Fostoria City

Source Water Assessment and Protection Program. The latest assessment for Fostoria was developed as part of Ohio's Source Water Assessment and Protection initiative. This program aims to identify vulnerable drinking water areas and provide guidance on reducing contaminant risks within these zones. The program's objective is to ensure sustainable, safe water access for current and future Ohio residents.

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 established the nationwide Source Water Assessment and Protection framework, targeting all public water systems in the United States. A public water system serves at least 15 service connections or regularly provides water to at least 25 people daily for a minimum of 60 days annually, whether from underground wells, springs, or surface reservoirs. This requirement doesn't apply to private residential wells or cisterns. Ohio has approximately 5,800 public water systems.

Background: Fostoria operates a community water system serving approximately 15,000 residents through 5,500 metered connections. The city also supplies water to Arcadia (PWS #3200903) with its population of 537. The treatment facility draws water from the East Branch of the Portage River and maintains three groundwater wells as backup sources. While the plant capacity is 6.08 million gallons daily, current production averages about 2.2 million gallons per day.

Protection Areas: The water resource protection zones for both surface and groundwater sources have been clearly mapped. Ohio EPA, with assistance from Fostoria staff, has cataloged facilities and land uses within these areas that might contaminate the water supply. Threats to surface water include agricultural and grazing runoff, failing septic systems, oil/gas wells, manufacturing facilities, commercial operations, municipal facilities, and potential spills along nearby highways.

Protective Strategies: The ultimate goal is implementing protective measures to safeguard Fostoria's water sources. Strategies include daily monitoring of raw water quality at the intake point and developing effective emergency response protocols for accidental or intentional contamination. The backup wells require proper maintenance and regular testing. The city should raise awareness about the water protection zone and encourage best management practices among residents and businesses operating within it. Fostoria and neighboring jurisdictions are encouraged to develop a regional protection plan or update existing emergency management programs. Community watershed planning initiatives may already be underway to guide stream restoration and protection efforts.

1. Where can I pay my water bill? Payments can be made in person at any customer service center location listed on your bill summary. Local partnering businesses also collect payments on behalf of water utilities. Alternative payment methods include mail, phone, automatic bank debits, or online platforms. Contact Customer Service at 210-704-SAWS (7297) for details.
2. How do I register for service, transfer service or disconnect service? Reach out to Customer Service via phone, mail, in person, or fax at 210-233-4160 for all service changes.
3. Who should I contact about billing questions or concerns? Direct all billing inquiries, service transfers, and connection/disconnection requests to the Customer Service Department at 210-704-SAWS (7297).
4. Can I receive my bill electronically? Yes! Register to receive monthly statements via email. Any customer can view current and past bills online by verifying their account number, creating a username and password, without obligation to use other services.
5. How do I enroll in automatic payments? The Easy Pay Plan offers automatic bill payment through monthly electronic transfers from your banking account.
6. Can I consolidate multiple accounts into one bill? Currently, account statements cannot be consolidated into a single bill.
7. What happens if my payment is late? Late fees will be applied to any unpaid balance.
8. What if I can't afford to pay my bill? If you're experiencing temporary financial difficulties, contact Customer Service at 210-704-SAWS (7297) to discuss potential payment plan options that allow continued service.
9. How is my water bill calculated? Residential water bills factor in water consumption, rate type (standard or seasonal), meter size, and property location (inside or outside city limits). Online calculators are available for both residential and business customers.
10. How is the sewer portion calculated? Residential sewer charges typically use winter averaging based on water consumption during three consecutive billing cycles from mid-November through mid-March. For business accounts, sewer charges are computed from water usage schedules for all metered connections.
11. What additional fees appear on my bill? Other charges may include water supply fees, stormwater fees, and regulatory authority fees.
12. What is the meter trip fee? A $10 fee ($5 for Affordability Program participants) applies when a technician must visit your property to turn service on or off. This fee currently appears in the "Previous Balance" line until billing system updates are completed.