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United States Office of Water EPA 440-4-90-003 Environmental Protection Washington DC 20460 April 1990 Agency ^,EPA National Water Quality Inventory 1988 Report to Congress ~~~~~~~~~367~~~~~ N38 1990 : i;a� S3i i i This report was prepared pursuant to Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act, which states: "(b)(1) Each State shall prepare and submit to the Administrator by April i, 1975, and shall bring up to date by April 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter, a report which shall include- "(A) a description of the water quality of all navigable waters in such State during the preceding year, with appropriate supplemental descriptions as shall be required to take into account seasonal, tidal, and other variations, correlated with the quality of water required by the objective of this Act (as identified by the Administrator pursuant to criteria published under section 304(a) of this Act) and the water quality described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; "(B) an analysis of the extent to which all navigable waters of such State provide for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allow recreational activities in and on the water; "(C) an analysis of the extent to which the elimination of the discharge of pollutants and a level of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and allows recreational activities in and on the water, have been or will be achieved by the requirements of this Act, together with recommendations as to additional action necessary to achieve such objectives and for what waters such additional action is necessary; "(D) an estimate of (i) the environmental impact, (ii) the economic and social costs necessary to achieve the objective of this Act in such State, (iii) the economic and social benefits of such achievement; and (iv) an estimate of the date of such achievement; and "(E) a description of the nature and extent of nonpoint souces of pollutants, and recommendations as to the programs which must be undertaken to control each category of such sources, including an estimate of the costs of implementing such programs. "(2) The Administrator shall transimit such State reports, together with an analysis thereof, to Congress on or before October 1, 1975, and October 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter." All photographs are courtesy of individual and or organization listed. Cover photo by Steve Delaney United States Office of Environmental Protection Public Affairs (A-i 07) Agency Washington DO 20460 V^1VE PA Environmental News EPA RELEASES 1988 NATIONAL WATER OUALITY INVENTORY May 9, 1990 Sean McElheny,(202)-382-4387 Many water quality problems in the United States have been reduced as a result of pollution control programs, but serious problems remain, EPA told Congress in a recent report. The Agency said that non-point source pollution (e.g., runoff from agricul- tural lands and urban streets), toxic pollutants, groundwater contamination and wetland losses are among the important remain- ing problems affecting the nation's waters. The report notes that the United States has substantially cleaned up many waterways once severely polluted. About three- fourths of all surface waters assessed by the states fully meet their water quality standards and the beneficial uses for which they are designated, such as fishing, swimming and drinking. More than $50 billion has been spent in the last 20 years by the federal government to upgrade and construct municipal sewage treatment plants. The report notes that 87 percent of all munici- pal sewage treatment plants and 93 percent of major industrial facilities met federal and state water pollution control require- ments. The result has been a marked decline in pollution from "point sources," such as sewers and industrial discharge pipes. Pollutants from point sources include metals, bacteria and oxygen-demanding organic materials. The leading water quality problems now stem from non-point source pollution, according to information developed by the states. Non-point source pollution comes from urban and suburban stormwater runoff and from activities such as farming, grazing, construction, forestry, stream channelization and mining. Non- point pollutants include soil, nutrients, toxics and pesticides. Some non-point source pollution may be on the rise and some -may have b~een made more evident through improved monitoring capabili- ties and the decrease in point-source pollution. R-74 (more) -2- The report, entitled "National Water Quality Inventory: 1988 Report to Congress," is the seventh in a series of biennial inventories submitted to Congress since 1975. It is based on water quality analyses provided 'by 55 states, territories and jurisdictions on their rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, wetlands and groundwater. The 1988 report is derived from data collected in 1986 and 1987. RIVERS, LAKES AND ESTUARIES The states assessed about 30 percent of river miles, 40 percent of lake acres and 76 percent of estuary square miles for the 1988 inventory, a substantial increase over the 1986 inven- tory. Some information was also provided on the status of the Great Lakes. States determine to what extent their assessed rivers, lakes and estuaries support the designated beneficial use(s) of fish- ing, swimming and drinking. Assessed waterways are grouped into one of three categories: fully supporting designated beneficial use(s), partially supporting or non-supporting. Partially sup- porting and non-supporting waterways are considered impaired. States list pollutants and sources of use impairment. (See attached chart for the above information on rivers, lakes and estuaries.) The most commonly reported pollutants affecting impaired waters include nutrients, soil, pathogens and oxygen-demanding materials. Nutrients affect half of impaired lake acres and impaired estuarine square miles and 27 percent of impaired river miles. Siltation affects 42 percent of impaired river miles and 25 percent of impaired lake acres. Pathogens affect 48 percent of impaired estuarine square miles and 19 percent of impaired river miles. Oxygen-demanding materials affect 29 percent of impaired .estuarine square miles and 25 percent of impaired lake acres. Nutrients, such as nitrates in fertilizers and phosphates in detergents, can deplete a waterbody's oxygen supply through the overstimulation of plant and algal growth. Soil from fields, urban areas and construction sites can smother aquatic habitats and impair fish respiration and plant productivity. Pathogens are disease-causing bacteria or viruses from untreated sewage. Decomposing, organic, oxygen-demanding materials also deplete oxygen in waterways. The states reported that agricultural runoff accounted for over half of the pollution in rivers and lakes and that municipal discharges were a leading cause of estuarine pollution. Nearly 3,800 coastal shoreline miles, 20 percent of the R-74 (more) -3 - nation's coastline, were also assessed in 1988. Designated beneficial uses were supported by 89 percent of assessed coast- line miles. The report also showed that only 8 percent of the assessed shoreline miles of theGreat Lakes supported designated beneficial uses. WETLANDS Water quality reports on wetlands are sparse. EPA and the states currently are working to improve standards and analyses affecting wetlands. Wetlands are lost at the rate of 458,000 acres per year. EPA estimates that over half of the country's original wetlands have been lost. Residential and commercial land development is the most often cited cause of wetland loss reported by the states; other causes include agricultural and resource extraction activ- ities. Some states have enacted legislation effective in protect- ing wetlands and halting their destruction and degradation. Wetlands are marshes, swamps, bogs and similar areas that are often saturated by water. Once considered wastelands to be drained or filled, wetlands now are recognized as extremely productive ecosystems. Wetlands provide multiple benefits such as flood control, pollution filtration, coastal storm protection, commercial fish production, waterfowl habitat and recreational opportunities. GROUNDWATER The states identified several major threats to groundwater quality such as underground storage tanks, septic systems, agricultural activities, municipal landfills, surface impound- ments and abandoned hazardous waste sites. Contaminants of concern include nitrates, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, petroleum products, metals and brine. Groundwater is a vital natural resource that is used for drinking water by more than half of the nation's population and for irrigation, industrial use and livestock watering. In rural areas, the vast majority of the population relies an groundwater for domestic water uses. PUBLIC HEALTH AND AOUATIC LIFE CONCERNS States also reported pollution's effects on public health and aquatic life including fish kills, beach closures and fish contamination. Nearly 1,000 pollution-caused fish kills, totalling roughly R-74 (more) -4- 36 million fish, were reported by 37 states. Leading causes were oil, gas, pesticides, ammonia, chlorine and oxygen-demanding materials from-sources such as agriculture, spills and municipal and industrial discharges. Over 200 beach closures were reported by 31 states. Most were of short duration and resulted from pathogens such as fecal coliform bacteria from sewage, urban runoff and spills. The states reported that, in general, toxic substances affect less water area than other types of pollution such as siltation and nutrients. Where they occur, however, toxic sub- stances can cause or contribute to locally severe public health and aquatic life effects. States provided specific information on toxic substances in their rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and coastal waters; in the bottom sediment of these waters and in fish'and shellfish. Elevated levels of toxics were reported in one-third of monitored river miles, lake acres and coastal waters. About a fourth of monitored estuarine waters and 90 percent of Great Lakes shore- line miles were reported as having elevated toxic levels. Forty-seven states and territories reported a total of 586 fishing advisories and 135 fishing bans. PCBs, chlordane, mer- cury, dioxin and DDT were the most commonly cited causes. Indus- trial discharges and land disposal were the most common sources of such contamination. Thirty-five states reported 533 incidents of sediment contamination by toxics. PROGRESS The 1988 National Water Quality Report to Congress shows that the nation's water pollution control programs have achieved significant results. In 1972, 85 million people were served by secondary sewage treatment facilities; today, 144 million are served by such facilities. EPA reports that the vast majority of municipal and industrial facilities are in compliance with their discharge permit limits. A variety of local, state and federal activities have led to progress in addressing non-point source pollution. The states are developing and implementing numerous groundwater protection programs. States are also implementing control programs for waterways impaired by toxic and non-point source pollution. Reporters interested in a copy of the report should call Sean McElheny, EPA Press Office, (202)-382-4387. Others can obtain the report by writing to: Alice Mayic, office of Water (WH-553), U.S. EPA, 401 M St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. R-74 ** DEGREE OF DESIGNATED USE SUPPORT IN THE NATION'S ASSESSED WATERS RIVER E ESTUARY MILES ACRES SQUARE MILES ULPPORTING 1 07. (53.449) L . 