Ohio EPA protects the environment & public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws & demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship.
Enjoying a glass of clean water in East Palestine --
@directorvogel
,
@LtGovHusted
,
@RepBillJohnson
, Mayor Conaway, and Fire Chief Drabick are happy to see good data results that show the water in the village is safe to drink.
Just a friendly reminder:
• wet wipes are not flushable (even if they say they are)
• paper towels are not flushable
• disinfecting wipes are not flushable
Your sewer pipes and waster water plant operators thank you. (No one likes sewer clogs and backups)
#InThisTogetherOhio
East Palestine draws its municipal water supply from 5 wells west of the village. Even though it is 1.4 miles upstream from the derailment, Ohio EPA will continue weekly tests to ensure it is safe to drink and use. Results are posted here:
These pumps on the banks of Leslie Run in East Palestine are forcing oxygen into the water. This is a proven technique to improving the quality of the water downstream.
Happy Birthday
@OhioEPA
! Looking great @ 48! Early 1970s, after creation of federal
@EPA
,
#CleanAirAct
&
#CleanWaterAct
, our state law created Ohio EPA Oct. 23, 1972. Permits/oversite/work w/state/local partners, much cleaner environment for all Ohioans. And the work continues...
The best river for urban kayaking? Oh, that's just the Cuyahoga, of course.
It's officially summer boating season and, to help celebrate, we were there at Collision Bend in Cleveland when
@USATODAY
named the Cuyahoga River the best place to kayak in the country.
Statewide Air Quality Advisory:
Because of the Canadian wildfires, the Air Quality Index is expected to be in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy" ranges.
It is in effect through Wed., 6-7, with particulate levels expected to remain elevated through Thurs., 6-8.
"We are not going anywhere. The remediation phase is next and it will take as long as it takes." Director Vogel talks today about the next steps in East Palestine alongside federal partners.
Reopening your building after weeks away? Under statewide COVID-19 transition plans,
@OhioEPA
&
@OHdeptofhealth
have recommendations for flushing water lines/supplies for reopening of buildings: For businesses:
Ohio EPA is extending the air quality advisory through Thursday as we continue to experience high particulate levels throughout the state from Canadian wildfires.
Check your local air quality, here:
We will monitor the situation & will update as needed.
Today, in partnership with
@H2Ohio
, $500,000 was provided to support the
@goCMNH
Mentor Marsh Coastal Restoration Project. It will be used to monitor and remove invasive species & grow native plants that will improve the overall health & quality of the wetland.
Thank you to Ohio's drinking water plant operators who have taken extra efforts to ensure they continue to provide safe drinking water to their communities during this time. This video shows a few examples.
#InThisTogetherOhio
#NotAllHeroesWearCapes
#SpiritWeekOhio
We have no words. We're simply...tongue tied.
Ohio EPA is currently evaluating Mad River water quality. The endangered tonguetied minnow (as shown by intern Alex, here), is present at eight of 13 Mad River sample sites, meaning Ohio's limited population remains viable.
Ohio EPA is continuing its statewide Air Quality Advisory for 6-29 as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact our air quality.
"Unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "very unhealthy" ranges are expected.
Limit exposure, when possible. Updates:
50 years ago, the federal Clean Water Act became law, regulating water quality. Water quality in Ohio rivers is better now than ever before in our lifetime. Between 1981-2010, many of Ohio's big rivers went from poor water quality to good.
#OhioEPAturns50
Do you know what you can/cannot recycle? We can help with that, this week at
#OhioStateFair
. Be sure to visit
@OhioEPA
mobile education center located in the fantastic
@ohiodnr
park. Take our quiz & learn to recycle smart.
#OhioFindItHere
Cleaner Air in Columbus: Dir Stevenson
@OhioEPA
joined today by US
@EPAGreatLakes
Administrator Cathy Stepp,
@MORPC
Kerstin Carr &
@ColumbusGov
Alana Shockey announcing
#Columbus
as nation’s first non-attainment area to meet ozone air quality. Details:
Our team was happy to help out with today’s open house at East Palestine Municipal Water Plant. Thanks to all who came out! In addition to weekly drinking water testing, we’ve installed 4 early detection monitoring wells between the derailment site & village well field.
