Label
Councilwoman McPherson
Agenda Review
Crosstown Water Line O-107-26
3/10/2026
Title
From: Councilwoman McPherson Response Requested: 3/23/2026
What does this study do? Please supply in detail the process and a detailed cost report.
Body
Referral Response:
The Crosstown Main Water Study (CWM) is designed to protect and ensure the reliability of one of the most critical water transmission lines in the entire system. This main is a foundational backbone of our water network. The system’s ability to function and deliver drinking water depends on this main operating without failure. A disruption or failure would not be isolated, it would have system-wide consequences impacting public health, safety, and economic activity. That’s why this study is essential: it ensures proactive planning instead of reactive emergency response.
The CWM study will tell us how best to enhance system reliability and replace aging infrastructure as it relates to the CWM. A very similar study was completed for the Raw Water Main (RWM). The RWM study was bid out and awarded in 2022. The bid price for this study was $689,000. Adjusted for inflation, the cost for the same study in 2026 would approach $870,000.
The goal and scope of the CWM study will be similar to the RWM study. It will include evaluation and analysis to determine the CWM current condition, an assessment of expected remaining service life, and a prioritized schedule for replacement and rehabilitation. Inspection techniques and analyses commonly used include corrosion studies, internal condition assessments, and external examinations. The assessment will also take into account social, economic, and environmental impacts. These include, but are not limited to, disruption to public services, damage to public utilities and roadways, proximity to hospitals, schools, parks, landfills, and potential damage to local businesses.
The CWM study requires a significantly higher level of analysis due to its location in a densely developed urban corridor. Unlike the RWM, which runs largely through open easements, this effort must navigate complex public right-of-way conditions, including existing underground utilities and critical infrastructure. The study will focus on identifying the most feasible route and evaluating potential conflicts. The consultant will have to develop and vet multiple paths. Each path will be rated on social, environmental, and financial impacts. The consultant will have to make sure each route selected is viable. Is it in public right-of-way? Do we need new easements? A vulnerability assessment will be completed for each alternative, the impacts to neighborhoods during construction, environmental impacts and long-term planning to assure it meets future demands.
Adjusting for inflation and considering the more complex urban nature of the CWM route, we believe the $1,000,000 estimate included in the legislation is accurate and appropriate for the study.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Andrew.McClure@toledo.oh.gov <mailto:Andrew.McClure@toledo.oh.gov>