This year marks 100 years of flood protection by MCD

By Don O'Connor, Chief Engineer While there is a persistent fear of flooding in cities around the world, people and businesses along the Great Miami River go confidently about their lives hardly giving flooding a thought. Since 1922, homes and businesses have been protected by MCD’s system of five dry dams, retarding basins, 55 miles of levees, and … Continue reading This year marks 100 years of flood protection by MCD

PFAS Part IV – PFAS in Major Rivers of the Great Miami River Watershed

By Mike Ekberg, manager of water resources monitoring and analysis Are PFAS compounds present in our rivers and if so at what levels or concentrations are they present?  Recent river water sampling by the Miami Conservancy District (MCD) shows some Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) compounds present in all of the major rivers. The results … Continue reading PFAS Part IV – PFAS in Major Rivers of the Great Miami River Watershed

Do a little (septic system maintenance) to save a lot!

By Mike Ekberg, manager for water resources monitoring and analysis If you could spend less than $100 a year to avoid a $7,000 home repair expense, you’d do it wouldn’t you? Consider this: It only costs about $250 to $500 every three to five years to maintain a septic system. But it can cost up … Continue reading Do a little (septic system maintenance) to save a lot!

Giving the Stillwater River Some Love

By Sarah Hippensteel Hall, Ph.D., manager of watershed partnerships If you haven’t visited the Stillwater River firsthand, it is time you did. The Stillwater River is a special place to fish, paddle, or just enjoy some beautiful scenery. Ohio’s only National Water Trail and State Scenic River Designated as both a National Water Trail and … Continue reading Giving the Stillwater River Some Love

PFAS Part I — the forever chemicals

By Mike Ekberg, manager of water resource monitoring and analysis You've probably heard about PFAS, but what are they and why are they such a hot topic today? Amazing chemicals PFAS or per- and polyflouroalkyl substances are a group of chemicals developed in the 1940s that can repel water, dirt, and grease; tolerate high temperatures; … Continue reading PFAS Part I — the forever chemicals

Where does the Miami Valley get its water?

MCD has created a new series of videos about the importance of water. Many people in the Miami Valley don’t know where our water comes from, how it’s replenished or the ways water is used beyond our daily life activities. They don’t know what an aquifer is or how it works. Or how many industries … Continue reading Where does the Miami Valley get its water?

The one thing private well owners should do

By Mike Ekberg, manager of water resources monitoring and analysis If you own a private well, do you have it tested at least annually? You should. Your family’s health depends on it. Just because your water tastes good doesn’t mean it is good. If you want to be sure your drinking water is safe, you … Continue reading The one thing private well owners should do

No “silver bullet” to improving Great Miami River water quality

By Mike Ekberg, manager of water monitoring and analysis Drastically reducing nutrient discharges from wastewater treatment plants won’t be enough to further improve water quality in the Great Miami River from Troy to just downstream of Fairfield, Ohio. That’s what a study, funded by 15 regional wastewater treatment plants and cities, showed. Excessive nutrients in water … Continue reading No “silver bullet” to improving Great Miami River water quality

Tait Station low dam removal begins today

By Sarah Hippensteel Hall, Ph.D., manager for watershed partnerships The project to remove the Tait Station low dam begins today. Here are the latest details on the project. Q: Why is the Tait Station low dam being removed? The low dam is being removed for several reasons: To improve the quality of the river and … Continue reading Tait Station low dam removal begins today

Refreshing, replenishing…and our responsiblity

There’s nothing like a tall, cool glass of water when you’re hot and thirsty (despite this week's cold, you will be hot again). But, do you know where your drinking water comes from? If you live in the Miami Valley, chances are your water comes from the buried valley aquifer. When it comes to water, … Continue reading Refreshing, replenishing…and our responsiblity