Behold! Introducing one of the greatest inventions in the history of ever… we call it, THE TRASH CAN! Use it, please. Whether intentional or unintentional, litter negatively affects environment, community, and individual health.
#NoTrashTuesday
,
#ALittleLitterisaBigProblem
Director Anne Vogel shows us a series of monitoring wells that have been installed at East Palestine Park. They will help detect any future contamination that might impact the municipal drinking water.
Our team of experts answered a lot of important questions at Thursday’s resource fair. We really appreciate everyone who stopped by. We are with you for the long haul, East Palestine.
Fish sampling crew
@OhioEPA
collected & released a 43” Musky (Esox Masquinongy) from Tuscarawas River/Gnadenhutten -- first time Ohio EPA has found this species in this river. A good day for cheerful interns Bill Armstrong
@WestVirginiaU
& Ryan Smith
@MuskingumUniv
Tracks and ties are coming up at the East Palestine derailment site. Once crews begin removing contaminated soil, you may notice a temporary increase in the smell of chemicals in the area. Ohio EPA will continue to monitor the situation and ensure the work is done safely.
Ohio EPA is issuing a statewide Air Quality Advisory as smoke from Canadian wildfires again continues to adversely impact air quality. The advisory is in effect through the end of July 17.
To see real-time air quality in your area, visit:
Ohio EPA has canceled the statewide Air Quality Advisory due to improved air quality conditions. Particulate levels may be elevated in isolated areas into the weekend, and local air agencies could issue localized advisories.
Get real-time updates, here:
Ohio EPA remains engaged with federal, state & local partners responding to the E. Palestine incident. Dir. Vogel and our team attended last night's community town hall meeting and answered questions about Ohio EPA's data. You can find the latest here:
One year. 365 days. We continue to learn, to grow, and to care. Our efforts in
#EP
over the last 12 months, at the direction of
@GovMikeDeWine
&
@LtGovHusted
- have always been, and will always be, focused on the health, safety, and prosperity of the families of East Palestine.
We’ve updated our East Palestine-area surface water monitoring page to include an interactive map and easier to understand data. This map works for both desktop and mobile devices.
Know The Source: 90% of Ohioans receive drinking water from public water systems & most systems use ground water as their source. 20% of Ohioans rely on water systems drawing from Lake Erie. About 10% use water systems drawing from Ohio River. This is
#DrinkingWaterWeek
Today we celebrate
#WomenInScienceDay2021
with some advice from
@OhioEPA
's Nush Courlas, env. scientist in drinking water - If you have an interest in engineering, then find work, paid or not, to learn more about the different options & figure out what discipline is best for you.
This beautiful urban oasis was the Marble Cliff Quarry for more than100 years. Now transformed into one of the newest
@CbusMetroParks
, Quarry Trails, offering trails, unique geology, waterfowl, birds, mountain bike trails, and play areas.
#ThrowbackThursday
#CleaningUpOhio
There are days at the office. And, then...there are days at the office!
@DirectorVogel
went 2,000 feet under
#LakeErie
to tour the Cargill Salt Mine in Cleveland, Thursday. Let's say that again for those in the back.
*Clears throat*
2,000 feet BELOW Lake Erie.
Right now, Ohio EPA is collecting the latest samples from the East Palestine public water system. It draws from wells 1.1 miles upstream from the derailment site. These samples will be sent two different labs to ensure the municipal water remains safe to drink.
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially as the weather stays warm. Rather than purchasing bottled water, you might refill a reusable water bottle. Reusable bottles cut single-use plastics & help reduce plastic waste.
#NoWasteWednesday
#RecycleRight
We spent some time with our
@BeaconBobcats
friends, this morning. The school was one of five in
@HilliardSchools
that received our Water Bottle Refilling Station grant, helping give students and school staff access to fresh water, while reducing the use of plastic water bottles.
