Federally mandated sewer improvements in the City of Akron, Ohio, will cost $650 million over 10 years, according to a report from the city. That includes $500 million for sewer overflow work and $150 million for other sewer and stormwater improvements, inspections and maintenance needed to comply with the federal Clean Water Act, according to a story in the Akron Beacon-Journal.

The city will raise the money by increasing sewer charges. The improvements are designed to

enhance water quality in the Cuyahoga and Little Cuyahoga rivers and the Ohio & Erie Canal, which receive combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater discharges after heavy rains.

The newspaper reported that from 2009 to 2013, sewer rates will almost double. The plan would not eliminate overflows but would reduce them to no more than 12 per year. Projects include two tunnels for storing wastewater during wet weather, ten storage basins with capacities up to 843,000 gallons, separation of sanitary and storm sewers in five areas, and improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant. The city report on the program is available at http://www.ci.akron.oh.us.