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"The statement noted, 'Although the postcard sent did not effectively convey the specifics of the monitoring event, the public notice serves as a regulatory obligation aimed at ensuring that water consumers are kept informed.'"
A number of individuals who reached out to Journal-News expressed their confusion regarding the recent postcard that was sent out, wondering why they were receiving a warning almost two years after the fact.
The postcard, which included language required by the Ohio EPA, stated that the county water system "did not conduct monitoring for the following contaminants and as a result, cannot guarantee the safety of our drinking water during that period: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)."
In the year 2023, a total of 16 water samples were gathered for a specific testing parameter. These samples were sent to the contracted laboratory for analysis. Unfortunately, the laboratory failed to analyze one of the samples within the necessary holding time.
The Ohio EPA denied the county's request to retake that sample, leading to the violation and the necessity for monitoring. This notification was sent out in August 2023.
Although the Ohio EPA required the county to inform its water customers, officials in Butler County stated that the water and sewer department “diligently oversees its water system by gathering more than a hundred samples each month for different substances.”
According to the statement, “Butler County water customers can rest easy knowing that their drinking water is of the finest quality. The Butler County Water and Sewer Department is committed to not only meeting but surpassing all regulatory standards. This monitoring event should not be interpreted as a sign of subpar water quality.”
Ohio EPA required that Butler County provide the public notice to its customers on the Consumer Confidence Report. A notice was received in December 2024 that the language used in the Consumer Confidence Report was not as Ohio EPA authorized and another notice was required within 30 days using an Ohio EPA-provided template.
To review the notice, visit bit.ly/BCWSNotice2025.