Ohio agency seeks criminal probe into water plant problems

“While the water system has a clean water source and supply, it is still unacceptable that a few individual homes are experiencing corrosion that is causing high levels of lead”, said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler. Today, the state ordered the suspension of Sebring Water Superintendent Jim Bates amid a criminal investigation into claims that he may have falsified reports pertaining to lead levels in the water system.

Sebring city manager Richard Giroux issued the advisory Thursday night after seven of 20 homes where tap water is routinely tested showed levels of lead and copper that exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

A lead poisoning scandal has struck a second USA town, with schools closed Monday in Sebring, Ohio, and the water treatment plant operator accused of falsifying reports.

The news out of Sebring follows weeks of controversy over high lead levels in the water of Flint, Michigan, which has led to calls for the resignation of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

Sebring has made tremendous progress since then, according to Griesmer of the state EPA.

Lead can cause serious health problems for infants and young children.

“We are working with Sebring water treatment plant to make adjustments to minimize leaching of lead into the water”, he said.

The OEPA is requiring the village to continue to test the water, provide bottled water or filtration systems to homes where results are over the federal allowable level and provide health screening for residents.

Pregnant women and children are told not to drink the water until results have been deemed safe after testing for six months.

Both say they don’t want politics to get in the way of sorting out this situation, and getting help for the people of Sebring.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says one school’s water fountain had a higher than allowable level of lead, while others had either none -or acceptable- levels. “That we have great need in this nation and we have a lack of response from federal level to the state to make sure we have appropriate services for our people”, Boccieri said. The elementary schools will remain open because they have well water.

January 25 – Sebring Solicitor Theresa Tolson issues a release stating that the village’s water plant is not in violation for lead or copper and that village officials will not issue further press releases until questions surrounding the issues are more fully understood. Join him for First News at 5 & 6 to learn the latest details on this developing story.