRP in order to renew local water mains in direct service suburbs.

Before Cleveland Water instituted this program, suburban governments owned water mains smaller than 20 inches in their respective communities. While Cleveland Water was responsible for the maintenance and repair of broken mains, suburban communities were financially responsible for replacing or rehabilitating the infrastructure.

To join the program, suburbs must enter into a restated Water Service Agreement (WSA) that transfers ownership of their distribution system to Cleveland Water. Cleveland Water then takes over the responsibility of making capital improvements to the water distribution system in those suburbs. Accordingly, we have committed capital funds to finance water main projects under the program.

Twice each year, eligible suburbs can submit applications for proposed projects in their community. Projects are chosen based on an objective scoring model. 

While Cleveland Water provides project funding and oversight, each local suburb usually manages the design and construction process. SWMRP funds are often used to leverage additional Ohio Public Works Commission funding for sewer or roadway projects that are done simultaneously with the water main work.