H2Ohio Initiative

Launched by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, H2Ohio is a statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waterways. The initiative is a unique collaboration between Ohio EPA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. It 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. Ohio EPA’s role in the program has been instrumental in helping communities, especially small and disadvantaged ones, tackle costly infrastructure challenges and protect public health and the environment. Grants have supported water and wastewater infrastructure, public water system equipment, lead service line identification and mapping, dam removal and reducing chloride levels in Ohio’s waterways. Project Examples: Ashtabula County - $1,000,000 This funding connected a mobile home park to reliable, safe, and clean drinking water and included installation of 10,000 feet of waterline, a water booster station, and seven hydrants. The system will eliminate a “dead-end waterline” and improve water pressure. Clark County - $5,000,000 The Village of Donnelsville has an aquifer contaminated by volatile organic compounds that have migrated into local drinking water wells. This project solves the issue by building a water distribution system that extends water from Clark County’s Park Layne public water system to Donnelsville, connecting over 200 residents to a safe, reliable public water system. Jackson County Water Company (Jackson and Vinton counties) - $2,000,000 This regional project allowed for the operation of a new water storage tank in Vinton County and replaced waterlines to increase output for areas without access to safe drinking water. H2Ohio is a great opportunity for collaboration between agencies and public and private entities, with technical assistance available. Website: H2Ohio Governing Statute: Ohio Revised Code 126.60

Launched by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, H2Ohio is a statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waterways. The initiative is a unique collaboration between Ohio EPA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. It 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. Ohio EPA’s role in the program has been instrumental in helping communities, especially small and disadvantaged ones, tackle costly infrastructure challenges and protect public health and the environment. Grants have supported water and wastewater infrastructure, public water system equipment, lead service line identification and mapping, dam removal and reducing chloride levels in Ohio’s waterways. Project Examples: Ashtabula County - $1,000,000 This funding connected a mobile home park to reliable, safe, and clean drinking water and included installation of 10,000 feet of waterline, a water booster station, and seven hydrants. The system will eliminate a “dead-end waterline” and improve water pressure. Clark County - $5,000,000 The Village of Donnelsville has an aquifer contaminated by volatile organic compounds that have migrated into local drinking water wells. This project solves the issue by building a water distribution system that extends water from Clark County’s Park Layne public water system to Donnelsville, connecting over 200 residents to a safe, reliable public water system. Jackson County Water Company (Jackson and Vinton counties) - $2,000,000 This regional project allowed for the operation of a new water storage tank in Vinton County and replaced waterlines to increase output for areas without access to safe drinking water. H2Ohio is a gre