AKRON, Ohio - Aging Akron water lines will soon be replaced thanks to a $2 million Ohio Public Works Commission water main construction grant. The work will also be paid for through a low-interest loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account of the Ohio EPA.

Parts of Akron's infrastructure date back to the original water system created early last century, said Public Service Director John Moore in a news release.

To determine what equipment to replace, the city worked to identify the water mains that have needed the most maintenance over the years, as well as those that if replaced would improve water circulation and pressure for customers, he said in the release.

"Many of these pipes are nearly 100 years old and if not replaced will continue to collapse and cause disruptions in service, " Moore stated. "Our goal is to replace as many of these troublesome water mains as we can -- and we were fortunate to secure $1 million in grant funds from the state of Ohio to help offset the cost of this year's program."

Prior to the current funding alternatives, the city had been able to afford to replace only a few thousand feet of water line per year. The city plans to use the Ohio Public Works Commission funding to replace 3.5 miles, or 20,300 feet, of water mains this year.

See the locations here of the water lines that will be replaced in 2018.

The city says the water line work will be planned to coincide with this year's road resurfacing work, to avoid conflicts with newly paved streets. During the construction, any lead pipes will be replaced with cooper.

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