0. (1.59 L.391) 67 ( 1.488} P.ARTLILLY A20 (104.632) 17% (2.701.577) 23. (6.078) SUPPORTNGC FULLY SUPPORTING 707 (361.332) 74% (12.021.044) 72X (19.110) ASSESSED 519.413 16,314.012 26.676 TOTAL IN U.S. � 1.800.000 39.400.000 35.000 * 'otal waters based on Stat--reported tatorm&lon Ln Amerts&' ClaAn Walte.- The Stite' NoapolnL Source As*sesment. ASIVPCA. 1965. Total U.S. stuartne aquar. muss based on 19O66 Stte reported 305(b) daLt and excludes Alaska and Island Terrltonlre. SUMMARY OF CLU8E8S AN7D SOURCES OF POLLUTION, BY WtTERBODY TYPE Waterbody Leading Causes Leading Sources Type of Impairment* of Impairment* Rivers Siltation Agriculture Nutrients Municipal discharges Pathogens Resource extraction Organic enrichment Habitat modification Lakes Nutrients Agriculture Siltation Habitat modification Organic enrichment Storm sewers/runoff Salinity Land disposal Estuaries Nutrients Municipal discharges Pathogens Resource extraction Organic enrichment Storm sewers/runoff Oil and grease Land disposal *Four leading causes and sources are listed; determined by total size affected. S ~~~UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 THE ADMINISTRATOR Dear Mr. President: Dear Mr. Speaker: As required by Section 305(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, I am transmitting to the Congress the 1988 National Water Quality Inventory Report. This report is the seventh in a series of national water-quality assessments published since 1975. It is based primarily on reports submitted by the States in 1988; in some cases, State-reported information has been supplemented by data developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although EPA has analyzed and summarized the water quality information in the State reports, the views and recommendations presented are those of individual States, not those of EPA or the Administration. The individual 1988 State reports are being transmitted to the Congress in their entirety. The message presented by the States in these reports is that many point source-related surface water-quality problems, such as bacteria and oxygen-demanding materials discharged by sewage treatment plants, appear to be diminishing as a result of pollution control programs. At the same time, the pollution problems that are most difficult to assess and control-e.g., sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, polluted runoff from farmlands, and toxic contamination of fish tissue and sediments-are becoming more evident. About 30 percent of U.S. river miles, 40 percent of lake acres, and 70 percent of estuarine square miles were assessed by the States in 1988, a significant increase over previous years. Of these assessed waters, most are supporting the uses for which they have been designated by the States. These uses, such as drinking water supply, swimming, and the propagation of aquatic life, were found to be supported in 70 percent of assessed river miles, 74 percent of assessed lake acres, and 72 percent of assessed estuarine square miles. A variety of pollution problems remain in the Nation's waters. The leading causes of pollution cited by the States in impaired rivers and lakes are siltation and nutrients; in impaired estuarine waters, nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria are most commonly cited. Agricultural activities are the most extensively reported source of pollution in rivers and lakes, and municipal discharges are cited as the leading source of pollution in estuaries. Wetland loss is also a significant problem reported by the States. Land development for residential or commercial uses is cited as the leading cause of loss of wetland acreage. Major threats to ground-water quality, as reported by the States, include underground storage tanks, septic systems, agricultural activities, municipal landfills, surface impoundments, and abandoned hazardous waste sites. Nitrates, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, petroleum products, metals, and brine are cited as the leading contaminants of concern in ground water. Nevertheless, as this report shows, the Nation's water pollution control programs have achieved significant results. Expenditures to construct and upgrade sewage treatment facilities have substantially increased the population served by higher levels of treatment. Municipal and industrial facilities are at a high rate of compliance with the conditions of their permit limits. A variety of State and Federal programs have led to progress in reducing the impacts of diffuse sources of pollution such as agricultural runoff. The States are engaged in a number of ground- water protection activities such as development of wellhead protection programs and ground-water mapping. In addition, under the impetus provided by the Water Quality Act of 1987, the States have identified specific waters with impairments due to toxic contaminants and diffuse sources of pollution. EPA and the States are beginning to develop and implement control programs for these waters. In future editions of this report, EPA will be reporting on the progress achieved by these programs. EPA is continuing to work with the States to improve the consistency and comprehensiveness of the Section 305(b) reporting process. A computerized data system has been developed to better manage State water-quality assessments and facilitate State reporting. EPA is developing guidance for the States to help them build effective, forward-looking monitoring programs. Future reports in this series should reflect these improvements. Sincerely, IProperty� of ese xLfbrazy Will-iam K. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA Honorable J. Danforth QuayleCOSASEVESENR President of the Senate -� ~~~~~~~~~~COASTAL SERVICES CENTER Washiington,DC 20510 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413 /%- Honorable Thomas Foley Vpeaker of the House of Representatives -o 'V ~/!Washington, DC 20515 x 0 "-- Acknowledgments This report is based primarily on water quality assessments submitted to EPA by the States, Territories, and Interstate Commissions of the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wishes to thank the authors of these assessments for the time and effort spent in preparing these reports and reviewing the draft of this national assessment. Additional thanks go to the water quality assessment coordinators from all ten EPA Regions who work with the States. This document was written and edited by Alice Mayio of the Assessment and Watershed frpteteohL f]jvjsisiq:, Qffiee sfj~ater Regulations and Standards (OWRS), under the direction of Bruce Newton, Chief, Monitoring Analysis Section. Key contributions were also made by the following individuals in other EPA program offices: Mary Lou Soscia, Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection; Caryle Miller, Office of Ground-Water Protection; John Maxted, Office of Wetlands Protection; Sandy Braswell, Office of Municipal Pollution Control; Brett Snyder, Office of Policy Planning and Evaluation; and Ed Bender and Kathryn Smith, Office of Water Enforcement and Permits. Data analysis, technical assistance, graphics, and word processing were provided by Versar Incorporated under Contract No. 68-02-4254. Design, typesetting, illustration, and graphics were provided by Research Triangle Institute, Research Services Department, under Contract No. 68-C9-0013. K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Pg PaeContents Highlights ..........................iv Figures........................... v Tables ............................vii Part One: Introduction Executive Summary......................xi Introduction..........................xxi Background.........................xxi Methodology ........................xxii Part Two: Surface Water Quality 1Rivers and Streams..................... 1 Support of Designated Uses ..1............... Causes of Impairment.....................3 Sources of Impairment.................... 7 Attainment of the Clean Water Act Goals..............11 2 Lakes and Reservoirs ....................17 Support of Designated Uses...................17 Causes of Impairment.....................18 Sources of Impairment.....................22 Attainment of the Clean Water Act Goals..............26 Trophic Status of Lakes ....................26 EPA's Clean Lakes Program...................30 3 The Great Lakes.......................33 Support of Designated Uses ..................33 Causes and Sources of Impairment................34 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals ...............35 The Great Lakes: A Narrative Assessment.............38 4 Estuaries and Coastal Waters.................4 Estuaries..........................50 Support of Designated Uses..................50 Causes of Impairment ...................51 Page Sources of Impairment....................54 Attainment of the Clean Water Act Goals.............57 Understanding Estuarine Water Quality: The Chesapeake Bay Perspective ......................59 Ocean Coastal Waters.....................68 Support of Designated Uses..................68 Causes and Sources of Impairment...............69 Attainment of the Clean Water Act Goals.............69 New Initiatives for Estuarine and Coastal Waters...........77 5 Wetlands...........................79 Types of Wetlands ......................79 Wetland Values .......................80 Overview of State Reporting...................83 Wetland Resources......................83 Wetlands Protection Programs..................89 6 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns ..101......... o Total Size of Waters Affected by Toxics...............102 Fish Consumption Advisories and Bans ..............106 Sediment Contamination....................110 Fish Kills Caused by Pollution..................114 Bathing Area Closures.....................116 Part Three: Ground-Water Quality Introduction.........................119 7 Ground-Water Quality ....................121 Current Ground-Water Use ...................121 Ground-Water Quality .....................122 8 Ground-Water Protection Programs..............129 State Programs .......................129 Federal Ground-Water Protection Programs.............136 Part Four: Water Pollution Control Programs Introduction.........................143 9 Point Source Control Program ................145 Toxics Control: Section 304(l) of the Clean Water Act .........145 Treating Municipal Wastewater..................148 Treating Industrial Wastewater..................152 Permitting..........................155 Compliance and Enforcement..................155 New Initiatives in Point Source Control...............157 Page 10 Nonpoint Source Control Program ..............161 The Water Quality Act of 1987..................164 The State Section 319 Reports..................164 The NPS Agenda Task Force ..................165 New Directions........................165 11 Surface Water Monitoring ..................167 Goals of the Water Monitoring Program ..............168 The Need for Change .....................169 New Water Monitoring Initiatives .................171 Outlook for Water Quality Monitoring ...............172 12 