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Ohio EPA’s 2026 inspection confirms years of aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and unresolved violations

Galion’s water system is facing a crisis that did not begin in 2026.

It did not begin in 2024.

It did not even begin in 2023.

According to the Ohio EPA’s June 4, 2026 inspection, the problems now coming to light are the result of long‑standing issues that have accumulated over many years, with ongoing research that suggest some of the issues are a decade or more in the making.

The EPA’s Notice of Violation states that multiple violations from 2023 and 2024 remain unresolved and “will continue until the violations have been properly resolved” [Ohio EPA, “Notice of Violation and Related Correspondence,” June 4, 2026]. These findings confirm what many residents, former operators, and those licensed to work in water and wastewater have raised for years: Galion’s water infrastructure has been deteriorating for a long time.

Industry professionals familiar with Galion’s system have also expressed concerns that many of the issues documented by the EPA — including pump failures, chemical dosing inconsistencies, and structural deterioration — were known internally long before the state formally cited them. This includes findings by the EPA that are still not fixed, and were found many years ago.

Residents are now asking a reasonable question:
If these problems have existed for so long, why were they not addressed earlier — and why is the EPA now escalating long‑standing issues?

The 24‑Point EPA List: A Roadmap of Long‑Standing Problems

One of the most significant documents in the EPA’s findings is the 24‑point recommendation list included in the Limited Scope Site Visit report [Ohio EPA, “Limited Scope Site Visit Inspection Letter,” June 4, 2026]. This list outlines the minimum actions required to stabilize the system and return it to compliance.

These items are not minor housekeeping tasks.

They are early‑warning indicators of deeper structural and operational failures.

If left unaddressed, they deteriorate into full violations, accelerate the breakdown of taxpayer‑funded assets, and ultimately affect the community’s water and wastewater capabilities.

Recommendations vs. Violations — and Why the Difference Matters

In the EPA’s regulatory framework, a recommendation is an early warning. It identifies a condition that is not yet illegal, but will become a violation if ignored. Recommendations are issued when equipment is deteriorating, maintenance is overdue, or operational practices are inconsistent.

A violation, by contrast, means the city has already failed to meet a legal requirement under Ohio Administrative Code or the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Violations carry enforcement actions and potential civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation.

When recommendations are ignored, they become violations.

This is exactly what the EPA’s 2026 documentation shows in Galion’s case. Many of the items on the 24‑point list — cracked concrete, failing hatches, deteriorating pump stations, missing jar testing, tank vegetation, and security lapses — were first identified as recommendations years ago. Because they were not addressed, they escalated into formal violations in 2023, 2024, and now 2026.

Examples of long‑developing issues on the 24‑point list include:

• cracked concrete on clarifier 2
• a bent mixer shaft
• algae growth on clarifier launders
• sludge buildup in the recarbonation basin
• deteriorating fencing at elevated tanks
• vegetation damaging tank foundations
• a failing roof at the Powers Reservoir Intake
• lack of jar testing for chemical optimization
• inadequate security at the Amann Raw Water Pump Station
• insufficient finished water storage redundancy

These conditions develop over years, not months. Many residents and former operators have asked how long these problems were known and why they required state intervention before being addressed.

A System With Long‑Standing Problems, Not Sudden Failures

The EPA’s letters show that several violations first identified in 2023 and 2024 remain open, with the agency noting that the city “has not addressed” these issues to completion. This aligns with years of community reports, whistleblower accounts, and internal concerns documented in Marion Watch coverage.

The EPA also warns that failure to comply with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 6109 may result in civil penalties “of up to 25,000 dollars per day for each violation”. This warning comes after former Wastewater Superintendent Patrick Hickman disclosed an alleged water loss rate reaching into the 60% range — a figure that, if accurate, would represent one of the highest non‑revenue water losses in the region.

Several citizens familiar with Galion’s system have been questioning whether the city has historically lacked the staffing, funding, or long‑term planning needed to prevent these violations from accumulating.

Infrastructure Problems That Developed Over Years

The EPA’s 24‑point list confirms that the system’s problems are not sudden. They reflect years of aging infrastructure, inconsistent maintenance, administrative turnover, and inaction.

