FOURTH WATER PLANT PROJECT – EARLY ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
(CIP 690600-100003)
The City of Columbus currently owns and operates three water plants, collectively supplying an average of 145 million gallons per day of drinking water to Columbus and surrounding Central Ohio communities. The continued growth of population and industry in Central Ohio, along with the need to increase reliability and resiliency across the water supply system, has driven the need for additional water capacity. To meet these needs, the City will be constructing a new Fourth Water Plant.
Design of the Fourth Water Plant was initiated in winter 2023 by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) with the goal of bringing the new facility online by the end of 2028. The new water plant will be built on DPU-owned property along the Scioto River near the corner of Home and Dublin roads in Delaware County (view map). Additional information about the project can be found at https://cbuswater4.com/.
Once operational, the Fourth Water Plant will have the capacity to provide water to the growing Central Ohio population, which is expected to increase by more than 700,000 residents by 2050. Incorporating cutting-edge, environmentally sustainable technology to efficiently provide clean, safe water, the project marks the first time a new water plant will be built for the city since the 1980s.
Construction on portions of the plant’s electrical infrastructure will be started ahead of the main plant construction contract to mitigate schedule impacts associated with long lead-time electrical equipment. This Early Electrical Contract will include the following: minor site work; security fencing; a new 138kV Substation including all structures, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, switchgear, controls, pre-fabricated electrical building, concrete encased duct bank and all appurtenances at the Merchant Road Quarry (MRQ) Site; new Plant Power Distribution Equipment including primary switchgear, generator switchgear, three standby power generators with paralleling switchgear; controls; various electrical equipment including 4.16kV dry-type transformers, HSPS switchgear and controls, and nine 480V Unit Substations; and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract.
The City anticipates advertising for construction bids for the Early Electrical Contract in May 2024 and issuing a notice to proceed in 4th quarter 2024.
The DOW plans to fund this project with a below market-rate loan through the Ohio EPA’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) Program.
For questions, please call the Technical Support Section office at 614-645-7100.
