Worthington Kroger Closed Over Water Leak and Sewage Backup

The Columbus Public Health Department is working with the store to inspect and reopen as soon as possible.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Kroger grocery store in Worthington, Ohio was closed on Wednesday morning due to a water leak and sewage backup, according to the Columbus Public Health Department. Kroger said they temporarily closed the store overnight out of an abundance of caution and are working with the health department to address the situation and reopen as soon as possible.

Why it matters

Grocery store closures due to health and safety issues can significantly impact a community's access to food, especially in areas with fewer retail options. The Columbus Public Health Department's involvement ensures proper inspection and remediation before the store can reopen to protect public health.

The details

The Columbus Public Health Department reported that the Worthington Kroger store was closed due to a "sewage backup and accumulation from a water leak." Kroger said they closed the store overnight and are working with the health department to address the issue and reopen as soon as possible.

  • The Worthington Kroger store was closed on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Columbus Public Health Department

The local public health agency responsible for inspecting and approving the reopening of the Worthington Kroger store after the water leak and sewage backup incident.

Kroger

The grocery store chain that owns and operates the Worthington, Ohio location that was temporarily closed due to the water leak and sewage backup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In collaboration with the Health Department, we temporarily closed our store overnight out of an abundance of caution. Our facility and store teams are working diligently to address the situation, and we hope to reopen as soon as possible.”

— Kroger Spokesperson (ABC 6)

What’s next

The Columbus Public Health Department says they will inspect the Worthington Kroger store once the leak is fixed in order to approve the store's reopening.

The takeaway

Grocery store closures due to health and safety issues can significantly impact a community's access to food, which is why close collaboration between the store and local public health authorities is crucial to ensure proper remediation and a timely reopening.