1/24/2025
WT Staff
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January 24, 2025 1117 am EST
Tracking with the drought map for potential impact on drinking water supplies
Real-time streamflow readings are collected and averaged over seven consecutive days, then compared with historic 7-day averages for the same time period in prior years. When the 7-day average falls below the seasonal normal for a given monitoring site, the drought map shows the impacted watershed that is becoming depleted in measured water levels. The consistent tracking and reporting of the drought map makes sense for those concerned with drinking water supply and quality. Ratings begin at "below normal", and as time goes on and water monitors continue below normal, the drought rating escalates to moderate hydrologic drought, then on to severe and the most serious drought classification, extreme drought. Note the national drought tracking system has one additional category beyond extreme drought, an indicator for wildfire risk. For our purposes here, we track the drought map in order to identify those watersheds where municipal drinking water supplies may be subject to more than the usual challenges.
Extended periods of drought in a given watershed often precede water conservation measures. In some cases, consistent attention to the drought trends point to those areas where municipal drinking water systems fail due to low water levels, as seen in Whitehall, NY late last year. The same tracking rationale applies to flood conditions and hazardous spills. By observing extreme low flows, floods and spills by watershed, it is possible to identify where there may be increased stress on groundwater wells and surface water supplies. Keep coming back to the front page map, enable the watershed layer with directional arrows to visualize the water impact zone for drought, flood and spills.
Streamflow Situation from the network of US Geological Survey monitors in Ohio
Current streamflow measurements continue largely below normal statewide with another extreme low flow on the dashboard in the central drainage basins. See the front page map for low flow details, red-brown tags indicate the locations. Wills Creek watershed remains in severe drought with adjacent Hocking River watershed in moderate drought. Ohio River minor tributary Wheeling Creek watershed remains in severe drought. Muskingum River basin's Mohican and Tuscarawas River watersheds, along with Ohio River minor tributary Little Beaver Creek watershed all continue below normal. In the Lake Erie drainage basin, St. Josephs, Tiffin, Lower Maumee, Blanchard and Sandusky River watersheds remain below normal.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Hardin County: Kenton City Water has issued a BWA for customers on Detroit St. And Main Street between Ohio & North Streets; for customers on Carrol Street, Columbus Street and Franklin Street between Market and Wayne Streets, until further notice. Kenton City supplies 8360 residents plus commercial connections from a groundwater source in the Upper Scioto River watershed. The facility 's last complete sanitary survey was performed by state personnel in May 2024 where a number of significant deficiencies were noted. The facility has non-compliance issues in each of the twelve prior inspection cycles. Significant deficiencies include Distribution, Management-Operation and Finished Water Storage. Potential environmental justice concerns are present for this facility census block group concerning drinking water non-compliance.
Stark County: Alliance City Public Water System issued a BWA Tuesday following an incident of equipment failure. The customers impacted are located south of South Street, east of Union Avenue, south of Glamorgan, and west of Union Avenue. Alliance City PWS serves 22232 residents plus business connections from a surface water source in Mahoning River watershed. Alliance is on the Ohio serious violators list, one of 41 with significant violations of the SDWA. Ohio has 4210 licensed drinking water facilities.
Crawford County: Bucyrus City Water issued a BWA Tuesday following a water main break. Contaminants can enter the water supply through the break and repair process. The boil advisory extends to customers on Teddy Avenue and Dudley Street from Sherman Street to the east end of Dudley until further notice. Bucyrus City serves 12570 customers from a surface water source in the Sandusky River watershed.
Hamilton County: Harrison City Public Water System has issued a boil order for some customers following a water main break earlier this week, Monday Jan 20. The BWA was applied to customers on West Road between Westbrook Drive and Stone Drive, including Compass Point Condominiums. Harrison City PWS serves 11400 residents plus commercial connections from a groundwater source in the Lower Great Miami River watershed.
The new quarterly stats are out from EPA, Ohio has 41 drinking water facilities on the latest Serious Violator list, see the updated list, here.
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