{
 "page": "columbus-water-supply-where-it-comes-from.html",
 "url": "https://www.openshowerco.com/columbus-water-supply-where-it-comes-from.html",
 "title": "Where Columbus water comes from, and what that means for a shower",
 "record": "ohio-plumbing-water-sewer-wave-2026-09",
 "generated": "2026-09-08",
 "how_to_read": "Every sentence on the page traces to one of these claims. status \"verified\" means two independent publishers state it; \"single\" means one named publisher, named in the page's sentence; \"conflict\" means the documents disagree and the page prints both.",
 "claims": [
  {
   "id": "C1",
   "claim": "Columbus drinking water comes from two surface sources and one underground one: the Scioto River, Big Walnut Creek, and wells in the Scioto River valley.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "Columbus' water system uses surface water from the Scioto River and Big Walnut Creek",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Ohio Public Water Supply Lakes",
     "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/habs/PWSLakes.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C2",
   "claim": "The city's groundwater is pumped from sand and gravel deposits of the Scioto River valley south of downtown.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "ground water pumped from sand and gravel deposits of the Scioto River Valley",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C3",
   "claim": "Columbus Water & Power maintains three in-stream reservoirs - Hoover, Griggs and O'Shaughnessy - plus the John R. Doutt Upground Reservoir.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "The division maintains three in-stream reservoirs: Hoover, Griggs and O'Shaughnessy",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C4",
   "claim": "Griggs Reservoir on the Scioto River was put into service in 1905, after construction of the dam began in 1904, and it supplies the Dublin Road Water Plant.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "put into service in 1905 to supply water to the Dublin Road Water Plant",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Metropolitan Library",
     "title": "Griggs Dam (Mosbacher Collection, Columbus Memory)",
     "url": "https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/79659/",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Encyclopaedia Britannica, eleventh edition (1911)",
     "title": "Columbus (Ohio)",
     "url": "https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Columbus_(Ohio)",
     "published": "1911"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C6",
   "claim": "O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, in Delaware County near Powell, was built in 1925 to add water for the Dublin Road plant.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "The O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, in Delaware County near Powell, was built in 1925",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Delaware County Historical Society",
     "title": "Landmarks of Delaware County: O'Shaughnessy Dam",
     "url": "https://www.delawareohiohistory.org/history/landmarks-of-delaware-county-oshaughnessy-dam/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C8",
   "claim": "Hoover Reservoir was built on Big Walnut Creek in 1955 near Westerville and spans Franklin and Delaware counties.",
   "status": "conflict",
   "quote": "The Hoover Reservoir was built on Big Walnut Creek in 1955",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Metropolitan Library",
     "title": "Aerial view of Hoover Dam and Reservoir (Columbus Memory)",
     "url": "https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/75797/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C9",
   "claim": "Hoover Reservoir is named for two brothers, Charles P. Hoover and Clarence B. Hoover, who spent their careers at the Columbus waterworks.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "It was named for two brothers, Charles P. Hoover and Clarence B. Hoover",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Metropolitan Library",
     "title": "Aerial view of Hoover Dam and Reservoir (Columbus Memory)",
     "url": "https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/75797/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C10",
   "claim": "The John R. Doutt Upground Reservoir, an off-stream reservoir in Delaware and Union counties near Richwood, was completed in 2014.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "In 2014, the John R. Doutt Upground Reservoir was completed.",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C11",
   "claim": "Columbus does not own or operate Alum Creek Reservoir; it holds rights to draw from it to supplement Hoover Reservoir in dry periods.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "Columbus has rights to draw from Alum Creek Reservoir when needed",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C12",
   "claim": "Alum Creek Lake was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1974, and Columbus and Del-Co Water Company share it as a water supply reservoir.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1974",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Quality Assurance Project Plan for Alum Creek Lake Monitoring 2019",
     "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/Study%20Plan/Alum-Creek-2019-QAPP.pdf",
     "published": "2019-05-28"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C14",
   "claim": "The Dublin Road Water Plant was put into service in 1975 on the site of the 1908 plant, which had itself replaced the city's first water treatment works of 1871.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Put into service in 1975, the current water plant replaced a 1908 plant",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C15",
   "claim": "The Dublin Road Water Plant serves downtown and the western and southwestern parts of Franklin County, drawing on Griggs, O'Shaughnessy and the Doutt reservoir.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) serves northwestern and southwestern residents using water from Griggs",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C16",
   "claim": "The Hap Cremean Water Plant on Morse Road opened in 1956 and was renamed in 1988; it had been the Big Walnut Water Treatment Plant.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "The Hap Cremean Water Plant on Morse Road, opened in 1956",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C17",
