“When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” ~ Benjamin Franklin
FAQs
Overview
Columbus Water & Power is building a new water plant and transmission mains to prepare for the growing need for clean, safe drinking water in central Ohio.
Central Ohio is expected to grow from about 2.5 million residents to more than 3 million by 2050. As we plan for the future, Columbus needs to provide clean, safe drinking water for everyone.
As the region grows, the new Home Road Water Plant and Transmission Mains will increase the capacity and reliability of the Columbus water system to support the projected regional growth.
The Home Road Water Plant will be built along the Scioto River at the intersection of Home and Dublin roads in Delaware County. Water transmission mains will connect the new plant to the Columbus water distribution system near the Blazer Parkway area and other strategic areas in northwest Columbus.
Columbus Water & Power owns and operates three water plants, collectively supplying an average of 149 million gallons of drinking water daily to Columbus and surrounding central Ohio communities.
The need for a fourth water plant has been known since the “Water Beyond 2000″ master plan was completed in 1998. During the regular evaluation of future needs by Columbus Water & Power, more detailed planning for the fourth water plant and transmission mains began in the 2000s. Property was purchased for the new plant in 2015.
The new Home Road Water Plant and Transmission Mains are vital to meeting the growing need for clean, safe drinking water and will benefit all of central Ohio. Even if your Central Ohio community is not directly connected to City of Columbus water, indirect benefits include enjoying plentiful, healthy drinking water if you work, dine, have medical appointments, or visit other destinations served by Columbus Water & Power.
Residents in Concord Township and Delaware County use water from Del-Co Water Company but may work in areas where they drink water provided by Columbus. The new water plant is being designed to accommodate future connections to Del-Co Water, if needed. Additionally, Del-Co Water draws some of its water from City of Columbus-owned reservoirs.
You can track progress on this project by bookmarking and checking this website. New information will be added as it becomes available.
Water Plant Transmission Mains
Fourteen corridors were considered to connect the water plant transmission mains with the Columbus Water & Power water distribution system near the Blazer Parkway area and other strategic areas in northwest Columbus. An advisory committee of representatives from local political jurisdictions was consulted and provided input on possible routes. The evaluation process considered EPA water pressure requirements, environmental and property impacts, shallow rock/high groundwater, schedule, risks, costs, and other factors, such as utility conflicts and travel impacts. The recommended corridors emerged as the most viable according to these evaluation factors.
Transmission main construction aims to remain within the public right-of-way to the extent possible; however, some private easements may be required. We are asking property owners and the public to provide input on the locations of private wells, septic systems, landscaping features, ingress and egress points, and other relevant features within the corridors, so that the final alignments can avoid them to the extent technically feasible. Property owners can provide that information HERE.
Two separated transmission mains provide reliability, resiliency, and the ability to handle additional water volumes as our region grows. If something happens to one main, the other main will act as a backup to avoid anyone losing access to the drinking water produced at the plant. “Reliability” is the quality of a trustworthy, stable, and consistent environment over time. “Resiliency” is related to reliability but involves preparing for, operating through, and recovering from any disruption.
The goal is to keep the two mains as far apart as possible. However, this isn’t always practical due to many factors, including geography, existing utilities, environmental impacts, community considerations, and project cost. The separation distance between the two transmission mains will be optimized during the final design process.
Initially, it was debated whether to locate the transmission mains on Merchant Road or Cook Road, which led to the decision to place the transmission mains within the existing AEP easement. We are currently coordinating with AEP on offset distances from the tower bases and overhead transmission electric lines.
Both transmission mains will be located on the east side of Dublin Road, outside the right-of-way, where possible, and on City of Columbus property, extending as far south as Cook Road.
The Home Road Water Plant must convey water across the river into Columbus’s water distribution system to best feed the network of pipes.
Transmission main corridors C, D, and E were dismissed partially because the increase in ground elevation along these routes would cause water pressure within the mains to fall below the EPA’s regulatory minimum of 20 pounds per square inch (psi). Click HERE for the corridor alternative map. Low water pressure may pose contamination risks and require residents to boil their water before use.
The top of the transmission main will be buried approximately 6 feet below the surface. The goal is to use an open-cut installation rather than trenchless methods (tunneling). The city prefers open cuts so that service crews can access the mains for repairs from the surface after construction. Vibrations may occur during construction, but should be localized to the site. If you have concerns about vibrations on your property, please contact the project team HERE, and we can discuss installing monitors during construction.