The EPA documented cracked concrete on clarifier 2, a bent mixer shaft requiring replacement, algae growth on clarifier launders, and accumulated sludge in the recarbonation basin. These are conditions that develop over long periods.

The Powers Reservoir Intake roof requires replacement.

Vegetation around the Brandt Road and Dawsett Street elevated tanks must be removed to prevent structural damage .

The fence and barbed wire at the Brandt Road Elevated Tank require repair.

Residents have reasonably asked how long these conditions existed and why they were not addressed earlier.

Operational and Security Concerns That Raise Long‑Term Questions

The EPA notes that jar testing — a basic industry practice used to determine correct chemical dosing — is required to optimize treatment. Several individuals familiar with Galion’s operations have raised concerns that the city has either historically failed to perform this testing consistently or has had broader issues with the dosing process altogether.

The EPA also recommends increased security and routine patrols at the Amann Raw Water Pump Station due to graffiti indicating potential trespassing or vandalism. This raises another community question:
How long has the pump station lacked adequate security, and has this been a known issue?

Detailed Breakdown of Every Active EPA Violation

Below is the complete list of unresolved violations, each presented with what the violation is, why it matters, what the EPA found, and the questions residents are now asking.

Violation #1 – Clearwell Maintenance Deficiencies

What this is:
A clearwell is the final storage chamber where treated drinking water sits before entering the distribution system. It must remain sealed, clean, and structurally sound because any contamination here goes directly into the city’s drinking water.

Why it matters:
If a clearwell has sediment, leaks, or broken gates, it can allow bacteria to grow, allow insects or surface water to enter, reduce chlorine effectiveness, compromise water quality citywide, and violate federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

EPA’s finding:
The EPA documented sediment accumulation, inoperable sluice gates, and a leaking south clearwell access hatch.

Historical context:
These conditions develop slowly. Sediment builds over years. Sluice gates seize from long‑term corrosion. Concrete seepage indicates aging infrastructure. Residents have reasonably asked how long these conditions were known and why they persisted until 2023–2026.

EPA deadline:
Sluice gates and hatch replaced by March 1, 2027; debris removed by December 15, 2027.

Violation #2 – Amann Raw Water Pump Station Deficiencies

What this is:
The raw water pump station pulls untreated water from the reservoir into the treatment plant. If this station fails, the city cannot produce drinking water at all.

Why it matters:
A deteriorating pump station can reduce water pressure, limit the city’s ability to meet demand, allow contamination from backflow, cause emergency shutdowns, and lead to boil advisories or loss of service.

EPA’s finding:
The EPA documented structural deterioration, mechanical failures, and delayed engineering evaluations.

Historical context:
Pump station deterioration is not sudden. It reflects long‑term wear, corrosion, and deferred maintenance. Several individuals familiar with the system have stated that earlier opportunities to rehabilitate the pump station were missed, despite city leadership being warned by staff.

EPA deadline:
Construction completed by July 12, 2027.

Violation #3 – High Service Pump #5 Not Maintained

What this is:
A high service pump pushes treated water from the plant into the distribution system. These pumps maintain pressure for homes, businesses, and fire hydrants.

Why it matters:
A nonfunctional high service pump can reduce system pressure, increase fire risk, cause water discoloration, allow contaminants to enter through depressurized lines, and violate minimum pressure standards.

EPA’s finding:
High Service Pump #5 was not maintained or operable due to capacity issues.

Historical context:
Operators have stated that this pump has been under‑utilized or offline for years. This raises the question of how long Pump #5 has been nonfunctional and why maintenance was deferred.

EPA deadline:
Pump removed by March 1, 2027.

Violation #4 – Northwest Clearwell Access Hatch Deficiency

What this is:
A clearwell access hatch is a sealed entry point used for inspections. It must be watertight to prevent contamination.

Why it matters:
A failing hatch can allow insects, debris, or surface water into treated drinking water, compromise chlorine residual, violate sanitary standards, and create pathways for pathogens.

EPA’s finding:
The northwest clearwell access hatch did not provide a sanitary seal.

Historical context:
Hatch deterioration is gradual. It typically reflects years of corrosion or weather exposure. Residents have asked whether this hatch was known to be failing before the EPA documented it.

