CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The City of Chillicothe continues to grapple with persistent issues at its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), as detailed in recent communications from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
History of Violations
The Chillicothe WWTP has been under scrutiny for multiple violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, particularly concerning ammonia limits. The Ohio EPA has issued several notices of violation over the past year, reflecting a troubling pattern of non-compliance.
In January 2024, the city received its first Notice of Violation (NOV) from the Ohio EPA’s Division of Surface Water (DSW) due to excessive ammonia levels and other operational shortcomings. The EPA’s findings, based on an inspection conducted in November 2023, highlighted the WWTP’s repeated failures to meet ammonia effluent limits from June 2023 through October 2023. This has led to significant non-compliance with state regulations.
Ongoing Compliance Issues
In July the Guardian reported on the city receiving its second notice of violation. The EPA cited several key issues:
- Ammonia Limit Violations: The WWTP has continued to exceed ammonia limits beyond the periods initially reported, showing persistent failures in treatment processes.
- Lack of Qualified Personnel: The plant has been operating without a required Class III Operator, which is crucial for overseeing plant operations.
- Missing Reports: The city failed to submit critical Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), further exacerbating the compliance issues.
Recent Measures
In response to the ongoing violations, the City of Chillicothe has sought a $90,000 appropriation to fund additional sludge treatment at the WWTP. This recent step is aimed at addressing the immediate compliance issues and ensuring the facility meets EPA requirements. However, this move is seen as a temporary fix in a long-standing battle to resolve deeper systemic problems at the plant.
The Chillicothe WWTP’s troubles reflect a broader issue of recurring non-compliance and operational challenges. Despite efforts to address these problems, the facility continues to struggle with meeting environmental standards, highlighting a critical need for comprehensive reform and oversight.
As the city works to resolve these issues, the ongoing scrutiny from the Ohio EPA underscores the importance of sustained and effective management to prevent further violations and ensure environmental protection.
