In-Depth Guide to Water Quality in Ohio

The state of Ohio in the Midwest has a water abundance. It is adjacent to Lake Erie to the north, which is one of the largest lakes in the world, and cut across by great rivers such as the Ohio River, Scioto River, and Cuyahoga River. Millions of residents drink water from these waterways and use it as recreation and industrial water. Nevertheless, Ohio has been confronted with water quality issues associated with the periphery of farm runoffs, industrial discharge, and old infrastructure. Recent decades were characterized by the active work of the state and federal agencies aimed at measuring, controlling, and enhancing the quality of water in the state of Ohio, but a number of critical questions still have to be answered.

Ohio Valley Major Water Quality Problems

1. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) & Nutrient pollution

Of the most urgent water quality issues in Ohio, there is the presence of harmful algal blooms, and the most concerning situation is in Lake Erie. The blooms are mainly brought about by a surplus amount of nutrients, which gets into the waters, mostly phosphorus and nitrogen, through agricultural runoffs. On feeding algae, the algal bloom may create toxins such as microcystin that cause a health risk to humans and livestock, contaminate potable drinking water, and have negative effects on tourism and local economies.

This problem became a national news headline in the year 2014 after microcystin poisoning led the City of Toledo to impose a do-not-drink advisory on over 400,000 people. To fulfill this, Ohio designed the H2Ohio Initiative, which is an interagency comprehensive program that seeks to mitigate phosphorus runoff using best management practices (BMPs) through the restoration of wetlands and enhanced management of nutrients.

2. Industrial Contamination and legacy Pollution

The industry in Ohio dates back a long time, especially in such cities as Cleveland, Akron, and Cincinnati. This over the years has caused the rivers and groundwater to become contaminated with such pollutants as heavy metals, PCBs, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Even though the new pollution is minimized nowadays through the regulations put forward by the government, the legacy pollution is still a problem in many regions and districts of the past. The Cuyahoga River, once so polluted that it caught fire in 1969, has since become a national symbol of environmental recovery. However, several rivers and former industrial sites remain part of the EPA’s Areas of Concern (AOC) due to ongoing contamination issues.

3. Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)

Most of the older cities in Ohio such as Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati have combined sewer systems in which stormwater and sewage flow through the same pipes. Such systems are capable of overflowing during heavy rainfall leaving untreated sewage in rivers and lakes that is a cause of serious public health issue. To curb the CSOs, cities in Ohio are spending billions of dollars in long range control measures that aim at renovating old sewer networks. Other projects that are known to isolate sewers, institute green infrastructure, and increase the capacity of wastewater treatment have been instituted in places such as Cleveland (Project Clean Lake) and Columbus (Blueprint Columbus).

4. The Problem of Private Wells and Groundwater

Private wells are a source of drinking water to many private residents in the rural Ohio. There is risk of contamination to these wells by local cultivation, septic tanks, and industrial activities. The most widespread ones are nitrates, E. Coli, arsenic and pesticides. Well water should be tested on a regular basis according to the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Health, though not like the occupation with the public water system, the state does not regulate private wells. Well owners therefore take most of the responsibility of ensuring water quality in their wells.

Statewide Initiatives and Water Quality Monitoring

1. Ohio EPA & Drinking Water Programs

The chief agency that monitors the water quality in the state of Ohio is the Ohio environmental protection Agency (EPA). It deals with the water system in the country, water pollution permits, and acts in ensuring that the federal clean water act and safe drinking water act are adhered to. The Ohio EPA makes regular water quality measurements and tends to have an extensive Surface Water Monitoring Program to monitor any developments in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) must be published by the public water systems and they reveal information on testing, contaminants identified and health information.

2. H2Ohio Program

One of the most ambitious environmental initiatives in the state is the H2Ohio program which was launched back in 2019. It is targeted to reduce chances of algal bloom, upgrade wastewater system, and correct lead poisoning in drinking water. It also finances farmers to carry out the best practices voluntarily such as:

• Controlled fertilizer application
• Buffer strips and cover crops
• Drainage water management
• Wetlands restoration

This program has seen widespread support across the agriculture, conservation, and public health communities.

3. Lead Contamination and Water Infrastructure

Similar to most aging states, Ohio also has aging water infrastructure that has made it home to older water pipes, especially in cities such as Cleveland, Dayton, and Youngstown. These lines may rust and leak the leading water into drinking water especially when water treatment is poorly handled.

Ohio mandates water utilities to periodically test the water and make public communications to the customers in case of exceeding of the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead. The state is also under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and has been federally funded to replace lead pipes and modernize drinking water systems faster.

Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality in Ohio

1. Increased Rainfall and Flooding

The number and intensity of rainfall events is increasing and becoming more pronounced in Ohio, in turn increasing storm water run off, flash floods and sewer overflow. This makes water pollution more because it carries the nutrients, sediments and pollutants into the lakes and streams. Increased floods also burden old sewerage systems that heighten the occurrence of spills.

2. Algal Blooms and Warmer temperatures

Climate changes which increase the temperature of water also promote the occurrence of algal bloom formation, particularly in high nutrient-containing regions such as the western basin of Lake Erie. Consequently, climate change will probably make the HAB issue serious in the future generations in Ohio, which is already severe.

The Community and Community-based Solutions

1. Publicity and Education

Non-profit organizations such as Lake Erie foundation, Ohio River foundation, and Ohio Environmental council are doing education campaigns to educate the population on conservation of water and reduction of pollution and protection of the habitat. Community science and cleanup programs can include schools, universities and local governments.

2. Green Infrastructure

Use of green infrastructure methods is becoming commonplace in the Ohio cities modernizing their infrastructures to curb the runoff and put less pressure on the sewer lines. These natural solutions not only enhance the water quality but also make neighborhoods look nice and alleviate urban heat.