A Century of Environmental Research in Cincinnati

Cincinnati has been the center of federal water research for nearly 100 years. The early stream survey work of the United States Public Health Service (PHS) identified the factors that affect a stream's health eventually leading to water quality standards. Investigations into wastewater treatment methods led to the development of enhanced sedimentation; sophisticated biological treatment; and ultimately advanced waste treatment (AWT) processes for greater removal of solids, BOD, nutrients, organics, and even molecules and ions. This research laid the foundation for the later regulation of industrial and municipal discharges. Very early in the century (1914) the PHS had sufficient information to introduce drinking water standards and the concept of maximum contaminant levels for contaminants. These were revised and expanded over the years, especially with introduction of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and its reauthorization in 1996. With research came improvements in filtration processes; disinfection processes; control of biofilms and corrosion in piping; and the need to remove turbidity, arsenic, and in some cases fluoride to very low levels.