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An Introduction to NC’s Water Quality Program and *Nonpoint Source Pollution

An Introduction to NC’s Water Quality Program and *Nonpoint Source Pollution. Division of Water Quality WQ Planning Branch NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources. * Also known as Runoff Pollution. Overview of Presentation. Growth issues in NC Affecting NPS Pollution

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An Introduction to NC’s Water Quality Program and *Nonpoint Source Pollution

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  1. An Introduction to NC’sWater Quality Programand *Nonpoint Source Pollution Division of Water Quality WQ Planning Branch NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources * Also known as Runoff Pollution

  2. Overview of Presentation • Growth issues in NC Affecting NPS Pollution • Introduction to the DWQ’s WQ Program • Primary Goals of the WQ Program • Major Sources of Pollution (Point/NPS) • Impacts of Pollution on Water Quality • How do We Measure Water Quality? • How is the WQ in North Carolina?

  3. North Carolina’s water resources are abundant and diverse

  4. But the face of NC is changing

  5. NC Population Growth (1670-2000) 8 7 6 5 Population (Millions) 4 3 2 1 0 1 6 7 0 1 7 0 0 1 7 5 0 1 8 0 0 1 8 5 0 1 9 0 0 1 9 5 0 2 0 0 0 Year NC’s population has been doubling every 50 years for the past 200 years! What will be the impact of 8 million more people by 2050?

  6. NC Land Cover Changes 1982-97(acres x 1000) % Changes Agric. -13.4% Forest -6.9% Urban +88.1% Source: USDA NRCS National Resources Inventory (1997)

  7. The NC Division of Water Quality plays an important role in protecting water qualityDWQ is…

  8. Known primarily as a regulatory agency, but… • DWQ Permitting Programs • Discharge permits • Nondischarge permits • Wetlands permits • Riparian buffer protection • Others

  9. We also do biological investigations,

  10. Predictive Computer Modeling,

  11. Water quality monitoring and chemistry lab analyses,

  12. Planning, • Basinwide Planning • Stream classifications • Rule development

  13. And enforcement of water quality laws

  14. Primary Goal of NC’s Water Quality Program Protect and Restore uses of North Carolina’s surface waters. Uses include:

  15. Fishing and Swimming

  16. Water Supply and...

  17. High Quality Waters (HQW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW)

  18. Major Sources of Pollution Point Sources and Nonpoint Sources

  19. Point Sources of Pollution Comes from a pipe, discrete point or ditch. Generally associated with a wastewater discharge but includes urban or industrial stormwater discharges

  20. *Nonpoint Sources of Pollution (NPS) Pollution reaching waterways from rainfall runoff, atmospheric deposition and groundwater flow. Impacts result from cumulative effects of many small activities. (*Also known as Runoff Pollution)

  21. NPS/Runoff Pollution Land Development If not done properly, this can result in: • Increased Imperviousness • Increased Pollutants • Increased Runoff • Impacts to Stream Banks • Erosion/Sedimentation

  22. NPS/Runoff Pollution Construction and GradingThe major runoff pollution pollutant is sedimentation. Sediment control measures need to be properly designed, installed and maintained until the site is stabilized. Problems can also result fro improperly handling fuel and chemicals at construction sites.

  23. NPS/Runoff Pollution Urban stormwaterA major impact is runoff from impervious surfaces which erodes streams and destroys aquatic habitat is the major impact from urban stormwater. Urban runoff also carries high fecal coliform levels from pet and wildlife wastes, fertilizer and pesticides from yards and landscaped areas, auto-related pollutants such as oil, grease, and abraded tire material, and pollutants contained in atmospheric deposition.

  24. NPS/Runoff Pollution AgricultureImpacts come from cropland and animal operations. Common pollutants are sediment, nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria (animal operations). Agriculture is the leading source of nonpoint source pollution in NC although it should be noted that this impact is shrinking as ag land is converted to development and as sediment control measures such as no-till farming become more widespread.

  25. NPS/Runoff Pollution Land disposal of wastewaterThis includes onsite wastewater systems (e.g., septic systems), spray irrigation, sludge disposal and landfills.

