Loveland Heights Neighborhood. Photo courtesy the City of Loveland.
Project will be city’s first large-scale water main replacement that will not require city to incur debt.
The City of Loveland has been awarded $745K in federal grant funding, secured by Congressman Greg Landsman, to go toward a project in the Loveland Heights neighborhood — helping to make this the city’s first large-scale water main replacement project that will not require the city to incur debt.
The project will install more than 2,700 feet of new water main to replace the outdated existing water lines – ensuring an uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water.
“This is the city’s highest priority water project. The quality of life for hundreds of residents within the Loveland Heights will improved by having a new water main, as it will result in less outages due to a reduction in water main repairs. This project also continues the city’s ongoing commitment to revitalize the Loveland Heights,” stated Loveland City Manager David Kennedy.
The funding has been in the works for many months, Kennedy noted. The city began the grant process with Landsman in March 2023.
Between 2009-2022, there have been nine recorded water main breaks and nine service line leaks on Cherokee Drive. The area has an aging, undersized, and brittle cast iron water main that is degrading, which makes breaks occur more frequently.
Improvements primarily will take place along Cherokee Drive and West Main Street. A public water main will be added along West Main Street between Cherokee Drive and Highland Street, where currently only a private main exists. Adding a public main would complete a looped system for what is now a dead end main along Englage Avenue / Florence Avenue / Highland Street serving several homes, apartment complexes, and a future multi-family development. A looped main provides a second water source during main breaks, reducing the number of residents experiencing water outages.
Additionally, the project involves replacing valves, modifying the storm sewer to improve drainage, and installing additional fire hydrants.
The total project cost for the water main project is $2,100,000.
Kennedy explained that the financial makeup of the project is a strong example of the city’s ability to draw on multiple funding sources to complete an important infrastructure project. Former City Engineer Cindy Klopfenstein secured $955,200 in funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), resulting in $1,700,200 in total grant funds.
The city will utilize $210,200 from the Water Main Replacement (WMR) Fee — a flat-rate, monthly charge established in 2023 to specifically create an account to draw upon for main repairs. The remaining balance of the project ($82,400) will be utilized from the General, Water Operations, and Stormwater funds.
“Kudos to city staff for securing more than 80% grant funding toward this much needed but very expensive project. The ability for the city to pay the remainder through the WMR Fee, requiring no new debt, advances our fiscally responsible goal of reducing debt in our water program to zero,” said Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey.
As for next steps, the city is working with a design firm. Bid proposals will be solicited, and a contract will be presented to City Council for approval. Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2024 with completion anticipated in Spring 2025.