ELYRIA — Elyria City Council has approved moving forward with a roughly $3.14 million investment in water infrastructure, while city officials also work toward a separate agreement that could position Elyria as the primary water supplier for Sheffield Village.
The funding approved by council will go toward the early procurement of materials for improvements at the city’s water treatment plant high service pump station. According to City Engineer John Schneider, the project includes replacing large valves and installing new pumps and variable frequency drives (VFDs), which are expected to improve system control and reduce long-term energy costs.
Schneider said the materials being purchased are not readily available and could take up to 52 weeks to arrive due to long lead times. Because of those delays, officials requested emergency approval to begin ordering equipment as soon as possible.
The estimated cost for the materials portion of the project is approximately $3,142,500. Officials noted that this phase only covers equipment, with additional costs expected later when the construction portion of the project is brought forward for approval.
Funding for the project is included in the city’s 2026 budget and will come from water capital construction and repair accounts. The city has also applied for financial assistance through an EPA loan program, which in past cases has offered low or zero percent interest and potential principal forgiveness, though final terms have not yet been determined.
At the same time, city officials confirmed they are in ongoing discussions with Sheffield Village to sell water to the neighboring community, a move that could generate additional revenue for Elyria’s water system.
Safety-Service Director Chris Pyanowski said the city has been working on the agreement for more than six months, with both sides negotiating terms and infrastructure requirements.
The current plan would allow Elyria to begin supplying a portion of Sheffield Village’s water needs, with long-term goals of becoming the village’s primary provider. Initial estimates discussed during the meeting indicated Sheffield Village uses roughly 500,000 gallons of water per day, with Elyria aiming to supply at least part of that amount as infrastructure improvements are completed.
Before full service can begin, the city will need to complete several infrastructure upgrades, including connecting a gap in an existing water line, installing meters and pressure control systems, and addressing a separate line that runs beneath the Black River that has collapsed.
Pyanowski said the city is taking a phased approach, starting with the easiest connections while planning for larger repairs that would allow Elyria to meet the full water demand.
“When we have an opportunity to sell more water, I have two questions,” Mayor Brubaker said during the meeting. “Does the plant have the capacity, which we do, and number two, how do I get it to them?”
Officials said no timeline has been set for when water service to Sheffield Village would begin, as the city does not plan to move forward with infrastructure investments tied to the agreement until a contract is finalized.
Council approved moving forward with both the water infrastructure procurement and the proposed water sale agreement, with additional legislation expected as the projects continue to develop.