The U.S. EPA has dubbed Ohio one of the best states in the nation when it comes to public water systems.

The United States EPA ranks them fifth with just 1.3 violations per community in the state. The same rings true for the valley but three local communities saw more than double the state average since 2020.

Ellsworth Township and Sebring each had 13 violations, while West Farmington in Trumbull County had 14. Infractions ranging from failure to comply with Consumer Confidence, to failing to notify the public. Sebring Village Manager Tim Gabrelcik says most of these violations were more clerical than anything.

"Our violations aren't crucial for health and safety because we're still monitoring but I also think we're under the microscope because of past history here," said Gabrelcik.

Ellsworth Township saw the bulk of their violations in 2025, to which councilman Robert Toman attributed to an employee that didn't understand their system, and subsequently failed to meet EPA guidelines, adding that everything has been fixed.

In Trumbull County, West Farmington Mayor Shirley McIntosh says the village buys their water in bulk from the county, and that all water quality issues and violations can be directly attributed to the substandard water quality that they receive from the county.