A massive project in Akron aims to improve the city's outdated sewer system.
The City of Akron has been working on this project for a long time, and they have a long way to go until 2027. It is supposed to eliminate sewer overflows, which will enhance the quality of the rive, and in turn be healthier for everyone in Akron.
“You do not have to set your alarm clock no more,” said Akron Resident Frederick Peoples. “The trucks are coming. You going to hear it.”
Every day, Frederick Peoples wakes up and sees the progress on the largest part of this project. He understands the need for it, but says the last rate hike hurt.
"I have 7 kids so my water bill is very high,” said Peoples.
Between Frederick and his friend, Justin Hill, they have 12 kids.
"We need it,” said Hill. “We need it. We have to have it."
The Akron Waterways Renewed program aims to restore local waterways to a level that hasn't been seen in six generations.
"We are going to have water quality in the Cuyahoga River that we have never had in many many years,” said City of Akron Service Director John Moore.
Moore says they completed two basins in the last six months with three more to go. The heavy equipment for the Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel arrives next month. Prep work progresses for this more than one mile tunnel, which will hold 25 million gallons of storm water and sewage.
"We will probably never ever have another this size in the City of Akron,” said Moore.
Moore says this $1.14 billion project remains under budget, even with half of the money already spent.
Moore added, "It is a very big and important project.”
A project that Moore calls a necessity and one the people who use the system have to pay for to reap the benefits.
“I do not want to pay for it,” said Hill. “But it is what it is."
The last sewer increase was about a year and a half ago. Moore says they are not thinking about another hike, but a lot of it has to do with higher up negotiations with the EPA and the federal court.