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control............177 Costs ...........................177 Benefits ..........................180 13 State Recommendations...................185 References .........................189 Appendix - Excerpts from the State reports..........A-1 Highlights Page Sources of Pollution Reported by the States .................10 Making Assessment Decisions.....................14-15 Green Bay/Fox River Mass Balance Study ................42-44 The Potomac River: The Multidecade Recovery of a Chesapeake Bay Tributary ......................62-65 Coastal Protection in the Mid-Atlantic Bight ................66-67 Port Townsend Bay .........................70-71 Red Tide in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico..................74-76 National Wetlands Policy Forum ....................92-93 The National Wetlands Inventory ....................96-97 Citizen-Based Surface Water Monitoring ................174-175 Washington's Centennial Clean Water Program ...............183 iv No. Title Page Figures 1-1 Designated Use Support in Assessed Rivers and Streams ........3 1-2 Percent of Impaired River Miles Affected by Each Pollution Cause ......6 1-3 Percent of Impaired River Miles Affected by Each Pollution Source......7 1-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Rivers and Streams ....13 2-1 Designated Use Support in Assessed Lakes and Reservoirs ........18 2-2 Percent of Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Each Pollution Cause ......22 2-3 Percent of Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Each Pollution Source......23 2-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Lakes and Reservoirs. ...26 3-1 Designated Use Support in Assessed Great Lakes............34 3-2 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Great Lakes .......36 4-1 Designated Use Support in Assessed Estuaries .............51 4-2 Percent of Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Each Pollution Cause . . 53 4-3 Percent of Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Each Pollution Source . 56 4-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Estuary Square Miles. ...57 4-5 The Chesapeake Bay Watershed...................59 4-6 Average Summer Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in Chesapeake Bay: 1985-1986 .........................60 4-7 Percent of Maryland Chesapeake Bay SAV Ground Survey Stations with Vegetation Present ......................61 4-8 Designated Use Support in Assessed Oceans..............69 4-9 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Oceans .........72 5-1 Extent of Wetlands in the Lower 48 States ...............80 5-2 Original and Remaining Acreages of Wetlands in the Lower 48 States.....83 5-3 Major Causes of Wetland Loss and Degradation.............83 5-4 Wetlands Acreage Distribution Nationwide ...............96 6-1 Fishing Restrictions Nationwide ...................106 6-2 Fish Kills Distribution Nationwide...................114 7-1 Percentage of State and Territory Populations Served by Ground Water for Domestic Supply........................122 No. Title Page 7-2 National Breakdown of Ground-Water Withdrawals.............122 7-3 National Use of Ground Water 1950-1 985................123 7-4 Frequency of Reported State and Territory Concern with Ground-Water Contamination Source .......................126 7-5 Priority Ranking of Ground-Water Contamination Sources..........127 7-6 Priority Ranking of "Other" Ground-Water Contamination Sources ......127 7-7 Number of States and Territories Reporting Ground-Water Contaminant as a Concern...........................128 9-1 Status of Permit Compliance for Municipal Facilities............157 11-1 States with Citizen Monitoring Programs (CMPs) .............174 vi No. Title Page T b e 1-1 Designated Use Support in Rivers and Streams...............2 1-2 Impaired River Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution ...........4 1-3 Impaired River Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution ........... 8 1-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Rivers and Streams . . ..... . ..12 1-5 EPA-issued Guidelines on Making Use Support Decisions.. . ..... . ..15 2-1 Designated Use Support in Lakes and Reservoirs.............19 2-2 Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Causes of Pollution ...........20 2-3 Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Sources of Pollution ...........24 2-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Lakes and Reservoirs ........27 2-5 General Characteristics of Traditional Lake Trophic Status Classifications .... 28 2-6 Trophic Status of the Nation's Lakes ..................29 3-1 Designated Use Support in Great Lakes..................34 3-2 Impaired Great Lakes Shoreline Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution .. . . ..34 3-3 Impaired Great Lakes Shoreline Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution .. . . ..36 3-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Great Lakes . . ........ . ..37 4-1 Designated Use Support in Estuaries . ..................50 4-2 Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution . . .... . ..52 4-3 Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution.. .... . ..54 4-4 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Estuaries .. ............58 4-5 Historical Record of Oyster Harvest from the Chesapeake Bay . . .... . ..65 4-6 Designated Use Support in Oceans.............I..... 68 4-7 Impaired Ocean Coastal Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution .......72 4-8 Impaired Ocean Coastal Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution . . .... . ..72 4-9 Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Oceans ...............73 5-1 Summary of State Permit and Other Selected Nonpermit Programs . ... . ..91 5-2 Estimated Wetland Area by State . ....................97 6-1 Size of Surface Waters Affected by Toxic Substances. . . ..........104 6-2 Fishing Restrictions Reported by the States ................107 6-3 Pollutants Associated with Fishing Restrictions ...............108 6-4 Sources Associated with Fishing Restrictions ................108 vii No. Title Page 6-5 Fish Kills Caused by Pollution....................115 6-6 Pollutants Associated with Fish Kills..................116 6-7 Sources Associated with Fish Kills ..................116 9-1 Levels of Municipal Wastewater Treatment (1984-1988) ..........148 9-2 Needs for Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Facilities.........150 9-3 Status of Permit Issuance .....................155 9-4 National Composite Rates of Facilities in Significant Noncompliance .....156 12-1 Spending for Water Pollution Abatement and Control ...........178 12-2 Distribution of 1986 State Expenditures for Water QuantitylQuality Programs . 7 12-3 Distribution of State Water Quality Program Expenditures 1988 and 1988-1990 Estimated Incremental Needs................181 Viii Introduction Executive Summary The State Section 305(b) thought to have good water reports have become increas- quality. The reader should ingly comprehensive water also keep in mind that this quality assessments. More 1988 report summarizes and more information is water quality data collected becoming available on waters by the States in 1986 and that were previously 1987. unassessed; on the specific The information presented causes of impairment and in this report reveals that sources of pollution; on many point source-related public health and aquatic life surface water quality prob- impacts such as fishing advi- lems-for example, conven- sories; on ground-water tional pollutants such as conditions; and on efforts bacteria and oxygen-demand- under way to evaluate and ing materials discharged by address water quality sewage treatment plants- problems. appear to be diminishing as a However, in reviewing the result of pollution control information presented, the programs. On the other hand, _ -L I ~bl reader should keep in mind problems that are harder to that not all waterbodies have assess and control, such as been assessed. Because gov- sedimentation, nutrient ernmental monitoring efforts enrichment, runoff from tend to focus on problem farmlands, and toxic contam- areas, it is likely that ination of fish tissue and unassessed waters are not as sediments, are becoming polluted as assessed waters. more evident. Some of these Many States are just begin- problems may be on the rise. ning to study nonpoint Others may just be more source impacts that may evident as point sources affect areas that have been xi Executive Summary come under control and as biologists, predictive water preted with care and should we develop improved quality models, and informa- not be compared to those of monitoring capabilities to tion from citizens to assess previous reporting cycles, as identify them. To some their waters. wide variations exist among extent, it is certainly true The States designate their States in methods used to that the more we look, the waterbodies for beneficial determine support of bene- more we find. uses (such as drinking water ficial uses. supply, contact recreation, The most extensive causes and warm and cold water of impairment in the Nation's What Do the fisheries) as part of their rivers are siltation (affecting States Report on EPA-approved water quality 42 percent of impaired river the Quality of standards. Among the States miles), nutrients (affecting that reported on support of 27 percent), fecal coliform Their Rivers? these beneficial uses, a bacteria (affecting 19 combined total of about percent), and organic enrich- Nearly 520,000 river miles 360,000 river miles were ment/low dissolved oxygen were assessed by 48 States, found to support beneficial (affecting 15 percent). Agri- Territories, and jurisdictions uses, or 70 percent of the cultural runoff is by far the in 1988. This reflects 29 river miles assessed most extensive source of percent of the total river in these States (see Figure pollution, affecting 55 miles in the U.S., or 45 ES-1). Including unassessed percent of impaired river percent of the total river waters, it might alternatively miles. Other sources include miles in the States that be stated that 31 percent of municipal discharges (affect- reported. This is an increase the total river miles in ing 16 percent of impaired of nearly 150,000 miles over these States were known to waters), resource extraction the number of river miles support uses, 14 percent and hydrological habitat assessed in 1986. States used were known to be impaired, modification (each affecting chemical/biological monitor- and the remaining 55 percent 13 percent), and storm ing and other types of data were not assessed. These sewers/runoff (affecting such as surveys of fisheries numbers should be inter- 9 percent) (see Table ES-1). River Miles* Lake Acres* Estuary Square Miles** Partially Partially Not Supporting Supporting Supporting (104,632) Not (2,701,577) Not Supporting (1,488) Unassessed Fully Supporting Fully (1,591,391) Partially (8,300) Supporting (53,449) Supporting Supporting l361,332) (12,021,044) 78 Unassessed Unassessed Fully Supporting (1.28 million) (23.2 million) (19,110) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 'Total water based on State-reported information in America's Clean Water; The States' Nonpoint Source Assessment, ASIWPCA, 1985. -Total US estuary square miles based on 19B8 