HURON,OH — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) reported a partial resolution of a violation against the Erie County Vermilion District's public water system while noting several remaining unresolved issues, according to a letter sent May 23. The violations stem from a sanitary survey conducted by the Ohio EPA on March 19 and 21.
One violation, concerning the lack of documented exercises for the public water system's contingency plan in 2024, has been resolved. The Ohio EPA confirmed that Erie County Vermilion District submitted documentation of a contingency plan exercise and an after-action summary on May 2.
However, several significant violations remain open:
- Emergency Connection Vaults: The Coen Road and Haber Road emergency connection vaults were found with standing water and corroded distribution lines during the March survey. While the county has since drained the vaults and removed the excess water, the corrosion on the distribution lines still needs to be addressed. Erie County Vermilion District has until August 2 to repaint the lines and submit photographic proof of the completed work. The vaults also lack sump pumps due to a lack of electricity, an issue that was not explicitly resolved in the provided documentation.
- Backflow Preventer Testing: Not all containment principle backflow prevention devices have been tested within the required 12-month period, with records showing tests conducted between 2022 and 2025. The Erie County Health Department, which manages the backflow program, has committed to updating the master list and ensuring all devices are tested. The district must submit documentation by April 30, 2026, confirming all backflow preventers have been inspected and tested within the past year.
- Cross-Connection Hazard Assessments: The district has not conducted periodic on-site investigations of all non-residential service connections at least every five years to identify and mitigate potential cross-connection hazards, as required by state law. The Ohio EPA received a letter from the Erie County Health Department stating budget limitations for these investigations. Erie County Vermilion District now has until July 2 to provide a deadline for submitting an acceptable plan to conduct these initial and ongoing backflow investigations.
- Contingency Plan Deficiencies: The water system's written contingency plan was found to be inadequate in several areas. It failed to address malevolent acts (such as cyberattacks or vandalism), listed unapproved water haulers, lacked details on notification methods and timing for water users, and included unapproved alternative water sources like raw, untreated water from farm ponds and rivers. The county stated it will revise the plan by July 2, 2025, to include the required language.
- Auxiliary Power Plans: The contingency plan also lacked sufficient information regarding the operation of the water system on auxiliary power and did not demonstrate monthly exercising of such power. Erie County Vermilion District informed the Ohio EPA that it would revise the plan to clarify that the district does not have auxiliary power. A revised and acceptable contingency plan is due by July 2, 2025.
The Ohio EPA has advised Utilities Director John Rufo that the outstanding violations will continue until properly resolved. Failure to comply with Ohio's drinking water laws could result in administrative or civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for each violation. The agency stressed the imperative for the district to return to compliance.
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