A new report, from Healthy Water Ohio, a coalition of business and environmental groups, calls for the creation of a $250 million trust to fund water protection in Ohio.
The report starts by laying out just how important water is to Ohio’s economy.
The vast majority of water use in the state, 77 percent, goes to electric power. The U.S. Geological survey says a big pool of the rest goes to public use and industrial production, with farms using just a small portion.
But there’s also the water use that isn’t consumption—fishing and recreation on scenic rivers and lakes.
That water’s been threatened by industrial pollution and runoff from farms—which can lead to gross green bacteria blooms.
Healthy Water Ohio was initiated by business groups like the Ohio Farm Bureau—that oppose strict regulation to protect the state’s water.
They say incentives and voluntary programs are a better way to get farmers on board.
The report calls for the creation of a statewide water research group, a giant public-private trust to fund education and infrastructure, and increased coordination on water issues across the state.