Tell Ohio Lawmakers: Fully Fund H2Ohio

A glass of water taken from an area of algal bloom on Lake Erie near Toledo, Ohio. © Ariana Lindquist

H2Ohio is a statewide water quality initiative designed to address the complex issues facing Ohio’s waterways and the communities that depend on them. The program’s data-driven approach is a model for other states that want to improve water quality.

Unfortunately, the future of this highly successful program is in jeopardy after the Ohio House and Ohio Senate voted to significantly reduce funding for H2Ohio.

If H2Ohio isn’t fully funded, it will cripple our state’s ability to address the chronic harmful algal blooms that plague our waterways, including Lake Erie, and the outdoor recreation economy it supports.

The proposed budget could slash critical state funding for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ohio at a time when our communities need more support, not less. It would also hamper the state’s use of conservation easements, a key tool in ensuring natural areas throughout Ohio are protected for future generations to enjoy.

Recent polling shows Ohioans want clean water and 75% of them support spending state dollars on programs funded by H2Ohio.

Fully funding the H2Ohio program helps achieve a clean Lake Erie, as well as provide safe and clean drinking water for all Ohioans by:

Helping farmers implement best management practices to improve soil health and reduce nutrient runoff from farm fields, keeping nutrients in the ground and not in the water.
Creating, restoring and enhancing wetlands, which filter out chemicals and nutrients, making our waters safer and cleaner.
Improving community drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by replacing failing home sewage treatment systems and replacing lead service lines. Updating Ohio’s drinking water infrastructure is estimated to cost $30 billion over the next 20 years.

Contact your Ohio lawmakers today. Urge them to fully fund the H2Ohio program to protect our drinking water, strengthen our outdoor recreation economy and keep our communities safe.

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H2Ohio has made significant strides in addressing water quality throughout Ohio and should be fully funded in the next fiscal year and into the future. The program’s data-driven approach is a model for other states that want to improve water quality.

If H2Ohio isn’t fully funded, it will cripple our state’s ability to address the chronic harmful algal blooms that plague our waterways, including Lake Erie, and the outdoor recreation economy it supports. It also puts in jeopardy critical state funding for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ohio at a time when our communities need more support, not less.

By supporting a fully funded H2Ohio program you are pledging to help farmers implement best management practices to improve soil health; create, restore and enhance wetlands, which filter out chemicals and nutrients, making our waters safer and cleaner; and improve community drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by replacing failing home sewage treatment systems and replacing lead service lines.

I urge you to fully fund the H2Ohio program to protect our drinking water, strengthen our outdoor recreation economy and keep our communities safe.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State or Province}

This letter will be delivered via email to:

Your Ohio State Senator

Your Ohio State Representative

Please restore funding for H2Ohio

Dear Lawmakers,

H2Ohio has made significant strides in addressing water quality throughout Ohio and should be fully funded in the next fiscal year and into the future. The program’s data-driven approach is a model for other states that want to improve water quality.

If H2Ohio isn’t fully funded, it will cripple our state’s ability to address the chronic harmful algal blooms that plague our waterways, including Lake Erie, and the outdoor recreation economy it supports. It also puts in jeopardy critical state funding for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ohio at a time when our communities need more support, not less.

By supporting a fully funded H2Ohio program you are pledging to help farmers implement best management practices to improve soil health; create, restore and enhance wetlands, which filter out chemicals and nutrients, making our waters safer and cleaner; and improve community drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by replacing failing home sewage treatment systems and replacing lead service lines.

I urge you to fully fund the H2Ohio program to protect our drinking water, strengthen our outdoor recreation economy and keep our communities safe.

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