Kroger in Worthington Closed Due to Sewage Backup | Columbus Health Alert
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – The Kroger store in Worthington, Ohio, temporarily closed its doors this morning due to a sewage backup and water accumulation stemming from a...
- The closure was first reported early Wednesday, prompting a response from both Kroger and local health officials.
- The Columbus Public Health Department confirmed its involvement, stating they would inspect the store once the leak was repaired to ensure it was safe for customers, and employees.
Kroger in Worthington Briefly Closed Due to Sewage Backup and Water Leak
– The Kroger store in Worthington, Ohio, temporarily closed its doors this morning due to a sewage backup and water accumulation stemming from a leak, according to the Columbus Public Health Department.
The closure was first reported early Wednesday, prompting a response from both Kroger and local health officials. A Kroger spokesperson stated, “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.”
The Columbus Public Health Department confirmed its involvement, stating they would inspect the store once the leak was repaired to ensure it was safe for customers, and employees. As of on Wednesday, the department indicated they were awaiting confirmation that the leak had been fixed before beginning the inspection process.
Update: Representatives at the scene have since confirmed that the Kroger store has reopened for regular business as of Wednesday.
The incident highlights the complexities of maintaining sanitary conditions in commercial spaces and the importance of swift responses to potential health hazards. The Worthington location is situated within the Worthington Square Mall, and the temporary closure likely impacted shoppers in the surrounding area.
The City of Worthington’s Sewer Utilities Division maintains the sanitary sewer system, which carries wastewater to the Columbus Sewerage Treatment plant. According to the city’s website, crews regularly inspect and maintain sewer lines to prevent blockages, but occasional backups can occur. Residents are advised not to flush non-biodegradable items, grease, or food materials down the drain to minimize the risk of sewer line problems.
To report a sewer backup in Worthington, residents can visit http://www.worthington.org/RequestTracker.aspx or call the Service and Engineering Building at . For emergencies after hours, the number to call is .
The city emphasizes that sewer laterals, including the connection to the main line, are the responsibility of the property owner. Any installation or repair work requires a permit from the City of Worthington and must be performed by a licensed sewer installer from the City of Columbus.
The city also operates a separate storm sewer system designed to carry rainwater away from roadways. The City of Worthington collaborates with the Ohio EPA on programs to minimize pollution and the impact of stormwater runoff on Ohio’s waterways.
While the cause of the leak and sewage backup at the Kroger store remains under investigation, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical infrastructure that supports daily life and the importance of proactive maintenance and rapid response to ensure public health and safety.