Protecting Ohio from sewage pollution

On June 20, Environment Ohio’s Amy Gomberg testified in front of the House of Representatives in support of House Bill 235—a bill that gives Ohioans the right to know when untreated sewage is dumped into our waterways.

“We should be doing everything possible to keep sewage out of our waterways and protect public health,” said Gomberg.

Environment Ohio built support for the bill by forming a diverse coalition of 20 sportsmen, boaters, health experts, and environmental groups to fight for cleaner water in Ohio. Taking these groups with her to the Statehouse, Gomberg lobbied Ohio’s Legislature to build support for this bill–which now has 10 Republican and 10 Democratic co-sponsors.

The bill was introduced on May 23 and announced at a press conference where Gomberg stood alongside the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Scott Oelslager (Canton), Dr. Tim Buckley, the division chair of The Ohio State Universities Environmental Health Sciences Department, and members of the Ohio Sierra Club and the Ohio League of Conservation Voters.

“Sewage pollution is a threat to public health and our environment. The contaminants found in untreated sewage lead to water quality degradation, beach advisories, wildlife destruction, and human health problems,” stated Dr. Buckley.

At the press conference, Environment Ohio also released the report “Sewage Overflow: Billions of Gallons of Sewage Contaminate Lake Erie” (see side panel). Front page coverage in the Columbus Dispatch, and Toledo Blade, as well as TV, radio and print media across the state, helped to elevate the importance of our legislation.

Rep. Oelslager introduced the bill, which would protect the health of Ohioans from sewage pollution by notifying the public when untreated sewage is overflowing into Ohio’s waterways. The legislation requires that sewage treatment utilities report to the Ohio Environmental Agency when sewage is overflowing from their systems.

“Ohioans deserve to know if their health is at risk,” said Rep. Oelslager. “This legislation is a simple, easy step toward protecting public health from sewage pollution in Ohio.”

Joining Gomberg at the Statehouse to testify in support of the bill were a representative of Ohio Game Fishing LLC (www.ohiogamefishing.com), and a fisherman who personally saw sewage overflow toward him and his son while fishing in the Great Miami River.

This fall, the Legislature will consider a vote on this bill, and Environment Ohio will continue to build support for this legislation.

If you have been personally impacted by sewage pollution, or know of anyone who has had health problems after recreating in Ohio’s waterways, please contact Amy Gomberg.