Ohio EPA officials say that raw data indicates caustic liquid leaking from the site of a proposed casino
adjacent to Rossford poses "no imminent health concerns."
The initial assessment was based on samples of the leachate and water from the river where the leachate
was entering taken on Sept. 24.
Both samples found the leachate to be "very alkaline" and "outside of usual range, likely
due to high organics content."
In a statement issued by Dina Pierce, media coordinator for the Northwest District, the EPA stated:
"Based on a preliminary review of the data, the results may indicate localized water quality
impacts; however, we currently see no imminent public health concerns. In the coming days, Ohio EPA will
be doing a complete technical review of the data."
Brad White, president of River Road Redevelopment of Middletown, the property’s owner, said last week
that the leachate problem was being addressed through the plan to clean up the site that has been
approved by the EPA. Further development of the site, he said, will divert storm water from the site so
it doesn’t leak through the materials left over from the glassmaking process buried on the site.
Libbey-Owens-Ford used the site to store waste from its operations.
Penn National Gaming has an option to buy the site should Issue 3 be approved by voters in November.
The EPA testing was the result of a complaint made to the department.
Photo captions: Story: Site of proposed casino in south Toledo adjacent to Rossford and the Maumee River.
(Aaron Carpenter/Sentinel-Tribune)
Front page: Entrance to proposed site off Ohio 65 (Miami Street) adjacent to Interstate 75.