Celebrating our source

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has declared September 26 through October 2 the first-ever Source Water Protection Week.

“The best way to assure we have high quality drinking water at the tap is to protect our precious water sources,” says the AWWA. “If we keep our rivers, lakes and underground wells free from pollution, it’s easier and less expensive to keep water safe and healthy.”

Where does Louisville Water’s drinking water come from?

Louisville Water operates two water treatment plants with two sources. The majority of customers’ drinking water comes from the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant, which treats water that is pumped directly from the Ohio River to the plant. The B.E. Payne Water Treatment Plant treats groundwater collected from the surrounding aquifer through a process called riverbank filtration.
That groundwater is pumped from an underground tunnel to the plant for treatment.

Protecting our source

Louisville Water maintains a Source Water Assessment and Protection Plan (SWAPP) that outlines the steps to address potential sources of contamination along the Ohio River, such as spills of hazardous materials.

Louisville Water draws raw (or untreated) water directly from the Ohio River and through the natural aquifer next to the Ohio River using Riverbank Filtration technology. The company also has a Source Water Protection Plan that is designed to protect the groundwater resources of a public water system from contamination.