Hazardous Waste Discovery Near Toledo’s Water Supply Raises Concerns, but Water Remains Safe

OREGON, Ohio — A plan to provide nearly half a million residents in the Toledo area with an additional water source has encountered an unexpected complication. Engineers working on the new raw water supply line recently discovered hazardous waste material near the existing water source, which has raised concerns about potential contamination. However, city officials are assuring the public that the water remains safe to drink.

The raw water supply, sourced from Lake Erie, flows through a series of lines to the Collins Park water treatment plant, where it undergoes treatment before being distributed to residents. As part of a plan to expand the water supply system, engineers began designing a new water line. During the planning process, soil samples taken near the Envirosafe hazardous waste landfill in Oregon revealed the presence of an oily, greasy substance. The substance has yet to be identified but was found in the soil, not within the water lines themselves.

Andy McClure, Commissioner of Plant Operations for the city of Toledo, expressed that the discovery was not entirely unexpected. “We knew about the preexisting conditions. We knew a little bit about the history of the area. We’ve always been looking for it,” McClure explained. Despite the finding, McClure reassured residents that the water is still safe to drink, citing years of testing and treatment that have shown no signs of contamination.

The water department has been aware of the Envirosafe landfill’s proximity to the water supply for decades. The first raw water line was installed in the 1940s, long before the hazardous waste facility was built. A second line was added in the 1960s, and both lines were placed under the landfill. While the landfill was allowed to be constructed over the water lines, McClure emphasized that the city’s water treatment system has a long history of safety and reliability.

Toledo water officials quickly notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the discovery, and Envirosafe has been working closely with the city to address the situation. Additional soil sampling has been ordered, and the company has committed to covering the costs of remediating the area. At this time, the city does not believe that any hazardous materials have entered the water supply.

Despite the potential risks posed by the nearby landfill, McClure noted that relocating the water line would be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. “Moving the line around it would be hugely expensive, require fixes along the entire system, and delay the additional water line project by years,” he said. “I don’t feel like we’re stuck with it. It is a good route. It’s efficient. We know how to maintain it. The safeguards are in place. We have a long history showing they work, and the water is safe.”

The full expansion of the water supply system is a nine-mile project, with the section affected by the hazardous material being just one part. Phase one of the project is still in the design phase, and city officials do not anticipate significant delays to the overall project.

For now, Toledo residents can continue to rely on their water supply with confidence, as no hazardous materials have been detected in the water itself, and the city’s robust testing and treatment systems remain in place.