McARTHUR, Ohio — The Village of McArthur’s public water system failed to conduct required E. coli testing earlier this spring, the Ohio EPA notified officials Tuesday in a formal notice of violation.
Here is what happened in plain terms: when bacteria are detected in tap water, state rules require the water system to immediately test its source — in McArthur’s case, well water — to check for E. coli. That test was due April 9. McArthur missed it, submitting the sample nearly two weeks late on April 23.
The EPA says the water is not currently considered unsafe, and residents do not need to boil water or take any action. The violation does not mean E. coli was found in the water — it means the required check was not done on time. State rules exist specifically to catch contamination early, and missing the window defeats that purpose.
That public notification must happen within one year. The EPA has set a deadline of May 12, 2027, for officials to comply with the state.