  26. NPS/Runoff Pollution Silviculture (Forestry)Forest cover is generally excellent for protection of water quality. However, water quality problems can occur from improper harvesting techniques such as clearing next to streams and not using adequate BMPs for sediment control . In eastern NC, ditching, which changes the nature hydrology, also adversely impacts water quality by increasing the rate of runoff

  27. NPS/Runoff Pollution Atmospheric DepositionThe atmosphere is a significant source of water pollution. This includes acid rain, nitrogen compounds (which come from cars, industry and animal operations and contribute to nutrient overenrichment and algal blooms) and mercury (which has resulted in fish consumption advisories across NC , particularly in the Coastal Plain).

  28. NPS/Runoff Pollution Marinas and Recreational BoatingRunoff pollution comes primarily from paved areas and service yards, oil and gas leakage, and improper disposal of human wastes.

  29. NPS/Runoff Pollution Mining

  30. What are the Impacts of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Water Quality?

  31. Algae Blooms and Aquatic WeedsComes from an excess of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from both point and nonpoint sources

  32. Fish kills (most often resulting from low dissolved oxygen associated with algal blooms and/or hot weather)

  33. Habitat degradationMostly a nonpoint source problem resulting from improperly performed land disturbing activities (such as construction, farming and forestry which allow excessive sediment runoff) and post development stormwater runoff in urban areas (which increases the flow of stormwater and erodes stream channels)

  34. Closed shellfish watersCaused by pathogen contamination as indicated by high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The bacteria come mostly from runoff in developed areas containing wildlife and pet wastes. Can also come from leaking sewer systems and pump stations, improper sewage treatment, failing septic systems and improperly handled farm animal wastes.

  35. Unsafe swimming conditionsResults from pathogen contamination as evidenced by elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Can come from a variety of sources including wildlife and pet wastes, leaking sewer systems and pump stations, improper sewage treatment, failing septic systems and improperly handled farm animal wastes.

  36. How Do We Measure Water Quality? Biological and chemical water quality testing is done by DWQ as shown in the following slides to determine whether waters are supporting the intended uses

  37. Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling This technique utilizes the varying pollutant sensitivities among different aquatic organisms, such as aquatic insect larvae, as a water quality indicator. Assessing the types and numbers of species gives an indication of water quality.

  38. Fish community and tissue sampling Assessing the numbers, diversity and health of fish communities is another way to assess water quality. Tissues of fish are also sampled to determine whether they are safe to eat.

  39. Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Chemical water quality sampling is performed monthly at almost 400 stations around the state in streams, lakes and salt waters. Many parameters are studied such as pH, metals, bacteria, dissolved oxygen and others. This sampling helps DWQ determine water trends and problem areas.

  40. WaterChemistry DWQ’s lab analyzes ambient and other water quality samples.

  41. Oxygen demand from bottom sediments Wastewater treatment plants discharge pollutants known as oxygen-consuming wastes. This includes organic matter that decomposes in the water column and takes up dissolved oxygen needed by other aquatic life. Divers place devices on the bottom of selected waterways to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen removed from the water column by bottom- dwelling bacteria and through chemical processes. This information is used by computer modelers to determine the level of treatment required at waste- water treatment plants to protect the waters and aquatic life.

  42. How is the water quality in North Carolina?

  43. *Most streams are in good shape ...but 16.4% are impaired, or not supporting their uses 16.4% • Major Causes of Imp.: • Habitat Degradation • (stream erosion and • sedimentation) • Fecal Coliforms • Low dissolved Oxygen • Turbidity 83.6% Includes approximately 2000 miles of impaired streams that need to be restored *Based on monitored streams Source: 1998-99 305(b) Report

  44. Impaired Stream Miles by Source(Top five sources) Runoff Pollution Point Source Source: 1998-99 305(b) report

  45. *Saltwater Use Support Ratings • Only 4% of all 1,997,375 acres of coastal waters in NC are impaired. Sources of impairment • by %: • 41% Fecal Col. Bacteria (Shellfish Closures) • 9% Dissolved oxygen • 51% Chlorophyl a (nutrient problem) • (Note: because of overlap, • %s do not add to 100%) Source: 1998-99 305(b) Report

  46. For further information contact: Alan Clark NC Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 919-733-5083 x570 alan.clark@ncmail.net

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