“We have asked for assistance from the federal EPA’s criminal investigation division,” Griesmer said.

It’s unclear when the town’s lead problem started, but a water advisory alert for pregnant women and children was posted December 3 on the Ohio EPA website.

Sebring has made tremendous progress since then, according to Griesmer of the state EPA.

New water sampling results show that only three of 28 homes affected remain above the federal-mandated level for lead, the Ohio EPA said.

In addition, 15 water samples taken at three local schools show that all but one have lead levels that meet federal standards.

But the Ohio EPA said it will not lift its drinking water advisory for pregnant women and children until two rounds of successful sampling in consecutive six-month periods.

‘It is still unacceptable’

The numbers may be improving, but more work is needed, state officials said.

The Ohio EPA said it suspects lead may be seeping into water from distribution lines and old homes with lead pipes, according to CNN affiliate WFMJ-TV in Youngstown.

“While the water system has a clean water source and supply, it is still unacceptable that a few individual homes are experiencing corrosion that is causing high levels of lead,” said Craig W. Butler, the Ohio EPA director.

The state agency said it has ordered Sebring to continue water testing and provide health screenings and bottled water or filtration systems to homes with unsafe lead levels.

It said it is providing $25,000 to the town for filtration systems.

Water crisis in Michigan

As Sebring works to restore safe water, Flint is facing a similar battle — but on a much larger scale.

Flint, which has a population of about 100,000, has been dealing with contaminated water since it switched its water source nearly two years ago.

Michigan decided to save money by switching Flint’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, a tributary known to locals for its filth.

The corrosive water did not get adequate treatment, a class-action lawsuit alleges, and caused lead to seep into the city’s water supply.