Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission Research Articles

Remote sensing-enabled machine learning for river water quality modeling under multidimensional uncertainty

Two fundamental problems have inhibited progress in the simulation of river water quality under climate (and other) uncertainty: 1) insufficient data, and 2) the inability of existing models to account for the complexity of factors (e.g., hydro-climatic, basin characteristics, land use features) affecting river water quality. To address these concerns this study presents a technique for augmenting limited ground-based observations of water quality variables with remote-sensed surface reflectance data by leveraging a machine learning model capable of accommodating the multidimensionality of water quality influences. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) can serve as a surrogate for chemical and biological pollutants of concern in surface water bodies. Historically, TSS data collection in the United States has been limited to the location of water treatment plants where state or federal agencies conduct regularly-scheduled water sampling. Mathematical models relating riverine TSS concentration to the explanatory factors have therefore been limited and the relationships between climate extremes and water contamination events have not been effectively diagnosed. This paper presents a method to identify these issues by utilizing a Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) model trained on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite reflectance data, which is calibrated to TSS data collected by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). The methodology developed enables a thorough empirical analysis and data-driven algorithms able to account for spatial variability within the watershed and provide effective water quality prediction under uncertainty.

First Records of Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus) in Ohio, USA

Two new Ohio localities for the Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus Jordan and Gilbert, 1886) were recently discovered. These are the first, and currently only, Freckled Madtom collected in Ohio waters. A single individual was collected in the Scioto River in Scioto County by the Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) and a previously misidentified specimen was collected in the Ohio River at the Hannibal Locks and Dam by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). The closest historical records are from the Little Sandy River and Big Sandy River drainages in eastern Kentucky. Other Ohio River collections have been made near the border of Kentucky and Indiana. The origins of the recent Ohio specimens are unknown; whether they emanate from other known populations or have been overlooked altogether is unclear.

Long-term fish assemblages of the Ohio River: Altered trophic and life history strategies with hydrologic alterations and land use modifications.

Long-term monitoring of species assemblages provides a unique opportunity to test hypotheses regarding environmentally induced directional trajectories of freshwater species assemblages. We used 57 years of lockchamber fish rotenone and boat electrofishing survey data (1957–2014) collected by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) to test for directional trajectories in taxonomy, trophic classifications, and life history strategies of freshwater fish assemblages in the Ohio River Basin. We found significant changes in taxonomic and trophic composition of freshwater fishes in the Ohio River Basin. Annual species richness varied from 31 to 90 species and generally increased with year. Temporal trajectories were present for taxonomic and trophic assemblages. Assemblage structure based on taxonomy was correlated with land use change (decrease in agriculture and increase in forest). Taxonomic assemblage structure was also correlated with altered hydrology variables of increased minimum discharge, decreased fall rate, and increased rise rate. Trophic composition of fish catch correlated with land use change (decrease in agriculture and increase in forest) and altered hydrology. Altered hydrology of increased minimum discharge, increased fall discharge, decreased base flows, and increased number of high pulse events was correlated with increased counts of herbivore-detritivores and decreased counts of piscivores and planktivores. We did not find directional changes in life history composition. We hypothesized a shift occurred from benthic to phytoplankton production throughout the basin that may have decreased secondary production of benthic invertebrates. This may also be responsible for lower trophic position of invertivore and piscivore fishes observed in other studies.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is an interstate compact water pollution control commission created jointly in 1948 by eight states (Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) with the approval of the U.S. Congress (Figure 1). The mission of ORSANCO, as provided in the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact, is to regulate activities in the rivers, streams, and waters of the Compact district (i.e., the Ohio River Basin as it exists within the eight signatory states) to mitigate existing and future surface water pollution. The Ohio River is an important natural resource in many regards. Along its 981-mi (1579-km) length, it provides habitat for more than 120 species of fish and facilitates the transport of 200+ million tons of goods per year. In addition, more than 5 million people rely on the Ohio River as their drinking water supply. Figure 1 Location of the Ohio River Basin in the Midwestern United States. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) Compact District includes a majority of the basin and has eight member states (area of the blue shading). The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, in consonance with its mission and the broad powers granted to it under the Compact, operates programs to improve surface water quality in the Ohio River and its tributaries, such as the …

Sampling effort needed to estimate condition and species richness in the Ohio river, USA

