Water has always been important for Ohio. Even from our earliest days as a state, when the economy heavily depended on the use of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, we’ve had to ensure the proper use of our waterways and fight to keep them clean.

With today’s advanced technology for treating water, along with all of the chemicals and toxins that could cause us harm, this is more important than ever.

That’s why two important bills passed in the Ohio House regarding access and usage of water.

House Bill 120, which I sponsored with Rep. Lou Gentile, a Democrat from of Steubenville, creates a task force to address the lack of access to clean drinking water for some areas of the state.

I introduced this bill after working on this issue for many years.  It brings many associations and agencies together to produce a strategy that will provide Ohioans with access to clear drinking water where they do not already have it.

While it may be surprising to you, this is not just a rural problem. It also exists in places such as Franklin County, near the Columbus airport, for example.  I hope that this particular legislation will make a greater priority of the issue, one that is similar to Connect Ohio for broadband access.

House Bill 231 was also passed by the House, which allows consumptive use of water from the Lake Erie basin.

With the plentiful supply of water our state has, it becomes very important not only to our tourism and recreation, but our economy as well.

Water is essential for many things, from making Campbell’s soup to manufacturing cars. This legislation will allow appropriate and responsible use of water to create jobs in Ohio.

The law is necessary because Ohio is a member of the Great Lakes Compact, which requires a plan for the use and conservation of water.

This common-sense legislation protects Lake Erie and promotes jobs for the Buckeye state.  Water will continue to be a major driver of Ohio’s economy and essential to every resident’s well-being in the future. That’s why these bills are so important.

I hope that you’ll join me in caring for Ohio’s natural treasures — our waterways.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.