Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
The new 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 at Frantz Road and Parkcenter Avenue, and other strategic areas in northwest Columbus.
For the water plant transmission mains, the first phase of design, also called preliminary engineering, began in January 2023 and is focused on evaluating potential alignments. Phase two, or final design, is anticipated to begin summer 2024. Phase 3 is construction, expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by the end of the decade.
For the fourth water plant project, the first phase of design began in January 2023 and is focused on researching and evaluating options and then developing a basis of design for the recommended improvements. Phases two and three, preliminary and final design, are anticipated to begin by the end of 2024 and continue into 2025. Phase 4 is construction, expected to begin in 2025/2026 and will be completed by the end of the decade.
Project schedules are subject to change as the design progresses.
The Columbus Department of Public Utilities relies on ratepayers, both within the city and in contract communities, to fund most of its capital projects, including the current ones. Every year, the department reviews water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, making incremental annual rate increases to ensure quality services are maintained and accommodate future growth. Department annual reports can be found here: www.columbus.gov/utilities/publications/Department-Publications/. This revenue is crucial for ongoing capital improvement programs, which enhance quality of life and support economic growth in central Ohio.
To stretch these funds further, the design of the water plant and transmission mains is being financed through a low-interest loan program managed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency called the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account. Securing a low-interest loan is cost-effective, providing the city with financial stability and predictability to fund future growth.
The City of Columbus has hired a team of consultants, led by ms consultants, to conduct a subsurface and field survey exploration program. This includes soil boring and installing groundwater monitoring wells to understand existing subsurface conditions along possible water main alignments.
Currently, Aldea Services and other subcontractors (CTL Engineering, DHDC, Eagon Associates, Resource International and 7NT) are obtaining soil borings using track-mounted soil sampling rigs and installing groundwater monitoring wells at selected locations. The wells will be monitored monthly throughout the design duration of the project up until construction.
The subsurface exploration program for the transmission mains is working closely with all local jurisdictions and their inspectors to ensure work protocols are followed, and any needed restoration to private property meets jurisdiction requirements.
You can get involved by attending a public informational meeting, currently planned for summer 2024, and by checking the website for updates.