Pollution of the Ohio River from urban areas is a significant problem. Previous ORSANCO studies have pinpointed elevated levels of bacteria from such sources as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to be the pollution source most in need of attention. Accordingly, ORSANCO makes its expertise available to government agencies seeking to better understand the local impacts of CSOs and the development of effective bacteria reduction strategies. ORSANCO has conducted wet weather studies in the areas of Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Wheeling, West Virginia.

Cincinnati
In 1995, ORSANCO initiated a multi-year wet weather study in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. The study was supported by the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) of Greater Cincinnati; Sanitation District No.1 of Northern Kentucky; and the Cincinnati Water Works. Due to the study's significance as a demonstration project for urban wet weather problems on large rivers, support was also provided by U.S. EPA.

The study involves intensive sampling of the river under both dry and wet weather conditions. Results of this sampling will be used to develop a model of the study area that can be used to evaluate alternative controls of wet weather pollution sources.

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Louisville
The Louisville Wet Weather Study was conducted in cooperation with U.S. EPA; Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District; Louisville Water Company; the City of Louisville, Kentucky; and the cities of Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany, Indiana. This study began in 1997 and was designed to utilize approaches developed during the Cincinnati study.

Dry weather sampling for this study was completed in 1999. A wet weather study was completed in 2000.Other activities, including a dye study, also were carried out in order to facilitate further development of a model for the study area.

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Wheeling Use Attainability Analysis Demonstration Project
A demonstration project for the Wheeling area of the Ohio River was completed in 2006 which developed a framework for conducting a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)  for recreational use where the river is impacted by combined sewer overflows. A UAA is a scientific assessment of the factors affecting the attainment of uses. Elements of the project included developing and applying watershed and river models as a framework to evaluate water quality conditions.

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