Brian Barton
Ohio's waterways are being polluted by a variety of sources, including industrial facilities, municipal sewers, and agricultural runoff. The Ohio River, in particular, has been identified as one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, with hundreds of companies discharging pollutants into it and its tributaries. In addition, the river's basin, which covers more than 200,000 miles and includes parts of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, is facing issues such as nutrient runoff, invasive species, and the legacy of industrialization. Furthermore, the recent boom in natural gas production using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is increasing groundwater contamination, and there are concerns about the impact of toxins on aquatic life and the food chain. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, has helped to regulate what gets dumped into waterways, but there are still concerns about loopholes and a lack of enforcement. Environmental groups and researchers are advocating for stronger regulations and protections to restore Ohio's waterways and protect public health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River | Ohio River |
| Pollution sources | Industrial facilities, power plants, local cities, and industries |
| Pollutants | Toxic chemicals, mercury, microplastics, heavy metals, personal-care products, medicine, stormwater, sewage |
| Affected areas | Muskingum River watershed, Middle Ohio River-Laughery Creek watershed, Lower Ohio-Little Pigeon watershed, Ohio River Valley |
| Initiatives | Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), Clean Water Act, Environment Ohio Research and Policy Center, Ohio River Foundation (ORF) |
| Solutions | Rain gardens, bioswales, convex parking lots, permeable pavers, roof gardens, updated pollution control standards, reduced stormwater runoff |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial facilities dumped millions of pounds of toxic chemicals
The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. It provides drinking water for approximately 5 million Americans and serves as a source of recreation and fisheries for millions more. The river's banks are highly populated and industrialized, and it has been used as a dumping ground by local cities and industries for generations.
Industrial facilities play a significant role in the pollution of Ohio's waterways. In 2012, these facilities dumped over 7.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the state's waterways, according to the Environment Ohio Research and Policy Center's report, "Wasting Our Waterways." This report is based on data submitted by polluting facilities to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory. The Muskingum River watershed region, for example, received approximately 4.4 million pounds of toxic chemicals, making it the fourth most polluted watershed in the nation.
The toxic chemicals dumped in Ohio's waterways include formaldehyde, phthalates, arsenic, mercury, and benzene. These chemicals have severe health impacts, including cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive problems. AK Steel Corporation was identified as the biggest polluter in Ohio, discharging 5.5 million pounds of toxic pollution.
The Clean Water Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1972, has imposed stricter rules on what can be dumped into waterways. However, the implementation of these rules has faced opposition from polluting industries, including the fracking industry in Ohio. Despite the Act, industrial facilities continue to dump millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into Ohio's waterways each year, threatening both the environment and human health.
To address this issue, Environment Ohio has made several recommendations. These include reducing toxic discharges by switching to safer alternatives, finalizing guidelines to ensure the Clean Water Act applies to all waterways, and implementing tough permitting and enforcement measures with credible penalties for violations.
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Pollution from fracking
The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. It provides drinking water for approximately 5 million Americans and is used for recreation and fisheries by millions more. The river's banks are highly populated and industrialized, and it has been used as a dumping ground by local cities and industries for generations.
One significant source of pollution in the Ohio River is fracking. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rocks and release oil and gas. In recent years, there has been a boom in natural gas production using fracking, which has led to increased groundwater contamination. In 2014, a fracking site in Ohio experienced a fire that resulted in thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals spilling into a tributary of the Ohio River, killing over 70,000 fish.
Fracking waste contains dangerous pollutants, including arsenic, lead, formaldehyde, and mercury, which have been linked to various negative health effects such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and neurological and immune system problems. The large volume of water used in fracking, often sourced from local waterways, is also a concern. This water is typically contaminated with chemicals and brine and cannot be returned to the water cycle for other uses.
The regulatory environment in Ohio has been criticized for prioritizing corporate interests over public safety. Loopholes in the Safe Drinking Water Act exempt companies from disclosing the contents of their fracking fluids, and Ohio's participation in the Underground Injection Control Program (UIC) further weakens oversight by exempting the state from federal wastewater regulations. This has made Ohio a dumping ground for fracking waste from other states, with companies taking advantage of the ease of accessing injection well permits.
The environmental impact of fracking extends beyond water pollution. The clearing of land for well pads, roads, and pipelines threatens aquatic ecosystems, increases sedimentation in waterways, and reduces shade. The infrastructure built for fracking has directly damaged at least 679,000 acres of land since 2005, transforming forests and rural landscapes into industrial zones.
While some argue that fracking chemicals are heavily diluted in the Ohio River, making the water safe to drink, environmentalists remain skeptical. They argue that the lack of transparency about the chemicals used in fracking makes it difficult to assess the true risks to human health and the environment.
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Antiquated sewer systems
The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, according to the U.S. EPA. Its banks are highly populated and industrialized, and it has been a dumping ground for local cities and industries for generations. The river faces ongoing hazards from nutrient runoff to invasive species, and the threat multiplier of climate change.
