The City of Akron says it has reached a major milestone in its decades-long effort to improve water quality, and it could save residents hundreds of millions of dollars.

City officials announced that new data shows Akron will meet state water quality standards without building a proposed $265 million enhanced high-rate treatment facility. Instead, the city plans to upgrade an existing storage facility, a move that could save ratepayers an estimated $230 million.

The Ohio EPA has reviewed Akron’s analysis and released a draft permit modification reflecting the updated approach. The change is now open for public comment.

Akron has already completed 24 of 26 major projects required under its federal consent decree, including major sewer upgrades and storage tunnels. If approved, the updated plan would allow the city to finish the remaining work without adding a new treatment plant, and without imposing a planned sewer rate increase.

Mayor Shammas Malik called the development a major step forward, saying Akron is on track to capture and treat 99% of wet-weather flows while easing the financial burden on residents.