Columbus, Ohio – Ohio is moving forward with a major environmental investment after state leaders announced how $65 million from a long-awaited settlement with DuPont will be distributed to communities impacted by water contamination. The funding, tied to a lawsuit filed years earlier, is now set to support critical upgrades to drinking water systems across several counties.
Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director John Logue confirmed that the money comes from a 2023 environmental restoration settlement with DuPont. The case dates back to 2018, when DeWine, then serving as Ohio’s attorney general, filed a lawsuit accusing the company of releasing perfluorooctanoic acid into the air and the Ohio River from its Washington Works facility in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The lawsuit claimed that DuPont continued these actions despite knowing the risks the chemical posed to public health and the environment.
PFOA, a synthetic chemical used in the production of Teflon, has been linked to serious health concerns. DuPont manufactured products using this chemical for decades, from the 1950s until 2013. Ohio became the first state to take legal action against the company over its use of PFOA, setting the stage for the settlement that is now funding cleanup and infrastructure improvements.
Funding to support safer drinking water systems
Although the settlement was reached earlier, the distribution of funds was delayed due to ongoing legal appeals. Final approval for the release of the money was granted by the Ohio Controlling Board, allowing the state to begin moving forward with planned projects.
The $65 million will be directed to Belmont, Gallia, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties. These areas will see investments in drinking water infrastructure across more than a dozen communities. Projects include developing new water sources, connecting smaller systems to larger regional networks, installing treatment systems to remove PFAS chemicals, and linking private wells affected by contamination to public water supplies.
“Access to safe drinking water is essential for every Ohio community,” said Governor DeWine. “These funding awards will be used to make critical improvements to local water systems that will protect public health and strengthen drinking water infrastructure for years to come.”
Many of the planned projects are expected to be fully funded through the settlement, which means local communities may not have to bear additional financial burdens. This approach is intended to ensure that improvements can move forward quickly without placing strain on local budgets.
Ohio EPA Director John Logue emphasized the importance of directing the funds where they are most needed. “This settlement ensures resources are going directly to the communities that need them,” he said. “Ohio EPA is focused on getting these projects moving so residents have safe, reliable drinking water and long-term protections for Ohio families.”
State officials noted that planning for these projects has involved close coordination with local leaders, water system operators, and community stakeholders. By focusing on projects that are ready to begin, the state aims to deliver results more quickly and address contamination issues that have affected residents for years.
The funding marks a significant step toward improving water safety and restoring trust in affected communities, while also reinforcing the state’s commitment to holding polluters accountable and protecting public health.
