Legislation mandates quicker public notice of lead contamination in drinking water

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate approved legislation requiring quicker public notice of lead contamination in drinking water, sending House Bill 512 to the governor’s desk without changes from the House version.

The bill passed on a vote of 32-0, with some members voicing concern about the pace of consideration and the shortened time frame for informing residents of issues.

HB 512 would increase requirements for testing for and notification of lead in water from public systems. Under the legislation, residents and other users would have to be informed within two days if lead and copper levels topped allowed thresholds. A larger, more in-depth public education program would have to be launched within 30 days.

Under current law, notice has to be made within 30 days, with a public education campaign within 60 days.

The legislation was offered after high lead levels surfaced in water in Sebring in Mahoning County.

“HB 512 is a mid-biennium review bill that helps protect the public from lead in drinking water by expediting public notice when lead contamination is found,” said Sen. Troy Balderson, a Republican from Zanesville who serves as chairman of the committee that considered the bill. “We know that those most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead contamination are pregnant women and children. Having access to safe drinking water is imperative.”

Absent local action within the new time lines, the state would step in and provide notice, with potential administrative penalties for the noncompliant systems. Additionally, the legislation would set the definition of “lead free” in new construction plumbing to 0.25 percent, down from the current 8 percent, among other provisions.

Sen. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, was among those voicing concerns about the legislation, calling it “a textbook example of rushing stuff through without adequate vetting and having our administration push this through with no amendments. They’re in a big hurry for some reason that I can’t frankly fathom.”

During the final committee hearing on the bill earlier in the day, Seitz questioned the two-day notice provision, noting that many other states have 30-day requirements.

“I understand 30 days is way too much, and so do everybody else,” he said. “But it strikes me that it’s going to be very difficult for mass notifications to occur in two days ...”

He added: “I have grave misgivings about this bill.”

But Sen. Shannon Jones, a Republican from Springboro, disagreed, saying dangers of lead justify the short notification requirement.