EPA deadline:
Replacement by March 1, 2027.

Violation #5 – Backflow Prevention Testing Noncompliance

What this is:
A backflow prevention device stops contaminated water from flowing backward into the drinking water system. State law requires annual testing.

Why it matters:
If backflow devices are not tested, pesticides, sewage, chemicals, or industrial waste can enter drinking water. Contamination events can go undetected, the city violates Ohio’s cross‑connection control laws, and public health risks increase significantly.

EPA’s finding:
The city did not require annual testing, did not maintain records, and did not ensure inspections at installation or repair.

Historical context:
Backflow programs fail gradually — usually due to staffing shortages or administrative gaps. Residents have been asking whether Galion has historically lacked a fully functioning backflow program.

EPA deadline:
Compliance by January 12, 2027.

Violation #6 – Failure to Conduct Required On‑Site Investigations

What this is:
Ohio law requires cities to inspect all commercial and industrial properties every five years to identify new hazards that could contaminate the water system.

Why it matters:
Without these inspections, hazardous cross‑connections go undetected, industrial changes may introduce new contamination risks, the city cannot demonstrate compliance with state law, and the water system becomes more vulnerable to backflow events.

EPA’s finding:
The city did not conduct required on‑site investigations and did not implement an approved alternate methodology.

Historical context:
This requirement has existed for decades. Residents have reasonably asked how long this requirement has gone unmet and why no alternate methodology was developed.

EPA deadline:
Compliance by January 12, 2027.

Public Messaging vs. Documented Findings

City officials have publicly described operations as stable and compliant, but the EPA’s written findings document multiple unresolved violations and multi‑year corrective schedules. This contrast has led many residents to ask whether the public is receiving the full picture of the system’s condition.

Whistleblower accounts from former Superintendent Patrick Hickman describe operational challenges, staffing shortages, and maintenance issues that align with several of the EPA’s most recent documented findings.

A Parallel Crisis: Wastewater System Violations

We have many documents that prove that Galion’s infrastructure and administrative struggles described above are not isolated to the city’s drinking water system; they extend directly into the management of Galion’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). On November 6, 2025, the Ohio EPA issued Director’s Final Findings and Orders (DFFOs) addressing the city’s failure to comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

Key points regarding the wastewater enforcement action include:

• Persistent Bypassing: The WWTP operates with two internal bypasses—designed to divert flow during extreme wet weather—that are not authorized by the city’s permit.
• Missed Deadlines: The city failed to meet an April 1, 2024, deadline to submit a “No Feasible Alternatives” (NFA) analysis, which is required to develop a plan for eliminating these unauthorized bypasses.
• Enforcement and Penalties: The Ohio EPA assessed a $47,990 civil penalty against the city. While this amount is held in abeyance (paused) pending compliance, specific portions of the penalty ($27,990 for the NFA analysis and $20,000 for project implementation) will become due immediately if the city fails to meet the new, court-ordered milestones.
• Long-Term Obligations: The city is now under a strict legal mandate to submit a comprehensive NFA analysis by June 14, 2027, and subsequently implement the necessary improvements to the collection system and WWTP.
  

Just as the drinking water violations reveal a history of deferred maintenance and administrative gaps, the wastewater DFFOs document a multi-year breakdown in regulatory compliance. This pattern suggests a systemic inability to manage the city’s critical infrastructure, leaving residents to deal with the cumulative costs of both state-mandated repairs and the threat of thousands of dollars in civil penalties.

Conclusion: A System Shaped by Long‑Standing Issues

The EPA’s documentation shows that several violations remain open and that corrective actions extend into 2027. These issues did not emerge suddenly; they reflect long‑term patterns of infrastructure aging, deferred maintenance, and administrative turnover.

Residents are now asking reasonable, fact‑based questions about how these conditions developed, how long they have been known, and what steps will be taken to ensure long‑term stability.

The EPA’s findings provide the factual foundation. The community’s questions provide the context. Together, they form a clearer picture of a system shaped by many years of challenges — now once again documented in full by the state.

More importantly, they show that the rhetoric of the former administration — and some more recent statements — is not supported by the documented findings of the state oversight agency responsible for monitoring Galion and bringing the city into compliance.