Funding supports septic pump-out rebate program improving water quality in the James River and Table Rock Lake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 23, 2026) – During the REDCREST 2026 Post Game Show on Friday, April 17, the Major League Fishing (MLF) Fisheries Management Division (FMD) , alongside program partner Zoeller Pumps, announced a significant investment in Ozarks water quality efforts with an $11,000 donation to the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP).

Presented by MLF Co-Founder and FMD Co-Director Gary Klein on behalf of Zoeller Pumps, the contribution marks the first of three conservation projects under the newly launched MLF FMD Zoeller Pumps “We Work For Water” program . The funding will directly support JRBP’s long-running “Fresh Flush” Septic Pump-Out Rebate Program, an initiative designed to improve water quality in the James River – the largest tributary feeding into Table Rock Lake.

“Programs like this are exactly what fisheries management should look like – practical, measurable and rooted in community impact,” said Klein. “This investment helps address water quality at its source, ensuring that fisheries like Table Rock Lake remain healthy and productive for generations to come.”

Established in 2003, the Fresh Flush program was one of the first major cost-share initiatives launched by JRBP after the James River was designated as impaired due to severe algae blooms in the late 1990s. Originally funded through Clean Water Act Section 319 grants, the program has since been sustained through a combination of municipal partnerships and private contributions.

To date, more than 6,800 septic systems have been serviced through the rebate program, which typically processes 160 to 200 rebates annually. Homeowners within the basin are eligible to receive up to $150 per property each year to offset the cost of professional septic tank pump-outs.

The program plays a critical role in reducing nutrient loading – specifically nitrogen and phosphorus – from failing or poorly maintained septic systems. These nutrients can contribute to harmful algal blooms that negatively impact fish populations and water quality. Long-term monitoring shows a 25% reduction in phosphorus concentrations in the James River since the program’s inception.

Beyond ecological benefits, the initiative has delivered measurable improvements in public health. By addressing septic system failures in the Ozarks’ porous karst terrain, the program has significantly reduced E. coli contamination levels. From 2015 to 2024, the river achieved an average 84% passing rate for recreational safety standards—an important milestone compared to historically volatile and often unsafe conditions.

The James River arm serves as a critical spawning ground for both largemouth and spotted bass, making water quality improvements essential to sustaining one of the region’s most valuable fisheries.

“This is a great example of how local action can create lasting impact,” Klein added. “When you improve water quality upstream, you’re protecting everything downstream – from fish populations to the communities that depend on these resources.”

The MLF Fisheries Management Division continues to expand its conservation footprint through strategic partnerships like the Zoeller Pumps “We Work For Water” program, supporting initiatives that deliver real-world results for fisheries, habitats and local communities.

For more information about the Fresh Flush program or to apply for a rebate, visit JamesRiverBasin.com.

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About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV, Game & Fish TV and Rumble, and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.