   "claim": "The Hap Cremean plant draws on Hoover Reservoir, with supplemental water pumped from Alum Creek Reservoir in dry periods.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "supplemental water is pumped from the Alum Creek Reservoir (not Columbus owned)",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Ohio Public Water Supply Lakes",
     "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/habs/PWSLakes.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C18",
   "claim": "The Parsons Avenue Water Plant went into service in 1984, draws its water from wells, and serves southeastern Franklin County.",
   "status": "conflict",
   "quote": "The Parsons Avenue Water Plant, which went into service in 1984",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C19",
   "claim": "The three plants are rated at 80, 125 and 50 million gallons a day for Dublin Road, Hap Cremean and Parsons Avenue.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "has a capacity of 80 million gallons per day (MGD)",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C20",
   "claim": "Together the three plants supply an average of about 145 million gallons of drinking water a day.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "collectively supplying an average of 145 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
     "published": "2025-01-06"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C22",
   "claim": "The city's first water supply system, a well and pump station where the Scioto and Olentangy meet, went into operation on May 1, 1871.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "This plant replaced the first water supply system placed in operation May 1, 1871",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C23",
   "claim": "The Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly published a physician's account of an explosive typhoid outbreak in Columbus in February 1904.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "In February 1904, an explosive outbreak of typhoid fever occurred.",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio History Connection (Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly)",
     "title": "Notes on the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Columbus, 1890-1945, by Herbert M. Platter, M.D., vol. 57, pp. 393-397",
     "url": "https://resources.ohiohistory.org/ohj/search/display.php?page=144&ipp=20&searchterm=Array&vol=57&pages=393-397",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C24",
   "claim": "That same account says Columbus then had two water supplies, one from the raw Scioto River and one from wells along Alum Creek.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Columbus at that time had two water supplies",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio History Connection (Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly)",
     "title": "Notes on the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Columbus, 1890-1945, by Herbert M. Platter, M.D., vol. 57, pp. 393-397",
     "url": "https://resources.ohiohistory.org/ohj/search/display.php?page=144&ipp=20&searchterm=Array&vol=57&pages=393-397",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C25",
   "claim": "The City of Columbus says the 1908 Scioto plant, known internationally as the Columbus Experiment, was the first water plant to combine filtration and water softening.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "was the first water plant to combine filtration and water softening",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Treatment Plant Operator magazine",
     "title": "Doing It Right, by Jim Force",
     "url": "https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2014/06/doing_it_right1_wso",
     "published": "2014-06-09"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C26",
   "claim": "The 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica recorded that Columbus completed works for filtering and softening its water supply in 1908.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "completed the construction of enormous works for filtering and softening the water-supply",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Encyclopaedia Britannica, eleventh edition (1911)",
     "title": "Columbus (Ohio)",
     "url": "https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Columbus_(Ohio)",
     "published": "1911"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio History Connection (Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly)",
     "title": "Notes on the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Columbus, 1890-1945, by Herbert M. Platter, M.D., vol. 57, pp. 393-397",
     "url": "https://resources.ohiohistory.org/ohj/search/display.php?page=144&ipp=20&searchterm=Array&vol=57&pages=393-397",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C27",
   "claim": "The city credits Charles Hoover with co-discovering a water softening process using lime and soda ash, and his brother Clarence with sewage treatment chemistry.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "credited with the co-discovery of a water softening process using lime and soda ash",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C28",
   "claim": "The city says the Hoover brothers' work reduced the number of deaths from typhoid in Columbus in the early twentieth century.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "reduced the number of deaths resulting from typhoid in the early 20th century",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water Treatment History",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C29",
   "claim": "The American Water Works Association's water landmarks list names O'Shaughnessy Dam in Columbus, designated in 1992.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "O'Shaugnhnessy Dam, Columbus, Ohio",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "American Water Works Association",
     "title": "American/Canadian/Mexican Water Landmarks Award",
     "url": "https://www.awwa.org/award/water-landmarks-award/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C30",
   "claim": "Columbus Water & Power says it provides water and sewer service to well over 30 communities in addition to Columbus under contract.",
   "status": "conflict",
   "quote": "Columbus Water & Power provides water and sewer service to well over 30 communities",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water & Sewer Contract Communities",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Sewage-Drainage/Wastewater-Treatment/Water-Sewer-Contract-Communities",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C31",
