Indiana's Ohio River Tributaries: Polluted Or Pristine?

The Ohio River is a vital source of drinking water for millions of Americans and is also used for recreation and fishing. The river flows through or along the border of six states, including Indiana, and its drainage basin includes parts of 14 states. The river has a long history of industrialization and human settlement, and as a result, it has become one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. This paragraph will discuss the pollution of the Ohio River and its tributaries in Indiana and the efforts to improve water quality.

Industrial and human waste

The Ohio River is located at the boundary of the Midwestern and Southern United States. It is the primary source of drinking water for five million people. Despite decades-long cleanup efforts, the river remains one of the most polluted in the country. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), an interstate commission established to control water pollution in the basin, has expressed concern over the river's pollution levels.

In Indiana, the management of industrial and human waste is governed by various laws and regulations. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) plays a crucial role in overseeing waste management in the state. IDEM's solid waste program, for instance, has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as meeting the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements. This program includes the management of solid waste, hazardous waste, and toxic waste.

Indiana has also adopted and incorporated many federal environmental regulations into its state rules. The state's environmental laws can be found in Title 13 of the Indiana Code. For instance, Rules in Title 327 and Title 329 of the Indiana Administrative Code govern IDEM's solid and hazardous waste programs, respectively. These codes set forth requirements for the regulated community and outline specific regulations for different types of waste management activities and facilities.

Additionally, Indiana has adopted most of the federal hazardous waste management standards, with exceptions and additions noted in the state's hazardous waste management rules. The state also has guidelines for open dumping, which is prohibited under Indiana law. Open dumping refers to the act of disregarding environmental safeguards, and violators are required to clean up and properly dispose of dumped waste.

The state also encourages waste reduction and recycling practices. Residents are advised to reuse and recycle materials, and IDEM provides guidance on proper waste disposal through its Recycle Indiana portal. Indiana's hazardous waste management rules also emphasize the importance of proper waste identification and treatment to prevent environmental and health risks associated with improper waste management.

Water quality standards

The WQS consist of three core components: designated uses of a water body, criteria to protect designated uses, and antidegradation requirements to protect existing uses and high-quality waters. Designated uses include the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, as well as agricultural, industrial, and navigational purposes. Water quality criteria can be numeric (e.g. maximum pollutant concentration levels) or narrative (e.g. a description of the desired conditions of a water body).

States, territories, and authorized tribes are responsible for developing and revising water quality standards relevant to their local situations. These standards are then reviewed and approved by the EPA under the Clean Water Act (CWA). One of the principal objectives of the CWA is to "maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters."

In the case of the Ohio River, which serves as a border between several states, including Indiana, water quality standards are set by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). ORSANCO is an interstate commission established in 1948 to control water pollution in the basin. However, in 2024, ORSANCO made the controversial decision to make its water quality standards voluntary, which could potentially put the river at risk of increased pollution. Despite cleanup efforts, the Ohio River remains one of the most polluted rivers in the country, with 23 million pounds of toxic chemicals released into it in 2013.

Environmental impact

The Ohio River is a vital source of drinking water for millions of Americans and is also used for recreation and fishing. It is also an important habitat for diverse wildlife. The river is located at the boundary of the Midwestern and Southern United States, flowing in a southwesterly direction from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to its mouth on the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois. It is the largest tributary by volume of the Mississippi River.

The river has a long history of industrialization, agriculture, and human settlement. It became a primary transportation route for pioneers during the westward expansion of the early US and has served as a dumping ground for local cities and industries for generations. The river is highly industrialized and populated, with major cities such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Louisville, Kentucky, Evansville, Indiana, and Cincinnati, Ohio located along its banks.

