Governor awards more than $2 million in grants for public drinking water systems

COLUMBUS — On May 16, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio EPA announced $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. These include four grants to Perry County communities.

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.

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.

Perry County grants included:

• Junction City public water system — $10,000

• Shawnee Village public water system — $9,435

• Southern Perry County-Congo — $8,831.58

• Oakdale Water District — $1,000

Submitted by the Ohio Governor’s Office