Columbus Enacts $20.6 Million Electrical Overhaul for Jackson Pike Wastewater Plant
A multi-year upgrade will modernize aging switchgear, protect crews from arc flash, and maintain operations at the south-side facility.
Columbus has enacted legislation approving a $20,594,000 municipal expenditure for major electrical power upgrades and safety improvements at the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant. Mayor Andrew Ginther signed Ordinance 2575-2026 on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and the city clerk attested the measure on Wednesday, Oct. 28, following approval by Columbus City Council on Monday, Oct. 26. Under the legislation, the city awarded a $20,592,000 construction contract to Claypool Electric, Inc. and allocated $2,000 to the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage administration and inspection.
An aerial view looking northwest over the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant in Columbus, Ohio, adjacent to Interstate 71.
Credit: David E. Lucas / Wikimedia Commons Image source
Contract work is required to be completed within 1,277 days from the date the city issues a notice to proceed. According to city records, the project will replace aging electrical equipment supporting critical operations, reduce arc-flash hazards, improve protective-device coordination, address equipment withstand concerns, and allow crews to isolate electrical faults without shutting down unaffected systems. Municipal officials noted the capital project seeks to strengthen distribution reliability, decrease maintenance burdens, and improve safety for city maintenance personnel.
Located south of Columbus near State Route 104 and Interstate 71, Jackson Pike operates as a Class IV wastewater treatment facility with a biological capacity of 150 million gallons per day and an average daily design flow of 68 million gallons, according to municipal utility filings. Electrical power systems and switchgear play a crucial role across the complex, sustaining continuous pumping and aeration to prevent treatment disruptions and stop raw sewage overflows into regional waterways during severe storms.
According to municipal records, two bids were received for the project and opened on Sept. 2. City evaluators determined Claypool Electric's $20,592,000 proposal was the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid. Roberts Service Group submitted a competing bid of $27,794,800. The proposals reflect a bid difference of more than $7.2 million.
Although the city has enacted the legislation, project expenditures remain contingent upon final loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority. The construction work will be financed through a reimbursement loan from the state Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, jointly administered by the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Water Development Authority.
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 23 that Columbus City Council was considering power system upgrades for the Jackson Pike plant. The construction legislation was introduced on first reading on Monday, Oct. 19.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (12)
Columbus has enacted legislation approving a $20,594,000 municipal expenditure for major electrical power upgrades and safety improvements at the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant.
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This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric Inc, for Division of Water Reclamation for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant (JPWRP) Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project, CIP #650257-100101, in an amount up to $20,592,000.00; and to encumber funds with the Columbus Power & Water for construction administration and inspection (prevailing wage) services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $20,594,000.00.
Under the legislation, the city awarded a $20,592,000 construction contract to Claypool Electric, Inc. and allocated $2,000 to the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage administration and inspection.
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The bid amount and proposed award amount is $20,592,000.00, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work.
Under the legislation, the city awarded a $20,592,000 construction contract to Claypool Electric, Inc. and allocated $2,000 to the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage administration and inspection.
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Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project.
Contract work is required to be completed within 1,277 days from the date the city issues a notice to proceed.
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TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be completed in a manner acceptable to the City within 1277 days from the date that a Notice to Proceed (NTP) is given by the City.
According to city records, the project will replace aging electrical equipment supporting critical operations, reduce arc-flash hazards, improve protective-device coordination, address equipment withstand concerns, and allow crews to isolate electrical faults without shutting down unaffected systems.
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This project is to replace aging electrical equipment that supports critical Plant operations and improves the safety, reliability, and performance of the electrical distribution system. The improvements will reduce arc-flash hazards, improve protective-device coordination, address equipment withstand concerns, and allow electrical faults to be isolated more effectively while maintaining operation of unaffected equipment.
Municipal officials noted the capital project seeks to strengthen distribution reliability, decrease maintenance burdens, and improve safety for city maintenance personnel.
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This project aims to improve system reliability, reduce maintenance and improve safety for city maintenance personnel.
According to municipal records, two bids were received for the project and opened on Sept. 2.
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Two bids were received for the project and were opened on 9/2/26.
City evaluators determined Claypool Electric's $20,592,000 proposal was the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid.
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The bid amount and proposed award amount is $20,592,000.00, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work.
City evaluators determined Claypool Electric's $20,592,000 proposal was the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid.
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Claypool Electric, Inc. bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of.
Roberts Service Group submitted a competing bid of $27,794,800.
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Roberts Service Group $27,794,800.00
Although the city has enacted the legislation, project expenditures remain contingent upon final loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA October Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA.
The construction work will be financed through a reimbursement loan from the state Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, jointly administered by the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA).
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Supporting evidence (2)
Located south of Columbus near State Route 104 and Interstate 71, Jackson Pike operates as a Class IV wastewater treatment facility with a biological capacity of 150 million gallons per day and an average daily design flow of 68 million gallons, according to municipal utility filings.
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This position will be in charge of the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant operation, which is an award-winning Class IV treatment facility, as well as several collection system facilities, including stormwater and sanitary pump stations, biofilters, and other operational and control structures.
Located south of Columbus near State Route 104 and Interstate 71, Jackson Pike operates as a Class IV wastewater treatment facility with a biological capacity of 150 million gallons per day and an average daily design flow of 68 million gallons, according to municipal utility filings.
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The JPWRP is located just south of Columbus at SR-104 and I-71 and has a full biological capacity of 150 MGD with a design average daily flow of about 68 MGD.
Columbus City Council Considers Power System Upgrades at Jackson Pike Plant
Supporting evidence (3)
Electrical power systems and switchgear play a crucial role across the complex, sustaining continuous pumping and aeration to prevent treatment disruptions and stop raw sewage overflows into regional waterways during severe storms.
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Reliable electrical switchgear is critical to sustain continuous pumping and aeration, preventing treatment disruptions and stopping untreated sewage overflows into regional waterways during severe storms.
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 23 that Columbus City Council was considering power system upgrades for the Jackson Pike plant.
Read supporting passage
Columbus City Council Considers Power System Upgrades at Jackson Pike Plant
The construction legislation was introduced on first reading on Monday, Oct. 19.
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City records show the construction measure was introduced on first reading on Monday, Oct. 19, ahead of the scheduled second reading and vote on Monday, Oct. 26.