1831Galion is continuing to review recent Ohio EPA and City of Galion records involving the city’s water and wastewater systems.
On August 31, we published “Ohio EPA Audit Finds Longstanding Gaps In Galion Wastewater Oversight.” That story reported on an Ohio EPA audit that found years without City-conducted industrial wastewater sampling, expired industrial discharge permits, and an enforcement plan that could not be located or shown to be in use. The City responded, and we published that response in full. We also requested additional records concerning the inspection, corrective actions, permits, sampling, and proposed updates to the City’s wastewater ordinance and Enforcement Response Plan.
Almost all of those records have since been received, though not always without delay. As we review them, we are already seeing places where the City’s public explanation and Ohio EPA communications appear to conflict.
At the same time, a Marion-based social media page has published several lengthy, document-heavy posts making serious claims about Galion’s wastewater system, drinking water quality, lead and copper testing, Ohio EPA oversight, and recent permit changes. We have been following their stories closely. Many residents may not have seen those posts or taken the time needed to read through them. They certainly raise important matters. Our aim is to review the underlying documents, verify facts, and explain what the records show.
1831Galion is currently reviewing Ohio EPA audit materials, City responses, wastewater permit records, industrial pretreatment documents, lead and copper testing records, and recent claims about compliance schedules and permit modifications. Again, we have had difficulty obtaining timely responses from the City and new issues have arisen before we could fully address earlier ones, requiring reporting and updating at the same time. This is complicated material. We do not want to minimize legitimate concerns, but we also do not want to amplify conclusions until we are certain the documents support them.
Our next update will focus on what can be verified, what remains unclear, and what it may mean for Galion residents.
We have also become aware of a separate record-keeping issue involving minutes for a City board or commission. A public records response received several weeks ago raised questions about whether those minutes are being compiled and maintained in a way that complies with Ohio’s public-records requirements. We are reviewing that matter separately.