State-reported 305(b) data and excludes Alaska and Island Territories. Figure ES-1. Degree of Designated Use Support in the Nation's Assessed Waters xii Executive Summary What Do the The most extensive causes About 4,500 Great Lakes States Report on of use impairment in lakes shoreline miles were assessed the Quality of are nutrients (affecting 49 by six of the eight Great percent of impaired acres), Lakes States in 1988. This Their Lakes? siltation (affecting 25 reflects 87 percent of the percent), and organic enrich- total Great Lakes shoreline About 16 million lake acres ment/low dissolved oxygen miles in the U.S. and all the (excluding the Great Lakes) (also affecting 25 percent) shoreline miles in these six were assessed by 40 States, (see Table ES-1). Nutrients States. This is the first time Territories, and jurisdictions such as phosphorus and sufficient use support in 1988. This reflects 41 nitrogen are the main cause information has been avail- percent of the total lake of cultural eutrophication- able for the Great Lakes. A acres in the U.S., or 73 a major alteration of lake combined total of about 370 percent of the total lake ecology characterized by the Great Lakes shoreline miles acres in the States reporting. excessive growth of aquatic were found to support desig- This is an increase of about weeds and algae. The States nated beneficial uses, only 8 3.8 million lake acres over reported that about a third of percent of assessed shoreline the number assessed in 1986. all lakes assessed for trophic miles. This low rate of use Among the States that status are classified as support is attributed largely reported on support of desig- eutrophic. The most exten- to fish consumption restric- nated beneficial uses, a sive sources of pollution in tions in place throughout combined total of about 12 lakes are agriculture (affect- nearshore waters of the million lake acres were found ing 58 percent of impaired lakes. The most extensive to support those uses, or 74 lake acres), hydrologic/ causes of nonsupport are percent of the assessed lake habitat modification (affect- synthetic organic chemicals, acres in those States (see ing 33 percent), storm metals, and nutrients. Figure ES-1). Including sewers/runoff (affecting 28 unassessed waters, it might percent), land disposal alternatively be stated that (affecting 26 percent), and about 53 percent of the total municipal discharges (affect- lake acres in those States are ing 15 percent) (see Table known to support uses, 19 ES-i). percent are known to be impaired, and the remaining 28 percent were not Agricultural activities are the assessed. most extensive sources of pollution in lakes. Table ES-1. Leading Causes and Sources of Impairment Type of Leading Leading Waterbody Causes* Sources' Rivers Siltation Agriculture Nutrients Municipal Discharges Lakes Nutrients Agriculture Siltation Hydro/Habitat Mod. Estuaries Nutrients Municipal Discharges Pathogens Resource Extraction *Determined by size affected. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. xiii Executive Summary What Do States 54 percent of total estuarine Nearly 3,800 coastal shore- Report on the square miles in these States line miles were assessed by Quality of Their are known to meet desig- 12 States and Territories in Estuaries and nated uses, 21 percent are 1988. This reflects only about known to be impaired, and 20 percent of the Nation's Coastal Waters? the remaining 25 percent 19,200 miles of ocean coast- were not assessed. line, and 73 percent of the About 26,700 square miles The most extensive causes coastline miles in these of estuaries were assessed by of use impairment in estu- States. The 1988 reporting 23 States, Territories, and aries are nutrients and cycle is the first time suffi- jurisdictions in 1988. This pathogens (affecting 50 cient use support informa- reflects about 76 percent of and 48 percent of impaired tion has been available for the estuarine area assessed square miles, respectively) the Nation's coastal shore- in these States. Roughly and organic enrichment/low line. Among the States that 9,000 more estuarine square dissolved oxygen (affecting reported on support of miles were assessed in 1988 29 percent). The most exten- beneficial uses, a combined than in 1986. sive sources of pollution in total of about 3,300 miles Among the States that estuaries, as cited by the were found to fully support reported on support of States, are municipal uses, or 89 percent of designated beneficial uses, discharges (affecting 53 coastline miles assessed in a combined total of about percent of impaired these States. 19,000 square miles were estuarine square miles), found to support uses, or 72 resource extraction (affect- percent of estuarine square ing 34 percent), and storm miles assessed in those States sewers/runoff (affecting 28 (see Figure ES-1). Including percent) (see Table ES-1). unassessed waters, it might Coastal shoreline water alternatively be stated that quality is reported separately from estuarine water quality. Baltimore's Inner Harbor. xiv Executive Summary What Do the activity increases in all these What Public States Report on areas. Health/Aquatic the Status of Their By far the most often cited Life Impact s A re cause of wetland loss LifeImpactsAre Wetlands? reported by the States is land Reported by the development for residential States? State reporting on their or commercial purposes. status in 1988 was sparse and Second-home development In general, the information uneven. Roughly one-quarter and urban encroachment are era the Sat o reported by the States shows of the States and Territories commonly cited. Other that toxic substances are provided information on reported causes include that toxic substances are somewhat less prevalent, in wetland acreage, causes of agricultural and resource tes real ent, n terms of areal extent, than loss, wetland legislation, and extraction activities; agri- er s of lltn t other types of pollution prob- State programs. Further- culture is reported as a major lems such as siltation and more, even where informa- historical cause of wetland utin a nutrients. However, where tion was provided, it was loss but appears to be a lesser te or, we they occur, toxic substances often incomplete. States current threat. e o oibtet can cause or contribute to generally did not report on A variety of State wetland ca ser ut t locally severe public health wetland quality (i.e., support protection legislation and an uic e at and aquatic life impacts. of designated uses). programs are discussed by a u t i f t Our understanding of the This incompleteness can be the States. In many cases,revalence of toxic sub- prevalence of toxic sub- attributed to the complexity these State efforts appear to stances, exposure routes, and and expense of wetland be effective in protecting levels of concern is limited by levels of concern is limited by monitoring, the lack of wetlands and halting their the difficulty and expense of the difficulty and expense of a complete data base on destruction and degradation. monitoring and conducting monitoring and conducting wetland acreage, the lack of long-term health effect long-term health effect State water quality standards studies. Nevertheless, we for wetlands, and insufficient gie nerle have gained considerable EPA guidance on wetland experience over the last reporting. Future State decade in monitoring for 305(b) reporting on wetlands should be improved as 4 Wetlands provide many benefits including food and habitat for fish and wildlife. xv Executive Summary toxic substances and in tar- State water quality stand- 37 States. Five hundred geting monitoring to areas ards; criteria developed by thirty-three incidents were most likely to be contami- EPA under Section 304(a) of reported, primarily caused nated. In 1988, the number the Clean Water Act; Water by heavy metals, PCBs, and of States providing data on Quality Advisories developed pesticides. toxic substances in their by EPA; or "levels of State Nearly a thousand pollu- waters increased substan- concern" where numeric cri- tion-caused fish kills were tially compared to previous teria do not exist. The States reported by 35 States, with reporting cycles. reported elevated levels of roughly 36 million fish killed. States provided specific toxics in one-third of moni- Biochemical oxygen demand- information on toxic tored river miles, lake acres, ing substances/low levels of substances in their rivers, .and coastal waters. About a dissolved oxygen, oil and gas, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, fourth of monitored estua- pesticides, temperature and coastal waters; in the rine waters and 90 percent of changes, ammonia, and bottom sediments of these Great Lakes shoreline miles chlorine were leading waters; and in the tissue of were reported as having ele- causes cited by the States. fish and shellfish. Toxics- vated levels of toxics. Commonly cited sources related impacts such as fish Forty-seven States and include agriculture, spills, consumption advisories and Territories reported on and municipal and industrial other public health or fishing advisories and bans; discharges. aquatic life impacts (such as 586 fishing advisories and Information on the closure fish kills and beach closures) 135 bans were identified. of swimming areas due to were also discussed by the PCBs, chlordane, mercury, pollution is limited in the States. dioxin, and DDT were the State reports. Over 200 beach Where States monitored most commonly cited causes; closure incidents were for toxic substances (usually industrial discharges and reported, most of short-term a subset of waters most likely land disposal were the most duration and attributed to to have problems with common sources of contami- pathogen indicators such as toxics), they were asked to nation leading to fishing fecal coliform bacteria from report on the extent to which restrictions. sewage treatment plants, elevated levels were found. Sediment contamination combined sewer overflows, These elevated levels are by toxics was discussed by urban runoff, and spills. defined as exceedances of xvi Executive Summary What Do the Many States and TeLrritories nitrates, pesticides, volatile States Report on are engaging in studies to organic compounds, petro- better understand the leum products, metals, and Grou nd-Wate r quality of their ground water, brine as contaminants of Quality? identify and map their concern (see Tible ES-2). ground-water resources, Other contaminants reported Ground water is a vital identify potential sources of include bacteria, solvents, natural resource that is contamination, and deter- acids, and tanning wastes. withdrawn for drinking mine the vulnerability of the These findings generally water, irrigation, industrial resources to pollution. Many parallel the findings of the use, and livestock watering. States have also begun 1986 reports except for a In many parts of the United developing more innovative reduction in the number of States, ground water is the approaches to ground-water States reporting ground- only reliable source of water. protection, such as Wellhead water impacts from sewage. As result of a growing aware- Protection (WHP) Programs. ness of the important nature Over half of the States and of this resource and its Territories classified under- What Is the Status vulnerability, many States ground storage tanks, septic of Ground-Water and Territories are