Youngstown Times

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 226 into law on Wednesday, as announced by State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana). The legislation aims to combat lead poisoning by allowing public water utilities, regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), to replace customer-owned water service lines during scheduled utility main replacement projects. Additionally, it establishes a reimbursement system for customers who independently replace lead service lines.

“This law provides an opportunity to make an impact on the larger issue of lead lines in Ohio,” said Robb Blasdel. “Removal of lead lines is the best way to reduce customer lead exposure and this new law can be an impactful program that effectively works towards this goal.”

According to a United States Environmental Protection Agency report, there are more than 745,061 lead service lines in Ohio. Lead water lines continue to pose a significant health hazard that House Bill 226 seeks to mitigate.

“I would like to thank Representative Dontavious Jarrells for working across the aisle to help with this important bill, my colleagues in the Ohio House, and Governor Mike DeWine for signing this bill into law,” said Blasdel. “No one should be subject to the harmful effects of lead poisoning due to financial burdens.”