Protecting Source Water

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) promotes Source Water Protection Week (September 29 to October 5) as a time to raise awareness about “the importance of caring for our beautiful drinking water sources.”

“If we keep our rivers, lakes, and underground wells free from pollution, it’s easier and less expensive to keep water safe and healthy,” says the AWWA.

Louisville Water is committed to protecting the abundant source of our drinking water: the Ohio River. The company is a member of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), an organization focused on improving water quality throughout the river basin and ensuring the water can be used for drinking and recreational activities. ORSANCO operates monitoring programs to check for pollutants.

The Louisville Water Foundation often supports source water protection projects. For example, earlier this year, the Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest to develop a new education and research site on Guerilla Creek.

“The site of the Guerilla Creek outdoor classroom will not only restore habitat for a diverse number of animal and plant species, but it will also serve as a dynamic nature‐based education tool and a one‐of‐a‐kind visitor experience,”  said Kelsey Eilers Lynn, Bernheim grants manager.

Visitors will learn about protecting surface and groundwater and about the role we all can play in being good stewards of our water resources.

The Foundation also provided a $10,000 grant this year to the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center to build a dock on Beargrass Creek that will facilitate instruction in water conservation, erosion, pollution, and the water cycle.

“This engaging and immersive program will help our participants understand the importance of clean water, thriving watersheds, and healthy waterways,” said Passionist CEO Kyle Kramer.