No. The water transmission mains won’t directly serve individual businesses or residents. The mains will convey treated water from the new water plant to the water distribution system near the Blazer Parkway area, and other strategic connection points. The water will then fill the system and flow in a manner similar to its current operation.
The transmission mains will be installed at a safe distance from the power line tower bases and cables. The alignment will generally follow, or run adjacent to, the existing AEP easement from the Concord Road and Harriott Road intersection north to SR 745.
Home Road Water Plant
Yes. In 2012, as part of the City’s water master plan analysis, it was determined that a new water plant should be located near the available water source supply at the Scioto River. The State of Ohio sold the land, the former location of a juvenile correctional facility, to the City of Columbus in 2015.
While Intel was not on the radar in the late 1990s, the City of Columbus master plan accurately forecasted central Ohio’s new business and population growth. As more companies have announced their intention to relocate here in the last five years, building the plant has become necessary.
Architectural rendering for the plant buildings can be found HERE (see slides 28-31). The city aims to adopt an architectural style that complements the surrounding area.
After construction is completed, the water plant is expected to employ around 30 staff members during its daytime shift, while the night shift will employ fewer staff.
Once the water plant is operational, we expect approximately six chemical trucks to arrive daily. The bulk of additional traffic will be from construction.
The fence along SR 745 will be secure-decorative fencing rather than chain-link with razor wire. Our team is collaborating with our landscape architect to determine if trees can be planted in this area. However, due to security concerns and utilities routed through this corridor, it may be challenging to do so.
There will be sufficient lighting to ensure security on the site after construction, while also being mindful of light pollution. During construction, we are not anticipating any night shifts.
Water, which will be no different than the water in O’Shaughnessy. Water from O’Shaughnessy is treated with lime and alum to remove sediment, which forms residuals that are then pumped to the south cell and settle to the bottom. The team will apply for EPA permits to discharge into O’Shaughnessy.
AEP serves the east side of the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir and Scioto River and portions of Dublin within Delaware County, while First Energy serves areas to the west. The plant is located within the First Energy service area.
Haul routes are based on the location from the plant site to two nearby quarries to the west and north of the water plant site. Dublin Road to Moore Road, and Dublin Road to US 42 to S. Section Line Road are the dedicated haul routes, determined by the construction contractor, to deliver excavated rock being removed from the water plant site to either of the quarries.
Financial
These projects will be funded with a below-market-rate loan through the Ohio EPA’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) program and other Federal funding programs.
The City of Columbus is mindful of the surrounding area’s architecture and how the water plant ties into the architectural landscape. We do not anticipate that the surrounding properties will be devalued as a result of the addition of a water plant.
Construction Impacts
For the Home Road Water Plant, the early site preparation began in 2025 and is expected to be completed by early 2029. Construction of the water plant facility is scheduled to start in late 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by early 2033.
Construction on the first transmission main is anticipated to begin in 2027 and is expected to be completed in 2029. Construction for the second transmission main, connectors, and extension is expected to start in 2029 and be completed in 2031.
Project schedules are subject to change due to weather and other factors.
The early site preparation contract includes the construction of a new electrical substation, site clearing, bedrock removal in preparation for the water plant construction, new turn lanes on SR 745 to access the plant, stormwater detention ponds, and sediment and erosion control.
The goal is for transmission main construction to occur within the public right-of-way wherever possible and for the transmission mains to be installed mostly under existing roads. This may not always be possible. During the final design phase, the project team will evaluate the best routes within the selected corridors to minimize or avoid major property impacts to businesses and residents. Affected roads, pedestrian paths, drainage ditches, storm sewers, and landscaping will be restored to pre-existing conditions. Each community has specific requirements that will be followed.
There will be minor traffic impacts for the Home Road Water Plant, mainly during the development of new turn lanes on SR 745 to access the plant.
For the Water Plant Transmission Mains, traffic impacts and detours are expected during construction. Once final design activities identify road impacts, traffic maintenance/detour plans will be developed to minimize traffic impacts as much as possible. This plan will include detour signs, flaggers, and other communication to alert the public before the work begins in their area. We will also coordinate with local jurisdictions to enable them to share information directly with their residents and businesses.
