KENTON, Ohio — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the City of Kenton this week, citing serious deficiencies in the city's aging water treatment infrastructure and high water loss rates that threaten drinking water safety for the community of nearly 8,000 residents.
According to a June 13 letter addressed to Safety Service Director Cindy Murray, Ohio EPA inspectors conducted a Limited Scope Site Visit (LSSV) on May 30, 2025, and identified multiple ongoing violations of the state’s safe drinking water laws and administrative codes.
42% Water Loss: Leaks, Breaks, and Outdated Systems
The most urgent issue highlighted was Kenton’s persistent and excessive water loss. Ohio EPA noted the city’s system lost an average of 42.44% of its water between May 2024 and April 2025—a rate more than double what is considered acceptable for public water systems.
The losses are attributed largely to deteriorating pipes, frequent main breaks, and inadequate valving in the distribution system, limiting the city's ability to isolate and control line failures. While the city recalibrated pump pressure plates in August 2024 and participated in a water loss training program in February 2025, the EPA stated that the city must submit a written plan by July 1 to complete a formal water audit. A final report and corrective action timeline are due by December 31.
Kenton has received a state Water Audit and Water Loss Control Grant for Fiscal Year 2026 and is working with Great Lakes RCAP to implement solutions, according to the city's response to the EPA dated May 20.
Crumbling Water Plant Dates Back to 1912
EPA inspectors also flagged the deteriorating state of Kenton’s water treatment facility, much of which is far beyond its intended life span. The plant was originally constructed in 1967, and its oldest clearwell, still in use today, dates back to 1912.
Despite patchwork repairs over the years, the facility’s concrete basins are continuing to decay. In response, Kenton has begun exploring options for plant upgrades, full reconstruction, or regionalizing services with neighboring systems.
According to the EPA, the city has applied for a planning loan to evaluate its current infrastructure and is preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for immediate repair projects. Planned repairs could extend the facility’s life by 10–15 years. An updated progress report and timeline are due to the EPA by July 1, along with quarterly updates going forward.
Failure to Address Could Trigger Tier 2 Public Notice
The EPA made clear that failure to correct these significant deficiencies within approved timeframes would constitute a treatment technique violation, requiring the city to issue a Tier 2 public notice to all water consumers, warning of potential public health risks.
Backflow Hazards Also Cited
In addition to infrastructure concerns, the EPA cited Kenton for failing to conduct required on-site inspections of non-residential water service connections every five years to detect potential backflow hazards—a key requirement under Ohio’s drinking water safety rules.
The city must submit a corrective action plan within 30 days, including a full list of non-residential connections, a schedule for inspections, or an alternative approved method such as a survey questionnaire with documented follow-up actions.
Ongoing Monitoring and Potential Penalties
The EPA has been tracking many of these issues since at least June 2024, when the agency first flagged them in an earlier notice tied to a sanitary survey.
In the latest letter, the EPA warned that failure to comply with Chapters 6109 of the Ohio Revised Code could result in administrative or civil penalties, regardless of whether the city submits the requested documentation.
EPA Environmental Specialist Maria Schneider signed the notice and urged city officials to contact her with questions or updates. The letter was also forwarded to multiple local officials, including Kenton Mayor Lynn Webb, Council President Joel Althauser, and Hardin County Health Department representatives.
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