Water Sector News
A snapshot of clean water stories from publications around the country, updated daily!
Federal court approves Akron’s third consent decree amendment for sewer projects
AKRON — Outgoing Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced in a press release Dec. 28 the federal court overseeing the city’s Consent Decree program has granted the city’s third amendment. The United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, has approved the amendment to allow Akron to construct a “right size” 16.5-foot diameter tunnel in place of a 24-foot diameter tunnel along with the sewer separation of the Rack 34 combined sewer area. Based on the city’s improved and updated modeling, the “right size” Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) will provide for control of combined sewer overflows (CSO) beyond the typical year rainfall event and the elimination of combined sewer overflows from the Rack 34 area. This amendment will save Akron’s ratepayers an estimated $50 million, bringing the total savings to $215 million during Horrigan’s tenure.