On top of the Little Miami River Aquifer is permeable sand, gravel, and bedrock containing fractures. This means our aquifer receives direct recharge from the Little Miami River, precipitation, and runoff.  In 2004, the Ohio EPA performed a source water assessment for our well field and designated it as highly susceptible to contamination due to the geology of the land and the existence of many potential sources of contamination in the area. Water quality analysis of our tap water indicates that contamination of the aquifer is already taking place. Among those chemicals detected is PFAS/PFOS "forever chemicals."

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PFAS “forever chemicals” cause the following health problems:

• Increases the risk of certain cancers

• Affects growth, learning, and behavior of infants and children

• Lowers a woman’s chances of getting pregnant

• Interferes with the body’s natural hormones

• Increases cholesterol levels

• Affects the immune system

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Potential Sources of Contamination:

We researched potential sources of contamination to determine if a municipal filtration system is necessary for reasons independent of proposed EPA guidelines on “forever chemicals.” They include:

• The Superfund site located in Old Milford (near the corner of Lila Avenue and Baker) contains large amounts of spilled vinyl chloride, a degreaser used in auto mechanic shops and dry cleaners. Vinyl Chloride was found in the Little Miami aquifer less than one mile from IHWW facility. The plume from the spill has been detected drifting northwest from that area (which is in the direction of the IHWW wellheads).

• In 2022, a report from Physicians for Social Responsibility found that companies used PFAS in 101 Ohio oil and gas wells since 2013 and Ohio’s disclosure laws make it difficult to determine the extent of PFAS contamination in waterways.

• Manufacturing plants (including welding supply and equipment) upstream on the Little Miami River.

• Airport runoff containing fire-fighting foam, a source of “forever chemical.” Airports near or adjacent to our aquifer include: Lunken Airport, Wright Patterson Airforce Base, and Warren County Airport. Airport runoff also contains de-icing fluids (propylene glycol).

• Industrial runoff and discharge from the following businesses: auto mechanic shops, gas stations, asphalt companies, and car washes. 

• Runoff from leaking septic systems, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater

• The Construction debris landfill (near Round Bottom Rd) has been fined for contaminating the LM aquifer with arsenic. This is downstream from our wellhead but it demonstrates the susceptibility of our aquifer. 

• Agricultural and residential runoff containing the following substances: herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticide. 

• Chlorine byproducts in our tap water are a result of current practices used by the IHWW to disinfect the water. To reduce these levels, instead of solely relying on chlorinating the water, IHWW could implement filtration and utilizing UV lights. 

• The many miles of train tracks traversing the land which sits directly on top of the LM aquifer puts our aquifer at risk of becoming contaminated in the event there is a train derailment. Many trains transport toxic chemicals. Train derailments occur an average of 1,400 times per year in the U.S.  See diagram below showing the many railroad tracks above the Little Miami aquifer in southwest Ohio.

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