develop- systems, agricultural activ- ing and expanding legisla- ities, municipal landfills, Progemi? tion, regulations, and surface impoundments, and Programs? programs to protect ground abandoned hazardous waste water Ground-water protec- sites as major threats to The States and lbrritories tion is especially important ground-water quality. With are currently engaged in a because of the difficulty and very minor differences, these number of ground-water expense involved in cleaning are the same sources of protection activities to up contaminated aquifers, concern reported in the 1986 address identified contami- providing alternative water State Section 305(b)reports. nants and their sources. At supplies, or adding treatment More than half of the States least 49 States and Territories to public water systems. and Territories identified have developed or are in the Table ES-2. Leading Sources and Contaminants Affecting Ground Water Leading Sources of Leading Ground-Water Ground-Water Contamination Contaminants of Concern � Underground Storage Tanks a Nitrates * Septic Systems * Pesticides * Agricultural Activities * Volatile Organic Compounds * Municipal Landfills * Petroleum Products � Surface Impoundments * Metals � Abandoned Hazardous a Brine Waste Sites Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 0 Xvii Executive Summary process of developing Since the reauthorization In recent years, the Federal Ground-Water Protection of the Safe Drinking Water Government has joined the Strategies. Many of these Act in 1986, many State and States in their efforts to State Strategies have also local governments have been protect the Nation's ground been accompanied by actively moving to develop water through programs changes in State laws or and implement WHP mandated by the Clean regulations to bolster Programs. Section 1428 of Water Act, the Safe Drinking ground-water protection the Safe Drinking Water Act Water Act, the Resource activities. At least 31 States specifies that each State Conservation and Recovery have adopted specific must prepare a WHP Act, the Comprehensive ground-water protection Program and submit it to Environmental Response, legislation. Other States rely EPA by June 19, 1989. Many Compensation, and Liability on generic water or public of the States and local Act, and the Federal Insecti- health statutes. This legisla- governments are already cide, Fungicide, and Rodenti- tion has led to the promulga- conducting specific WHP cide Act. In 1984, EPA tion of regulations, which, activities. Twenty-seven developed a Ground-Water in many States, stipulate States submitted WHP Protection Strategy that controls for the management programs by the deadline, provides an approach to of specific sources of and additional States are integrating source-specific contamination and standards pursuing other wellhead control and cleanup for ground-water quality protection initiatives. programs into a comprehen- protection. Sources of Over 40 States and sive policy and institutional ground-water contamination 'Ibrritories report active framework for protecting the have historically been regu- programs to classify their resource from unacceptable lated by many different ground waters and to map levels of contamination. EPA agencies within the States. vulnerable sources of is also working to strengthen Coordinating the activities of ground-water supply. Many ground-water data manage- these agencies to ensure an of the State classification ment through activities such effective ground-water programs have been designed as developing a minimum set protection program is a to support the application of data elements for ground priority in at least 12 States. of ground-water quality water, thus facilitating entry standards. and retrieval of ground-water data. Abandoned hazardous waste sites are among the many threats to ground-water quality. xviii Executive Summary Are the Nation's CWA authorized EPA to strategies must be developed provide grants and loans to for plants contributing to Surface Water the States. Expenditures toxic problems in surface Pollution Control under the construction waters; EPA is directed to Programs grants program have develop numerical limits for produced significant gains toxic pollutants of concern in Working? for wastewater treatment. In sludge, the residual material 1972, 85 million people were from the wastewater treat- The Clean Water Act (CWA) served by secondary treat- ment process; timetables of 1972 provided the basic ment or better; today, treat- were established for EPA to framework for Federal and ment facilities serving 144 develop permits for storm State programs to regulate million people have second- water management; and a point and nonpoint sources ary or more advanced levels State Revolving Fund of pollution. Although of treatment. According to program was developed as a revised by amendments in EPA data, 87 percent of the new financing mechanism 1977, 1981, and 1987, the Nation's municipal sewage for wastewater treatment. basic framework embodied in treatment plants were in In the early 1980s, the original Act continues to compliance with existing significant backlogs of guide the Nation's water permit limits as of July 1, unissued permits for indus- pollution control programs. 1988. The States provide a trial dischargers had an Point sources of pollution number of examples of water adverse effect on water are regulated through quality improvements quality in the United States. permits issued by either EPA resulting from municipal EPA data reveal that efforts or the States. These permits construction and upgrading. to remedy these backlogs contain limits on the amount The Water Quality Act of have been largely successful; and types of pollutants that 1987 includes a number of a 13 percent backlog cur- may be discharged. provisions to further improve rently exists for major 'lb control pollution from municipal wastewater treat- sources. The data also show municipal dischargers, the ment. For example, control that industrial permittees have achieved a higher rate of compliance than munici- pal permittees: 93 percent of major industrial facilities were meeting their permit limits as of December 1988, compared to 87 percent of major municipal facilities. Nonpoint sources of pollution are primarily addressed through programs at the State and local levels of government. Nonpoint source (NPS) management activities focus primarily on pollution prevention, as opposed to restoration. Approaches range from land use management to the implementation of structural and cultural practices designed to reduce the environmental impacts of human activities. Examples xix Executive Summary of NPS management activ- report to Congress entitled A State and local governments ities include preserving Report to The Congress: overcome barriers to the wetlands; managing Activities and Programs successful implementation nutrients and pesticides on Implemented Under Section of NPS measures. farms; creating wet deten- 819 of the Clean Water Act- EPA has also initiated an tion basins in urban areas; Fiscal Year 1988, EPA NPS Agenda Tabsk Force to controlling stream acidifi- reports that a variety of State explore new and creative cation caused by abandoned and Federal activities have approaches to achieving the coal mines; protecting led to progress in reducing goal of the Agenda. Likely salmonid fisheries from the impacts of NPS in approaches include raising sediment entering streams specific waters. At the same public awareness of NPS; from logging areas; and time, several States have providing States and local protecting and reestablishing identified constraints governments with informa- riparian habitats. These affecting the implementation tion on NPS solutions and activities may be imposed of NPS programs. incentives for their imple- through regulatory or In January 1989, EPA mentation; and developing voluntary programs and are completed a National NPS water quality criteria and generally developed and Agenda that will serve as the monitoring protocols applied on a site-specific framework for the Agency specifically designed to basis. NPS program over the next 5 assess NPS problems and Section 319 of the Water years. The goal of the Agenda evaluate NPS control Quality Act of 1987 included is to protect and restore the activities. provisions for the assessment quality of U.S. waters and management of nonpoint through strong National sources. In its second NPS leadership and by helping XX~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Introduction Background ~~Background ~ of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation The Federal Water Pollu- in and on the water be tion Control Act (commonly achieved by July 1, 1983." known as the Clean Water In response to the Act, in Act or CWA) has been the the early 1970s the Federal primary regulatory force government and the States protecting the Nation's water developed new water pollu- resources. A number of other tion control programs and statutes-for example, the strengthened existing efforts Safe Drinking Water Act, the to deal with the myriad Marine and Estuarine Protec- sources adversely affecting ..:.. ~ tion Act, and the Resource water quality. The problems ?:~ ~Conservation and Recovery were daunting: industries Act-also directly address and municipalities were water quality issues. The discharging inadequately objective of the Clean Water treated or raw wastes into Act is to "restore and rivers, lakes, and estuaries; maintain the chemical, the disposal of hazardous physical, and biological materials in landfills and integrity of the Nation's dumpsites occurred without -: ._ a~~--: . ~ waters." An interim goal regulation or control; and established to achieve this little or no consideration was 0Ile~~~~~~~ ~~~objective is that "wherever given to methods to control attainable... water quality surface runoff of pesticides, which provides for the fertilizers, and sediments. protection and propagation xxi Introduction Significant progress was which, because of their these reports and transmit achieved under the CWA in characteristics and uses, them and this national report the 1970s and 1980s in clean- required unique approaches to Congress. This report ing up the most pressing and to pollution control. summarizes the States' 1988 obvious pollution problems. Amendments to the Clean reports, which contain data Industries and municipal Water Act, passed in 1987, collected in 1986-1987. sewage treatment plants sought to address these A number of variables are were brought under regula- problems. Among other involved in defining water tion and achieved increas- things, the amendments quality, collecting monitoring ingly more stringent levels of require identification of data, and compiling and control. State water pollu- specific degraded waters, reporting on that informa- tion abatement and assess- development of strategies to tion. EPA seeks to establish ment programs grew more control pollution in those consistency among these comprehensive. Yet along waters, and application of variables by preparing guide- with the rising sophistication additional resources to lines for States' use in of these efforts came the impaired estuaries and lakes. reporting water quality realization that some First-stage results of these information. For example, problems were not being new initiatives are included these guidelines promote the