As the federally authorized and state-designated Water Resources Research Institute for the state of Ohio, we undergo periodic evaluations to assess our use of the federal grant and matching funds in meeting the mandates of the Water Resources Research Act.

Based on the activities of the Ohio WRC during Fiscal Years 2016 through 2020, the Ohio WRC was evaluated to be performing at an outstanding level! Of the 54 institutes, the Ohio WRC is one of six that were designated as outstanding!

We have excellent researchers we fund that are critical to us achieving this designation. Particularly, our researchers fund students on projects that result in publications and theses/dissertations. Moreover, the funded researchers have leveraged the funding to obtain follow-on funding from numerous grants. We work to create education and outreach activities and materials, often including this funded research. These events span a diverse set of audiences as the Ohio WRC continues to maintain relationships and connections. The Ohio WRC strives to continue the outstanding work that is being performed. Thank you to our funded researchers!

Have a news article you'd like us to feature? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!

Ohio EPA: Final Filing of Rules - Water Quality Standards, OAC Chapter 3745-1 and 3745-2



The Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water (DSW) has adopted final revisions to four rules in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-1, Water Quality Standards, and added a new rule to Chapter 3745-2, Implementation of Water Quality Standards. The effective date of these rules is April 4, 2024. The final rule can be found here.

Ohio EPA: East Fork Little Miami River Watershed Draft Preliminary Modeling Results

Ohio EPA has released and is seeking comments on the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed Draft Preliminary Modeling Results (PMR) for stakeholder review and comment. The PMR is the fourth step of Ohio's total maximum daily load (TMDL) process. This PMR proposes TMDL allocations for nutrients in the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed to address impairments to aquatic life and public drinking water supply. This PMR proposes TMDL allocations for atrazine to address impairments to public drinking water supply. Comments are due by 5:00 P.M. on April 15, 2024 to EPATMDL@epa.ohio.gov.

Ohio EPA: Public Notice - Proposed Rulemaking Governing Primary Drinking Water Standards

The Director of Environmental Protection, under the authority of Sections 106.03 and 106.031 of the Ohio Revised Code and in accordance with Chapter 119, proposes to Original File the following rules of the Ohio Administrative Code: 3745-81-02, 3745-81-03, 3745-81-17, 3745-81-29. Ohio EPA will be holding a virtual and in-person public hearing on the rules on April 26th, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Stakeholders will be able to comment in-person within the Ohio EPA Summer Conference Room at the Lazarus Government Center, 50 West Town Street, Suite 700, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Virtual attendees must register in advance. All comments received at the hearing or via email must be submitted to ddagw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov. by close of business on April 26th, 2024.

Ohio EPA: Draft TMDL Modification for Upper Sandusky River Watershed

Ohio EPA has released a draft modification of the Upper Sandusky River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) document for public review and comment. The Upper Sandusky River Watershed TMDL document was approved by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on September 29, 2004. Total phosphorus and fecal coliform TMDLs for Upper Sandusky assessment unit are being modified to account for a new discharger. Total phosphorus TMDL for the Lower Tymochtee Creek assessment unit is being modified to account for a new discharger. Comments are due by 5:00 P.M. on May 20, 2024 by email to EPATMDL@epa.ohio.gov.

To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources

Water Week 2024: The National Water Policy Fly-In

April 9, 2024 • Washington, DC

Hosted by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF), and the WateReuse Association, this event will focus on the achievements in the water sector, their implementations, and the outlook over the next year. Register and learn more here.

Virtual Conference: Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference

April 24-25, 2024 • Virtual

The conference will feature 15-minute presentations and lightning talk sessions on the latest in emerging contaminant research, policies, and outreach in the soil, water, and air. Registration is open.

Conference: 2024 Ohio Stormwater Conference

May 8-10, 2024 • Sandusky, OH

The conference will be held at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center located in Sandusky, Ohio. Environmental issues, new technologies, regulatory information and pollution prevention will be covered during the conference. The conference is built for those who are working to comply with municipal, industrial, and construction NPDES stormwater permits. Registration information can be found at their website.

Conference: 2024 AWRA/UCOWR/NIWR Water Resources Conference

September 30-Octobter 2, 2024 • St. Louis, MO

Hosted by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR), and the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR), the conference will be held in St. Louis, MO focusing on water-related research, management, extension, and education topics. Registration will open soon.

Webinar: Using Ohio EPA's new template to build a stormwater pollution prevention plan

April 11, 2024 • Virtual

A stormwater pollution prevention plan is needed for coverage under Ohio EPA's NPDES construction stormwater general permit. Ohio EPA has published a new template as part of the Rainwater and Land Development manual. This webinar will introduce the template and present tips for creating an effective and compliant plan. Registration information can be found here.

Have an event you'd like us to feature? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!