Akron's sewers get fourth consent decree amendment under Clean Water Act
Published Date: 10/14/2026
Notice
Summary
The City of Akron is updating its plan to clean up its sewer system to better protect local waters. Instead of building a new treatment plant, Akron will now meet specific pollution limits and improve monitoring and reporting. The city will also disinfect certain wastewater discharges for two extra months each year. People have 30 days to share their thoughts on these changes before they’re finalized.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No new plant — meet discharge limits
Instead of building a new wastewater treatment plant, the City of Akron will have to meet Performance Criteria that limit the city to three untreated combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges in a Typical Year and meet specified volumetric discharge limits. This change is part of the proposed Fourth Amendment to the 2014 Consent Decree lodged October 7, 2026.
New monitoring, modeling, reporting rules
The proposed amendment adds monitoring, modeling, and reporting requirements so Akron must evaluate and report whether it is meeting the Performance Criteria for discharges. You will have access to additional data and reports about sewer overflows and how the city is meeting the limits.
Disinfection months extended to eight
Akron must disinfect and dechlorinate certain wastewater discharges for eight months during a calendar year instead of six months. The proposed amendment explicitly extends the disinfection requirement from six to eight months per year.
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