Monday, October 20th, 2008

There's proof - Celina water meets EPA rules

By William Kincaid
City officials are happy with the third quarter test results of the city's drinking water - proof that the new addition to the water treatment plant is working as intended, Safety Service Director Jeff Hazel said.
Test results from Aug. 18 indicate the city's drinking water now is compliant with state law and below the state's level of trihalomethanes (THMs) allowed in water.
"We are very excited about the results," Hazel said this morning.
The maximum level of THMs, which lab tests have linked to some forms of cancer and other diseases, in drinking water is 0.08 milligrams per liter, according to Ohio EPA standards.
In August, the city's drinking water was found to have 0.043 milligrams per liter - well below the legal limit and the last quarterly reading.
The quarterly reading taken in May showed a THM level of 0.233 milligrams per liter, which was taken before the city's new granular activated carbon (GAC) facility was operational. The quarters prior to that had levels of 0.145 and 0.264.
The new $6 million water filtration system at the site of the former Blue Goose was fully operational on July 21.
The facility's eight tanks each contain 40,000 pounds of carbon that absorb the organic content in the city water drawn from Grand Lake. The goal is to reduce the organic material, which reacts with chlorine over time to form THMs
Since Jan. 1 a debt assessment fee to pay for the new GAC treatment facility has been added to all water bills. The fee ranges from $6.66 a month for residents inside the city, up to $93.18 a month for those with larger water lines outside the city. The assessment goes into an account to pay off the 20-year, $6.3 million debt to build the GAC facility.
Additional online stories on this date
ROCKFORD - For the top-seeded teams at the Division III volleyball sectional at Parkway High School, the number-two seed St. Henry Redskins and the t [More]
SPENCERVILLE - The Minster girls once again dominated the Division III district cross country meet at Spencerville. And for the second year in a row [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
With Election Day just two weeks away, local board of elections officials are getting a workout with a record number of early voters and absentee ballots.
A longtime incumbent faces opposition in his bid for a ninth term as Mercer County Clerk of Courts at the polls in November.
Incumbent James J. Highley, 64, 918 Canterbury Drive, Celina, and Anita D. Huber, 46, 5450 state Route 219, Coldwater, are seeking the four-year term commencing Jan. 5.
A push to create a new storm water utility in Celina is nearing fruition.
Celina City Council members originally planned to charge every metered ut
Compiled by Ryan Hines
Grand Lake rivals Celina and St. Marys met for the second time this year on the volleyball court and for the second time the Bulldogs were a three-game winner.
NEW BREMEN - Both top seeds were tested to the limit on Saturday in advancing to the district semifinals of the Division IV New Bremen sectional on Saturday.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina boys cross country team earned a spot to the Division I regional at Pickerington next week after securing second place and the final qualifying spot to the regional in district running at Amann's Park in Galion.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina boys soccer team suffered a quick and stunning end to their season as Elida posted a 2-1 win in a sudden death shootout, 4-3, at the Division II sectional tournament at Shawnee High School.