Westlake moving closer to leaving the Cleveland water system

WESTLAKE, Ohio - Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough reports his residents can't afford to continue to pay high water rates -- and at the same time deal with aging water lines.  

Mayor Clough claims if his city switches to the Avon Lake water, the average water bill for residents will be lower, and service will be more dependable.  

Westlake City Council has already given Mayor Clough final approval to take bids on a project that would bring Avon Lake water service to his city of 17,000 residents.

The move would cause Westlake to no longer need a water supply from the Cleveland Division of Water.

Mayor Clough reports he will start taking bids on the $18 million project in the coming months, adding the Cleveland water department isn't set to put enough infrastructure dollars into Westlake water lines in the coming years.

"Cleveland water is becoming more expensive everyone," said Mayor Clough. "Water quality is not an issue here, but the water department is dealing with a series of customer service issues."

Clough said Avon Lake is willing to reinvest in the Westlake infrastructure, which would more than offset the $18 million price to bring its water supply across the Lorain County line.

The Mayor said he is still open to talks with the Cleveland Division of Water, but said so far he has not received anything in writing from Cleveland water leaders.

"Once we start taking bids on the Avon Lake water project in the spring, it will be too late for talks with Cleveland water, " said Mayor Clough.

Westlake started discussions on moving from Cleveland water to the Avon Lake water supply four years ago.

"Perhaps we'll get our water from Avon Lake, but still maintain the opportunity to also get water from Cleveland as a back-up supply."