Hubbard, East Liverpool Get Grants for Wastewater Projects
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two cities in the Mahoning Valley have been awarded state grants for wastewater infrastructure projects.
The city of East Liverpool will receive a $1.9 million grant for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and the city of Hubbard will receive a $276,497 grant for a sanitary sewer system improvement project.
Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced Friday that the state is awarding $114 million in grants to support 70 critical water infrastructure projects in 58 counties as part of the fourth round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) water infrastructure program.
East Liverpool plans to make multiple improvements to remediate Environmental Protection Agency violations at its wastewater treatment plant. The improvements will prevent wastewater from discharging into the Ohio River during wet weather events and allow for proper treatment of future sanitary sewer extensions.
“For Columbiana County, now more than ever, it’s critical we seek to improve and protect our treatment of both drinking and wastewater throughout the district,” state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel of Columbiana, R-79th, said in a news release.
Recent investigations have determined the existing sanitary sewer in Hubbard has reached the end of its useful life and is at high risk of failure and collapse. The system serves the city’s high school and middle school, and a failure of the existing sewer could result in significant disruptions to school operations due to sewage backups. The project will replace approximately 600 linear feet of sewer line and make improvements to three of the existing sanitary sewer lift stations.
“My administration is committed to supporting as many local communities as possible with water projects that will improve quality of life and give residents more opportunities to live up to their God-given potential,” DeWine said in a news release announcing the latest round of grants.
Since its establishment, the Ohio BUILDS program has provided more than $360 million to support 253 water projects in every county in the state.
“Good infrastructure is vital for economic development and quality of life,” Husted said. “With these additional projects, we’re able to expand our infrastructure to support development for businesses and housing for Ohioans.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
