The principal work of MSD is to provide sanitary sewer and drainage service and treatment for Louisville and Jefferson County. This service includes the operation of five water quality treatment centers: Morris Forman, West County, Hite Creek, Cedar Creek and Jeffersontown. There are numerous other separate and smaller plants in the county that are also operated by MSD.
There are several other small treatment plants that are still operated by private owners and public agencies in Jefferson County. Some of these plants, as well as all individual septic tank installations, were built for relatively short-term operation. The homes served by these plants and septic tanks will eventually be connected to the MSD sewerage system.
Sewage treatment is a recent event in the history of Louisville and Jefferson County. Though sewer lines themselves date back some 125 years, no treatment was provided until 1958. These early lines (some made of pre-Civil War brick or stone) simply carried stormwater and household and industrial wastes into the Ohio River.
As the City grew, sewer lines were extended. However, wastewaters remained untreated; they were simply diluted with additional water and piped into the Ohio River. Louisville's dramatic population and industrial boom during and following World War II finally stimulated treatment planning.
Construction of a major water quality treatment center began in 1956 and the plant began providing primary wastewater treatment in 1958. There has also been significant sewer line construction. At the end of World War I, there were 560 miles of sewer lines. Since that time, the sewer line total has extended almost 3,000 miles. Virtually all of Louisville is now serviced by combined or sanitary sewers. The long-term goal is to extend sanitary sewer service throughout Jefferson County.
For more information, please contact MSD.
Related Links
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
KY DIVISION OF WATER
ORSANCO
WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
