Bill to Combat Lead Poisoning signed into Law, Blasdel Announces

COLUMBUS— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 226, legislation to combat lead poisoning, into law Wednesday, announced State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana). 

The new law will allow public water utilities, regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, PUCO, to replace customer-owned water service lines in conjunction with their scheduled utility main replacement projects. Additionally, it creates a system for customers who independently undertake lead service line replacements to be reimbursed.

“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 EPA report there are more than 745,061 lead services lines in Ohio. Lead water lines continue to be a significant health hazard that House Bill 226 works 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 on lead poisoning due to financial burdens.”