The level of sampling effort required to characterize fish assemblage condition in a river for the purposes of bioassessment may be estimated via different approaches. However, the goal with any approach is to determine the minimum level of effort necessary to reach some specific level of confidence in the assessment. In the Ohio River, condition is estimated and reported primarily at the level of pools defined by lock and dam structures. The goal of this study was to determine the minimum level of sampling effort required to adequately characterize pools in the Ohio River for the purpose of bioassessment. We followed two approaches to estimating required sampling effort using fish assemblage data from a long-term intensive survey across a number of Ohio River pools. First, we estimated the number of samples beyond which variation in the multimetric Ohio River Fish Index (ORFIn) leveled off. Then, we determined the number of samples necessary to collect approximately 90% of the fish species observed across all samples collected within the pool. For both approaches, approximately 15 samples were adequate to reduce variation in IBI scores to acceptable levels and to capture 90% of observed species in a pool. The results of this evaluation provide a basis not only for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) but also states and other basin commissions to develop sampling designs for bioassessment that ensure adequate sampling of all assessment units.

Building capacity of the Baltic States to meet the EU Water Framework Directive through watershed demonstration projects

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), in cooperation with the United States EPA, is completing it role in assisting the Baltic Countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia with watershed management capacity building demonstration projects under the Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership Program. The Countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania view the skills gained through this program as important to their objective of complying with the European Union's Water Framework Directive and thus facilitating accession into the European Union. The program also addressed Kaliningrad's desire to work cooperatively with their neighboring countries concerning shared waters. Three watershed demonstration projects were designed and implemented, two of which involved joint country efforts: Parnu River (Estonia) modeling for nutrients and bacteria survey; river basin assessment and management planning for the Lielupe Basin (Latvia and Lithuania); and data base development and cooperative water quality survey and analysis for the Sesupe River (Lithuania and Kaliningrad). The benefits of the projects include enhancing the country's technical skills and the forging of relationships, without which achieving effective watershed management will be difficult to achieve.

UTILIZATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN AN OHIO RIVER SPILLS DETECTION SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The Organics Detection System (ODS) is a spill detection network cooperatively operated by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), 11 water utilities, and 3 industries at strategic locations along the Ohio, Allegheny, Monongahela, and Kanawha rivers. The ODS uses purge and trap gas chromatography to analyze for 20 volatile organic compounds (US EPA, 1986). Since its inception in 1977, the network has undergone several advancements in its ability to monitor, analyze, and detect volatile organic compounds in the Ohio River. The present instrumentation used in the network was purchased from 1986 through 1990. The network's capabilities have progressed to the monitoring of raw intake water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and processing raw data with computers. The most noticeable advance has been in the use of computers to manipulate chromatograms, generate final reports, and transfer information. Additionally, computers and modems have enhanced communication between ORSANCO and ODS locations by accelerating the dissemination of information to downstream water users, allowing the observation of chromatograms and general troubleshooting. New technology under consideration includes the ability to remotely control a gas Chromatograph, incorporate automated check samples, and control alarm settings and the notification of such alarms. The ideal system would run independently until one of two conditions occurred—a compound exceeded the alarm threshold, or there was an instrument malfunction.

What's a river worth, anyway? A resource valuation survey of the Ohio river

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is a government agency established in 1948 to control and abate pollution of the interstate waters of the Ohio River Valley. ORSANCO, represented by eight states of the Ohio Valley and the federal government, carries out water quality monitoring and assessment programmes, co-ordinates spill response activities, promulgates pollution control standards for the Ohio River, and co-ordinates the individual programmes of state and federal agencies. ORSANCO recognizes that public and political support are as important to effective river basin management as technical knowledge and activities. Because such support is so closely related to economic interests, ORSANCO and the National Park Service commissioned a survey project in May 1993 to compile readily available data to estimate the “value” of the Ohio River from several key standpoints. This information is intended to draw attention to the national significance of the Ohio River in its economic, cultural and natural resource dimensions, and to illustrate the magnitude of positive economic impacts to be realized by achieving water quality improvements. This project brought together for the first time information that will serve to enhance public and political awareness of the Ohio River Valley, and thus enhance support for aggressive environmental management.

