Feeling the heat? Get discounted sewer and water this summer season

Grace Clarke, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·4 min read
Bucky Stoltz waters a patch recently planted grass Tuesday at his Kellybrook Drive in Cuyahoga Falls.
Bucky Stoltz waters a patch recently planted grass Tuesday at his Kellybrook Drive in Cuyahoga Falls.

With the rain appearing to be on a two-week plus strike in Northeast Ohio, folks are pulling out their sprinklers and hoses hoping to avoid yellow grass and wilting flowers.

Communities across Summit and Portage counties are offering sewer and water discounts this summer to aid residents as watering season is in its peak.

Depending on where you live, different discount programs apply. If you are unaware of what sewer or water department provides services to your home, take a look at your bill to find out.

Below is a list of sewer services within Summit and Portage counties that are currently offering water discounts or summer sprinkling programs.

Northeast Ohio Sewer District

The Northeast Ohio Sewer District offers a summer sprinkling program discount May 1 through Sept. 1.

The district provides services to communities throughout Northeast Ohio, including all or portions of these Summit County communities: Bath Township, Hudson, Macedonia, Northfield, Northfield Center Township, Richfield, Richfield Township, Sagamore Hills Township, Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township.

Under the discount program, summer residential sewer bills are based on either average winter water consumption or actual summer water consumption, whichever is lower.

"For some customers, residential water use increases during the summer months because of lawn sprinkling and other seasonal use," the district states on its website. "But most of this additional water does not return to the sewer system."

To participate in the program, your sewer bill must reflect charges from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. If it does not, you are not eligible for the program.

Visit https://customerservice.neorsd.org/s/summer-sprinkling-program or call 216-881-8247 for more information or to apply for the discount.

Summit County Sanitary Sewer Services

Summit County Sanitary Sewer Services provides for many cities that do not have their own sewer system, including all of or portions of Boston Township, Hudson, Sagamore Hills Township, Northfield Center Township, Macedonia, Reminderville, Boston Heights, Bath Township, Richfield Township, Richfield, Stow, Silver Lake, Munroe Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, Coventry Township, New Franklin, Lakemore, Springfield Township and Copley Township.

The county's annual summer sprinkling program provides a 10% discount that is automatically applied for all residents June through August.

If you have questions about your automatic discounted rate for the summer months, you can call 330-926-2400 or email sewercustomerservice@summitoh.net

City of Akron

Although the city of Akron does not have a discount specifically for summer months, it does offer a break on sewer rates for qualifying low-income residents.

The HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) sewer rate discount will give you a 50% reduction rate on the current sewer rate increases. However, you must be eligible and apply for the HEAP discount.

Click here to find out if your household is eligible.

If you're looking to save a few dollars and are not eligible for the HEAP discount, try signing up for an e-bill, rather than getting your sewer bill in the mail. This saves the planet and also saves you $5.

If neither of these options are what you're looking for, you can obtain an irrigation-only meter or a hose bib that allows for billing of only water usage. If you're filling up a pool or constantly watering your garden, this could be the right choice for you. Contact the Akron Water Meter Service at 330-375-2440 for information.

City of Kent

Kent water customers can obtain a "sprinkler meter" to track water used for sprinklers or any outdoor water usage. The meters are available for purchase through the city's building department and are installed by city staff for free.

The city also offers customers a pool credit. A form is available, either on the city's website or at the service department, to track water meter readings before and after the pool is filled. Both credits are good on the customer's sewer bill, since outside water typically goes into storm sewers rather than sanitary sewers.

A sprinkler was set up to water the grass this week at the Kent Municipal Courthouse.
A sprinkler was set up to water the grass this week at the Kent Municipal Courthouse.

City of Ravenna

According to Mike Reynolds of Ravenna's water billing department, the city used to have a pool credit similar to Kent but no longer offers one. The city is weary of pool water going into storm drains due to chemicals typically used in pool maintenance.

However, the city's utility rates factor in a 20% discount for outside water usage, which is in effect year-round.

Contact Ravenna's Water Department at 330-297-2151 for more information.

City of Cuyahoga Falls

Residents of Cuyahoga Falls can opt for a sprinkler meter. According to Deputy Service Director Teresa Hazlett, using this will subtract sewer fees for outdoor water usage, such as for watering lawns or filling pools.

To purchase one of these sprinkler meters, it can cost you a fee starting around $450, and other costs will apply as professional plumbing installation is required. Contact Cuyahoga Falls Water Department with any further pricing inquires.

With the lack of rain, many residents have been watering their plants and lawns to keep them green.
With the lack of rain, many residents have been watering their plants and lawns to keep them green.

City of Barberton

Residents in Barberton are not eligible for any discounts during the summer seasons, as the city charges gallons per thousand year-round, regardless of the dry summer months.

According to Barberton Utilities Director Dennis Weaver, the city only distributes sprinkler meters for larger commercial uses.

Record-Courier reporter Diane Smith contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How to save on water and sewer bills this summer in Greater Akron