Licking County locals speak out against wastewater treatment proposal

See a report about Licking County water quality in the player above.

ALEXANDRIA, Ohio (WCMH) – In a small church in Licking County, more than 200 local farmers, advocates and small business owners packed the pews Tuesday night to voice their perspectives on the proposed Raccoon Creek Wastewater Treatment Center.

Hosted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the meeting offered a space for community feedback about the proposed facility while the EPA considers its permit application, offering a glimpse into the reality of rapid development.

The Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District plans to build the treatment center to address the manufacturing, commercial and residential growth in the area that will be anchored by Intel's Ohio One facility. However, some locals argue the wastewater treatment plan’s average flow of 3 million gallons per day would harm wildlife and nearby communities.

The facility proposal would discharge into Moots Run, flowing from the small waterway into Raccoon Creek. According to Alexandria’s 2023 Water Quality Report, Alexandria and nearby Granville both rely on wells supplied by Raccoon Creek for the water in homes and businesses. 

The plan for construction requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which regulates wastewater discharge and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. The treatment center cannot operate without the permit.

Jim Roberts, executive director of SWLC, said the company is dedicated to providing environmentally safe water and sewer services. He invited concerned citizens to tour the plant facilities to learn about their regulations. 

Roberts said the location of the plant and discharge was chosen after coordination with the Ohio EPA. He said the plant would be designed to have treatment processes that comply with strict requirements. 

“Our advanced treatment process will likely improve water quality in Moots Run and Raccoon Creek,” Roberts said.

Many locals strongly disagree. A letter to the Ohio EPA on behalf of Granville, Alexandria, the nearby city of Johnstown, and the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District condemned the project this past May. The eight-page letter said the application lacks discussion of how the treatment plant would benefit the area or impact its current users, among other concerns.

The proposal is one of many in the area as the nearby Intel plant emerges. Mayor of Alexandria Sean Barnes said he – along with much of the community – just wants to be heard.

“My hope is that this at least gets people communicating with each other and that they get to know the community and their needs,” Barnes said. “We would really like to be a part of the talks of bigger developments.”

This wish for communication is what led Barnes to his position in the first place. Picking dahlias on his family’s farm while he spoke with NBC4, he joked that “wanting” to be mayor is not the right term for what transpired. He said he was encouraged to run for mayor when he and others saw local representation missing from corporation-led conversations about the area.

Barnes acknowledged Alexandria’s proximity to Columbus, but said the area is like “a whole different world.” The serene environment and rural way of life are part of what locals are working to protect in the midst of rapid developments.

“People identify with that, there’s that desire to identify with their small community and towns,” he said. “There’s a cultural connection to the land and the community people are worried about losing.”

Ohio EPA Press Secretary Bryant Somerville confirmed a public comment session is typically required for certain permits and when there is a high level of interest or concern. He said he knows it can feel as if public comments are minimized; however, he was adamant the EPA takes them seriously.

“Every single one of these comments will be reviewed and considered,” Somerville said.

According to the Ohio EPA’s website, after each comment is reviewed as part of an official record, EPA officials will draft a response and submit a recommendation to the director, who makes the final decision. If the public is unsatisfied with the decision, they have 30 days to appeal. 

Elaine Ashbrook Robertson attended the meeting with hopes the permit would not be granted, and said she felt it went well.

"Many of us on both sides of the issue know each other," she said. "Only time will tell."