Construction Map

The Northside Project

Ongoing Fieldwork Throughout North Hill and Chapel Hill Neighborhoods

Fieldwork kicked off in early 2020 for the Northside Project, which is one of the last projects of the Akron Waterways Renewed (AWR!) Program. Similar to the other construction in the AWR! Program, the Northside Project is required as part of the City’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated Consent Decree (CD). 

Throughout the remainder of 2020, the City of Akron will perform a variety of fieldwork activities that includes mobile mapping, flow monitoring, groundwater measurements, and soil borings in the North Hill and Chapel Hill neighborhoods.  The fieldwork will also include a Downspout and Stormwater Drain Survey and Dye Water Testing of residential properties in the project area. Please watch the videos below for more information on fieldwork.

It is important to note that crews are wearing face masks and are following guidelines set by the CDC and Ohio Department of Health.

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Dye Water Testing: 

Dye water testing has started at homes and other properties in the North Hill and Chapel Hill neighborhoods in August 2020 and will continue through autumn. Dye testing will be conducted with a non-toxic and environmentally friendly dye that will be placed into gutters or downspouts. The dye is bright fluorescent (typically green) in color and may be visible from the street.  Please keep in mind that the dye is biodegradable and not harmful.  All water used will be provided by the City of Akron and not the homeowner/tenant. Personnel will have a badge to identify them as an official employee and no one will enter the household during this work.  

Downspout and Stormwater Drain Survey:

The City of Akron began downspout and stormwater drain surveys in May 2020.  The field workers will only observe downspout and stormwater drains as part of this work. This may include entering the back and side of yards to capture necessary information. Field personnel will contact residents for special access if needed due to fences, dogs or other issues. In no case will our field workers enter your homes during this initial phase. 

The visual surveys of an individual home should be completed in less than an hour, and residents impacted by these inspections will receive letters prior to the inspection, as well as clearly marked door hangers.  Also please note that our field workers will be easily recognizable with yellow vests and City of Akron badges.

It is important to note that crews are wearing masks and are following guidelines set by the CDC and Ohio Department of Health.

Basement Surveys:

The City of Akron has started mailing Basement Surveys to residents and property owners in the North Hill and Chapel Hill neighborhoods.  We have provided two convenient ways to submit your completed survey:  1) using the pre-addressed stamped envelope provided with the letter or 2) filling out the survey online with the link provided with the letter.   The information that you provide in these surveys is important for sewer design and will help us determine the depth of the sewer from your basement.  Also, this information will only be used for The Northside Project.

Mobile Mapping: 

White markings have been placed on the streets throughout the project area. These markings are used with a state-of-the-art technology to collect survey data to create maps for the project. You may have noticed a white vehicle, similar to the one shown in the picture below, collecting data along roadways earlier in the year. 

Flow Monitoring: 

In March of 2020, the City of Akron installed temporary sewer flow monitors and rain gauges throughout the project area.  The flow monitors and rain gauges measure flows in our sewer system and volume of rain data for a time period that extended to July 2020.  Field crews regularly inspected the equipment to ensure that accurate data was gathered.  The data from these instruments is now being evaluated to compare sewer flows during wet and dry-weather conditions.

Groundwater Measurements:

In April of 2020, piezometers were installed at five residential homes to measure the level of groundwater. Piezometers were installed about 10-feet below the surface, and electronic equipment measured the changes in groundwater levels. The groundwater levels were continuously measured into July 2020. 

Geotechnical Soil Borings:

Geotechnical soil borings are being drilled at various locations starting in June 2020 and continuing throughout the summer.  Each boring is completed in less than half of a day and is used to collect soil samples.  In this way, geotechnical engineers use the soil samples to determine various characteristics of the soil and groundwater depths as well. 

(Click door hanger for a PDF version)

Public Outreach Documents 

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