Local

Dayton working to reduce forever chemicals in water supply

NOW PLAYING ABOVE

DAYTON — The City of Dayton is looking for funds to protect safe drinking water in the city and across the county. The city is working to take steps against forever chemicals, also known as PFAS.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The city believes that Wright Patterson Air Force Base is the source of the PFAS. Back in 2021, the City of Dayton filed a lawsuit against the base and the Department of Defense. The suit is on hold at this time.

RELATED>> Wright-Patterson Air Force Base releases new details about forever chemical contamination, clean-up

TRENDING STORIES:

Thursday, Wright Patterson Air Force Base leaders showed News Center 7 the sites of their PFAS spills and what steps they have taken to stop the chemical migration.

The city is taking steps to protect its water well fields and our water at home.

“Make sure that we can continue to provide safe, quality drinking water to the public,” Water Supply and Treatment Manager Keshia Kinney said.

Being able to wash dishes, brush your teeth and bathe is dependent on safe water. Which means keeping PFAS out of the water supply.

“There are some studies that say there are some health risks associated with prolonged PFAS exposure,” Kinney said.

The City of Dayton shut down several water wells near the Huffman Dam after the PFAS spills at the base in 2015.

Dayton filed their lawsuit in 2021, asking the base and Department of Defense for millions. The suit is on hold, but the city is still taking steps to protect its water.

City commissioners just approved applying to state agencies for loans to build state-of-the-art anti-PFAS treatment infrastructure.

“What we’re looking for, ultimately, are zero percent interest and principal forgiveness, so at the end of the day, it’s really a grant,” Deputy Director of the Dayton Water Department Aaron Zonin said.

City leaders are pleased with Wright-Patterson’s containment and treatment of PFAS, but it doesn’t mean the city can relax.

“It’s a big deal, but we’re handling it and we’re going to keep compliance and produce clean water, like we normally do,” Zonin said.

Dayton’s water well fields provide water for 400,000 people across Montgomery County.

The city is also spending money for new piping to bring water to its Ottawa Street yards for treatment.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

0