Aqua Ohio has announced a $3 million water distribution improvement project for the water system serving Mentor.
Work will begin the evening of September 18, 2026, and includes the replacement of 4,000 linear feet of 8-inch cast iron water main with similarly sized pipe using cured-in-place technology that eliminates the need to dig a trench along the entire construction route. Construction will begin at the intersection of Mentor Avenue and Reynolds Road and proceed east to Plaza Boulevard. Crews will also replace 7 fire hydrants and install 11 new valves along the route to minimize service interruptions for future maintenance or repairs.
To minimize traffic impacts, construction will primarily be conducted overnight. The eastbound curb lane will be closed throughout the project. However, the roadway will be re-striped to allow for two lanes of traffic westbound and two lanes of traffic eastbound to be maintained during the day. During night-time hours (8 PM to 7AM) one of the two eastbound through lanes may also be closed. Drivers should use extreme caution in the area while work is underway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Water service to individual customers will be interrupted briefly along the route as they are connected to the new main near the end of the project. Those customers will be notified prior to the interruption. Final lawn restorations will be completed after the summer heat subsides enough to allow the grass seed to germinate.