The Ohio River has been listed as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers due to contamination from incidents such as train derailments and is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the country. The river faces significant challenges related to pollution, including industrial discharge, sewage, stormwater runoff, and agricultural runoff. In 2013, 23 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the river, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), established in 1948, has set standards for pollutants discharged into the river. However, there are concerns about the voluntary nature of these standards, which could potentially put the river at risk. States like Indiana rely on ORSANCO to set standards, but with the relaxation of federal environmental protections, there are worries about weaker enforcement and the impact on water quality.

The environmental impact of the pollution in the Ohio River and its tributaries is significant. The river is a source of drinking water for millions, and the presence of toxic chemicals and "forever" chemicals poses risks to human health. Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff contributes to excessive algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water (eutrophication) and can release harmful toxins. Microplastics, heavy metals, and litter from urban runoff are also present in the river, posing risks to aquatic life and potentially entering the food chain. The cumulative impact of different chemical discharges on human health, terrestrial animals, and aquatic ecosystems is a concern, and the potential long-term effects of emerging contaminants are still unknown.

Regulation and enforcement

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was founded in 1948 by states throughout the watershed and was one of the first collaborations to establish multi-state environmental standards in the country. ORSANCO set pollution standards for contaminants and later added limits to pollutants such as mercury and nitrates. However, in recent years, there has been a proposal to dissolve these requirements, which led to public outcry. As a result, ORSANCO instead opted to make the standards voluntary, which has caused concern among environmental groups who argue that this will open the door for more pollution.

The Clean Water Act also plays a role in regulating pollution in the Ohio River and its tributaries. Under the Act, state agencies issue permits to companies to discharge pollutants into the river. These agencies are supposed to determine pollution permit limits using science-based water quality standards and criteria. However, there is often a lack of understanding of the cumulative impact of different chemical discharges on human health and the environment.

In addition to federal regulations, Indiana has also implemented specific regulations for the Ohio River, particularly regarding fishing. These regulations are the result of a cooperative effort between Indiana and five other Ohio River states and apply only to the main stem of the river, excluding the tributaries or embayments. An agreement between Indiana and Kentucky allows anglers with a license from either state to fish the Ohio River bank to bank.

To address the issue of pollution in the Ohio River and its tributaries, environmental groups such as the Ohio River Foundation (ORF) are working to monitor enforcement of existing regulations and promote the adoption of new science-based water quality standards. ORF also aims to bring attention to "chemicals of concern" that are being allowed into drinking water sources. Other organizations like the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) are advocating for a Clean Ohio River and ensuring that polluters follow the law and pay to clean up their messes.

Clean-up efforts

The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. It has been designated as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2023 due to contamination from a train derailment and its status as one of the nation's most polluted watersheds. The river is highly industrialized and populated, with barge traffic transporting oil, steel, and other industrial goods.

Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to clean up the river and improve water quality. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), established in 1948, is one of the first multi-state collaborations to set environmental standards for the river. ORSANCO has worked to control water pollution in the basin and set standards for pollutants discharged into the river. However, recent moves to make ORSANCO's water quality standards voluntary have raised concerns about increased pollution and the potential impact on the five million people who rely on the river for drinking water.

To address these concerns, organizations like the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) are advocating for maintaining and enforcing pollution control standards. ELPC is working to ensure that both new and old polluters follow the law and take responsibility for cleaning up their messes. They are also pushing for the enforcement of the ban on industrial mercury "mixing zones," which has been delayed by the Commission.

Other clean-up efforts include monitoring state and federal enforcement of regulations and laws against polluters, as well as promoting the adoption of new science-based water quality standards. There is a focus on addressing persistent ""chemicals of concern"" that are ending up in drinking water sources, such as microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. Additionally, there are efforts to reduce stormwater runoff through the use of permeable surfaces, grey water systems, and rain barrels or cisterns for stormwater collection.

While progress has been made in some areas, there is still a long way to go in cleaning up the Ohio River and its tributaries. With the river facing significant pollution challenges from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and urban pollution, continued efforts and enforcement of regulations are crucial to protect the health of the river and the people and ecosystems that depend on it.

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