Ohio agency seeks criminal probe into water plant problems

CLEVELAND (AP) — The head of Ohio’s environmental agency is calling for a criminal investigation after the operator of a water treatment plant in northeast Ohio failed to tell the public that high levels of lead and copper had been detected in some homes last summer.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Craig Butler said in a statement Sunday that officials are “taking steps” to revoke the operating license of the plant operator in Sebring.

The statement says the EPA has “reason to suspect” that the operator falsified reports.

The water system serves about 8,100 customers in Sebring, about 60 miles southeast of Cleveland.

Sebring schools canceled classes Friday and Monday.

The city manager said last week that seven of 20 homes where the water is routinely tested showed the high levels of the contaminants.