#United States #Ontario #IEUA #Ontario City #PFAS Awareness

Ontario Takes a Stand Against IEUA's Misleading Accusations

In a bold move, the City of Ontario has publicly rejected the recent accusations made by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), branding them as misleading and inflammatory. The statement comes in light of a public letter issued by IEUA on May 9, 2025, which Ontario officials allege misrepresents the city's environmental efforts and responsibilities regarding water safety.

Ontario's Mayor, Paul Leon, has been vocal about the importance of maintaining public health and safety through reliable water and wastewater services. He stated, "The public deserves transparency and accountability from all agencies. Unfortunately, IEUA's latest communication does not reflect either."

In response to specific claims made by IEUA, the City of Ontario has released a detailed counter-statement aimed at addressing what they call false accusations:

1. PFAS Concerns

IEUA alleged that Ontario is allowing PFAS contaminants to enter the regional collection system, requiring costly treatment efforts. Ontario has firmly denied these claims, stating that they consistently meet state and federal water safety standards. They pointed out that IEUA has never made a formal request for specific testing sites and has merely used the PFAS issue as a distraction from their own transparency failures. Mayor Leon urged IEUA to openly share data regarding PFAS levels in their own water supply instead.

2. Local Business Compliance

The second accusation presented by IEUA claimed that a local company was releasing hazardous materials into the regional wastewater system. Ontario refuted this, explaining how they took decisive actions to ensure the company's compliance with environmental regulations. The City believes this demonstrates effective governance rather than negligence, challenging IEUA’s portrayal of the situation.

3. Access Restrictions for Monitoring

IEUA asserted that Ontario has restricted access for the agency to monitor potential illegal discharges. Ontario's response clarified that only a single Significant Industrial User (SIU) permit is managed by them and that they had proposed deferring SIU transfers until a regional contract dispute is resolved. The insistence of IEUA on monitoring was seen as disingenuous and non-collaborative.

4. Illegal Discharges

IEUA also claimed that Ontario was illegally discharging, putting residents' health and the Sports Complex Project at risk. Ontario rebuffed this statement, reiterating that their use of the Eastern Trunk Sewer is based on a long-standing agreement with IEUA. They described IEUA’s reclassification of this partnership as unauthorized as a distortion of reality.

5. Delays on Infrastructure Projects

Lastly, IEUA accused Ontario of delaying critical infrastructure projects connected to public health. The City countered by stating that all submitted plans from IEUA for their project have been addressed. They emphasized the need for IEUA to comply with city requirements, noting that it is the agency's own modifications and delays that are impeding progress.

Ontario believes that IEUA's strategies have increasingly exhibited a tendency toward unilateral decision-making and public misrepresentation. Mayor Leon highlighted the necessity for a re-evaluation of the region's governance of shared resources, emphasizing that both parties must come together to maintain mutual support and respect.

A Call for Collaboration

Ontario remains committed to engaging in dialogue and collaboration with IEUA. They have expressed openness to a productive meeting aimed at addressing the alleged misinformation and fear tactics currently proliferating in public discourse. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding public utilities governance and the critical importance of transparency in maintaining public trust.

In conclusion, Ontario is urging IEUA to move past misinformation and embrace a future characterized by mutual respect, solutions, and factual transparency. For more information and updates about Ontario's response, residents can visit ontarioca.gov/OMUC/Utilities.