Suburban Water Main Replacement Program Hits $200 Million Mark with Spring 2023 Awards

Cleveland Water has awarded over $5 million to nine suburban communities for 15 water main replacement projects. This brings the total amount invested under the Suburban Water Main Renewal Program (SWMRP) to $200 million for 455 projects replacing over 800,000 feet of water main.

These awards are part of our $25 million annual capital investment in buried infrastructure, $15 million of which is awarded through the SWMRP. Twice annually, in April and September, Cleveland Water awards funding for water main projects in direct service suburban cities through the 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. 

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.

Eligible suburbs can submit applications for proposed projects in their community twice per year. 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.