Sustainable management of the Ohio River (USA) by an interjurisdictionally represented commission

In 1948 the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was established to abate pollution of a major river basin in the United States. The commission consists of representatives of eight states in the Ohio River Valley and the United States Government. The necessity of such an interstate commission, representing multiple jurisdictions, reflects the nature of the Ohio River which is approximately 1,580 km in length, transverses six states, and is extensively used for public and industrial water supply, wastewater disposal, transportation, power generation and recreation. ORSANCO's programmes include coordination and communication, setting and enforcing wastewater discharge standards, operating key water quality monitoring programmes for the Ohio River and major tributaries, data assessments and studies to evaluate problems and programmes for remediation, and monitoring when spills occur. The Commission's approach to achieving improved water quality, while at the same time balancing the needs of the users of the river, is accomplished by successfully involving and integrating the various interests in river management (governmental agencies, industry, public utilities, other river users and the general public) into its programme planning and implementation. Thus an intergovernmental agency which encourages co-operation with non-governmental entities can be an effective approach to sustainable management of a major river.

What's a river worth, anyway? A resource valuation survey of the Ohio River

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is a government agency established in 1948 to control and abate pollution of the interstate waters of the Ohio River Valley. ORSANCO, represented by eight states of the Ohio Valley and the federal government, carries out water quality monitoring and assessment programmes, co-ordinates spill response activities, promulgates pollution control standards for the Ohio River, and co-ordinates the individual programmes of state and federal agencies. ORSANCO recognizes that public and political support are as important to effective river basin management as technical knowledge and activities. Because such support is so closely related to economic interests, ORSANCO and the National Park Service commissioned a survey project in May 1993 to compile readily available data to estimate the “value” of the Ohio River from several key standpoints. This information is intended to draw attention to the national significance of the Ohio River in its economic, cultural and natural resource dimensions, and to illustrate the magnitude of positive economic impacts to be realized by achieving water quality improvements. This project brought together for the first time information that will serve to enhance public and political awareness of the Ohio River Valley, and thus enhance support for aggressive environmental management.

Sustainable management of the Ohio River (USA) by an interjurisdictionally represented commission

In 1948 the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was established to abate pollution of a major river basin in the United States. The commission consists of representatives of eight states in the Ohio River Valley and the United States Government. The necessity of such an interstate commission, representing multiple jurisdictions, reflects the nature of the Ohio River which is approximately 1,580 km in length, transverses six states, and is extensively used for public and industrial water supply, wastewater disposal, transportation, power generation and recreation. ORSANCO's programmes include coordination and communication, setting and enforcing wastewater discharge standards, operating key water quality monitoring programmes for the Ohio River and major tributaries, data assessments and studies to evaluate problems and programmes for remediation, and monitoring when spills occur. The Commission's approach to achieving improved water quality, while at the same time balancing the needs of the users of the river, is accomplished by successfully involving and integrating the various interests in river management (governmental agencies, industry, public utilities, other river users and the general public) into its programme planning and implementation. Thus an intergovernmental agency which encourages co-operation with non-governmental entities can be an effective approach to sustainable management of a major river.

A STRATEGY FOR MONITORING THE IMPACTS OF COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS ON THE OHIO RIVER

With the attainment of secondary treatment by virtually all municipal discharges in the United States, control of water pollution from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has assumed a high priority. Accordingly, a national strategy was issued in 1989 which, in 1993, was expanded into a national policy on CSO control. The national policy establishes as an objective the attainment of receiving water quality standards, rather than a design storm/treatment technology based approach. A significant percentage of the CSOs in the U.S. are located along the Ohio River. The states along the Ohio have decided to coordinate their CSO control efforts through the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). With the Commission assigned the responsibility of developing a monitoring approach which would allow the definition of CSO impacts on the Ohio, research by the Commission found that very little information existed on the monitoring and assessment of large rivers for the determination of CSO impacts. It was therefore necessary to develop a strategy for coordinated efforts by the states, the CSO dischargers, and ORSANCO to identify and apply appropriate monitoring approaches. A workshop was held in June 1993 to receive input from a variety of experts. Taking into account this input, a strategy has been developed which sets forth certain approaches and concepts to be considered in assessing CSO impacts. In addition, the strategy calls for frequent sharing of findings in order that the data collection efforts by the several agencies can be mutually supportive and lead to technically sound answers regarding CSO impacts and control needs.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission's Toxic Substances Control Program for the Ohio River

