Public Facilities

Ohio EPA Southwest Ohio Water Study (Pending)

In 2024, OKI began supporting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources as they study the water capacity for southwest Ohio. Their study involves 17 counties, including Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren. Similar to their study being conducted in Central Ohio, the purpose of the study will be to more accurately quantify regional water use and demand for irrigation, safe drinking water, and industrial water. It will look at the current utility capacity for both drinking and wastewater, as well as quantify aquifer reservoir and Ohio River capacity.

WateReuse Ohio

In March 2024, Ohio became the first state in the Midwest to join the WateReuse Association. As water needs for growing industry and community development increase, considerations for better utilizing water resources across the region are critical. Participation in this organization gains access to lessons learned, best management practices, and expertise of new technologies for integrating non-potable reclaimed water (purple pipe) systems where appropriate and applicable.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

The US EPA is establishing the first-ever nationwide, legally enforceable drinking water standards to protect communities from PFAS in their drinking water. In April 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. The final rule requires public water systems to monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on levels of PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027. Public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). Beginning in 2029, public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water that violate one or more of these MCLs must take action to reduce levels of these PFAS in their drinking water. They must also provide notification to the public of the violation.

2024 Water Quality Management Plan Update

In 2024, OKI updated the Water Quality Management Plan to revise current and projected populations in each of the Facility Planning Area boundaries (FPAs) in Ohio. Further refinement of the FPA boundaries in NE Hamilton, Southern Warren and NW Clermont counties were also completed to reflect on-the-ground conditions. This plan requires that sewer system and treatment facilities, including expansion, be consistent with its objectives. This plan also serves as a critical resource for other environmental agencies. View this plan along with more information about the OKI Water Quality Program.

Climate Action Planning – ThriveTogether

With funding from the US EPA, OKI is leading a regional partnership to prepare a climate action plan through 2025 called ThriveTogether – A Sustainability Playbook for Greater Cincinnati. This plan includes emission reduction planning in several sectors, including water and wastewater. Investing in resilient infrastructure and advancing health measures, specifically for low-income and disadvantaged households, are focus areas for this plan.

My Community’s Water – Interactive Web-based Tool

In 2016, OKI used Ohio EPA funding to develop web-based, interactive water resource profiles for each of the 122 cities, villages and townships in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties. GIS analysis of our region’s water resources lays the groundwork for informed choices when the public and private sectors plan the fate of natural systems, public facilities and land use. Quantifiable data is conveyed through maps, tables, pie charts and text. This allows fair comparisons on watersheds, streams, aquifers, impervious surfaces, tree canopy, demographics, designated floodplains, as well as soils within the boundaries of a local political jurisdiction. View the tool.

OKI Groundwater Committee

The OKI Groundwater Committee continues to encourage partnerships among water providers across the region. It provides technical education to public water system operators, regulators and others concerned about drinking water protection. Learn more about the OKI Groundwater Committee, which meets quarterly.

Community Energy Planning

OKI works with local communities to reduce energy costs and increase energy efficiencies. OKI consults with key partners to help with that effort. Partners include those in the energy industry, local planners and energy experts. OKI and partners work together developing advanced regional strategies. The strategies inform the planning of a sustainable infrastructure system that works for all users. OKI developed six Community Energy Plans serving as examples of this type of planning for any local government in the region. For more information, explore OKI’s Community Choices: Energy Planning Guide for community energy planning examples and a step-by-step guide to preparing an energy plan.

Guidance and Technical Assistance

Tools, research and resources related to the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Planning are available as a service to local government in the region. OKI staff are available to provide technical assistance for specific local planning needs and projects as resources permit.