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Today, Ohio EPA announced an infrastructure project aimed at improving drinking water quality as part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative. New Waterford will receive $500,000 in H2Ohio funding for its project to construct a new drinking water line extension from New Waterford to Crestview Schools.

“Ensuring a clean drinking water supply for Ohioans is a main focus of the H2Ohio Plan,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “I am pleased that this project will serve 1,300 students, as well as teachers and staff in the Crestview School District.”

The proposed project consists of a booster station and approximately 13,000 feet of water line from New Waterford to Crestview Schools, which will eliminate the school’s existing water system that is deteriorating. This project will provide safe, reliable drinking water to 1,300 students.

“Throughout the state, providing safe drinking water – is a key goal of H2Ohio,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson. “Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio plan will enable Ohio EPA to extend its principal forgiveness dollars to help more communities like New Waterford address their water needs.”

The total project is estimated to cost approximately $2.4 million. The H2Ohio funds will help support this project and make the project more affordable for the area. The project has secured almost $1.2 million in principal forgiveness and the balance of the project will be covered by no interest loan funds, both from Ohio EPA’s state revolving loan fund.

This is the first H2Ohio drinking water infrastructure project announced by Ohio EPA. Two wastewater projects were announced late in 2019; the Village of Pomeroy and Williams County are also receiving $500,000 in H2Ohio funding. Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the overall H2Ohio water quality plan, visit h2.ohio.gov.

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.