On the morning of August 2, 2014, the City of Toledo determined that two sample readings for microcystin from municipal water were in excess of EPA standards. This led the city to require citizens not to use the municipal drinking water.
The hashtag #emptyglasscity is used by the Toledo Blade and others to track the drinking water problems and the response to the crisis.
Governor John Kasich has declared a State of Emergency for all areas of Northwest Ohio which receive water supply from the City of Toledo. (AP, August 2, 2014)
This is a developing story, and you should seek out current sources of news.
Areas affected by water problems. Image via WTOL 11.
Where to get water
Several municipalities in the area have offered free water to Toledo residents from their water supplies which are unaffected by this. (Source: Toledo Blade, August 2, 2014; WTOL 11 Toledo News Now, WTVG 13 ABC, August 2, 2014.). This list includes:
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Waite High School , 301 Morrison Drive, Toledo 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. Aug 2. (via Diane Larson)
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Central Catholic High School, 2250 Cherry St, Toledo 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Aug 2 (via ToledoNewsNow)
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Woodward High School, 701 East Central Avenue, Toledo, OH 43608 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Aug 2 (via ToledoNewsNow)
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Springfield High School to 11:00 p.m. Aug 2.
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Oregon Fire Department station at 5002 Seaman Rd (at Wynn) closes 9pm August 2 (via ToledoNewsNow)
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Oregon Fire Department station at 102 S. Wheeling St. closes 9pm August 2 (via ToledoNewsNow)
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Oregon Fire Department station at 4421 Bay Shore Rd, Oregon OH. Bring a jug, closes 6pm August 2. (via ToledoNewsNow)
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Wood County residents: Rossford High School, 701 Superior St, Rossford OH. Proof of county residency required. (via RossfordPolice)
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Luna Pier Fire Station, 4268 Luna Pier Road, Luna Pier, MI
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Bedford Township Hall, 8100 Jackman Road, Temperance, MI. Available for residents, bring your own containers; boil before using. (via Bedford Township)
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Village of Whitehouse Fire Department located at 10550 Waterville Street, Whitehouse OH (via ToledoNewsNow)
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City of Bowling Green, OH is on a separate water system from Toledo.
This page needs a map.
Live media coverage
Several news stations have gone to live media coverage of the Toledo water emergency.
- WTOL 11, Toledo News Now.
- 1370 WSPD
In the news
Urgent Water Notice, City of Toledo, August 2, 2014.
URGENT NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF TOLEDO & LUCAS COUNTY WHO RECEIVE WATER FROM THE CITY OF TOLEDO
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER
Chemists testing water at Toledo’s Collins Park Water Treatment Plant had two sample readings for microcystin in excess of the recommended “DO NOT DRINK” 1 microgram per liter standard. This notice applies to ALL customers of Toledo water.
Toledo Blade, August 2, 2014. Toxins in water force do not drink water advisory for thousands across Toledo area; Microcystin found in samples; boiling not recommended
Most of northwest Ohio, including much of Lucas County, Perrysburg, Bedford Township, and Rossford among others, were under a do not drink or boil advisory after the Collins Park water-treatment plant in East Toledo produced two toxin sample readings. Chemists testing water at Collins Park plant found two sample readings for microcystin that exceeded the recommended “do not drink” standard of one microgram per liter standard.
