COLUMBUS, Ohio — A total of 250 communities across 78 Ohio counties will be receiving H2Ohio grants totaling at $2.2 million specifically for public drinking water distribution systems maintenance, as announced in a press release from the governor’s office.

What You Need To Know

  • A total of 250 communities across 78 Ohio counties will be receiving H2Ohio grants totaling at $2.2 million specifically for public drinking water distribution systems maintenance

  • Applications for up to $10,000 were made available to public water systems through the H2Ohio initiative

  • The grants can be used for various things including mobile leak detectors, pressure monitors and even training

“H2Ohio continues to have a tremendous impact in our communities,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release. “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.”

Applications for up to $10,000 were made available to public water systems through the H2Ohio initiative, according to the release.

The announcement was made by both the governor and the Ohio EPA, with Director Anne Vogel expressing appreciation for H2Ohio’s continued funding by DeWine and the General Assembly.

“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,” Vogel said in the release.

H2Ohio Public Water System Equipment Grants by Lydia Taylor on Scribd

The grants can be used for various things including mobile leak detectors, pressure monitors and even training.

Kelleys Island Village received a grant worth $10,000. Mayor Rob Ehrbar said they would be purchasing valve exercising and leak detection equipment.

“It will help save the village money by way of man hours saved by using the equipment,” Ehrbar said in the release. “The valve exercising equipment will help to prevent injuries to our personnel.”

The release touts the $1 million that was awarded back in 2023 to 100 different communities. It notes that the purpose of the initiative is 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,” the release reads.

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