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Show further development of the Mahoning River for navigation, flood control, and other purposes. Low-flow discharge from Delaware Reservoir on the Olentangy River above Columbus assures an adequate water supply for the city of Delaware. After a study of a combined flood control and water supply reservoir on a tributary of the Scioto River at Columbus, it was decided that the reservoir would be constructed for water supply only. Burr Oak Reservoir in the Hocking River Basin is a com- bined flood control, water supply, and recreation development. There are examples of proposed and existing developments which illustrate the value of local cooperation and support in assuring the proper development of water resources for all purposes. Industrial water supply needs were so great in the Mahoning Basin, Ohio, at the time of the national emergency preceding World War II that, upon representation of local organizations, the Berlin Reservoir was promptly built to its full practicable capabilities in the interest of flood control and low water regulation, operation to be primarily in the latter interest during the period of the war emergency. On the other hand, another development be- ing considered in another subbasin possibly is receiving too little attention by local or State repre- sentatives with respect to future industrial needs. Existing Federal agencies depend on local requests for incidental features of river developments, such as industrial and public water supplies, and no general provisions exist for financing such facilities. Conclusions (1) Public and industrial water supply needs have high priority in allocating water among various uses. (2) Development of public water supplies has been on a local basis and, to a large extent, will continue to be. (3) All river basin planning should take into account present and potential water supply needs. (4) Attention should be given to the need for local representation in determining water supply needs. (5) Problems of financing present construction for future long-range needs and for present needs where benefits are widespread may be expected to have a restraining influence on planning and development. (6) Where ground water is being or has been depleted, studies should be accelerated to determine the feasibility of recharging ground water supplies or the use of alternative features. Where it is not being depleted, it may prove to be a suitable source of water. Ground water reservoirs constitute a source of clear unpolluted water and, in some places, are very productive, as at Dayton, Canton, and Hamilton. 2. Planning for Pollution Control The Problem Planning for pollution control and adequacy of present programs and laws for accomplishing pollu- tion abatement. The Situation Many studies have been made of pollution in the Ohio River Basin. The Ohio River Pollution Sur- vey Report3 was a comprehensive and complete re- port on the sources, amounts, and effects of pollut- ing materials on various water uses. The survey was conducted by the Public Health Service for and with the assistance of the Corps of Engineers, under the general direction of the Ohio River Committee established by Congress. The report presents data concerning conditions as they existed in 1940. Under the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,4 the Public Health Service, in coopera- tion with the State and interstate water pollution control agencies in the basin, is bringing these data up to date. Water uses.-The primary water uses in the basin are for public water supply, industrial water supply, navigation, recreation, fish ajid wildlife propagation, hydroelectric power, and waste dis- posal. Surface waters are the primary source of public water supplies for more than 6.5 million people. The water sources for more than 5 million of them are subject to some pollution which affects either the bacterial, mineral, or taste and odor quality of the supply. The quantity of water required by industries ex- ceeds the amounts used for domestic purposes. Some industries require a better quality of raw water than is necessary for domestic use. The cost of purifying the large amounts of water *H. Doc. No. 266, 78th Cong., 1st sess. *Act of June 30, 1948, 62 Stat. 1155, as amended, 33 U. S. G. 466 et seq. (Supp. III). 669 |
