Ohio EPA funds meter replacement project in Geneva with $448,000 low-interest loan

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) recently granted a low-interest loan of nearly $448,000 to the City of Geneva, allowing the community to replace city-owned water meters with an automated meter reading system.

The project, which will impact residential and commercial buildings, has an estimated duration of six to eight months and will improve billing accuracy and promote reliable water delivery. The Ohio EPA is providing the low-interest loan through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) and will save the city nearly $70,000 off the market rate.

The WSRLA was created in 1998 and helps community water systems and non-profit, non-community public water systems stay in compliance by funding necessary projects, such as designing and constructing improvements, and upgrades and expansions for water treatment plants. Loans are also available for enhancing drinking water systems, whether for planning, designing or constructing improvements to them.

Funding for the WSLRA comes from federal grants and loan repayments, as well as bond investments, creating a self-perpetuating system. The account is managed by two Ohio EPA Divisions — the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Division of Drinking and Ground Waters — and the Ohio Water Development Authority.