CLERWTR District

Central Lake Erie Regional Water Reclamation District

CLERWTR:
Central Lake Erie Regional Water Reclamation District

A collaborative initiative under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 6119 to provide efficient, cost-effective wastewater treatment services for the eastern Lorain County region.

What is an R.C. 6119 District?

Any area situated in any unincorporated part of one or more contiguous counties or in one or more municipal corporations, or both, may be organized as a regional water and sewer district in the manner and subject to the conditions provided in Chapter 6119 of the Revised Code, for either or both of the following purposes:

 […]

 (B) To provide for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater within and without the district.

Statutory Process for Forming a Sewer District

Steps for forming:

  1. Create the Petition and Plan of Operation
  2. Hold a public hearing
  3. File the Petition and Plan of Operation with the Court
  4. Final hearing

The Central Lake Erie Regional Water Reclamation (“CLERWTR”) District petitioners and supporters are soliciting comments and feedback on the formation of a regional water reclamation district and on the public documents for establishing the district. Below you will find the Petition to the court, the Plan of Operations, and the Financial Feasibility Analysis. Also included are Responses to Frequently Asked Questions and the public presentation. Please submit all comments to comments@clerwtr.org.

Public Meeting Presentation
Financial Feasibility
Petition For Public Comment
Plan of Operation
Reclamation Facility Outfall Valuation Study
FAQ

CLERWTR Public Presentation – Clip
2025-08-26

Commissioners’ Vote – Clip
2025-08-29

What is CLERWTR?

The Central Lake Erie Regional Water Reclamation District (CLERWTR) is being created through a partnership of three entities:

Lorain County

Avon Lake Board of Municipal Utilities

Lorain County Rural Wastewater District (LORCO)

This initiative focuses on the East Side of Lorain County and is separate from the All Ohio Future Fund investments on the West Side of the county, though both align with the Lorain County Commissioners’ consistent goals.

CLERWTR Governance and Territory

Governance Structure

CLERWTR will be governed by a three-member Board of Trustees:

  1. The Lorain County Administrator (initially), then an appointee by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners
  2. The LORCO Executive Director (initially), then an appointee by the LORCO Board of Trustees
  3. The Avon Lake Chief Utilities Executive (initially), then an appointee by the Avon Lake Board of Municipal Utilities

Day-to-day operations will be managed by a Chief Executive Officer.

Service Territory

The district will encompass:

  • City of Avon Lake
  • The LORCO service area within the Avon Lake/LORCO Phase I Facilities Planning Area (FPA)
  • The area tributary to the Eaton Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by Lorain County

The primary service area will be the Avon Lake Water Reclamation Facility tributary service area.

CLERWTR Operations and Responsibilities

Facility Lease

CLERWTR will lease the Avon Lake Reclamation Facility for 30 years, with options to purchase the facility and outfall. CLERWTR will assume the Ohio Water Development Authority Loans on the Facility.

Asset Purchase

CLERWTR will purchase LORCO’s regional conveyance assets, including the 4-Plex lift station and force mains, assuming the associated Ohio Water Development Authority Loan.

Operational Contract

CLERWTR will contract with Avon Lake Regional Water to operate the facility and regional conveyance assets.

Clearly Defined Scope

CLERWTR Will

  • Treat regional wastewater flow to the Facility
  • Be responsible for regional conveyance to the Facility
  • Address Regional Infrastructure Master Planning
  • Construct and expand regional assets as needed to effectively serve its service area

CLERWTR Will Not

  • Take over local collection systems
  • Take over the Facility NPDES Permit, including CSO related requirements
  • Be responsible for local or regional stormwater management
  • Be responsible for drinking water treatment or distribution

Why CLERWTR is Necessary?

Centralized Water Reclamation

Reducing less efficient point source discharges and enhancing water quality in the Central Lake Erie region.

Strategic Flexibility

Supporting economic development initiatives and meeting future customer needs through expanded water reclamation services.

Stable and Equitable Rates

Providing consistent, stable, equitable and cost-effective water reclamation rates now and under anticipated tighter regulations.

Regulatory Efficiency

Providing greater efficiency in meeting future regulatory requirements and managing sewer-related debt.

Benefits and Financial Viability

Key Benefits

  • Maintain lowest cost wastewater treatment with uniform treatment rates for all users
  • Optimize existing assets through a regional approach
  • Establish cost-effective regional treatment for emerging regulations (PFAS, nutrients)
  • Support regional economic development
  • Improve water quality throughout the service area

Financial Feasibility

Based on financial modeling, CLERWTR is calculated to be financially viable. The district’s rates will track with the projected treatment rates for the Facility over the same period if CLERWTR were not formed.

CLERWTR will bill its wholesale customers within a sub-district a uniform treatment rate. Initial wholesale customers include Avon Lake, LORCO, and Lorain County.

Public Process and Next Steps

Public Participation Opportunities

All documents are posted on clerwtr.org. The public can submit comments to comments@clerwtr.org. CLERWTR Petitioners will hold a joint public meeting to present the proposed District and collect additional feedback.

This initiative is consistent with, but separate from, the $67 million grant and County plans on the west side of Lorain County.