Federal Grant Award Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded $236,002 to the State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management, operating as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, under the State Underground Water Source Protection program (CFDA 66.433) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This Formula Grant funds Ohio EPA's implementation of its Underground Injection Control (UIC) program to protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination caused by treated wastewater injection activities between impermeable rock formations. The funding fulfills Ohio's primacy agreement with the U.S. EPA, with specific emphasis on UIC program development and Class V injection well oversight.

Under this award, Ohio EPA will deliver core program administration and regulatory services including development and maintenance of injection well inventories and compliance databases, implementation of UIC permitting activities, and enforcement program operations. Primary FFY 2026 objectives include identifying and closing large-capacity cesspools and motor vehicle waste disposal wells, and ensuring return to compliance within 180 days for all Class I injection wells that lose mechanical integrity. By protecting underground drinking water sources, these activities prevent water-borne illnesses and reduce treatment costs to Ohio communities. Supplemental state funding from Class I injection well fees supports additional Class I well program obligations.