COLUMBUS, Ohio – As a drinking-water advisory prompted by high levels of nitrate remained in effect for parts of Columbus and Franklin County Friday, local health agencies continued to distribute free bottled water.
Franklin County Public Health was planning to distribute water at Westland Mall Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The agency was planning to halt its distribution at Westland Mall Friday at 6:00 p.m., said Mitzi Kline, director of communication.
Columbus Public Health was distributing water at its headquarters, 240 Parsons Avenue, Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday. There will be no distribution over the weekend, spokesman Jose Rodriguez said.
Only residents served by the Dublin Road Water Plant are affected by the advisory. That includes portions of west, central, and southwest Columbus, as well as Grandview Heights, Grove City, Hilliard, Lincoln Village, Marble Cliff, Upper Arlington, Urbancrest, and Valleyview.
Infants under six months of age and pregnant women in the affected area need to drink bottled water because of the nitrate advisory.
The advisory will be assessed daily and Rodriguez says additional water distribution hours will be determined at that time.
Rodriguez says Columbus Public Health would continue to provide water to WIC clients — pregnant women and infants less than six months — and other programs in the affected areas.
Health officials say there is currently no shortage of bottled water at stores in Columbus.
Updates are available from the Columbus Division of Public Utilities.