One of the key issues contributing to the pollution of the Ohio River is antiquated sewer systems. When many older cities were first built, planners installed sewer systems designed to handle raw sewage and convey it to treatment plants. In some cases, these "combined sewers" were also designed to transport stormwater runoff from streets and drainpipes. However, as cities and towns grew in population, the amount of impervious surface (such as roofs, parking lots, and sidewalks) increased. As a result, rainwater combines with sewage in the pipes, causing direct overflow into basements, rivers, and creeks. This problem is particularly acute in areas with antiquated sewer systems that lack the capacity to handle the increased volume of water and sewage.
The Ohio River Basin, which includes the states of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, is facing significant challenges due to antiquated sewer systems. Poverty and lack of government support contribute to inadequate wastewater infrastructure in the region. Nina McCoy, a commissioner for the Martin County Water and Sanitation Districts in eastern Kentucky, notes that her community lacks the resources to maintain or upgrade its sewer system. The county's drinking water has been affected by a coal impoundment rupture in 2000 that spilled 306 million gallons of toxic slurry into area waterways, and subsequent algal blooms caused by farm runoff and inadequate sewer systems.
In 2015, a new sewer system was built to extend service to those not reached by a decaying system from the 1980s. However, the high cost of connecting to the new system has been a barrier for many residents. This situation is not unique to Martin County, and many underserved and under-resourced communities across the Ohio River Basin face similar challenges in accessing affordable and adequate wastewater infrastructure.
Upgrading antiquated sewer systems is a critical step in improving water quality in the Ohio River and its tributaries. However, it is important to note that progress in this area is often slow and expensive. Communities must also focus on reducing stormwater runoff through the use of permeable surfaces, greywater systems, rain barrels, and other innovative solutions. By combining infrastructure upgrades with stormwater management strategies, it may be possible to reduce the pollution levels in the Ohio River and improve the health and well-being of the communities that rely on it.
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Acid mine drainage
The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, with a history of industrial fallout and rampant settlement. One of the major issues contributing to the pollution of the Ohio River is acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD occurs when water leaches out of abandoned coal mines, resulting in drainage with high levels of acidity and dissolved minerals and metals, some of which are toxic. This drainage then mixes with the surrounding water, causing an increase in acidity and the concentration of toxic metals, impairing the water and preventing aquatic life from thriving.
There are two primary methods for mitigating acid mine drainage: source reduction or elimination, and treatment of the AMD itself. Source reduction or elimination involves preventing oxidation by replacing the air within the mine with groundwater. Treatment of AMD involves chemical, biological, or physical approaches to remove the negative impact on the watershed. Chemical treatments neutralize the acid through the addition of an alkali, while biological treatments use constructed wetlands for natural attenuation of biological nutrient additions. Physical treatments involve re-routing streams to avoid problematic geological formations.
While systems to treat AMD have been created and implemented, there are still areas where the water remains highly acidic. The Ohio Water Resources Center is working to better understand the fate of AMD and why it persists in certain areas despite treatment efforts. In the meantime, creative initiatives like True Pigments are turning the iron oxide from AMD into oil paints, finding innovative ways to address the issue of acid mine drainage in Ohio.
The issue of AMD is further exacerbated by the cumulative impact of different chemical discharges on human health and the environment. The potential long-term effects of "forever" chemicals in drinking water are not well understood, and there is a growing concern about the impact of toxic algae blooms fed by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. As such, there is an increasing need for stronger regulation and enforcement of existing laws to protect and improve water quality in Ohio.
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Invasive species
The Ohio River is one of the nation's most polluted watersheds, and invasive species are one of several ongoing hazards that threaten its rich biodiversity. The river provides drinking water for 5 million people and is home to over 150 species of fish.
One of the most notable aquatic invasive species in the Ohio River is the zebra mussel, which was transported from Europe in the ballast of ships. It has disrupted food webs and contributed to the extinction of native mussels. Other aquatic invasive species include four species of Asian carp (bighead, silver, black, and grass carp), which are of great concern due to their potential impact on the ecosystem as plankton feeders. Grass carp, in particular, pose an immediate threat to Lake Erie and its surrounding wetlands.
Invasive plants, such as flowering rush, multiflora rose, and bush honeysuckle, are also prevalent in Ohio's waterways. These plants crowd out native vegetation, deplete fish habitats, and negatively impact bird populations by reducing the availability of nutritious food sources.
Efforts to control and remove invasive species in Ohio are led by organizations like the Ohio River Foundation (ORF) and the Ohio River Valley Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. These groups work with local communities and government agencies to address the threats posed by invasive species to the state's natural areas and waterways.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ohio River is one of the most polluted rivers in the US.
The Ohio River has been used as a dumping ground for local cities and industries for generations.
Industrial facilities are discharging toxic chemicals, including nitrates, heavy metals, and "forever" chemicals.
The pollution has led to toxic algae blooms, contaminated drinking water, and harm to fish and other aquatic life.
Efforts are being made to uphold and strengthen pollution control standards, such as the Clean Water Act, and to promote the adoption of new science-based water quality standards.
