The combination of long retention times in the Maumee estuary, large rural sources of landwash, sludge beds below river mile six, poor sewerage, a large cooling-water discharge from the Acme powerplant, and the erratic performance of Toledo's sewage treatment plant has degraded the lower Maumee River; several nearby streams are heavily polluted. These waters are loaded with solids, they are enriched with nutrients and organics, and they violate Ohio's oxygen and bacterial standards. Even if Toledo were to be wiped off the map, these conditions would not entirely disappear, nor would many of them be much changed.

Conclusions -- Background and description of the area -- Water quality standards (WQS) in the Toledo area -- Surveillance -- Toledo's sewers and the new STP -- Area sources and the upriver heritage -- River sampling -- Sediment sampling -- Analytical methods -- Recommendations -- Appendix 1: Dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity in the Maumee river estuary, 21-25 September 1974 -- Appendix 2: Miscellaneous observations on the Maumee River and nearby streams.