EPIC Comments on Ohio EPA's State Fiscal Year 2027 Drinking Water Intended Use Plan

At EPIC, we are conducting a review of several states’ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. Through this process, we have gained a deeper understanding of how these programs are administered and how the presentation of information in state IUPs can be enhanced. While analyzing Ohio's DWSRF program for our DWSRF Funding Tracker project, we’ve noted the following points about the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) administration of its DWSRF funds. Our intention is to support Ohio in its efforts to make its IUPs even more user-friendly and informative and direct funds where they are needed most.

Summary of EPIC's Recommendations:

• Clarify set-aside amounts from the FFY26 Emerging Contaminants fed cap grant

• Make more strategic use of set-asides to help better support small systems and DACs

• Reconsider the population cap for DAC eligibility

• Consider modifying the state’s policy regarding one principal forgiveness award per entity per program year

• Consider providing up to 100% principal forgiveness for state-defined DACs that would struggle to repay SRF loans

• Support transparency in Ohio’s DWSRF IUP by providing clear information on SRF policy decisions discussed in the IUPs