By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green’s drinking water system aced a recent inspection by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Mayor Mike Aspacher reported at the City Council meeting Monday evening that the OEPA found no violations during its inspection in February. The report had been received earlier in the day on Monday by BG Utilities and Infrastructure Director Brian O’Connell.
“The city has met one of its most important obligations to its citizens by providing safe and dependable water to its citizens,” Aspacher said.
The survey of the city’s public water system covered the water treatment plant, all the equipment involved, and the entire water distribution system.
In order to critique the city’s ability to deliver safe, adequate and potable water, the inspection looked at the water source, treatment, distribution system, finished water storage, pumps, monitoring, reporting responsibilities, data verification, and operation compliance with state regulations.
The mayor commended all the city employees associated with the water system.
“This is not something that just happens easily,” Aspacher said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into this every day.”
City Council President Mark Hollenbaugh echoed the praise.
“We appreciate the fine work all the people in utilities are doing,” Hollenbaugh added.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley presented her annual report to council – listing the many ways the parks and rec system fulfills its mission to “enhance the quality of life through parks, programs and facilities.”
Otley cited the following numbers from 2024:
- More than 1,800 people attended the “Lunch in the Parks” programs.
- 279 youth attended the “Parents Night Out” events, allowing their parents to go out without the kids.
- 377 kids attended summer camps.
- 1,322 participated in youth sports.
- 25 adult volleyball teams competed.
- 2,378 kids participated in nature programs.
- 834 volunteer hours were invested in Wintergarden Park.
- 898 volunteer hours were spent in Simpson Garden Park.
- Shelter houses were rented 359 times.
- 1,946 Freeze Pops were sold at the pool concession stand, still costing just 25 cents a piece. If those frozen confections were lined up end to end, they would stretch taller than the Empire State Building, Otley said.
Otley also noted improvements to Simpson Garden Park and the construction of pickleball courts outside the community center to begin soon.
The parks and recreation department’s current master plan goes to the end of 2026, so planning will begin this year for the master plan updating process, which always includes citizen meetings.
