Warren to receive low-interest loan to replace two miles of water lines

Staff report

WARREN

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is providing a low-interest loan to the city of Warren to replace more than two miles of deteriorating water lines in its drinking water- distribution system.

Once complete, the project will reduce the number of line breaks and increase water pressure for customers along Youngstown Road from Patchen Avenue to North Road Southeast; Willard Avenue from East Market Street to Youngstown Road Southeast; and Jefferson Street from Austin Avenue to Nevada Avenue Southwest, the EPA said in a press release.

The $1.8 million loan comes from the Ohio Water Supply Revolving Loan Account. Warren qualified for a low-interest rate of 1.99 percent, which will save the city an estimated $503,000 over the 20-year life of the loan when compared with the market rate.

Started in 1998, the loan fund has provided more than $900 million in loans with below-market interest rates for compliance- related improvements to public water systems.

The program has saved public water systems more than $158 million in interest. Additionally, the program can provide a variety of types of technical assistance to public water systems.