   "claim": "The city names Canal Winchester, Pickerington, parts of Westerville and townships served by Aqua Ohio among the places it does not serve.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Canal Winchester, Pickerington, Westerville (various parts) and various townships like Blendon",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water & Sewer Contract Communities",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Sewage-Drainage/Wastewater-Treatment/Water-Sewer-Contract-Communities",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C32",
   "claim": "Westerville runs its own public water system, drawing on Alum Creek, under a separate Ohio EPA system number from Columbus.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "Westerville City Alum Creek",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Ohio Public Water Supply Lakes",
     "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/habs/PWSLakes.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Water & Sewer Contract Communities",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Sewage-Drainage/Wastewater-Treatment/Water-Sewer-Contract-Communities",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C33",
   "claim": "Del-Co Water Company, a separate utility serving parts of Delaware County and beyond, takes its water from the Olentangy River, O'Shaughnessy Reservoir and Alum Creek Reservoir.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "The Del-Co Water Company's primary sources of water are the Olentangy River",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Del-Co Water Company",
     "title": "Del-Co's Water Sources",
     "url": "https://delcowater.org/del-cos-water-sources/",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Quality Assurance Project Plan for Alum Creek Lake Monitoring 2019",
     "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/Study%20Plan/Alum-Creek-2019-QAPP.pdf",
     "published": "2019-05-28"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C35",
   "claim": "The department reported an estimated service population of about 1.4 million in 2024, across Columbus and its contracting communities.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "delivered to over 1.4 million consumers in Columbus and to 24 contracting entities",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "News Release: Department of Public Utilities Transforming into Columbus Water & Power",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/utilities/documents/news-releases/cwp-press-release.pdf",
     "published": "2025-05-14"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
     "published": "2025-01-06"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C37",
   "claim": "The Columbus Department of Public Utilities became Columbus Water & Power on May 14, 2025.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "The Department of Public Utilities is now Columbus Water & Power.",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "News Release: Department of Public Utilities Transforming into Columbus Water & Power",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/utilities/documents/news-releases/cwp-press-release.pdf",
     "published": "2025-05-14"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Underground",
     "title": "City Department Unveils New Name, Logo",
     "url": "https://columbusunderground.com/city-department-unveils-new-name-logo-bw1/",
     "published": "2025-05-14"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C38",
   "claim": "Columbus still softens its water at the plants, adding soda ash or caustic soda and hydrated lime to take out calcium and magnesium.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "caustic soda and hydrated lime are added to remove calcium and magnesium ions",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Treatment Plant Operator magazine",
     "title": "Doing It Right, by Jim Force",
     "url": "https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2014/06/doing_it_right1_wso",
     "published": "2014-06-09"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C39",
   "claim": "Chlorine is Columbus's primary and secondary disinfectant, and ultraviolet light is used as an extra barrier at the Dublin Road and Hap Cremean plants.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "chlorine is used as the primary and secondary disinfectant to kill disease-causing organisms",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Treatment Plant Operator magazine",
     "title": "Doing It Right, by Jim Force",
     "url": "https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2014/06/doing_it_right1_wso",
     "published": "2014-06-09"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C40",
   "claim": "The groundwater plant on Parsons Avenue skips several steps the river plants need, including screening, ozone and ultraviolet disinfection.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Parsons Avenue Water Plant (PAWP) draws water from wells and serves residents",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C41",
   "claim": "Fluoride is added to Columbus drinking water as required by the State of Ohio, and the city says it has been added since the early 1970s.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Fluoride is added to Columbus' drinking water as required by the State of Ohio",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Fluoride",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Water/Water-Facts/Water-Health/Fluoride",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C42",
   "claim": "Ohio law requires a public water system to keep fluoride between eight-tenths and one and three-tenths milligrams per liter where the natural level is lower.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "not less than eight-tenths milligrams per liter of water nor more than one",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)",
     "title": "Section 6109.20 - Maintaining fluoride content of public water supply",
     "url": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-6109.20",
     "published": "1978-12-14"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C44",
   "claim": "Columbus Water & Power says most homes in the Columbus area do not have lead service lines and that lead leaving its plants is below the level of detection.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Most homes in the Columbus area do not have lead service lines",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C45",
