Sabina Faces Critical Water System Deficit

Aging infrastructure and chronic leaks push village's water system to its limit, raising concerns with EPA

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Sabina, Ohio is facing a dire situation with its municipal water system, according to Water Supervisor Ben Smith. Aging pipes, chronic leaks, and maximum production capacity have left the system struggling to maintain adequate water reserves, with the village tower sitting at only 13 feet instead of the normal 28-33 feet. The EPA has become involved due to the fragility of the system, prohibiting standard maintenance like hydrant flushing. Smith warned the council that temporary fixes will not solve the long-term production deficit, and the village may need to seek alternative water sources within the next three years.

Why it matters

Sabina's water crisis highlights the challenges many small municipalities face in maintaining aging water infrastructure. With the EPA closely monitoring the situation, the village must find a long-term solution to ensure reliable and safe water service for residents. The potential need to truck in water or connect to a regional pipeline raises concerns about costs and sustainability for the community.

The details

Sabina Water Supervisor Ben Smith described the water system as being in a 'dire' situation, with aging pipes, chronic leaks, and maximum production capacity leaving the system struggling to maintain adequate water reserves. The village's water tower is sitting at only 13 feet, far below the normal operating levels of 28-33 feet, essentially using the tower as a pass-through pipe rather than a storage buffer. The system is producing its maximum of 290 gallons per minute with no backup capacity, and the EPA has prohibited standard maintenance like hydrant flushing due to the fragility of the system.

  • On February 12, 2026, Ben Smith warned the Sabina Village Council of the critical water system deficit.
  • Between December 1, 2025 and the recent hard freeze, the Sabina water system only completed a full pressure cycle twice in two months, an event that should occur daily.

The players

Ben Smith

Sabina Water Supervisor who joined the village in early December 2025 and characterized the utility's status as a 'paramount issue'.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that has become closely involved in monitoring the fragile Sabina water system, prohibiting standard maintenance activities.

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What they’re saying

“We are in desperate measures. It's a situation that even has the EPA worried.”

— Ben Smith, Sabina Water Supervisor (wnewsj.com)

“I have full heartfelt belief that in three years we're either going to be getting water from a new plant, getting it from a pipeline from Wilmington, or it's going to be trucked in on semis. That's where we're at.”

— Ben Smith, Sabina Water Supervisor (wnewsj.com)

What’s next

The Sabina Village Council will need to explore long-term solutions to address the critical water system deficit, including potentially building a new water plant, connecting to a regional pipeline, or trucking in water from outside sources.

The takeaway

Sabina's water crisis underscores the broader challenges facing aging water infrastructure in small municipalities across the country. With the EPA closely monitoring the fragile system, the village must act quickly to find a sustainable long-term solution to ensure reliable and safe water service for its residents.