Water Quality
Definition
The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water that determine whether it’s safe for drinking, recreation, and supporting aquatic life. Water quality parameters include bacteria levels, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, and pollutant concentrations. The EPA sets water quality standards that states and localities must meet to protect public health and ecosystems.
Louisville Context
The Ohio River provides Louisville’s drinking water supply. Louisville Water Company treats river water to meet all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. However, the Ohio River receives pollution from upstream cities and CSO discharges from Louisville. Beargrass Creek and other local waterways frequently exceed bacteria standards for recreation due to CSO overflows and stormwater runoff, making them unsafe for swimming or fishing after rain.
Why It Matters
Water quality affects drinking water safety, recreation opportunities, property values, and ecosystem health. Poor water quality disproportionately impacts low-income communities near polluted waterways and those who can’t afford bottled water or water filters. Protecting water quality requires preventing pollution at the source rather than expensive treatment after contamination.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will accelerate CSO elimination to improve creek and river water quality, making Louisville waterways swimmable and fishable. His Office of Green Infrastructure will prioritize projects that filter stormwater before it reaches creeks. He’ll expand Louisville Water Company’s lead service line replacement program, prioritizing low-income neighborhoods and homes with children, funded within the $1.025 billion budget.