   "claim": "The city established a Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2024 aimed at removing all public and private lead and galvanized service lines within Columbus by 2040.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "removing all public and private lead and galvanized service lines within the city",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C46",
   "claim": "The city adds zinc orthophosphate and adjusts pH so the water is less corrosive to household plumbing.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "add zinc orthophosphate, a food grade additive, to the treated water",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
     "published": "2026"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C48",
   "claim": "Because two of the three Columbus sources are open water, the raw water temperature swings across the year: the US Geological Survey's gauge in Hoover Reservoir recorded monthly mean water temperatures from about 1.7 degrees Celsius in January 2026 to about 28.3 degrees Celsius in July 2025.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "Hoover Reservoir at Central College OH",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "US Geological Survey",
     "title": "National Water Information System, monthly statistics, Hoover Reservoir at Central College OH (site 03228400)",
     "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-03228400/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C49",
   "claim": "A severe drought in 1988 drew down the city's reservoirs far enough that Columbus imposed water use restrictions on its customers.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "1988 Severe drought depletes city's reservoirs, water use restrictions imposed on customers",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "City of Columbus",
     "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C50",
   "claim": "Columbus is building a fourth water plant, the Home Road Water Plant, on the Scioto River in Delaware County, drawing from O'Shaughnessy Reservoir.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "The Home Road Water Plant is being built along the Scioto River",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus (cbuswater.com project site)",
     "title": "Columbus Fourth Water Plant - FAQs",
     "url": "https://cbuswater.com/faqs/",
     "published": "undated"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
     "published": "2025-01-06"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C51",
   "claim": "The new plant is designed to add 48 million gallons a day to the Columbus system.",
   "status": "verified",
   "quote": "the new plant will add 48 million gallons per day",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    },
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
     "published": "2025-01-06"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C53",
   "claim": "Ohio EPA's assessment says that without more capacity the Columbus service area faces a treated-water deficit by 2050.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "there will be a 35 MGD deficit of treated water by 2050",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
     "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
     "published": "2025-01-06"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C54",
   "claim": "The city's project site says construction of the plant facility is scheduled to start in late 2026.",
   "status": "conflict",
   "quote": "Construction of the water plant facility is scheduled to start in late 2026",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus (cbuswater.com project site)",
     "title": "Columbus Fourth Water Plant - FAQs",
     "url": "https://cbuswater.com/faqs/",
     "published": "undated"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "C55",
   "claim": "The city's 2024 annual report says the Hap Cremean Water Plant serves the largest area, including northern and northeastern Franklin County and The Ohio State University.",
   "status": "single",
   "quote": "serves the largest area, including northern and northeastern Franklin County",
   "sources": [
    {
     "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
     "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
     "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
     "published": "2025"
    }
   ]
  }
 ],
 "conflicts": [
  {
   "claim_id": "C8",
   "a": "Hoover Reservoir built 1955",
   "a_source": "S4 (City of Columbus reservoir brochure), corroborated by S14 (Columbus Metropolitan Library)",
   "b": "1953 Hoover Reservoir built on Big Walnut Creek",
   "b_source": "S5 (City of Columbus historical timeline)",
   "printed": "print A because two publishers give 1955 as completion and dedication, and note that construction began earlier; the library record adds that the dam officially opened in 1958"
  },
  {
   "claim_id": "C18",
   "a": "Parsons Avenue Water Plant went into service in 1984",
   "a_source": "S3 (2024 annual report), corroborated by S5 (timeline: construction begins 1979, in service 1984)",
   "b": "In 1979 in southern Franklin County ... the Parsons Avenue Water Plant",
   "b_source": "S2 (Water Treatment History page)",
   "printed": "print A because two city documents describe 1979 as the start of construction and 1984 as the start of service; the history page compresses the two"
  },
  {
   "claim_id": "C30",
   "a": "well over 30 communities",
   "a_source": "S6 (contract communities page)",
   "b": "24 contracting entities (annual report) and 26 central Ohio communities (press release)",
   "b_source": "S3 and S8",
   "printed": "print neither count as a fact; say the city serves dozens of surrounding communities under contract and name the page where the reader can check an address, because the department's own three counts disagree and mix water with sewer"
  },
  {
   "claim_id": "C54",
   "a": "construction starting late 2026, completion early 2033",
   "a_source": "S22 (cbuswater.com project FAQ, 2026)",
   "b": "goal of bringing the new facility online by the end of 2030",
   "b_source": "S11 (Ohio EPA environmental assessment, December 2024)",
   "printed": "print A with the city named, because the project site is the newer document, and note the earlier target so a reader who finds the 2030 figure elsewhere is not confused"
  },
  {
   "claim_id": "C19",
   "a": "rated capacity 80, 125 and 50 MGD",
   "a_source": "S3 (2024 annual report) and S2 (history page)",
   "b": "production of 49, 68.5 and 22.5 mgd",