During the construction of both projects, contractors must maintain access to police, fire, and emergency medical services to all properties at all times.
Generally, when work is performed at the water plant site or within the road frontage along the transmission main routes, residential and commercial property owners may be temporarily inconvenienced by construction traffic, noise, dust or mud, and disturbed lawns or pavements. Individual driveway ingress and egress may be restricted to allow time for trenching, laying pipe, and backfilling dirt. The contractors must provide advanced notice to affected property owners and maintain access. Such inconveniences are expected to occur during pipe installation and later when lawns and surface pavements are permanently restored. The project team will hold public meetings with property owners, businesses, and residents as needed, and before construction, to notify them about items such as controlled, engineered blasting or negotiated property easements.
Environmental Impacts
Columbus Water & Power prioritizes environmental stewardship, and the Home Road Water Plant is being designed with sustainability as a foundational principle. This includes stream restoration and wetland preservation, as well as the installation of solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging stations, and the implementation of stormwater management solutions. The Home Road Water Plant is pursuing LEED certification for the administration building and Envision certification for the entire water plant site.
Additionally, our environmental teams will specifically identify environmental concerns, allowing for the implementation of proper avoidance or mitigation measures. Every potential environmental impact will be identified and, when possible, avoided or minimized in coordination with applicable regulatory agencies.
Neither water quality nor supply will be affected for current customers. Any planned service interruptions during construction will be limited and communicated in advance.
During the design phase of the Water Plant Transmission project, the team will monitor and measure wells adjacent to the transmission main corridors and develop a plan to mitigate the impacts of dewatering the wells.
We need your support in locating active water wells. If you live adjacent to the recommended transmission main corridors (click HERE for the recommended corridor map) and have an active well for drinking water or irrigation on your property, please provide that information to the project team by filling out a comment form HERE. Please let us know if you have a drinking water service supplied by Del-Co or Dublin, an active well for drinking water, and an active well for watering animals or irrigation/landscaping.
The Home Road Water Plant will draw water from the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, which is already operating to maintain consistent water levels in the Scioto River. The City of Columbus has a drought management strategy that prevents the overuse of the Scioto River even during drought conditions.
Impacts to boating on the Scioto River are not expected. Some infrastructure will be installed in and along the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir as part of the Home Road Water Plant. There will be a small, restricted area on O’Shaughnessy near the plant intake structure after the plant is complete. The project team is collaborating with relevant agencies to minimize and mitigate any impacts on boating activities.
The Home Road Water Plant project will comply with the stormwater and floodplain regulations set forth by the City of Columbus, Delaware County, and Ohio EPA. All necessary permits have been obtained. Construction of the water plant will not cause flooding, and any flooding issues that arise during construction will be remedied.
Stormwater management plans will be prepared for the transmission main projects, which the contractor will follow during construction. If you own a property adjacent to the transmission main corridors and have drainage issues, please get in touch with the project team HERE.
The Home Road Water Plant team is taking steps to protect and preserve the historical landmarks on the plant site (i.e., the gazebo and the Ohio Home Cemetery). These historical landmarks will continue to be maintained and preserved by the City of Columbus both during and after the construction is completed. Access to the cemetery will be provided post-construction.
Much of the construction for the Water Plant Transmission Mains will occur in the public right-of-way and will not disturb historic properties. If you own a historic property adjacent to the Home Road Water Plant or Transmission Main corridors and have specific questions or concerns, please contact the project team HERE.
Our project teams will evaluate and preserve trees to the fullest extent possible. Should any trees need to be removed, we will adhere to local policies as we remove and replace them.
The Water Plant Transmission Mains are anticipated to be installed within the roadway to minimize disruption to landscaped areas throughout the Muirfield Drive corridor. This is consistent with our goal to preserve trees and landscaping within the median. Construction operations will likely disturb portions of the median lawn area immediately adjacent to the pavement; however, it will be replaced to its pre-construction condition. Our team is also collaborating with the Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village Golf Club, the Country Club at Muirfield Village, and the Muirfield Association to minimize impacts.
The water plant will only treat and process new, drinkable water, and typically, there are no unpleasant smells associated with this process or the plant. Chemical loading and unloading will be done inside an enclosure. Noise is not expected to impact residents and most of the plant equipment will be within noise enclosures.
