(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Anne M. Vogel today announced $16.7 million in H2Ohio funding for 13 water infrastructure projects across the state. This is the sixth round of H2Ohio funding awarded to municipalities by Ohio EPA to improve water infrastructure and increase access to safe drinking water.
“H2Ohio is making a real difference with the significant investments we are putting into reliable, clean drinking water,” said Governor DeWine. “The projects being awarded today will have a huge positive impact hundreds of Ohioans, and that's what H2Ohio is all about.”
H2Ohio projects focus on regionalization, or consolidation, of water infrastructure to help extend service to underserved areas. Regionalization allows communities to save on operational costs and benefit from improved infrastructure.
Among the grant recipients, Madison Water District in Richland County is receiving $378,500 to connect 200 Madison Township residents and 10 businesses to reliable, safe public drinking water.
“This funding addresses a very specific need in the Mansfield area,” Director Vogel said. “We’re always looking to help Ohio communities solve challenges and that’s exactly what these H2Ohio dollars will do.”
“The Madison Water District is pleased to participate in a joint effort with Ohio EPA to provide safe, potable water to businesses and residents of Madison Township,” said Madison Water Board of Directors President, Cheryl Casler. “Many of these projects have been ongoing over the last 20 years. Ohio EPA has been mindful of any continued contamination in the district and has offered funding to assist the Madison Water District in connecting additional customers throughout the last several years.”
Other grant recipients this round include Clark County ($5 million), Portage County ($2 million), Ohio & Lee Water and Sewer District, and South Vienna ($1.5 million, each), Findlay, Gallipolis, Guernsey County, Lakeview, and Trumbull County ($1 million, each), Meigs County ($675,000), Wintersville ($650,000), and Tuppers Plains-Chester Water District ($49,000).
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.