BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- The specter of Chem-Dyne Corp. is still haunting Hamilton nearly two decades after the company was forced to cease operation.
Chem-Dyne's illegal chemical dumping cost at least $22 million to clean up -- and taught Hamilton officials a valuable lesson: Don't take the water supply for granted.
"Because of Chem-Dyne, we know what can happen, and we don't want to see it happen again," said Mayor Tom Nye.
The company's former 10-acre site at 500 Ford Blvd. looks nice now, but the ground water beneath it remains polluted and decontamination is predicted to continue for years.
Chem-Dyne's legacy is one reason why Hamilton City Council is considering an ordinance that would regulate and monitor chemical use near the Greater Miami Valley Aquifer, the underground water source of drinking water for Hamilton and other communities from Dayton to western Hamilton County.
The ordinance, which has been opposed by some business leaders who fear it could devalue their property and require costly changes, is set for a public hearing and vote at council's 7 p.m. meeting today. Among those who have expressed concerns at previous meetings was Neil Cohen, chairman of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cohen -- who couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday -- said he felt that protecting the aquifer is important, but he didn't believe an ordinance was necessary to accomplish that. He also expressed concern about the possible cost to businesses, which might need to upgrade equipment and make other changes to comply with the ordinance. Mary Moore, Hamilton's utilities environmental administrator, said the ordinance would affect about 80 businesses and possibly would affect residents if, for instance, they have underground storage tanks.
Mrs. Moore thinks fewer than 10 of the businesses would incur significant expenses as a result of the legislation.
The lengthy ordinance makes specific requirements about storing and handling chemicals and also allows for periodic inspections of businesses using them.
Fairfield City Council approved similar legislation last month without the vocal opposition that has been aimed at Hamilton's. "For the most part, (the ordinance) has been well-received," said Dwight Culbertson, Fairfield's public utilities director. "Our council, being this close to the aquifer, recognized the importance of protecting the water supply."
While some communities that use the aquifer also tap other water sources, Hamilton and several other communities depend solely on the aquifer.
"If something were to happen to that aquifer, we would be facing major dilemmas -- at great cost -- to find alternative sources of water for our residents," Mr. Nye said.
Although other protections for ground water are in place through agencies such as the state and federal environmental protection agencies, Mr. Nye said an ordinance is needed to give local officials control of the situation.
"I'd rather have this handled locally with Judge (John) Rosmarin making the decisions rather than have some Washington EPA guy saying, "Sorry, that's the way it is,' " Mr. Nye said.
Also, Mr. Culbertson said,the state's EPA recently issued water-treatment expansion permits contingent upon passage of such ordinances. Other communities, including Ross Township and the village of New Miami, are also expected to enact local legislation. The aquifer, one of the nation's largest, provides water that is generally considered more pure than river water -- and water supply is vital for economic development, said Hal Shepherd, Hamilton's city manager.
"I just think it is real important to protect the aquifer, the best economic resource in our region," he said.