adequately addressed. in this report. use of a consistent measure Among these problems were of water quality based on the sources of pollution that Methodology degree to which a waterbody were difficult to identify and is in compliance with the manage, such as runoff from Section 305(b) of the Clean State water quality standards agricultural lands and city Water Act requires States to established for that water- streets; toxic contaminants report to EPA on the extent body. State water quality for which methods of detec- to which their surface waters standards consist of the tion and control were highly are meeting the goals of the water quality objective, expensive; and degradation Act and to recommend how expressed as the "beneficial of waters such as lakes, the goals can be achieved. use," and numeric and narra- estuaries, and wetlands, EPA, in turn, is to analyze tive "criteria" designed to ensure maintenance of the beneficial use. EPA's Section , ~ ~ L~~~ i~~~ j~~ ~305(b) reporting guidelines require that States report on water quality in terms of the degree that beneficial uses are supported. Degree of use support is divided into four categories: fully supporting, fully supporting but threat- ened, partially supporting, and not supporting uses. Limited criteria for defining these categories have been developed, but States have considerable discretion in determining exactly how decisions about the degree of use support are made. Thus, the data reported by the States should be considered to represent State judgments g~~~~~ ~ ~ i~~~~~~~-� ~~~~~~~~~about water quality. xxii Introduction Another method of defin- reporting cycles, consider- � 48 provided information ing water quality, as ably more emphasis will be that could be used to derive mentioned above, is by placed on waterbody-specific the overall degree of desig- determining progress toward information that will be nated use support for 519,412 the goals of the CWA-that managed using a computer- stream miles, or 45 percent waters be of fishable and ized data system. of the stream miles in these swimmable quality. EPA Some of the major data States; guidelines encourage report- elements that were used in ing on this measure and seek this report include the � 40 provided information to establish baseline defini- following: on designated use support tions of fishability and for 16,313,962 acres of lakes swimmability. � Total sizes of assessed and reservoirs, 73 percent of Ideally, the State assess- waterbodies (in river miles, lake acres in these States; ments should contain two lake acres, estuarine square types of water quality infor- miles, coastal and Great Lake � 23 out of 27 coastal States mation: waterbody-specific shoreline miles) per State provided information on and summary. This dual that are fully, partially, or designated use support for approach allows the State not supporting designated 26,628 square miles of reports to serve various beneficial uses, and those estuaries, 76 percent of the functions. The identification that are threatened; estuaries in these States; of specific problem areas and pollutants increases the � Major causes of use � 15 States provided infor- usefulness of the reports in impairment (i.e., pollutants mation on their existing determining State manage- or processes such as siltation wetland acreage and State ment needs and pollution causing degradation); wetland programs (no States control priorities; summary assessed the quality of their data permit a "big picture" � Sources of pollution in wetlands); of State and national water those waters not fully quality to be drawn. In supporting their uses; and � 38 reported on causes general, it is the State of nonsupport in impaired summary information that � Number of waters rivers, 33 reported on causes has been extracted and adversely affected by toxic in impaired lakes, and 16 analyzed for this 1988 pollutants. reported on causes in National Water Quality impaired estuarine waters; Inventory. In future 305(b) Although many States have provided most or all of the � 37 reported usable infor- summary data requested in mation on sources of pollu- the guidelines, others have tion in impaired rivers, not done so. For example, out 28 reported on sources in of the 53 States, Territories, impaired lakes, and 14 and jurisdictions that reported on sources in submitted water quality impaired estuaries; assessments in 1988 in time for their inclusion in this � 12 States reported on the AWreport: extent of their wetland resources and the factors affecting those resources, 10 reported on their wetland protection programs; and The goal of the Clean Water Act is that the waters of the U.S. be fishable and - swimmable. xxiii Introduction * 35 provided data on the more cost-effective monitor- supported in a given water- total number of river miles ing techniques. EPA is also body. Determining the affected by toxics; 28 in the process of examining degree of use support reported on the number of EPA and State monitoring involves a considerable lake acres affected by toxics, efforts as part of planned amount of judgment, and 13 reported on the revisions to program particularly for the aquatic number of estuarine square guidance for monitoring. life uses. It also may involve miles affected by toxics. Nevertheless, the absence going beyond examination of of data for some States limits the specific chemical criteria However, despite incom- EPA's ability to analyze the contained in State water plete reporting, the contin- data over time and creates quality standards. Such uing effort to improve and gaps in our understanding of criteria are designed to better manage water quality water quality conditions support the use but are often data is succeeding. In 1988, nationwide. Another obstacle incomplete compared to the the States provided more arises because of inconsis- range of potential pollutants data on many topics of tencies among States in how and phenomena that concern than in previous these data were generated. adversely affect water years. The number of waters These inconsistencies are quality and, ultimately, the assessed by the States has themselves the result of degree of use support. risen significantly. Current different State approaches to A wide degree of variation State and EPA initiatives to monitoring, different pollu- is evident among States in further improve water moni- tion problems and program the number of river miles, toring and reporting include needs, and the lack of lake acres, and estuarine implementing a computer- generally accepted assess- square miles assessed for ized water quality data ment methodologies. designated use support (see system to manage State For example, as mentioned Table 1). Some States information on the causes, previously, the standard provided rather low esti- sources, and magnitude of measure for evaluating water mates of their total number degradation in individual quality is the degree to of waters; therefore, their waterbodies, and developing which designated uses are percentages of total waters The number of waters assessed by the States has risen significantly. xxiv Introduction Table 1. Percentage of Waters Assessed for Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries* Rivers Lakes Estuaries Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent State Miles Assessed Acres Assessed Sq. Miles Assessed Alabama 40,600 28 504,336 97 625 8 Arizona 6,671 34 - - NA NA Arkansas 11,508 36 - - NA NA California 26,970 37 1,417,540 76 1,598 69 Colorado 14,655 68 265,982 47 NA NA Connecticut 8,400 10 82,900 26 601 100 Delaware 500 93 - - - - Delaware River Basin 206 100 - - 866 100 District of Columbia 36 72 377 36 6 100 Florida 12,659 63 2,085,120 45 4,298 62 Georgia 20,000 100 417,730 100 594 100 Hawaii 349 100 - - 134 100 Illinois 14,080 92 247,188 74 NA NA Indiana 90,000 6 104,540 100 NA NA Iowa 18,300 45 81,400 99 NA NA Kansas 19,791 35 175,189 99 NA NA Kentucky 18,465 47 228,385 94 NA NA. Louisiana 14,180 60 713,719 73 7,656 64 Maine 31,672 100 994,560 100 1,633 100 Maryland 9,300 100 17,448 100 1,981 100 Massachusetts 10,704 15 - - 171 100 Michigan 36,350 100 840,960 50 NA NA Minnesota 91,944 5 3,411,200 42 NA NA Mississippi 15,623 100 500,000 100 133 100 Missouri 19,630 100 288,012 100 NA NA Montana 20,532 95 756,450 88 NA NA Nebraska 10,212 56 145,300 59 NA NA New Hampshire 14,544 9 151,000 99 27 63 New Jersey - - - - 420 62 New Mexico 3,500 33 126,500 95 NA NA New York 70,000 100 750,000 100 1,564 100 North Carolina 37,378 89 305,367 100 3,200 100 North Dakota 11,284 87 625,503 99 NA NA Ohio 43,917 16 117,323 77 NA NA Ohio River Valley 981 100 - NA NA Oklahoma 19,791 47 - - NA NA Oregon 90,000 31 610,808 83 Pennsylvania 50,000 26 - - NA NA Puerto Rico 5,373 100 11,146 100 - Rhode Island 724 80 16,520 97 192 100 South Carolina 9,900 38 525,000 78 2,155 29 South Dakota 9,937 38 1,598,285 41 NA NA Tennessee 19,124 49 538,657 100 NA NA Texas 80,000 17 1,410,240 100 1,990 100 Vermont 5,162 100 229,146 99 NA NA Virgin Islands - - - - 29 100 Virginia 27,240 13 161,562 100 2,382 76 Washington 40,492 11 613,582 26 2,943 72 West Virginia 28,361 50 19,171 100 NA NA Wisconsin - - 971,000 100 NA NA Wyoming 19,437 100 427,219 100 NA NA Totals 1,150,482 45 22,486,365 73 35,198 76 'Based on State estimates of total waters. - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. XXV Introduction assessed may appear high by have more severe water or those that are intensively comparison with other quality problems. States used for recreational States. Some States actually heavily affected by diffuse purposes-the remaining assessed a very high percent- and difficult-to-locate unassessed waters may be of age of their waters because nonpoint sources may have better quality. EPA is encour- they used best professional to rely on other than tradi- aging increased water quality judgment, information from tional fixed station monitor- assessment in order to verify citizens and other State ing of chemical pollutants this and gain a more accurate agencies, and computer to determine water quality picture of the Nation's waters modeling to supplement conditions. as a whole. EPA has also actual chemical, biological, On the other hand, States asked States to identify and physical monitoring with high concentrations of which of their waterbodies data. Other States assessed a industries and cities may find were assessed using biolog- smaller percentage of their it more effective to rely on ical or chemical data (termed total stream miles because biological surveys and "monitored") and which they preferred to rely almost various chemical monitoring were assessed using other exclusively on actual water methods to assess water types of data (termed quality monitoring data such quality. Traditionally, then, "evaluated"). as chemical and biological each State weighs its needs In addition to the problem information from fixed and judges how it can best of variations in the number stations and special surveys, use its monitoring resources. of waters assessed, there are and may have excluded One drawback of this basic inconsistencies involv- supplemental sources of approach is that it results in a ing how support of desig- information. relatively small percentage nated uses is determined. Why do State monitoring of the Nation's waters being Variability exists among strategies vary? Clearly, some assessed. We assume that States in defining the charac- States