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Show fects of which are felt throughout the downstream reaches. Newport, on the Pigeon River near its confluence with the French Broad, is badly in need of addi- tional water to supplement inadequate ground water resources. Pollution in both these two large streams is so serious as to make their use unfeasible. Color and organic pollution also limit their indus- trial usefulness. Although the water treatment plant for Knox- ville, Tenn., is located below the junction of the Holston and French Broad Rivers, color from the French Broad adds to Knoxville's water treatment problems. During low stream flows, paper mill wastes in the Emory River at Harriman adversely affect the public water supply of that city. Sediment pollu- tion from phosphate plants on the Duck River is reported to have damaged fish life in this stream. Domestic and industrial pollution from the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas impairs other water use on the main stem of the Tennessee River. For over 40 miles below Knoxville, the stream is not suitable for municipal or recreation use. Con- sequently, the potential recreation resources of much of the Fort Loudoun Reservoir cannot be realized until the pollution is reduced. Below Chattanooga, domestic and industrial pol- lution makes the main river unfit for some kinds of fishing and for recreation use in general. Use of the water for public and industrial water sup- plies is also made more difficult. The effects of this source of pollution extend well into Gunters- ville Reservoir. Acid mine drainage from coal mining operations has increased the acidity in some local areas in the Cumberland Plateau region but so far the problem is local in extent and is largely one of prevention rather than abatement. Creation of more than. 600,000 acres of reservoir area, and storage of 22 million acre-feet of water have changed the river's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The general result has been improvement of water quality for municipal and industrial use and recreation. The general condition of the Tennessee River is considerably better than streams draining heavily populated, highly industrialized areas; yet untreated wastes have reduced some waters to little more than open sewers, especially during periods of low flow. Such stream conditions are often local, but those reaches of the stream have lost much of their usefulness, including supply for livestock watering, and will not regain it until corrective action is taken. Part of the Tennessee Basin contains extensive limestone areas. The water has in many places dissolved the lime, causing sinkholes and creating caverns through which surface waters flow in under- ground streams. These underground waters are often used for domestic purposes, especially in rural homes and communities. These underground waters are particularly sus- ceptible to direct pollution from all kinds of wastes, particularly from domestic sources in rural areas. Consequently, they can be dangerously polluted by careless disposal. And, because they are cold and not exposed to light, their natural purification is retarded. As a result, pollution may persist for a considerable time and occur over great distances. Basic responsibility for pollution abatement lies with the municipalities and industrial plants dis- charging harmful wastes into the streams. Problems of pollution control are complex, ranging through technical and engineering matters such as ascer- taining the effect of waste discharges upon char- acteristics of water; governmental problems such as coordination of sewage treatment plants with other public works; and financial problems in meet- ing heavy public and private expenditures neces- sary to permit optimum use of the water resources. The seven valley States operating through official stream pollution control bodies and the United States Public Health Service have expanding pro- grams for stream sanitation. Since 1943 stream pollution legislation has been adopted by all seven valley States, as well as by the Federal Government. The Public Health Service is principally concerned with problems of interstate pollution, and the indi- vidual States, though handicapped by inadequate funds, have taken the initiative in reducing stream pollution within their boundaries. TVA's stream sanitation activities have been car- ried on because of the relation of TVA operations to stream water quality, the changes brought about in the stream by multiple-purpose river develop- ment, and the need for conserving and developing the resources of the region. TVA's activities in- clude collecting basic data, fostering State and local pollution abatement efforts, collaborating with State and Federal agencies in drafting pollution control programs and studying effects of river de- velopment on water quality. Substantial improvements have been made in handling waste entering streams from pulp and 731 |