Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Summit County Pump Station No. 19 replacement (Wyoga Lake)
A 61-year-old sewer pump station near Wyoga Lake failed in 2023 and has been limping along on salvaged parts while the county's replacement project has dragged since 2015. Residents fear a second failure could send sewage into homes, the lake, and downstream into the Cuyahoga River. The county now says construction could start in mid-2027.
Water meter replacement and OPWC funding
Stow wants to replace its aging water meters citywide with a connected smart-meter system, funded by a $4.1 million, 0% OPWC loan. Old meters that don't send readings mean lost water revenue. Residents raised privacy and radiation concerns, but no opt-out is planned.
Akron-Silver Lake water agreement
Stow agreed to let Silver Lake's Akron-supplied water flow through Stow's lines. In exchange, Akron credits Stow 110% of the water Silver Lake uses — a small win for Stow's water books.
Tree-related power outages
Willowdale, Crestdale, Marsh Road, and Roses Run keep losing power from trees on lines. FirstEnergy is responsive; council members will compile resident reports for quarterly meetings with the utility.
Stormwater detention study
The city wants to know if two parcels it owns — on Hibbard Drive and Maplewood — can be turned into detention basins to reduce downstream flooding. E.L. Robinson Engineering would study it for up to $56,472 from the storm water fund.
THM removal system contract at City Center water tower
Council approved year five of a contract to keep removing trihalomethanes (disinfection byproducts) from Stow's water.
Homewood Storm Improvements Project cost increase
A $300,000 storm sewer replacement project on Homewood Drive is being put out to bid using this year's storm water utility fund. Fixing aging storm infrastructure reduces flooding risk for nearby homes.
Liberty Road Waterline & Culvert Replacement
The city is replacing the aging Liberty Road waterline and culvert, an $866,750 project in the 2026 water capital budget.
Water Department GIS and Leak Detection Tools
The Water Department got a GIS services contractor and new leak detection/line location equipment to find and fix water line problems faster.
Homewood and Echo Road Storm Improvements
Council authorized bidding for stormwater projects on Homewood ($300,000 budgeted) and Echo Road to fix drainage problems.
King Drive water line replacement
A resident reported roughly 45 water line breaks on King Drive and asked if replacement is planned. The city says the project is on the list, waiting for funding.
Use of TIF Funds for Water Main Repairs
A resident asked whether tax-increment-financing dollars could pay for water main breaks near TIF districts. The law director said yes in principle, but the TIFs are so new that no revenue has come in yet, and the administration hasn't evaluated the idea.
Silver Lake Highlands stormwater improvements
The committee forwarded a design services contract with Burgess & Niple for the Ritchie Road/Silver Lake/Highlands stormwater improvement project.
Rising emergency waterline repair costs
The contract for emergency water main break repairs with M Campbell Contracting rose to $150,000, driven by more breaks on aging pipes and extreme temperature swings — a sign of growing infrastructure strain.