Water Quality Progress in Holston River Basin

Wastewater discharges of oxygen demanding wastes, suspended solids, ammonia, and total dissolved solids in the Holston River Basin of northeastern Tennessee have been reduced significantly since 1968. As a result, the quality of downstream rivers and reservoirs has improved. These changes were quantified using available historical data on waste discharges, river quality, and reservoir conditions. Additional improvements are needed, but careful studies will be required to ensure efficient abatement actions. Furthermore, the development of effective national policies will require similar trend assessments of representative basins, as a measure of the benefits received for abatement expenditures.