have more funds than since States generally focus teristics a waterbody must others for these activities, their monitoring resources have to be fully, partially, or just as some have more on waters most likely to have not supporting its uses and waters to deal with and some problems-e.g., urban waters even what those uses should States use a variety of methods : to monitor their waters. xxvi Introduction be. In part, this variability activities include developing completed in late 1987, and arises from the range of a consistent and accepted eight States were able to use methods the States use to baseline of total State waters the WBS for their 1988 assess water quality. In many and encouraging the use of reports. Those States cases, biological, chemical, the Section 305(b) reporting reported that the system was and evaluative data must all process as a tool in managing useful for organizing and be weighed before a use toxicants, nonpoint sources, analyzing their information support decision can be and lake/estuary/wetland and simplified the prepara- made. Other factors contrib- protection programs. tion of waterbody listings uting to inconsistencies To further improve the required by the Water include widely divergent Section 305(b) reporting Quality Act. natural conditions among process and to manage the States and vast differences in various new assessments the States' monitoring capa- required by the Water bilities and resources. Ib Quality Act of 1987, EPA has address these problems, EPA developed a data system for is working with the States to managing water quality develop improved guidance information for specific on making use support deci- waterbodies. Design of the sions. This guidance should system-called the Section greatly increase the consist- 305(b) Waterbody System ency of State assessments of (WBS)-began in 1986. The water quality. Other EPA system was partially xxvii Surface Water Quality /1~~~~~~~'l Rivers and Streams Support of Of those assessed waters, Designated Uses 361,332 miles, or 70 percent, were found to be fully supporting their designated The standard measure of uses. Ten percent of those water quality reported by the fully supporting waters, or States is the degree to which 36,038 stream miles, were waters support the uses for identified as threatened which they have been desig- waters that could soon nated, such as high-quality become impaired if pollution cold water fishery, contact control actions were not recreation, or drinking water taken. Twenty percent of supply. In their 1988 State assessed waters, or 104,632 Section 305(b) reports, 48 miles, were reported as States, Territories, jurisdic- partially supporting uses, tions, and Interstate Commis- and 10 percent, or 53,449 sions (referred to, hereafter, stream miles, were reported as States) provided this as not supporting uses (see information (see Thble 1-1). Figure 1-1). Thirty-eight These States assessed a total States specified the basis of of 519,413 river miles-45 their assessment decisions. In percent of the total stream these States, 60 percent of miles estimated for these assessed waters were eval- States and 29 percent of the uated using mathematical Nation's estimated 1.8 million models, citizen complaints, stream miles.* questionnaires, etc., and Estimate from ASIWPCA, America c Clean Water: The States' Nonpoint Source Assessment, 1985. Rivers and Streams Table 1-1. Designated Use Support in Rivers and Streams Total Miles Assessed Miles Miles Miles River Percent Percent Fully Miles Partially Not State Miles Total Evaluated Monitored Supporting Threatened* Supporting Supporting Alabama 40,600 11,174 85 15 10,118 - 625 431 Arizona 6,671 2,279 - - 1,583 400 207 489 Arkansas 11,508 4,107 46 54 1,714 - 29 2,364 California 26,970 9,885 - - 6,578 - 2,219 1,088 Colorado 14,655 10,000 54 46 8,605 403 708 687 Connecticut 8,400 880 33 68 582 238 239 59 Delaware 500 467 0 100 280 - 156 31 Delaware River Basin 206 206 - - 194 - 0 12 District of Columbia 36 26 0 100 0 0 0 26 Florida 12,659 7,943 27 73 5,287 - 2,021 635 Georgia 20,000 20,000 66 34 19,443 . 383 174 Hawaii 349 349 28 72 265 0 80 4 Illinois 14,080 12,970 23 77 5,783 172 7,001 186 Indiana 90,000 5,181 28 72 3,519 636 982 680 Iowa 18,300 8,235 75 25 69 69 6,503 1,663 Kansas 19,791 6,888 57 43 3,994 3,994 760 2,134 Kentucky 18,465 8,653 63 37 6,176 719 878 1,599 Louisiana 14,180 8,483 - - 5,730 141 2,146 607 Maine 31,672 31,672 - - 31,278 - 0 394 Maryland 9,300 9,300 84 16 8,635 - 504 161 Massachusetts 10,704 1,646 0 100 713 - 598 335 Michigan 36,350 36,350 - - 35,567 - 0 783 Minnesota 91,944 4,443 0 100 1,553 - 564 2,326 Mississippi 15,623 15,623 87 13 13,850 359 1,331 442 Missouri 19,630 19,630 77 23 10,147 - 9,445 38 Montana 20,532 19,505 85 15 12,261 359 6,630 614 Nebraska 10,212 5,690 - - 3,244 - 1,202 1,244 New Hampshire 14,544 1,331 77 23 950 - 210 171 New Mexico 3,500 1,152 - - 576 - 554 22 New York 70,000 69,988 95 5 53,394 3,740 8,087 8,507 North Carolina 37,378 33,275 45 55 22,375 10,427 9,152 1,748 North Dakota 11,284 9,850 44 56 6,834 5,992 3,016 0 Ohio 43,917 7,045 0 100 2,256 - 1,501 3,288 Ohio River Valley 981 981 17 83 0 - 981 0 Oklahoma 19,791 9,248 36 64 3,306 2,442 3,512 2,430 Oregon 90,000 27,738 - - 12,546 - 8,497 6,695 Pennsylvania 50,000 13,242 39 61 9,642 - 1,770 1,830 Puerto Rico 5,373 5,373 67 33 2,459 478 1,143 1,771 Rhode Island 724 581 43 57 489 271 14 78 South Carolina 9,900 3,795 0 100 2,824 - 395 576 South Dakota 9,937 3,750 18 82 1,387 484 1,260 1,103 Tennessee 19,124 9,428 - - 5,976 1,598 2,484 968 Texas 80,000 13,998 0 100 12,169 0 0 1,829 Vermont 5,162 5,162 83 17 4,534 908 379 249 Virginia 27,240 3,532 0 100 1,210 - 1,401 921 Washington 40,492 4,621 22 78 2,295 1,269 1,608 718 West Virginia 28,361 14,301 46 54 2,862 128 10,107 1,332 Wyoming 19,437 19,437 67 33 16,080 811 3,350 7 Totals 1,150,482 519,413 361,332 36,038 104,632 53,449 Miles Threatened is a subset of Miles Fully Supporting. -Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 2 Rivers and Streams 40 percent were monitored waters assessed and different the number of stream miles using ambient chemical and methodologies than to radi- affected by the different biological data (see Making cally different water quality. causes of nonsupport (see Assessment Decisions for Caution should therefore Table 1-2). further discussion). be used in interpreting these Any given stream mile can TaIble 1-1 illustrates some numbers: they should not be affected by many causes. of the inconsistencies that be compared to those of Therefore, States were asked hamper the Section 305(b) previous 305(b) reporting to include each stream mile reporting and assessment cycles, nor should they be under each of the cause process. First, ten States used to draw comparisons categories that contributes to failed to provide usable among States. Differences in impairment, also assigning a information on support of any given State's summary degree of impact, reported designated uses. Second, of information from one year to here as major or moderate/ those States that provided the next may be due to the minor. (Data from States that data, variations exist in the State's reporting on different did not specify degree of percent of total State waters waters or to changes in impact are depicted in Figure assessed and in the methods methods of assessing use 1-2 as "unspecified." In Table of assessing use support. For support. 1-2, they are included under example, four States assessed the "Major" heading.) There- 10 percent or less of their Causes of fore, a single river mile is total waters, while ten States counted under several cate- reported that they assessed Impairment gories if it is affected by all or nearly all of their multiple causes. The values waters. Similarly, miles fully States were asked to iden- reported are the total supporting uses ranged from tify the causes of nonsupport number of river miles zero to 99 percent of assessed in waters not fully support- affected by a particular State waters, a variation ing uses. Causes of non- cause of impairment, accord- more likely attributable to support are those pollutants ing to whether the cause is the portion of the State's (such as pesticides or a major or moderate/minor nutrients) or pollution contributor to impairment. processes (such as habitat The relative extent of each Not Supporting destruction) that are impair- cause of nonsupport can be ing the waterbodies. In 1988, determined by dividing the Partially Supporting 38 States provided data on (20%) Fully Supporting (70%) Assessed Miles (519,413) Source:1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Sediments and nutrients, both predominantly from diffuse Figure 1-1. Designated Use Support in Assessed Rivers sources such as agriculture, are leading causes of impairment and Streams in streams. 3 Rivers and Streams Table 1-2. Impaired River Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution Total Organic Impaired Siltation Nutrients Pathogens Enrichment 11"1 ~1 ~|~~ | State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Alabama** 1,056 57 - 879 - - - 931 - Arkansas 2,393 - - - - 1,759 199 56 - Colorado 1,395 . - - - 176 505 21 - Connecticut 298 - 12 119 44 112 64 85 71 Delaware** 187 - - 126 - 144 - 76 - .... ~ ~ ~District of Columbia 26 - - - - 7 18 - - Florida** 2,656 376 - 992 - 376 - 990 - Georgia 557 - - - - 9 183 163 192 Illinois 7,187 129 6,660 375 7,095 147 241 155 1,270 Indiana 1,662 14 167 82 173 413 375 192 320 Iowa 8,166 6,751 1,408 42 8,107 1,190 141 25 1,431 Kansas 2,894 - 35 - 49 1,238 741 81 406 Kentucky 2,477 724 126 100 4 969 - 300 114 Louisiana 2,753 - 22 513 808 405 1,451 514 1,086 Maryland 665 157 16 259 93 102 144 43 42 Minnesota** 2,890 1,870 - 1,567 - 2,196 - 1,999 - Mississippi 1,773 415 181 595 911 - 28 78 423 Missouri 9,483 6 8,299 - - - - 1 58 Montana 7,244 394 6,441 310 2,895 79 410 22 92 New Hampshire 381 - - - - 136 232 69 62 New Mexico 576 108 313 31 193 11 71 - - NewYork 16,594 126 44 8 151 15 144 66 122 North Carolina** 10,900 6,299 - - - 77 - 115 - North Dakota 3,016 1,396 748 1,286 1,725 289 1,110 210 156 Ohio River Valley 981 - 981 - - 162 26 - 250 Oklahoma** 5,942 2,804 - 2,582 - 1,180 - 518 - Oregon** 15,192 1,260 - 745 - 885 - 603 - Pennsylvania** 3,600 - - 368 - 194 - 278 - Puerto Rico 2,914 224 151 91 368 383 228 34 283 Rhode Island 92 - - 16 4 20 33 17 18 South Carolina** 971 - - - - 618 - 321 - South Dakota 2,363 110 275 - 232 150 1,003 - 161 Tennessee 3,452 1,426 952 245 969 546 831 504 1,224 Vermont 628 342 123 205 122 64 174 132 256 Virginia 2,322 - - - - 820 1,016 20 90 Washington 2,326 425 376 238 251 805 865 184 364 West Virginia 11,439 846 4,405 383 1,602 57 363 627 2,948 Wyoming 3,357 - 2,623 - - - 273 - - Totals 142,808 26,259 34,358 12,157 25,796 15,734 10,869 9,430 11,439 Combined Totals 60,617 37,953 26,603 20,869 Percent of Impaired Waters 42.4% 26.6% 18.6% 14.6% 'The sum of partially and nonsupporting river miles (Table 1-1). * These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); river miles were placed in the "Major" 4 column for national reporting purposes. Rivers and Streams Suspended Habitat Thermal Metals Pesticides Solids Salinity Flow Alteration Modification pH Modification Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min 51 - - - - - - - 155 - - - 21 - - - - - - - - - - 15 - - - - 56 62 - - 527 767 - - - - - - - - 69 29 - - - 11 - - - - 10 101 - - - - 24 - 19 - - - - - - - - - 