SD1’s 4th annual Source Water Protection Week raises awareness about protecting local water sources

Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky will participate in the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) fourth annual Source Water Protection Week from September 29 through October 5. This weeklong initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical need to protect local water sources and offers practical steps for residents to help safeguard drinking water.

Throughout the week, SD1 will join water organizations across the nation in spreading the message that protecting the natural sources of our drinking water is everyone’s responsibility. In Northern Kentucky, that means focusing on local rivers — lifelines that provide safe drinking water and support local wildlife and recreational activities.

“These rivers are the lifeblood of our region,” said SD1 Executive Director Adam Chaney. “They shape our communities, support local wildlife, and provide recreational spaces. It’s our shared duty to protect them, ensuring safe, clean water not only for ourselves but for future generations.”

As Northern Kentucky continues to grow, so do the risks to local water sources.

Contamination from spills, agricultural runoff, sewer overflows and excessive fertilizer use poses significant threats to water quality. Protecting these vital resources is essential for ensuring clean, reliable drinking water and preserving the ecosystems that depend on our rivers.

SD1 plays a vital role in managing wastewater and stormwater services in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. Through its Clean H2O40 program, SD1 is committed to reducing pollution from sewer overflows, aiming to completely eliminate typical-year sanitary sewer overflows and to recapture at least 85 percent of typical-year combined sewer overflows by the year 2040.

In addition to these initiatives, SD1 conducts stream monitoring and oversees permitting for local developers and industries to ensure environmental compliance. The district also emphasizes community education and outreach, encouraging resident participation in various programs, such as the Save-a-Stream storm drain marking volunteer program , which empowers community members to take an active role in protecting our waterways and raising awareness about the importance of water quality.

How You Can Help

SD1 encourages all Northern Kentuckians to take these simple steps to help protect our water sources:

• Don’t Flush Harmful Items: Avoid flushing wipes, towels, menstrual products or other non-flushable items that can clog sewers and cause overflows.

• Dispose of Medications Properly: Never flush expired or unused prescription medications down the toilet or drain. Instead, take advantage of local pharmaceutical collection boxes. Learn more about SD1’s prescription drug drop-off program .

• Stay Informed: Follow SD1 on social media platforms LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on local clean water initiatives and events.

SD1 is responsible for the collection and treatment of northern Kentucky’s wastewater and also serves as the regional storm water management agency. SD1 is the second largest public sewer utility in Kentucky, serving more than 347,717 residents throughout Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. SD1 maintains approximately 1,701 miles of sanitary-sewer system pipeline, 128 wastewater pumping stations, 15 flood pump stations, six package treatment plants, three major wastewater treatment plants, 545 miles of storm-sewer system and 33,999 storm-sewer structures.

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