   "b_source": "S16 (Treatment Plant Operator, 2014)",
   "printed": "print A because the 2014 figures are output at that time, not rated capacity; never mix the two sets"
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "id": "S1",
   "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
   "title": "2025 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/5/services/public-utilities/water-reports/consumer-confidence-water-quality-report/consumer-confidence-report.pdf",
   "published": "2026"
  },
  {
   "id": "S2",
   "publisher": "City of Columbus",
   "title": "Water Treatment History",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/Our-History/Water-Treatment-History",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S3",
   "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
   "title": "Public Utilities Annual Report 2024",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/utilities/documents/department-publications/public-utilities-annual-report-2024.pdf",
   "published": "2025"
  },
  {
   "id": "S4",
   "publisher": "Columbus Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus",
   "title": "Facts on Columbus Water Reservoirs",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/utilities/documents/water-publications/facts-on-columbus-water-reservoirs-brochure.pdf",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S5",
   "publisher": "City of Columbus",
   "title": "Columbus Water Supply Historical Timeline",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-historical-timeline.pdf",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S6",
   "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus",
   "title": "Water & Sewer Contract Communities",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Sewage-Drainage/Wastewater-Treatment/Water-Sewer-Contract-Communities",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S7",
   "publisher": "Del-Co Water Company",
   "title": "Del-Co's Water Sources",
   "url": "https://delcowater.org/del-cos-water-sources/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S8",
   "publisher": "City of Columbus",
   "title": "News Release: Department of Public Utilities Transforming into Columbus Water & Power",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/utilities/documents/news-releases/cwp-press-release.pdf",
   "published": "2025-05-14"
  },
  {
   "id": "S9",
   "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
   "title": "Ohio Public Water Supply Lakes",
   "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/habs/PWSLakes.pdf",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S10",
   "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
   "title": "Quality Assurance Project Plan for Alum Creek Lake Monitoring 2019",
   "url": "https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/Study%20Plan/Alum-Creek-2019-QAPP.pdf",
   "published": "2019-05-28"
  },
  {
   "id": "S11",
   "publisher": "Ohio Environmental Protection Agency",
   "title": "Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment, City of Columbus Fourth Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation & Electrical Substation",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/migrated/water-cip-pdfs/4th-water-plant/fourthwp-site-prep-ea-fnsi-010625.pdf",
   "published": "2025-01-06"
  },
  {
   "id": "S12",
   "publisher": "Columbus Metropolitan Library",
   "title": "Griggs Dam (Mosbacher Collection, Columbus Memory)",
   "url": "https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/79659/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S13",
   "publisher": "Delaware County Historical Society",
   "title": "Landmarks of Delaware County: O'Shaughnessy Dam",
   "url": "https://www.delawareohiohistory.org/history/landmarks-of-delaware-county-oshaughnessy-dam/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S14",
   "publisher": "Columbus Metropolitan Library",
   "title": "Aerial view of Hoover Dam and Reservoir (Columbus Memory)",
   "url": "https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/memory/id/75797/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S15",
   "publisher": "Ohio History Connection (Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly)",
   "title": "Notes on the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Columbus, 1890-1945, by Herbert M. Platter, M.D., vol. 57, pp. 393-397",
   "url": "https://resources.ohiohistory.org/ohj/search/display.php?page=144&ipp=20&searchterm=Array&vol=57&pages=393-397",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S16",
   "publisher": "Treatment Plant Operator magazine",
   "title": "Doing It Right, by Jim Force",
   "url": "https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2014/06/doing_it_right1_wso",
   "published": "2014-06-09"
  },
  {
   "id": "S17",
   "publisher": "Encyclopaedia Britannica, eleventh edition (1911)",
   "title": "Columbus (Ohio)",
   "url": "https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Columbus_(Ohio)",
   "published": "1911"
  },
  {
   "id": "S18",
   "publisher": "American Water Works Association",
   "title": "American/Canadian/Mexican Water Landmarks Award",
   "url": "https://www.awwa.org/award/water-landmarks-award/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S19",
   "publisher": "City of Columbus",
   "title": "Fluoride",
   "url": "https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Utilities/About-Public-Utilities/The-Division-of-Water/Water-Facts/Water-Health/Fluoride",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S20",
   "publisher": "Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)",
   "title": "Section 6109.20 - Maintaining fluoride content of public water supply",
   "url": "https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-6109.20",
   "published": "1978-12-14"
  },
  {
   "id": "S21",
   "publisher": "US Geological Survey",
   "title": "National Water Information System, monthly statistics, Hoover Reservoir at Central College OH (site 03228400)",
   "url": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-03228400/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S22",
   "publisher": "Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus (cbuswater.com project site)",
   "title": "Columbus Fourth Water Plant - FAQs",
   "url": "https://cbuswater.com/faqs/",
   "published": "undated"
  },
  {
   "id": "S23",
   "publisher": "Columbus Underground",
   "title": "City Department Unveils New Name, Logo",
   "url": "https://columbusunderground.com/city-department-unveils-new-name-logo-bw1/",
   "published": "2025-05-14"
  }
 ]
}