The tallest water plant building is about 70 feet tall, with a slightly taller water tower. Both will have lightning protection. We do not anticipate any significant impacts from lightning strikes on the plant.
The Home Road Water Plant is anticipated to use treatment chemicals similar to those currently used at the Dublin Road and Hap Cremean water plants (both in densely populated areas), which meet or exceed regulatory requirements. Appropriate chemical unloading and spill containment measures will be used to minimize any chemicals leaving the site.
We follow the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (OEPA) requirement to always maintain a 30-day supply of chemicals. All plant chemicals will require spill containment to prevent any risk of spillage, leakage, or tank rupture. The new plant will be able to contain any chemical that leaks on-site and transport it away for proper disposal. We will have dust control measures in place to prevent contamination from dry chemicals.
Controlled, Engineered Blasting
Controlled, engineered blasting operations are essential for removing the underlying, more complex, solid rock where several deep, below-grade structures are proposed on the water plant site. An informational meeting was held on June 4, 2025. Blasting is expected to be completed in spring 2026. For more information on these topics, please see the meeting summary and sample blasting video on the Resources page.
Blasting is not anticipated to be used on the transmission main project. Transmission main trenches are shallower, and preliminary subsurface investigations indicate we will encounter soil and fractured rock along most of the recommended corridors. Saws and other mechanical means will be used to cut the harder solid rock anticipated during trench excavations in localized areas.
The project team assured residents that the blasting associated with this project will be significantly less intense than previous quarry blasting activities.
While the blasts may initially startle pets, animals typically acclimate quickly to the noise and vibration.
The frequency of blasting will depend on various factors, including weather conditions and resource availability. There may be multiple blasts in a single day, and all activity will take place Monday through Friday – never on weekends. Weather plays a key role in determining daily feasibility.
Yes, the team intends to provide regular updates on the project’s progress whenever possible. At minimum, watch the website for schedule updates.
Yes, each area will be cleared of debris before the next round of blasting occurs.
“Blast clear” refers to the safety protocol where an audible siren is sounded to alert people nearby that a blast is imminent and to confirm that the area has been secured.
No, all explosives will be removed from the site at the end of each day.
Sirens will sound five minutes before each blast. A long siren will be followed by a countdown to ensure the area is clear. The alert system is similar in sound to a police siren and is mounted on vehicles at the site.
No. The bridge has been preemptively monitored and assessed, and there is no anticipated impact from the blasting activities.
Property & Community Impacts
The City of Columbus owns all the land where the Home Road Water Plant will be built. Some private property impacts may occur beyond public right-of-way limits for the transmission mains. However, the project team is evaluating the best routes within the selected corridors during the final design activities to minimize or avoid significant impacts on properties, including businesses and residents. If we determine that your property will be affected and an easement is required, we will contact you. Information about how public agencies are required to address property impacts in Ohio can be reviewed HERE.
To confirm any specific concerns about impacts on your property, contact the project team on the website HERE.
Columbus will collaborate with event organizers to develop event-specific plans to schedule around those events or temporarily suspend construction operations in the immediate vicinity and relocate work crews to other project areas. Construction materials and equipment will be removed, and surface conditions will be restored as much as possible in advance to provide patrons with safe access during the various events.
School districts west of the Scioto River should anticipate temporary inconveniences when construction activities occur adjacent to their facilities and along bus routes. Dublin City Schools bus routes will be affected by transmission main construction east of the Scioto River along the Tuller Road corridor between Riverside Drive and the Sawmill/Snouffer intersection. The project team will coordinate with the school districts during the design phase so they can provide input on bus routing. Additionally, we will provide timely updates throughout the construction process.
The project team explored potential mixed-use options along SR 745. Access through the plant site will be prohibited, as its purpose is to produce water. There will be no public access through the plant, and the on-site cemetery will be fenced off from the O’Shaughnessy Dam. We expect kayaks and boats to be able to access the west bank of the Scioto River.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 6 has plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Home Road and Dublin Road. We do not anticipate any changes to that intersection for the plant project. The only road changes covered as part of the HRWP project include the addition of turn lanes on SR 745. The construction of the water transmission mains will involve the replacement and repair of nearby roadways, and these costs are factored into the overall project budget.
