All of Kentucky's counties reached air quality compliance in 2000, but the state's natural and man-made water supply sources pose dangers to its citizens.

        According to the seven-member Environmental Quality Commission in its 2000-01 State of Kentucky's Environment report, the state's environment has improved over the last 25 years. The EQC, a legally mandated citizens' group that advises the governor, has been preparing public environmental reports every two years since 1992 to help track the effectiveness of environmental laws, and to improve resource conservation.

Terry Wells, 36, of Bellevue, said he wouldn't eat the fish he catches in the Licking River near the Ohio River. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        EQC director Leslie Cole said the 2000-01 report was “fairly positive,” showing the most improvement in air quality and waste disposal.

        Ms. Cole said one of the most immediate problems to be addressed is water pollution. Kentucky is under eight different fish consumption advisories. One was issued in April 2000 and affects all the state's waterways, including the Ohio River.

        The Kentucky section of the Ohio River also is under an advisory for PCB, polychlorinated biphenyl, a highly toxic chemical prevalent in Kentucky. Water pollution and sanitation progress was being made until 1995, when it leveled off, Ms. Cole said. She cited budget problems as one reason for the stall.

        The report cited agriculture as the top polluter, stating that 9 million pounds of agricultural pesticides have been used in Kentucky since 1990, and are now in parts of Kentucky's water supply. Ms. Cole said integrative pest management, spraying only when an insect or blight is spotted rather than spraying regularly, is an option. Man-made water systems are also in question. Though public water providers had a record-low number of water violations in 2000, the state is having trouble ensuring the water quality when it leaves the plant, according to the EQC.

        The public water system is aging, and water main breaks have resulted in calls for boil-water advisories, mostly in eastern Kentucky.

        The EQC estimates $2.8 billion is needed to fix the systems. Other areas of concern in the report were open trash dumping — Kentuckians create approximately 22 million pounds of garbage a day — and energy efficiency, with Kentucky's level of energy consumption per capita being higher than the national average.

        Overall, the report named improvements in 25 environmental categories and 20 environmental areas in which Kentucky is losing ground.

        Readers can order the full report by mailing $10 payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer to the EQC, 14 Reilly Rd., Frankfort, Ky., 40601. It will be available in public libraries and on the Web at www.kyeqc.net.

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