Water Quality Assessment

The Commission assesses its water quality monitoring data through a number of ongoing programs which are listed here

Biennial Assessment of Ohio River Water Quality Conditions
ORSANCO completes an assessment and report of Ohio River water quality conditions every two years, otherwise known as the "305b Report."  Water quality data are compared to water quality criteria (or goals) over a two-year period to determine if the Ohio River meets its intended uses (suitable to support aquatic life, contact recreation, public water supply and fish consumption).  Generally, waters that do not meet these uses are required to have a total maimum daily load (TMDL).  ORSANCO completes the report on behalf of the mainstem states every two years.

Click here for the most recent report 305b Report

Trends
In addition to reporting the current status of water quality, from time to time ORSANCO completed trend assessments of its historical water quality data. The most recent trends assessment was completed on water quality data for the Commission’s Bimonthly and Clean Metals Sampling Programs from 1990 to 2002 for the Clean Metals and to 207 for the Bimonthly Sampling parameters

Click here for the most recent Trends report