At this time, road widening of any road is not anticipated. The WPTM team will work with local jurisdictions to select the proper maintenance of traffic (MOT) plan.
Jurisdictional Coordination
Yes. Columbus is working closely with jurisdictions along the possible route alignments for the transmission mains. Policy-level and technical representatives from each jurisdiction were invited to participate in an advisory group (including the City of Dublin, Concord, and Jerome townships, Shawnee Hills, Delaware and Franklin counties, and others). This body has contributed local data, reviewed study documents, and provided invaluable input on the project. Columbus has also presented to the Dublin City Council and Concord Township Trustees at their meetings.
Yes. During the final design, the project team will coordinate with utility companies to avoid existing infrastructure, allowing the engineering team to develop the final alignment of the transmission mains.
Technical Terminology
Surveying is the collection of topographical data points (latitude, longitude, and elevation of the ground) and objects (utilities, landscaping, edge of pavements, etc.). These data points are used to create detailed construction plans.
Soil boring involves drilling a hole into the ground to collect samples of soil and rock. This process determines the soil’s physical and chemical properties and assesses the site’s suitability for various engineering needs. Soil boring ranges from 15’ to 30’ deep.
A monitoring well is a hole drilled into the ground to measure water level elevation. Pipe jackings are used within the ground or to obtain a representative groundwater sample. These temporary wells will be filled once investigations are complete, and the area will be restored to its previous condition.
Open-cut installation involves digging a trench across the alignment area, laying the water line, and then backfilling the trench with dirt. Open-cut methods will be used where the pipeline runs underneath roadways and does not impact obstacles like sewers or streams.
Trenchless construction involves subsurface work that requires few trenches or no continuous trenches, such as installing pipelines below the ground with minimal excavation. From the areas of limited excavation, the pipe can then be pushed or drilled through the ground with heavy machinery. This construction method includes pipe jacking, micro tunneling, and horizontal directional drilling.
Pipe jacking involves workers digging a large vertical shaft called a “launch pit” at the tunnel’s starting point. This pit accommodates the equipment and the pipes. Large, strong pipes made of concrete or steel, known as casing pipes, are used. A jacking machine with hydraulic jacks is placed in the launch pit. These powerful devices push the pipes horizontally through the ground. Once the first pipe is almost entirely underground, another pipe is added behind it, and the process continues until the tunnel reaches its destination. The soil displaced by the pipes is removed using an auger or flushed out with water. Finally, the pipes emerge at a “receiving pit” at the end of the tunnel. This method minimizes surface disturbance since most work is done underground.
Micro tunneling is similar to pipe jacking, starting with a launch pit for the equipment and pipes. A micro tunnel boring machine, which is small but technologically advanced, is used. The boring machine has a rotating cutting head that bores through the soil guided by a precise laser system to ensure accuracy. As the boring machine advances, it pushes the soil out while simultaneously pushing in pipes that line the tunnel, creating a sturdy passageway. The removed soil is transported back to the surface through the pipes using a slurry system or an auger. This process is also suitable for rock conditions.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a minimal-impact trenchless method of installing underground utilities in a relatively shallow arc or radius along a prescribed underground path using a surface-launched drilling rig. Horizontal directional drilling is unsuitable for our project as our pipes are too large. HDD is typically used for smaller-diameter pipes, such as gas mains or underground phone line conduits.
The test involves four narrow pins that will be driven into the ground, and a special meter will record the measurements. No permanent impacts to your yard or property are expected.
A professional archaeologist will conduct a field walk to examine evidence of any remnant architectural features and prehistoric mounds. If these resources are present, the archaeologist will also conduct subsurface investigations, which involve a series of shovel test pits excavated at 50-foot intervals for documentation. Upon completion, test pits will be refilled, and no loose soil will be visible.
A professional archaeologist will conduct a field walk to examine evidence of any remnant architectural features and prehistoric mounds. If these resources are present, the archaeologist will also conduct subsurface investigations, which involve a series of shovel test pits excavated at 50-foot intervals for documentation. Upon completion, test pits will be refilled, and no loose soil will be visible.
Arborists will conduct field walks to develop and document a tree inventory. This includes identifying each tree’s species, size (diameter), and condition.