Fall 2021 Suburban Water Main Renewal Program Awards

Cleveland Water has awarded over $6 million to seven suburban service communities for 11 water main replacement projects. These awards are part of our $26 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.

In 2007, Cleveland Water partnered with the Suburban Water Council of Governments – the advisory body representing the suburbs Cleveland provides water to – to launch the SWMRP.  The intent of the program is to renew and replace water infrastructure in direct service suburbs in order to reduce water loss, lower maintenance costs, and provide enhanced customer service. To date, over $170 million has been invested in over 720,000 feet of water throughout the 37 participating communities.

Prior to 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 (RWSA) 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 approximately $15 million annually 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. Criteria include main break rate, fire protection, water quality issues, and removal of lead service lines.

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 funding sources for sewer or roadway projects that are done simultaneously with the water main work.