Water Pollution Problems

1. Water Pollution Problems • General Background Information on Water Pollution • Non-biodegradable Ex: plastics, synthetic chemicals • Persistence: How long will pollution stick around? • PCB’s and Eskimos and Polar Bears? • Organic Waste • (Carbon-based) such as human or animal waste or other organic material produced by living things. • Primary problem with organic waste is Eutrophication that • leads to a high B.O.D. Biological oxygen demand is O2 that is consumed by decomposing bacteria!

2. Inorganic Pollutants (Non-carbon based) • Ex: Heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Nickel • Ex: Road Salts • Ex: Acid Rain (Nitric and Sulfuric Acid) • Organic Chemical Wastes (Carbon-based) • Ex: Petroleum products such as oil and gas. • Ex: Toxic solvents such as PCB’s, TCE, etc. • Ex: Oil-based pesticides. • Biological Magnification (See Handout) • The buildup in concentration of a pollutant to dangerous levels • as it moves up a food chain. • Why? The pollutant cannot be digested and, therefore, builds up • in the fatty tissues of an organism. • Point Sources of Pollution: • Easily identified sources of pollution such as: • outflow pipes from industry and wastewater treatment plants. • What are some point sources in our area? (See handout)

3. Non-point sources of pollution: • Smaller sources that are not easily identified but can add up to have a serious impact. • ex: homes, farms, golf courses, roads, parking lots, rainfall, etc. • The primary vehicle that carries non-point pollution into a waterway • is stormwater runoff!

5. Public Laws Protecting Water Quality • The 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) • Federal regulations on point sources of pollution: Industry • Provided $$ to local towns and cities to improve Sewage Treatment • Plants (STP’s) • The 1987 Water Quality Act (WQA) • More $ for STP upgrades. • Introduced the idea of watershed-based management of water • resources. Now being adopted by the Pa. DEP. • The first steps were taken to study the control of “non-point source” • pollution.

6. Water Quality Conditions in Lakes • Oligotrophic: Very low in Nutrients. Low amounts of algal growth. • Typically, are younger lakes • Mesotrophic: Moderate nutrient levels, Moderate Algae and • Plant Growth. Typically, middle-aged lakes. • Eutrophic: Over-fertilized by nutrients. Large amounts of Algal • Growth. Typically, older lakes. • Hyper-eutrophic: Extremely high in nutrients.Extreme Algal • Growth. Typically, very old lakes.

7. Water Quality Designations of Waterways in Pa. as determined by the Pa. DEP • Two Pa. DEP Waterway Classifications • Unimpaired: Biological and Chemical assessment determines that • the stream, river or lake is in decent to good biological health. • Impaired: Biologically stressed aquatic ecosystems. • What happens if a waterway is rated as impaired? • Impaired streams/lakes become subject to Total Maximum Daily • Loads (TMDL) regulations and remedial action. • Total Maximum Daily Load is the amount of pollution that can • enter a waterway without bringing it’s quality below safe standards. • Watersheds surrounding impaired streams must work to reduce pollutant • loads below the TMDL. • Most of the streams in the UP Watershed are rated as Unimpaired.

8. The Green Lane Reservoir and TMDLs • The latest evaluations recognize that problems do exist in the Green • Lane Reservoir and that it is in Impaired condition. • Therefore, the Pa DEP has placed the GLR under TMDL Standards. • The Pa DEP and local officials are currently investigating ways to • reduce both Point and Non-point Pollution entering into the GLR.

9. Pa. DEP Stream Classifications • CWF: Cold Water Fishery • MF: Migratory Fishery • TSF: Trout Stocking Fishery • WWF: Warm Water Fishery • (See Map of our Area) • *HQ: High Quality Waters - Excellent water quality and deserves • additional protection. • **EV: Exceptional Water Quality - Outstanding water quality and • special ecosystem features. Deserves the highest protection. • *The Unami Creek has been awarded this status. • * *Recommendation for the Main Branch of the Perk, North of • Rt. 100 and the Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen.

11. Water Pollution In the UP Watershed • Opinion Survey: The 2000 River Conservation Plan for the UP • Watershed prepared by the Upper Perk Watershed Coalition, The • Natural Lands Trust and funded by the Pa. DEP. • What are the major sources of water pollution in our area? • 1. Water fowl and geese • 2. Litter and Trash • 3. Home Stormwater Runoff • 4. Agricultural Runoff • 5. Sewage Treatment Plants • 6. Home Septic Systems • 7. Local Industry

12. What are our real water pollution problems in the UP Watershed? • Non-point source pollution carried by stormwater runoff is the #1 • problem in our watershed and the entire USA! • I. The First Problem: Pathogens • Disease causing microbes. • Sources: Malfunctioning Home Septic Systems, Livestock Manure • and a high geese population. • See Handouts.

13. II. The Second Problem: Nutrient Pollution that leads to • Eutrophication! • Primarily Nitrates and Phosphorus which are normally • limiting factors. • GLR: 55% reduction in P to reverse hyper-eutrophication • and a 73% reduction to reach mesotrophic state. • Sources: • Animal waste from livestock and other animals. • Malfunctioning Home Septic Systems • Soil Erosion • Fertilizers used on farms, lawns and golf courses • Auto exhaust and Fossil Fuel Consumption: Primarily Nitrogen • carried into waterways by Rainfall. • Local Industry: A minor source!

16. III. The Third problem: Soil Erosion • The #1 pollution problem in the USA as determined by the US EPA. • Problems: • Decreased light penetration and photosynthesis • Higher water temps./ lower D.O. • Clogs fish gills • Smothers eggs and bottom dwellers • Carries high amounts of N + P • Raises water purification costs • Sources: • Poor Farming Practices • Poor Construction Methods • Flooding from excessive runoff • Destruction of wetlands and streambank vegetation

17. IV. The Fourth Problem: What else is picked up and carried into • our waterways by stormwater runoff? • Road Salt, Litter, Household Hazardous Waste such as motor oil, • detergents, pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Health Care Products, etc.? • Ecological Problems: Boulder Creek Colorado • Female Suckers to Male Suckers Ratio: • “5 to 1” • Why? Many of the chemicals that we release into our waterways • mimic Reproductive hormones. • Other Stuff going down the drain? Think about it: • Tylenol, Prozac, Sudafed, Caffiene, Birth Control Pills, Fire • Retardants, Birth Control Pills • Can this affect humans? • Lower Sperm Counts? Testicular Cancer? Breast Cancer? • Learning Disorders?

18. V. The Fifth Problem: Toxic Pollution • Fortunately, this is not a widespread problem in the UP Watershed. • Ex: The EPA Superfund Cleanup Site at Blackhead Hill in Hereford. • T.C.E. contamination of the groundwater aquifer. • Ex: The Hosensack Pesticide Spill • Ex: The Bally Chlorine Spill into the West Branch

19. VI. The Sixth Problem: Loss of Biodiversity in Freshwater Ecosystems • Fortunately, this is a minor problem in the streams in watershed, however, it is a major problem in the GLR! • Endangered or Threatened in the USA • 66% of all freshwater clams and mussels • 50 % of all crayfish species • 40% of all freshwater fish species