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is an interstate agency created in 1948 to administer a state compact which calls for the abatement of water pollution in the Ohio Valley. Since 1975, ORSANCO has conducted routine monitoring programs to detect the presence of toxic chemicals in the Ohio River and in fish taken from the river. Such information is particularly important as the Ohio River, a major river in the United States, serves as a water supply to over three million people and is used extensively for recreational purposes. The monitoring results have shown several problems: contamination of fish tissue by PCBs and chlordane, concentrations of certain metals which exceed chronic aquatic life criteria in 10 to 25 percent of the samples analyzed, and levels of certain volatile organic compounds which exceeded criteria established to prevent one additional cancer per one million population in almost half the samples analyzed. In 1986, the Commission initiated a Toxic Substances Control Program which was designed to identify sources of the toxics problems and prescribe corrective actions. Because of the multitude of potential sources of toxics along the Ohio, the river was divided into seven segments for intensive study. To date, studies have been initiated on four segments. In addition, special topic studies have been conducted on the river as a whole to address the suitability of the river as a source of drinking water, trends in parameter levels, and the relationship between surface and ground water quality. Findings to date:Point source discharges to the river do not cause widespread toxics problems.Nonpoint sources, including urban runoff and contaminated ground water, are significant sources of toxics to the river.Levels of certain toxics in tributaries are also an important source.Under “normal ” situations (i.e., excluding spills), the Ohio River provides a suitable source water for public supply after appropriate treatment.Levels of many metals and volatile organic compounds have decreased over the past 10 years.

Acid Mine Drainage Workshop

The Department of Geology of Ohio University will host an Acid Mine Drainage Workshop August 2–6, 1971, at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The workshop is being organized and presented in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Ohio Reclamation Association, the Coal Industry Advisory Committee to ORSANCO, and the Department of Natural Resources, State of Ohio.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS IN UNDERGROUND WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

The number of deepwells for wastewater disposal is increasing throughout the country. Recognizing the need for better knowledge of this practice, and of its physical and public policy consequences, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation COMMISSION (ORSANCO) has issued a monograph, “Perspective on the Regulation of Underground Injection of Wastewaters.” The following article is composed of three excerpts from it: the letter of submission covering the report, written by Robert K. Horton, Executive Director and Chief Engineer of ORSANCO; the first section of the two‐section report, written by Edward J. Cleary, consultant to, and former executive director of, ORSANCO; and the synopsis of findings for the second section, the full text of which was written by Don L. Warner, formerly with the Ohio River Basin Office of the Federal Water Quality Administration, now Associate Professor of Geological Engineering at the University of Missouri. Complete copies of the report are available from ORSANCO, 414 Walnut St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

DETERGENTS AND WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT.

SA OAP and are essential for the maintenance of the high standards of cleanliness and sanitation which are common in the United States. In everyday conversation, the phrase and has come to mean more than what it says literally. Today, it would ordinarily include detergents which in the past two decades have taken over many of the cleaning jobs previously done by soap. Detergents do things not possible with ordinary soap and the benefits of their use in our environment are great. On the other hand, the hue and cry about detergents in waste waters and water supplies, motivated, very likely, by the misconception that all foams observed in rivers are caused by synthetic detergent residues and by a general concern about pollution, misses the real total pollution target. Some have even gone so far as to demand a ban on detergents. While technical people who have studied the matter recognize that the fears which have caused the hue and cry are unrealistic, the increasing intensity of interest signals the need for constructive action. What should be done? The detergent industry is being commended for its conversion to products which will disappear more readily in waste treatment operations and in surface waters. However, to appraise this complex matter it is important (1) to define the problems that have existed and to evaluate any disadvantages that have resulted from the use of household and industrial synthetic detergents for washing and cleaning purposes and (2) to determine the best solutions for any real problems. In addition, there is a need to communicate the technical facts to those who express unwarranted concern. The hue and cry about detergents, which exaggerates their part in total pollution, encourages unnecessary and inefficient splintering of more basic programs for water pollution control. Action should be based on sound knowledge already acquired and on the way. What do we know about spent detergent products which have finished their cleaning job and have gone down the drain? What is the nature and magnitude of present or future problems? This discussion attempts (1) to differentiate between real and imaginary problems, (2) to supply data bearing on the problems which do exist, and (3) to indicate what can be expected from the detergent industry's changeover. In doing so it draws heavily from Components of Household Synthetic Detergents in Water and Sewage, a comprehensive ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission)

Robot Monitor System for the Ohio Valley

This article deals with continuous monitoring as a diagnostic technique to promote better understanding of the effect of pollution on water quality. The Ohio Valley serves as an example of the complexities of water quality management. Quality conditions in this river system reflect the activities of millions of people and thousands of industries, as well as the influence of storage dams, navigation structures, and a host of natural variations. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) began a manually operated river quality monitoring program in 1951, which grew into the ORSANCO robot monitoring system as described in this article. A program for electronic processing of data obtained from the robot monitoring system is also described.