Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program

The Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program was initiated in 1995 to generate information relevant to reducing levels of significant pollutants found in the Ohio River Basin.  Objectives to accomplish this goal include determination of the extent and severity of waterborne pollutants, identification of sources, quantification of pollutant reductions necessary to achieve full beneficial uses, and development of strategies to achieve reductions on an interstate basis.  The program was designed to be pollutant-specific – the current set of pollutants includes bacteria, dioxin, PCBs, chlordane, atrazine, phosphorus, and nitrogen.  These pollutants have been identified to cause significant impairment to the beneficial uses of the Ohio River.

Major Accomplishments
The Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program has made great strides in advancing our understanding of the presence of contaminants causing use impairments in the Ohio River and its tributaries.  Innovative techniques to detect and analyze these contaminants have also been developed through the program’s initiatives. Some of the major accomplishments achieved since the program’s inception in 1995 include: 

·   Completed background pollutant reports for dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, atrazine, copper, lead, nitrogen and phosphorus;

·   Developed and implemented standardized sampling protocol for using an innovative sampling technique (high-volume water sampling for measuring ultra low levels of dioxins and PCBs in ambient water);

·   Developed dioxin TMDL for 80-mile portion of the Ohio River (2000);

·   Developed PCB TMDL for 277-mile stretch of the Ohio River (2002);

·   Implemented innovative approach to monitoring bacteria levels in remote areas utilizing a mobile water quality laboratory

·   Conducted basin-wide fish tissue survey for dioxin;

·   Completed ambient air monitoring survey for dioxin and PCBs to estimate atmospheric deposition;

·   Conducted river-wide bottom sediment surveys for dioxin, PCBs, and chlordane;

·   Quantified water column dioxin and PCB concentrations in the Ohio River and its major tributaries;

·   Conducted intensive river-wide monitoring surveys to quantify bacteria levels in the Ohio River and its tributaries; and

·   Quantified dioxin and PCB levels present in effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Monitoring Data

Program monitoring efforts have focused on characterizing the extent and severity of dioxin, PCBs, and chlordane contamination, as well as assessing E. coli levels in the Ohio River and its tributaries.  Extensive multi-media sampling has been conducted to quantify levels of these contaminants in water, fish, ambient air, and bottom sediments.

Sampling Methods

A variety of sampling methods have been employed through the Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program to quantify levels of contaminants in the Ohio River and its tributaries.  Additional details regarding the various methods of sample collection can be found here.

Pollutant Reports
Eight pollutants were initially selected for inclusion in the program.  Reports were completed for each individual pollutant to characterize what is known about these contaminants and there presence in the Ohio River Basin.  Pollutant reports were completed for dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, atrazine, copper, lead, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Follow the link for general TMDL information and more information on the Ohio River TMDLs completed as part of the Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program

Questions?

For more information about ORSANCO's Ohio River Watershed Pollutant Reduction Program, contact: Sam Dinkins  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it