TOLEDO – Elected and appointed officials, engineers, wastewater plant operators, and anyone interested in management of public utilities are invited to a series of public meetings on updates on the “208 Plan” to implement the Areawide Water Quality Management Plan.

The Ottawa County public meeting was the first to be held, taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Toledo. The meetings are being held in person at TMACOG’s office with the option to attend remotely. Virtual/in-person hybrid meetings will be conducted at 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Suite 300, Toledo.

Three more meetings are to be held to present the Areawide Water Quality Management Plan. Registration is needed to receive login information for those teleconferences. Registration can be made via the Events page at www.tmacog.org/events or by contacting Matthew Kennedy: kennedy@tmacog.org. Login information will be sent within 24 hours of the meeting time to those who register.

The other county meetings will be: Lucas and Wood counties (combined): Thursday, Sept. 9, 2-3:30 p.m.; Sandusky County: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2-3:30 p.m.; Monroe County (southern townships and Luna Pier, Michigan): Thursday, Sept. 16, 2-3:30 p.m.

This plan, called the 208 Plan from that section of the Clean Water Act, describes how municipalities throughout four counties of northwest Ohio and part of southeast Michigan coordinate to treat wastewater and manage development of sewer systems. The 208 Plan is updated each year with changes in environmental law and regulation, and information on the region’s water quality and local infrastructure needs.

Each meeting will include a brief overview of the 208 Plan and the needs of communities in each county. Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) staff will also discuss plans to conduct a comprehensive review and update the 208 Plan over the next two years.

If you need special accommodations, contact Jennifer Allen: allen@tmacog.org.