Ohio sues Mahoning County for polluting waterways

YOUNGSTOWN — The state has sued the Mahoning County commissioners, alleging excessive pollutants have been discharged from three county-operated sewage treatment plants into Mill or Meander creeks and the Mahoning River in recent years.

The suit, filed today by Attorney Geneneral Marc Dann, alleges discharges of ammonia, phosphorus, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, silver and bacteria from human waste occurred in violation of the county’s permits from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The suit also says the county failed to properly monitor and report discharges from the three plants.

The suit says the violations occurred at the Boardman Wastewater Treatment Plant of East Parkside Drive, which discharges into Mill Creek; the Meander Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant on state Route 46 in Mineral Ridge, which discharges into the creek bearing that name; and the Campbell Sewage Treatment Plant on Wilson Avenue, which discharges into the Mahoning River. The suit also complains of unauthorized discharges from a Wilson Avenue sewer overflow into the Mahoning River.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.