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EPA designates Michindoh aquifer as sole source of drinking water for tri-state area

Release Date: 10/05/2009
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA190

(Chicago - Oct. 5, 2009) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 proposes to designate the Michindoh aquifer as the sole source of drinking water for an area comprising nine counties including parts of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties in Indiana; Hillsdale and Lenawee counties in Michigan; and Defiance and Fulton counties and all of Williams County in Ohio. This designation will provide greater protection for the aquifer. The proposal is open for public comment until Friday, Nov. 6. If no significant comments are provided, the decision will become final.

When an aquifer is designated the sole or principal source of drinking water for an area, EPA must review all federally funded projects in the area to determine their potential for contaminating the aquifer. No federal funds may be spent on projects which EPA determines may contaminate the aquifer.

A copy of the Michindoh Sole Source Aquifer Petition is available for review at EPA's regional office in Chicago, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., and at the Bryan, Ohio Municipal Utilities Office, 841 East Edgerton St. Comments or questions about the decision should be sent to William Spaulding, WG-15J, U.S. EPA Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604 or e-mailed to [email protected]

More information is available on EPA's Web site: https://www.epa.gov/region5/water/gwdw/