CINCINNATI — The Ohio River, which is the water source for more than five million Ohioans, has been deemed one of the most endangered rivers. And that’s why environmentalists say it’s important to work toward a solution. 

Experts from the Ohio River Foundation said the Ohio River receives nearly 40 million pounds of toxins every year. 

They said that affects water habitats and may eventually impact the water we drink. That’s why they say it’s important that the 14 states in the Ohio River Watershed should enforce more rules under the Clean Water Act. 

“Different states that manage that program can ratchet down and be more vigilant with the permits that they issue to industries so that less pollution and less waste is flowing into the river,” said Rich Cogen, Ohio River Foundation executive director.

Environmental experts also suggest that anyone who lives near the river use less fertilizer to reduce stormwater runoff. They’re also asking people to write letters to legislators to have them push for laws that would help improve the quality of the river’s water.