Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake getting loans for water quality improvements

Two Lorain County municipalities are set to receive low-interest loans from the Ohio EPA as part of a $97 million package for northeast infrastructure improvements, according to a news release.

The funding package is aimed at improving wastewater and drinking water infrastructure along with other water quality improvements.

Avon Lake will receive $1.9 million to rehabilitate nearly 1,900 feet of sewer lines and for the replacement of a water line, according to the release.

Sheffield Lake will receive $1 million to finance the replacement of eight submersible pumps, flow meters and transfer switches, the release said.

Sheffield Lake Superintendent Pat Hastings said the project also includes ventilation systems and safety upgrades.

The pump station project was awarded to NorthBay Construction of Westlake and the pumps presently are being manufactured in Germany and expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Bramhall Engineering and Surveying of Avon designed the project. Additional equipment and constructing will be forthcoming in November.

The package of improvements replace some of the city’s aging infrastructure and is expected to improve the movement of sewage to treatment, alleviate some flooding concerns along with providing advanced data for operations.

Both programs offer below market interest rate loans, allowing communities save a substantial amount of money, the release said.