USEPA has said in the past that 50% of all ground water is polluted to some degree. Remember those nitrate fertilizers that are spayed on the farmland every years soaks into the ground and enters the aquifers eventually. So many of the underground water springs are contaminated as well.

That's why I don't drink natural spring water or won't buy bottled water from the store unless it's PURIFIED by filtration. I won't buy natural spring water that's bottled. I'd just as soon drink tap water as spring water.

Even the Mountain Streams can contain Nitrates as Nitrogen Oxides in the form of Air Pollution can rain down and contaminate these pure mountain streams. Sulfates fall from the sky as well. And don't forget the heavy metals that fall out of the sky and contaminate our streams and land. Mercury is one such metal that can build up in the Food Chain over time.

USEPA is proposing new regulations called MAC something that are intended to control the heavy metals that flow out of the coal burning power plant's smoke stacks. These regulations are designed to protect the human population from these heavy metals. Heavy Metals like Mercury are well known for their toxic effects.

Ever heard the phrase "mad as a hatter"? Well, that comes from the people who used mercury in solution while making the hats . The mercury got into their nervous system and made them go crazy. Mercury is a neuro-toxin and can damage the brain as well as do other damage to the nerves. Lead is another heavy metal that can do the same thing.

These new Mac regulations are needed to keep these dangerous heavy metals out of the environment.
This is something that all fishermen should be made aware of. We should all want to protect our waters from contaminates.

As a long time fisherman, I've been concerned with the quality of my fishing waters and the quality of the fish that come out of those waters.
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Quote Originally Posted by MagikSmallie View Post
As a fisherman and/or boater it is very difficult for individuals to assess water quality based upon just looks. The only way to really tell is with water sampling and testing to see what levels of fecal matter, heavy metals, Phosphorus, nitrogen, etc, etc. exist. It is true there is a level of pollution in nearly all streams in KY, meaning I wouldn't drink a cup full of water out of any stream without purification. I don't believe it to be an issue to eat meals of fish from the Ohio River, just follow the set guidelines. The number one threat to water quality in my opinion is raw sewage from straight pipes and or municipal sewer overflows, Louisville suffers from the latter. Urban run-off is another major contributor especially downstream from Lexington and Louisville. In short most all water sources except some springs are probably polluted to some degree. Just follow basic local guidelines about fish consumption and you shouldn't have any issues.