In the 1980s, 18% of Ohio's 1,372 miles of large rivers that were surveyed met expectations. Today, the Ohio EPA and
@GovMikeDeWine
announced after a 2-year study, 86% of miles surveyed met expectations and are in good to excellent condition.
@H2Ohio
Hey,
@neorsd
, we hear you! Thanks for including us in this awesome episode, tackling the important issue of "Areas of Concern." Hannah represented the
@OhioLakeErie
proudly!
#CleanWaterWorks
Dir Butler congratulates
@UToledo
Dr Bridgeman for receiving
@OhioHigherEd
Chancellor Carey’s Chancellor��s Award for his invaluable work on harmful algal bloom research in the state.
Yesterday,
@DirectorVogel
was in East Palestine where she testified virtually before the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Rail Safety. She then joined
@GovMikeDeWine
to brief the media on our continued work to ensure that the contamination from the derailment is fully remediated.
Cuyahoga River:
@OhioEPA
& National Park Service
@CVNPNPS
announce final enviro approval for Brecksville Dam removal. Project to eliminate barrier to native fish migration & improve water quality/ecosystem of Cuyahoga River.
#freeflowingrivers
As 2022 comes to a close, we extend a heartfelt thank you & well wishes to Director Laurie A. Stevenson, who is retiring after serving in multiple leadership positions at Ohio EPA and decades of state service. Best of luck with your next endeavors!
#ThankYou
#OhioEPA
#JobWellDone
Dir Stevenson and
@GovMikeDeWine
celebrate Earth Day by recognizing
@Newark_Schools
Heritage Middle School for incorporating environmental sustainability into its curriculum
#E4
OH-A-NO!
We forgot Tuesday was National Plumbers Day. So, to help us a-celebrate Arbor Day - our two favorite plumbers would like to remind you the importance of doing your part to plant trees to help make our communities as beautiful as Princess Peach.
#OkeyDokey
Way to go, Mark Johnson - our new Division of Surface Water Chief!
"Ohio EPA DSW has lead the nation in water quality for the past 50 years, and we will continue that momentum and more over the next 50 years!"
Dir. Butler &
@ohiodnr
Dir Zehringer announce almost $10 million from Healthy Lake Erie Fund to three Lake Erie ports to beneficially use dredged material: Toledo, Lorain and Conneaut.
Welcome to "Ohio, The Heart of it All."
Today at the Tourism Ohio event - the state announced its new motto. And, in the crowd (at the heart of the celebration, shall we say): Our Dir. Vogel!
Congratulations Asst. Dir Laura Factor. Retiring after 31 years
@OhioEPA
, closing out a rewarding career that took her from her start as a legislative liaison and through the ranks up to the assistant director.
#WellDone
!
Since the first
#EarthDay50
,
@OhioEPA
staff was involved in the cleanup of 21 dumps along the
#OttawaRiver
in Toledo, including removing 241,671 cubic yards of contaminated sediments. The 'do not touch' sign and designation came down in 2017.
#EarthDay2020
#LakeErie
Ohio
#EnvironmentalEducation
Fund
#grants
for
#StreamMonitoring
projects have taught 1000s of students/teachers to walk local streams w/ kick-seine nets & collect pollution tolerant & intolerant macro-invertebrates. (indicators of the health of the biotic community)
Don’t Overload the Commode: A toilet is not a trash can. Disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, and cat litter can damage a septic system.
#SepticSmartWeek
@EPA
The latest East Palestine municipal drinking water results continue to show no chemicals associated with the derailment. We will continue to sample the water weekly. See the latest at
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Many recycling programs in Ohio are now accepting both paper & plastic ice cream containers. They need to be completely empty & rinsed, then toss them in the bin.
#NoWasteWednesdays
#RecycleRight
#IceCream
#WasteWise
#Recycle
According to the latest Litter in America Study, if everyone picked up 152 pieces of litter (all at once) there would be no more litter on the ground until someone littered again.
#NoTrashTuesday
#ALittleLitterisaBigProblem