Eight years ago, then-Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit against DuPont, which accused the company of knowingly releasing “forever chemicals” into the Ohio River. Though a settlement was reached back in 2023, DeWine was not able to announce distribution of the $65 million settlement until this week.

This time as governor, he stood with state Environmental Protection Agency Director John Logue to talk about how the money would be distributed in Belmont, Gallia, Larence, Meigs, Morgan and Washington counties. The improvements that will be funded have been a long time coming.

“Access to safe drinking water is essential for every Ohio community,” DeWine said. “These funding awards will be used to make critical improvements to local water systems that will protect public health and strengthen drinking water infrastructure for years to come.”

Here, projects will benefit water customers and residents with wells in districts such as Little Hocking, Warren Community Water, Belpre, Marietta, Beverly, Tri-County, Tuppers Plains and Middleport. Projects will improve water treatment plants and contaminated and at-risk wells for tens of thousands of local residents.

“These projects are vital to strengthening water infrastructure in our communities and providing greater access to safe, clean drinking water for residents of Meigs and Washington counties,” said state Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta. “I’m pleased to see this funding directed where it will make a meaningful difference for Ohio families.”

With this reminder of the need to be mindful of potential risks to our water sources if corporations are not carefully monitored, it is encouraging to hear Ritter and the others remain steadfast in their defense of clean drinking water.

No doubt our elected representatives in Columbus will remain vigilant on that front.