Akron deal could scrap $300M sewage plant

Akron has reached a tentative agreement with state and federal environmental regulators to drop the planned Enhanced High Rate Treatment facility, estimated to cost more than $300 million, from its sewer-system consent decree. The city says the plant would provide little additional environmental benefit after nearly $1 billion in sewer improvements, and avoiding it could spare water customers higher bills. Under the proposed amendment, Akron would extend disinfection at its existing treatment plant and meet limits on untreated overflows from the Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel, including no more than three events totaling 93.1 million gallons in a typical year. The amendment is subject to a 30-day public comment period and must be approved by a federal court before it takes effect.