POPULATION DENSITY AND PROJECTED GROWTH
Population density directly impacts stream water quality in the Salt River Basin and Minor Ohio River Tributaries in the form of increased loads from regional and local package sanitation treatment plants. In residential areas that do not have community treatment plants, domestic septic systems and/or small waste lagoons are used as an effective means of sewage treatment. In rural residential settings, these systems may be concentrated in one- to two-acre or more lot sizes. Thin soil may overlie limestone bedrock that has well-developed sinkhole and karst solutional openings. As a result, contaminated water may enter the groundwater system and travel great distances in the aquifer.

Demands are placed on adequate drinking water supplies. Surface water is an important source for drinking water for the Louisville and Jefferson County area. However, more emphasis is now being placed on development of ground-water supplies as the primary source due to the potential for the Ohio River becoming contaminated from a spill. Also, storage capacity for finished drinking water may be inadequate to supply even minimum needs until a spill passes downstream of water plant intakes.

REGIONAL SANITATION and SEWAGE WASTE-WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Currently there are seven regional treatment facilities in operation or under construction in the basin. These include the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District plants: (1) Hite Creek, (2) West County, (3) Cedar Creek, (4) Morris-Foreman, (5) Floyds Fork Treatment Plant, (6) Oldham County Sanitation District Number 1 at Buckner and (7) Lebanon/Marion County. In addition to instream disposal of treated water, other sources of discharge of untreated waste water and industrial waste occur from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).

Approximately 28 CSO/SSOs are located in and around Louisville and Jefferson County. Typically, these overflows do not discharge during dry periods but will flush when precipitation occurs in the watershed. These discharges contain high levels of bacteria and organic matter and high biological oxygen demand (BOD) on the receiving waters.

URBAN SPRAWL AND LOSS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND
Traditionally, areas surrounding Jefferson County were rural agricultural farms involving horse, cattle and livestock production, and farms raising tobacco, corn, soybeans, sorghum, hay and alfalfa. The movement of families from over-populated metropolitan areas toward Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Bullitt counties has occurred during the past ten years, and the trend is likely to continue. Development of new communities has caused changes in land-use patterns. Development of new transportation corridors for roads and light railways creates the potential for major pollution in the form of spills into aquifers and streams.

WATER QUALITY IN REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY LAKES AND STREAMS
Major pollution still occurs in regional streams and lakes. Pesticides applied on lawns and other normal use such as treatment of golf course fairways can be significant sources for herbicides and fungicides. Pathways to humans usually occur through consumption of fish caught in the lakes or streams, through physical contact with water while swimming or boating and ingestion through drinking water.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS IN NON-SEWERED AREAS
Typically, development of new subdivisions in rural areas occurs before the necessary infrastructure has been constructed, such as regional sewage treatment plants, roads, highways and water supplies. As a result, on-site septic systems are used because no other means of disposal is available. The cost to construct regional facilities is quite expensive and, when combined with costs of installing collection lines and storm water drains, the entire project may be cost-prohibitive. Community block grants and loans can be obtained to develop these new systems, but, ultimately, the homeowner pays the costs for regional septic systems.

LANDFILLS AND SUPERFUND SITES
Leachate from landfills and superfund hazardous waste sites can pose imminent dangers to residents living near those sites. Hazardous waste sites are located in Hardin County at the Distler Brickyard and Farmsite and in Oldham County at the Red Penn Landfill.

Also, construction landfills are utilized in the basin. Old landfills need to be located and mapped, and residents need to be made aware of abandoned, closed or capped landfills in their neighborhoods.

LOSS OF WETLANDS, PROTECTED LANDS AND NATURAL HABITAT
Few natural wetlands remain in the watershed; however, efforts are being made to restore and create new wetlands. Natural habitats are still found in places in the Salt River watershed such as Bernheim Forest in Bullitt County. Other designated areas are protected through the use of conservation trust funds and endowments.  Conservation groups, as well as state or local agencies, can purchase areas to protect areas for parks or other restricted uses.

ECONONMIC ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH TOURISM AND RECREATION
Economic issues remain a very important but poorly understood factor related to environmental protection and restoration. The business of tourism and recreation is extremely important in the Salt River Basin as well as throughout the state. The equine industry is very important as well as boating, swimming and fishing in area lakes and streams. An unprotected resource that is polluted or contaminated may take years to remediate.