The Ohio River and the tributaries, streams and lakes connected to it provide drinking water for more than 30 million people. But serious problems threaten the water鈥檚 quality 鈥� from sewage contamination to microplastics.
To address those issues, researchers from the National Wildlife Federation, the Ohio River Basin Alliance and the University of Louisville released earlier this month.
It calls for more federal investment in restoration programs and increased coordination across the federal, state and tribal governments.
鈥淗ealth-threatening pollution to people, to fish and wildlife 鈥� it鈥檚 just not acceptable,鈥� said Jordan Lubetkin, senior director of Ohio River restoration at the National Wildlife Federation. 鈥淲e firmly believe every investment in environmental improvement and water quality is probably one of the best investments you can take in the federal government.鈥�
Key challenges facing the Ohio River
Water quality in the Ohio River Basin has significantly improved since the 1970s and 鈥�80s.
鈥淎t that point, we still had many people that did not have access to indoor plumbing or clean, safe and affordable water,鈥� Lubetkin said. 鈥淔lash forward to now in 2025, we have made great strides, and those clean water protections and federal investments have really helped protect and better our water quality.鈥�
However, of about 200,000 miles of streams in the Ohio River Basin assessed by state agencies, nearly 70% still fail to meet state water quality standards.
Lubetkin said the most pressing issues include:
- Toxic pollution
- Sewage contamination
- Farm and urban runoff
- Habitat loss
- Invasive species
- Extreme weather and flooding
鈥淭hese threats and several more are not just a threat to fish and wildlife,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut also to people, to our public health, to our recreational opportunities and ultimately our economy.鈥�
Healthy water not only supports healthy ecosystems, it also on water treatment plants to ensure all people have access to clean water that鈥檚 both safe and affordable.
Recommendations
Lubetkin said addressing these threats to the Ohio River Basin is crucial, but state and local governments can鈥檛 do it alone.
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to see a more robust investment from the federal government,鈥� he said.
The plan also calls for increased research and monitoring to guide restoration efforts.
鈥淎nd we would like to see workforce development and job training so that local workers, local contractors and local businesses can benefit from these kinds of restoration investments,鈥� Lubetkin said.
The recommendations come at a time when the federal government is looking to , but Lubetkin said there鈥檚 no plan B.
鈥淔ailure is not an option,鈥� he said.
He pointed to the success of federal investment in other ecosystems, like the Great Lakes.
鈥淔or every $1 you invest in restoring and protecting the waters, $3 of economic return are produced in things like tourism, recreation, a new recreational tax base and home values,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o I think environmental restoration and economic development can go hand in hand.鈥�
The public on the draft plan until July 18. Feedback will be considered and potentially incorporated into the final report.
