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On a recent episode of The Watchmen’s ’Report, With Marion Watch, hosts Cody Higley and Jason Foreman were joined by a special guest to address a topic on everyone’s mind: the quality of the water flowing into Marion homes. Lizzy Mazer, the owner of Pure H2O of Ohio, joined the broadcast to offer her expertise on water filtration, the recent contamination concerns, and what residents can do to protect themselves.
The Context: A Community Concerned
The conversation began by addressing the recent water crisis that came to light around December 14th. Residents across Marion began reporting discolored water and a foul, musty smell. While Aqua Ohio released a statement attributing the issue to “Geosmin”—a naturally occurring, harmless compound that gives off an earthy scent—many residents felt this explanation didn’t match their reality. Reports flooded in describing an overpowering smell of chlorine, skin irritation after showers, and sediment settling in glasses.
As highlighted during the show, Geosmin is typically treated with carbon filtration, not heavy doses of chlorine. This discrepancy raised serious questions: If the problem was just earthy organic matter, why did the water smell like a “pool hall”?
The Infrastructure Problem
Mazer explained that water quality issues often go beyond the treatment plant. Even if water leaves the facility clean, it must travel through miles of aging infrastructure to reach your tap. In cities like Marion, this often means passing through 70- to 100-year-old lead pipes.
A major concern discussed was the potential lack of “corrosion inhibitors” during the recent “chlorine burn” or heavy treatment. If the water’s pH balance isn’t properly managed when chlorine levels are spiked, the water can become acidic. This acidity can strip the protective coating inside old pipes, potentially leaching lead and other metals into the water supply—a situation Mazer noted is similar to what triggered the Flint, Michigan water crisis.
Hidden Dangers: “Forever Chemicals” and Local History
The broadcast also touched on long-term risks, specifically PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” These are man-made chemicals used in products like Teflon and firefighting foam that do not break down in the environment.
Host Cody Higley pointed out local sources of contamination, such as the Baker Wood Preserving site on the northwest side of Marion. For decades, this facility treated railroad ties with creosote oil, much of which was dumped directly into the Little Scioto River. Mazer confirmed that these contaminants, along with runoff from agricultural fields and potential waste from new data centers, put immense strain on the local water table.
What the Data Shows
During the broadcast, the team looked up Marion’s water profile on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) database. The results were startling. The search revealed that Marion’s tap water has contained contaminants like haloacetic acids and chloroform at levels significantly higher than the EWG’s health guidelines—in some cases, hundreds of times higher. These are often byproducts of the disinfection process itself (chlorine interacting with organic matter).
Practical Solutions for Homeowners
So, what can you do? Mazer emphasized that since we cannot control the city’s infrastructure, the best line of defense is treating water at the “Point of Entry”—your home.
- Whole House Carbon Filtration: This system is installed where the water line enters your home. High-quality carbon filtration is essential for removing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and industrial contaminants before they ever reach your pipes and appliances.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): For drinking and cooking, Mazer recommends a Reverse Osmosis system. This is typically installed under the kitchen sink and uses a membrane to remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, and PFAS.
- Certification Matters: When shopping for filters, Mazer warned against relying on unverified claims found on online marketplaces. She urged residents to look for NSF/ANSI certifications, which guarantee the product has been rigorously tested to actually remove the contaminants it claims to.
Moving Forward
Pure H2O of Ohio has been conducting free in-house water tests for Marion residents, checking for hardness, chlorine levels, and pH. They are also awaiting results from more extensive lab testing regarding specific chemical levels in the area.
Hosts Jason Foreman and Cody Higley discussed using Pure H20’s more specialized equipment to test “hot spots” Marion Watch is aware of in which they suspect readings will be unfavorable. This date and findings will be announced at a later time.
As the broadcast concluded, the message was clear: While we hope for transparency and improvement from utility providers, the ultimate responsibility for water safety often falls on the individual. As Higley stated, looking into home water treatment is akin to a “life insurance” policy for your family’s health.
Works Cited (Click Here)
- Marion Watch: marionwatch.com For local updates and context on the water situation.
- Pure H2O of Ohio: pureh2ohealthywater.com To schedule a consultation or free water test with Lizzy Mazer and her team.
- EWG Tap Water Database (Marion, OH): ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=OH5100414