Improved Water Pressure and More Reliable Service is Coming to Richfield!

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, between 10 am – 11 am, Cleveland Water is placing the new Richfield water tower and pump station into service. As a result, the water pressure in some of the surrounding homes and businesses will gradually increase by roughly 30 psi. Cleveland Water has mailed postcards and letters to the properties directly affected. If you have received notification from Cleveland Water, you will notice the increase in your home or business if you do not have a pressure regulator.

THE BELOW INFORMATION APPLIES ONLY TO THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THEIR PROPERTY IS DIRECTLY AFFECTED.

Important Details

• Your water rates will not change.
• As a precautionary measure, we strongly recommend installing a pressure regulator to protect your property’s internal plumbing.
• You may wish to seek warranty coverage for your internal plumbing and service line.

Preparing for the Pressure Change

Such an increase in pressure does carry some risks. When plumbing sees an increase in pressure, it is possible for that plumbing to fail, especially the older it is. It’s important to understand who is responsible for repairs and how to best protect your property.

Cleveland Water’s Responsibility 

The water mains in the street are the responsibility of Cleveland Water to repair should they fail. 

The city-side portion of the service connection, the portion of the connection from the water main to the valve in your treelawn, is also the responsibility of Cleveland Water to repair should it fail.

Customer’s Responsibility 

The plumbing inside the home or business is also vulnerable to failure with the increased water pressure. For that reason, we strongly recommend installing a pressure regulator, which controls how high the pressure increases inside your home or business. Pressure regulators can be found at most big box retailers (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) or be purchased and installed by a certified plumber. The maintenance of internal plumbing and the installation of the pressure regulator are the responsibilities of each property owner. 

• Pay attention if you have a lawn irrigation or fire supression system. It may not be protected by an existing pressure regulator. You can consult further with a system professional and check local codes.

The portion of the service connection underneath your front lawn, from the valve to the meter setting in your basement, is also the property owner’s responsibility. Because the pressure regulator will be installed in your basement and is downstream of the customer-side service connection, it cannot protect the piping underneath your front lawn. This piping will see the full pressure increase.

Customers should also know where their water shutoff valve is located and how to use it in the event of an emergency. Most likely, it is in a basement or crawl space.
 

Day of the Pressure Change

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Cleveland Water crews will be present in your neighborhood. Although the actual pressure switch will occur from 10 am - 11 am, our crews will be on site from 9 am - 1 pm to ensure a smooth conversion. If you have any concerns or issues with the water service, please feel free to approach our crew members. You can also reach us that day by calling our 24/7 Emergency Line at 216-664-3060.