The City of Akron, Ohio, has reached an agreement with state and federal environmental regulators to eliminate a planned $300 million Enhanced High Rate Treatment (EHRT) facility from its federal sewer consent decree, citing limited additional environmental benefits.

The proposed Fourth Amendment to the consent decree would allow Akron to meet water quality requirements without constructing the facility, which was intended to address combined sewer overflows and other wet-weather discharges into the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a Notice of Lodging for the amendment, triggering a 30-day public comment period once the notice is published in the Federal Register. The amendment requires approval by the U.S. District Court before it can take effect.

Instead of building the EHRT facility, Akron would disinfect wastewater treatment plant discharges for two additional months each year, April and November. The city said the approach would meet EPA-approved bacteria limits while providing protection during periods when river recreation is more likely. The EHRT facility would treat an estimated three overflows during a typical year.

Through its Akron Waterways Renewed! program, the city has invested more than $1 billion in sewer infrastructure improvements since the consent decree was entered in 2014. Akron has completed 24 of 26 major required projects and is constructing the Northside Interceptor Tunnel, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

The city estimates that the work will keep 2.3 billion gallons of untreated wastewater annually from entering local waterways. Once the tunnel is complete, 99% of wet-weather flow to the sewer system is expected to be eliminated or captured for full treatment.

Akron said eliminating the EHRT project would allow it to redirect more infrastructure investment toward its aging drinking water system.