By 1812Blockhouse; Office of Governor DeWine
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA announced today $2.2 million in H2Ohio grants for more than 250 communities in 78 counties to help pay for equipment needed to maintain public drinking water distribution systems.
Four of these grants were awarded to Richland County recipients.
“H2Ohio continues to have a tremendous impact in our communities,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohioans deserve to have reliable, clean drinking water, and these H2Ohio grants will help municipalities all over the state make needed investments to their local drinking water systems.”
“We appreciate the support of Governor DeWine and the General Assembly in continuing to fund H2Ohio, allowing us to meet more needs across the state,” said Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel. “These equipment grants are a relatively small investment that make a huge difference, helping to upgrade the public drinking water infrastructure that provides clean and safe water to millions of Ohioans.”
Public water systems were eligible to apply for up to $10,000 through H2Ohio. The grants cover distribution system equipment such as mobile leak detectors, line locators, valve exercisers, flow meters, hydrant condition assessors, pressure monitors, and training to use the equipment.
“We are very appreciative for the assistance in purchasing the valve exercising and leak detection equipment,” said Ron Ehrbar, mayor of Kelleys Island, which received a $10,000 grant. “It will help save the village money by way of man hours saved by using the equipment. The valve exercising equipment will help to prevent injuries to our personnel.”
Richland County recipients and the amounts received were as follows:
- Eastview Community Water Association – $10,000.00
- Village of Lucas – $10,000.00
- City of Ontario – $9,735.00
- Village of Plymouth – $5,965.00
This is the second year that H2Ohio Public Water System Equipment Grants have been awarded. In 2023, $1 million was awarded to more than 100 communities statewide.H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization. For more information visit h2.ohio.gov.
