FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2025
CINCINNATI, OH — In recognition of Source Water Protection Week (Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 2025), the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD), and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) are highlighting the power of collaboration in safeguarding the Ohio River as a source of drinking water for millions of people and a national treasure that sustains billions of dollars in commerce, provides ample recreational activities, and supports a diverse and thriving aquatic ecosystem throughout the region.
ORSANCO’s monitoring network and source water protection planning focus on the stretches of the Ohio River nearest to drinking water intakes. Earlier this month, ORSANCO welcomed staff from the Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) aboard one of its sampling boats, providing a firsthand look at the monitoring resources and capabilities that support collaboration with utilities in protecting the community’s water supply.
“Safeguarding source water requires comprehensive, data-driven science, coordination across jurisdictions, and shared responsibility,” said Sam Dinkins, Executive Director of ORSANCO. “Our monitoring program tracks key water-quality parameters throughout the Ohio River Basin, giving utilities like NKWD and GCWW the actionable data needed to ensure a reliable source of drinking water.”
For NKWD, that responsibility begins upstream. Lindsey Rechtin, NKWD President/CEO, explained: “Protecting water quality starts long before it reaches the tap. At NKWD, our priority is ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable drinking supply for every customer, and that begins with the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Partners like ORSANCO play a critical role in protecting our water sources and ensuring they remain dependable for generations to come.”
That same sense of partnership drives GCWW’s daily operations. Andrea Yang, Interim Executive Director of GCWW, emphasized: “At GCWW, our mission is rooted in trust — delivering safe, high-quality drinking water every day. By aligning ORSANCO’s river monitoring with our operational expertise, we can better anticipate challenges, strengthen resilience, and give our customers confidence that their water supply will remain safe and reliable well into the future.”
Dinkins added that these local collaborations mirror a larger movement to elevate the Ohio River at the national level. “The Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus and recent legislation, including the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act, underscore the importance of investing in science, monitoring, and source water protection across the Basin.”
The three organizations encourage residents, businesses, and policymakers to join them in recognizing the importance of source water protection—not only during Source Water Protection Week, but every day.
For more information about Source Water Protection Week and national efforts to protect drinking water sources, visit the American Water Works Association (AWWA) at www.awwa.org. AWWA emphasizes that the best way to ensure we have high-quality drinking water at the tap is to protect our rivers, lakes, and underground wells from pollution. When these sources remain clean, it becomes easier and less expensive to keep water safe and healthy.
About ORSANCO The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), established by compact in 1948 to control and abate pollution in the Ohio River Valley, is an interstate commission representing eight states and the federal government. Member states are: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Commission operates programs to improve water quality in the Ohio River and its tributaries, including setting wastewater discharge standards, performing biological assessments, monitoring for chemical and physical properties of the waterways, and conducting special surveys and studies. It also coordinates emergency response activities for spills or accidental discharges to the river and promotes public participation in programs such as the Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup and the RiverWatchers volunteer citizen science monitoring program. For more information, visit: orsanco.org.
About Northern Kentucky Water District The Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) serves nearly 300,000 people in Campbell, Kenton and portions of Boone, Grant and Pendleton Counties. With a service area of nearly 300 square miles and approximately 1,330 miles of water main, NKWD is the largest water district in Kentucky and the Commonwealth’s third largest water provider. NKWD operates three water treatment plants with a combined treatment capacity of 64 million gallons of water per day. NKWD’s system includes 13 pump stations and 19 water storage tanks. Learn more at nkywater.org.
About Greater Cincinnati Water Works Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) delivers high-quality drinking water to nearly 1.1 million people in the Greater Cincinnati region, advancing innovation, public health, and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit: cincinnati-oh.gov/water.
Media Contacts
ORSANCO: Sam Dinkins, Executive Director, Mobile: 513-509-2972, Email: sdinkins@orsanco.org
NKWD: Sara Sgantas, MPA, Communications & Public Outreach Manager, Office: (859) 426-2723, Cell: (859) 801-0824, Email: ssgantas@nkywater.org
GCWW: Kevin Osborne, Division Manager, Mobile: 513-516-1966, Email: kevin.osborne@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov
###
Annette Shumard
Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)
Communication and Outreach Director
Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE)
Executive Director and Board President
C: 513-833-1376
O: 513-231-7719 ext. 115
E: ashumard@orsanco.org
ORSANCO Website: orsanco.org
FORE Website: riverlearning.org
