The availability of clean water is key to the health and wellbeing of our communities and to the economic success of our clients. Porter Wright’s environmental attorneys have been at the forefront of environmental laws addressing the collection, treatment, use and disposal of water for more than 40 years. Serving our clients’ interests has included serving on State and local technical advisory committees related to water quality and sewage issues, and leading the efforts of business collations to secure positive legislative and regulatory outcomes.

Many companies need to dispose of wastewater generated as a part of their operations, either discharging that wastewater to a public sewer or directly to the environment. Both federal and state laws (and regulations adopted under those laws) govern how businesses must handle the wastewaters they generate. Attorneys at Porter Wright have counseled clients who were confronted with wastewater treatment and disposal decisions, and have helped them find creative and cost effective solutions. 

In recent years, wastewater issues have grown to include increasingly complex regulatory schemes for storm water runoff from industrial, commercial and residential properties, the regulation of federally- and state-protected wetlands on private property, and the management of sewage by developers, home builders and other property owners. Our environmental attorneys regularly engage with USEPA, Ohio EPA and the local governments responsible for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) in solving and resolving the regulatory issues faced by our clients.

We also represent owners of public water supplies and stay abreast of developments under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. We assist clients who have questions about the installation of drinking water and industrial water supple wells, surface water withdrawal and use of surface water or groundwater for various business purposes.