Bob Driehaus reports from Cincinnati for the New York Times that: "Six states bordering the Ohio River are joining the Environmental Protection Agency in the largest study of its kind to identify and reduce dangerous levels of bacteria that plague the waterway. Unsafe levels of fecal coliform, or E. coli, have been identified in about 500 miles of the 981-mile river, which stretches from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi River at Cairo, Ill.
The E. coli, or fecal coliform is a bacteria that provides indications for researchers that human and or animal sewage contaminants have entered the waterway and often indicates the presence of other possible disease causing bacteria or viruses that exist in the fecal material. The fecal material can enter the water by one of several methods; by the direct release from birds or mammals, from farm runoffs and or as a result of precipitation from heavy storms, and or from possible overflows caused by home owner's septic systems. Diseases caused by the water propagated bacteria and viruses can comprise outbreaks of dysentery, infections of the ear, stomach flu or bacterial gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, viral and hepatitis A and generally affects humans more often than aquatic life.
Mr. Driehaus reports that: "The pathogens can sicken swimmers and others who come in close contact with the water. The river also provides about five million people with drinking water, including residents of Cincinnati, Louisville, Ky., and the suburbs of Pittsburgh, though typical bacteria levels do not pose a threat to safely treating the water."
The E.P.A. "analysis, which officials plan to finish next year, will identify how much bacteria sewage treatment plants, factories and farms, among others, can discharge into the river without exceeding safety standards," Mr. Driehaus reports. The states that are facing possible pathogenic pollution risks, are "Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia ..., as well as the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, which has collected weekly water samples during the recreational season, May through October, since 1992," according to the Times. Mr. Driehaus continues his reporting by explaining that: "According to the E.P.A., carrying out the recommendations of a similar study led to the restoration of healthy oxygen levels in the Middle Cuyahoga River in northeastern Ohio through the removal of one dam and modification of another. After another study, oyster harvesting was revived in Lynnhaven Bay in Virginia after bacteria pollution caused by boaters, sewer systems, farms and pet waste was reduced. But cleaning up the Ohio poses a much bigger challenge because its watershed spans seven states and covers 204,000 square miles."
Mr. Driehaus reports that it is common knowledge that: "In 49 cities and towns, combined sewer and storm water systems release untreated sewage directly into the river during heavy rains. Upgrading those systems will cost billions of dollars, officials said, and federal regulations require sewage treatment plant operators to assemble long-term improvement plans, which will be taken into consideration in the new study."
Mr. Driehaus adds: "Runoff of manure used as fertilizer and waste from animal farms, referred to as nonpoint-source pollution, are also major bacteria contributors. The E.P.A. and the states have little authority to force farmers to change their practices, and the study cannot mandate changes to farms." E.P.A. coordinator for West Virginia, David Montali remarked that: "Everybody recognizes the need to reduce the bacteria levels," adding his inability to guarantee if the proposed report will “be a driving force to make things happen.”
The Times includes the opinion of "Kevin Kratt, a project manager with Tetratech, a private firm that was hired as a consultant, (who) said he hoped the study’s wealth of new information on pollution sources would enable the E.P.A. and the states to better focus money on projects that yield the biggest improvements in water quality." Mr. Kratt added: “The publicity generated may drive some nonpoint-source improvements as well.”
Also adding her opinion, as reported by Mr. Driehaus was: "Jennifer Clark, an environmental protection specialist in Illinois, (who) said the study’s intention was “to get people on board and aware that it needs to be dealt with.” Ms. Clark concluded by stating her belief that: “A lot of people want to choose a smaller watershed because it would be easier,... but we need to hit this on the head and find out our biggest problems and where we can make a difference.” With rising population levels in the six state region added to the increasing possibility for greater fecal coliform contamination, the E.P.A. study should yield valuable information that can help local, state and federal officials make decisions that will effect millions of people. The question remains, however, how such a massive cleanup will be funded?
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