Residents have been left without drinking water on several occasions in the past year.
According to the state’s filings, the water system has broken down repeatedly, leaving residents without drinking water and with potentially unsafe water when it was working.
“The residents of Pineview deserve to have reliable, clean drinking water, and we are filing these actions to protect their health and safety,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We are requesting a temporary restraining order to provide immediate relief for residents, but we will continue to pursue this case to find a permanent solution.”
The water system at Pineview Estates serves approximately 400 residents, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
“Enough is enough. The on-again, off-again drinking water service at Pineview is unacceptable,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler. “Continuing violations and the owner’s unwillingness to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to ensure a safe, reliable water supply led us to today’s action. We intend to resolve this situation for the long-term health and quality of life of Pineview’s residents.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit charges Pineview and Dearwester with failing to maintain adequate chlorine levels in the water, failing to maintain minimum water pressure, failing to address significant deficiencies in the water system, and failing to comply with Ohio EPA Findings and Orders, among other violations of Ohio safe drinking water laws.
The lawsuit seeks an order requiring Pineview to comply with Ohio’s safe drinking water laws and rules, to comply with previously-issued Ohio EPA Director’s Final Findings and Orders, to correct all the deficiencies in its public water system, and to pay appropriate civil penalties and court fees.
The latest water service disruption occurred during a cold snap Monday morning that caused pipes to burst.
A boil advisory had been lifted as of today and water service was restored, according to Dina Pierce, Ohio EPA.