Press Release

Partners Applauds H2Ohio Funding for Lead Water Line Replacement

Columbus, OH — Yesterday, the Ohio EPA announced that lead service lines and lead-containing fixtures will be removed and replaced at approximately 185 childcare facilities in Cincinnati as part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative. A total of $725,000 in H2Ohio funding is being awarded to the City of Cincinnati for the removal and replacement project. The Ohio Department of Health is also contributing funding for lead fixture testing through a federal award provided by U.S. EPA.

As part of the H2Ohio initiative, Ohio EPA has also awarded a total of $2 million in funding for drinking water infrastructure projects in Pike County, Coshocton, and New Waterford. An additional $1.5 million in H2Ohio funding has been awarded for wastewater projects in Pomeroy, West Milton, and Williams County. More than $1.7 million was awarded to health departments in seven Northwest Ohio counties to address failing household sewage systems.

In response, the following quote can be attributed in full or part to Melanie Houston, Drinking Water Director with the Ohio Environmental Council:

“We commend Governor DeWine for his strong leadership in ensuring we protect children from lead exposure through drinking water. This much needed investment in Southwest Ohio is a tremendous step in the right direction to providing safe, clean and affordable drinking water for all Ohioans.”

In response, the following quote can be attributed in full or part to Kristy Meyer, Associate Director with Freshwater Future:

“We applaud Governor DeWine’s investment in protecting children from lead exposure through water at schools and daycares in the Greater Cincinnati area. We know there is no safe level of lead. We encourage more funding to be allocated to remove the approximately 650,000 lead service lines in Ohio, with grants to be awarded to those in greatest need to replace their private lead line.”    

In response, the following quote can be attributed in full or part to Crystal Davis, Vice President of Policy & Strategic Engagement for the Alliance for the Great Lakes:

“The current COVID-19 crisis has underscored the undeniable connection between water and public health. This investment will help safeguard generations of children from potential exposure to lead and associated health risks.”

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