Westerville Water Remains High Quality

The tragic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February was an environmental disaster that worried residents across the state about water quality. Months later, the debate continues about the lingering effects on the environment. While national and state representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (https://epa.ohio.gov/) manage the response, water quality is not an issue in the City of Westerville.

Here are the facts:

Water Source and Location

Westerville sources drinking water from Alum Creek, which is fed from Morrow and Delaware Counties. These water sources do not receive water from the Ohio River or waterways in the northeast area of the state. The event in East Palestine (150 miles east of Westerville) or the downstream movements of water will not impact our water supply.

Water Treatment Investment

The City’s water treatment plant is Ohio EPA-licensed to treat 7.5 million gallons daily and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Westerville’s skilled team monitors Alum Creek routinely.

The water plant treatment process has multiple barriers in place to address potential biological and chemical contaminants. All of Westerville’s drinking water flows through granular activated carbon filters that absorb chemicals, such as vinyl chloride (one of the main chemicals spilled in East Palestine).

Westerville uses a multi-step treatment process to produce high-quality drinking water, including coagulation using ferric chloride and settling to remove particles; softening using lime and caustic soda to remove calcium and magnesium which contribute to water hardness; disinfection using chlorine to kill harmful microorganisms; filtration using sand filters to remove fine particles and granular activated carbon to remove any potential organic contaminants; fluoridation for dental protection; corrosion control using phosphate; and taste & odor control with powdered activated carbon.

For More Information

The annual Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report provides an in-depth look at Westerville’s drinking water quality, common contaminants and the steps we take to eliminate them. This publication is mailed directly to residents via utility bills and is always available for review at www.westerville.org/water.