Recent water main bursts on Akron Peninsula likely caused by age, usage and other factors - Akron Beacon Journal

Recent Akron water main breaks likely caused by age, other factors

Recent water main bursts on Akron Peninsula likely caused by age, usage and other factors
Bryce Buyakie

The major water line in the Merriman Valley along Akron Peninsula Road may be showing its age after it burst twice in four weeks, according to the Akron Water Supply Bureau. It broke once Aug. 13 and again Sept. 11.

It was joined by Weathervane Lane, a commercial line, that burst Sept. 10. These three breaks cost thousands of dollars in repairs. The City of Akron issued a boil water advisory for nearby residents each time.

These breaks were likely caused by aging infrastructure and increased strain due to high water demand, said Jeff Bronowski, manager for the Akron Water Supply Bureau. As the Merriman Valley master plan goes forward it may soon be time to re-evaluate the conditions of local water mains.

The plan currently allows developers to develop 30% of the empty land for residential purposes. Increased development, Bronowski explained, could mean higher water demand and more stress on aging water lines, possibly resulting in more breaks.

"We don't want to compromise future development in the area," Bronowski said.

Aging waterlines, repair costs

Installed in the 1960s, the water main running along Akron Peninsula Road to the old Richfield Coliseum has broken many times over the years, which is normal, Bronowski said. The usual culprit is freezing weather that bursts the pipes.

With the warmer winters of recent years, these types of breaks are less common, he said. The current five-year average is roughly 300 breaks in the Akron Water Supply Bureau service area, lower than the previous five years.

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Breaks are also less common in warm weather like when the two Akron Peninsula Road breaks occurred. This could indicate a deteriorating line, Bronowski said, but that has yet to be determined.

"Every year we plan and prioritize a list of locations that need to be repaired, updated or replaced," he said.

Before August, the Akron Peninsula Road to Coliseum water main was not on that list, but that could change if crews discover a water main in poor condition.

Further south is the Weathervane Lane commercial line that burst in September. Despite this break, Bronowski said the line has been in good condition and has given his crews few problems.

Cost of replacing water lines

Both water mains are built from cast iron and ductile pipes. This material, Bronowski said, lasts longer than pipes made of other materials like plastic, but longevity often depends on outside factors like weather patterns, use, traffic and soil quality.

Being a stronger material, cast iron and ductile pipes are more expensive to install, replace and repair than the less durable alternatives, he said.

To repair the three Merriman Valley breaks, the city spent roughly $15,000 to $18,000, that's between $5,000 and $6,000 per break, Bronowski explained. Not included in that amount is the cost to repair the roads, which oftentimes is more than double the amount to fix a water line.

Although these recent repairs are cheaper than fully replacing the 8-mile Akron Peninsula-Richfield Coliseum line, which Bronowski said could cost an estimated $19 million, a full replacement could save money in the long run if breaks continue.

To pay for these replacements, he said the city could leverage lead service grants to remove lead-lined pipes as many old water lines still use lead piping.

"We have about 2,000 lead services out right now," Bronowski said. "We are striving to eliminate lead by 2027."

Although a replacement could help, he said his team is balancing other more pressing projects at the same time.

Right now, crews are striving to replace lead-lined water lines along Brittain Road while the city is searching for funds to fix up aging reservoirs while continuing other maintenance projects, he said.

"I'm very proud of the staff," Bronowski said. "They have been able to get in and restore water services late at night."