16 - - - 24 3- -- -- -- -- - - 7 - - 280 - - - - -259 - - - - - - - - - - 8 - - - - - - - . _ _ _ _ _ _ 23 908 - 131 - - - 18 - 701 371 1,242 14 141 - - 66 194 68 232 - - - - 4 13 14 - 44 113 - 6 2,358 213 545 7,603 - - - - - - 3 86 92 - - - 114 - - - - - 800 141 89 294 - - 22 30 - - 370 125 28 - - - 158 50 - - 111 20 185 - - - 26 5 - 103 339 646 18 323 - 22 - - - - - 20 - - - 13 - - - - - 7 - - 49 67 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 354 - - - 83 306 162 628 - - 11 5 - - - - - 172 - - - 24 - 883 - - - - - 180 15 40 - - 284 606 - - - - 140 2,981 231 2,312 - 1,510 614 97 213 1,441 82 35 - - - - 56 - 72 30 275 108 27 60 - - 11 88 5 47 - - 9 13 56 95 - - 60 - 103 10 246 - - - - - - - - - - - 48 - - - 255 321 31 --1,041 363 426 459 234 100 - - - - - - 981 - - 981 - - - - - - - 684 - 2,381 --1,969 - 1,154 - 22 - - - 22 - - - - - 52 - - - - - 1,355 - 1,480 - 455 - 1,320 - 834 - 175 - 544 - - - - - - 730 - 16 - 12 33 14 86 - - 1 - 300 1 43 - - - - - 70 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . . . _ _ - - - 2 - - - 11 - - - 772 964 - - - - - - - 656 5 4 87 548 60 205 848 706 8 11 144 250 113 172 150 336 14 39 10 17 - - - - - - 168 89 259 150 16 3 116 358 - - - - - - - - - - - - 81 256 - 39 187 632 120 43 224 469 - 58 201 65 289 26 135 136 248 874 1,308 1,544 - 2 - - 80 648 356 538 135 724 1,031 866 94 665 7 - - 130 - - - 811 - 347 - 741 - - - - 9,084 6,410 3,660 11,087 5,737 3,159 3,120 5,533 3,387 4,864 3,103 5,060 4,239 3,042 2,129 3,456 15,494 14,747 8,896 8,653 8,251 8,163 7,281 5,585 10.8% 10.3% 6.2% 6.1% 5.8% 5.7% 5.10/% 3.9% - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Rivers and Streams total number of miles tion (cited as the third and pesticides (such as chlor- affected by each cause leading cause of impairment dane, dieldrin, and DDT), category by the total miles nationwide) may impair respectively. Other signif- impaired (see Figure 1-2). drinking water supply and icant causes include Figure 1-2 illustrates that contact recreation uses. Such suspended solids, salinity, siltation, the smothering of contamination may come flow alteration, other habitat stream beds by sediments from inadequately treated modification, pH, and (usually from accelerated sewage or runoff from thermal modification. soil erosion), is the most pastures, feedlots, and urban These national summary commonly reported cause of areas. These pathogen indi- figures should be interpreted nonsupport in the Nation's cators were found to affect with care, as a close look at rivers and streams, affecting 19 percent of impaired 'Tible 1-2 reveals that certain 42 percent of impaired river waters. States are reporting a large miles. Nutrients, the second The next most common proportion of the impact most commonly reported cause is organic enrichment/ from these causes of impair- cause, affect 27 percent of low dissolved oxygen, affect- ment. For example, Iowa impaired river miles and ing 15 percent of impaired alone accounts for over half most often consist of river miles. This cause may of the total river miles phosphorus and nitrogen be closely linked to sewage affected by pesticides, and compounds such as those treatment plants, feedlots, Montana accounts for about used in agricultural fertil- and nutrients. Nutrients can a third of all stream miles izers. Both siltation and stimulate the growth of affected by salinity and flow nutrients are predominantly algae, which often leads to a alteration. Reporting incon- from diffuse sources. drop in levels of dissolved sistencies influence these Fecal coliform bacteria are oxygen. findings. organisms commonly moni- The fifth and sixth most Twenty-nine States speci- tored as indicators of possible commonly reported causes of fled the degree of impact pathogen contamination of impairment are metals (such (i.e., major or moderate/ waters. Pathogen contamina- as lead, copper, and mercury) minor) of the causes affect- ing their rivers and streams. POLLUTION CAUSES For most categories of Siltatio ..... ...................causes, there were more Siltation :.:... : : waters in which the cause '.... was a moderate/minor Nutrients mai~~:{ ~ ~ ~~~~~ii~~:::~ :~ : contributor to impairment Pathogens ll{ l ii i:':!-" than a major contributor. ,1/ I For only two categories Organic Enrichment : I of causes-metals and suspended solids-did major Metals impacts outweigh moderate/ Pesticides ;.~ ~minor impacts. In 52 percent Pesticidesj*'~ "~~ ] of the waters affected by Suspended Solids metals, the impact of metals wasconsidered major, as was Salinity ~ the impact of suspended Salinity Unspecified solids in 51 percent of Flow Alteration " E9 Moderate/Minor Impact affected waters. Hi Major Impact Other causes with a high percentage of major impact 0 10 20 30 40 50 include pathogens (major Miles Affected () 2impact in 48 percent of Impaired Miles Affected affected waters), pH (major Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) Reports. impact in 46 percent), and Figure 1-2. Percent of Impaired River Miles Affected by Each Pollution Cause siltation (major impact in 28 6 percent). Rivers and Streams Sources of source category that contrib- total miles impaired (see Impairment utes to impairment, also Figure 1-3.) assigning a degree of impact, Some ambiguity occurs In their 1988 State Section reported here as major or when defining the source 305(b) reports, 37 States moderate/minor. (Data from categories used in Table 1-3. provided information on the States that did not specify For example, States were various sources of pollution degree of impact are asked to report separately on contributing to use impair- depicted in Figure 1-3 as stream miles affected by ment in rivers, such as "unspecified." In Thble 1-3, storm sewers and miles municipal discharges and they are included under the affected by urban runoff agricultural runoff. Sources "Major" column heading.) As (primarily surface runoff). of impairment are those a result, a single river mile Some States made this activities that contribute will be counted under several distinction, while others did pollutants or result in categories if it is affected by not and chose to report only harmful processes such as multiple sources. The values in the urban runoff category. siltation (see Highlight- reported are the total number Since separate storm sewers Sources of Pollution Reported of river miles affected by a are designed to convey urban by the States). Table 1-3 particular source of impair- surface runoff, it is very displays the categories of ment according to whether difficult to distinguish sources and the size of the source is a major or between storm sewer waters affected by each. moderate/minor contributor discharges and urban runoff. As with causes of impair- to impairment. The relative Therefore, for purposes of ment, any given stream mile extent of each source of analysis, these numbers were can be affected by many nonsupport can be deter- combined into one category sources. Therefore, States mined by dividing the total reflecting waters affected by were asked to include each number of miles affected by storm sewers/runoff. Entries stream mile under each each source category by the in this category in 'able 1-3 may also reflect additional information provided by POLLUTION SOURCES some States subsequent to their 305(b) submission. This Agriculture i n:::: .: problem has been corrected for the next reporting cycle. Municipal Table 1-3 reveals that the Resource Extract ~i'~:itA~ most extensive source of pollution reported for the Hydro/Habitat Mod ........Nation's rivers is agricultural runoff, which affects 55 Storm Sewers/Runoff percent of impaired river miles. Other extensive Silviculture :"'"~dJ~i~ sources include municipal Industrial dischargers, affecting 16 percent; resource extraction and hydrologic/habitat Construction Unspecified modification, affecting 13 Land Disposal i . Moderate/Minor Impact percent; and storm sewers/ C i Major Impact runoff, industrial discharg- Combi n e d Sewers I ers, and silviculture, each 0 110 20 30 40 50 60 affecting about 9 percent of Impaired Miles Affected (%)impaired river miles. As was the case with Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) Reports. causes of impairment, this Figure 1-3. Percent of Impaired River Miles Affected by Each Pollution Source source information should be 7 Rivers and Streams Table 1-3. Impaired River Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution Hydrologic/ Total Resource Habitat Impaired Agriculture Municipal Extraction Modification State Waters* Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Alabama** 1,056 35 - 694 - 76 - 160 - Arkansas 2,393 1,722 174 294 - 117 85 - - California** 3,307 395 - 51 - 301 - - - Connecticut 298 - 102 212 52 - 44 10 69 Delaware** 187 146 - 35 - - - - - District of Columbia 26 - - 4 - - - - 3 Florida** 2,656 1,711 - 785 - 464 - 880 - Georgia 557 - - 140 189 - - - - Illinois 7,187 144 6,964 371 2,405 14 1,211 223 3,526 Indiana 1,662 47 934 285 217 49 121 - - Iowa 8,166 7,395 753 524 828 - 103 - 86 Kansas 2,894 918 677 512 546 229 12 89 280 Maryland 665 172 133 33 94 49 84 - 5 Mississippi 1,773 933 288 135 345 - - 19 - Missouri 9,483 - 8,267 16 58 22 88 - 189 Montana 7,244 420 5,603 43 118 319 1,385 171 1,299 Nebraska** 2,446 1,394 - 441 - - - 196 - New Hampshire 381 - - 92 190 - - - - New Mexico 576 36 374 34 - 37 21 87 13 New York 16,594 33 22 153 130 1 16 97 41 North Carolina** 10,900 5,559 - 635 - 19 - - - North Dakota 3,016 1,539 1,472 12 1,339 - 255 1,228 589 Ohio 4,789 917 1,724 2,831 929 649 328 931 1,203 Ohio River Valley 981 350 280 - - 350 280 - - Oklahoma** 5,942 3,986 - - - 2,302 - 1,103 - Oregon* * 15,192 7,605 - 1,062 - 2,280 - - - Pennsylvania** 3,600 464 - 378 - 1,775 - 31 - Puerto Rico 2,914 294 684 79 34 - - 49 - Rhode Island 92 16 2 18 32 - - - South Carolina* * 971 364 - 170 - - - 2 - South Dakota 2,363 1,187 1,022 11 43 - 62 - - Tennessee 3,452 1,289 1,269 628 924 360 700 847 1,102 Vermont 628 510 - 86 - 42 - 326 - Virginia 2,322 453 801 229 145 - - - - Washington 2,326 1,049 564 143 694 27 54 522 581 West Virginia 11,439 517 2,748 535 2,281 645 2,953 220 1,501 Wyoming 3,357 2,192 734 6 110 54 770 569 378 Totals 143,835 43,792 35,591 11,677 11,703 10,181 8,572 7,760 10,865 Combined Totals 79,383 23,380 18,753 18,625 Percent of Impaired Waters 55.2% 16.3% 13.0% 12.9% *The sum of partially and nonsupporting river miles (Table 1-1). *These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); river miles were placed in the "Major" column for national 8 reporting purposes. Rivers and Streams Storm Sewers/ Land Combined Runoff Silviculture Industrial Construction Disposal Sewers Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min 69 - - - 406 - 6 - - - - - - - - - 115 39 - - - - - - . . _ - 8 - - - - - - - - 148 - - 69 48 - 16 13 111 126 11 99 - - - 37 - 4 - - - 69 - - 26 - - 1 - - 1 - 13 - 26 1,786 - 63 - 578 - 792 - 947 - - - 9 183 - - 24 11 - - - - - 38 112 - - 14 1,201 - 470 14 16 113 692 145 112 - - 165 225 26 56 12 1 386 130 680 1,234 - - 219 221 - 16 3 165 - - 37 13 - - 124 92 - - - - - - 15 108 - - 2 - - - 22 - - 12 46 97 - - 103 214 - - - - - - - 154 - - - 10 - - - 1 - - 27 61 44 806 - 233 5 762 22 154 - - 24 - - - 49 - - - - - - - - - - - 38 36 - - - 92 10 78 - - 3 76 - - 3 87 3 15 - - 1 98 - 32 28 90 - 32 62 133 36 70 274 - 48 - 159 - 79 - 59 - - - 12 31 - - - 91 - - - - - - 503 883 9 29 1,061 629 9 85 243 977 10 26 150 - - - - 853 - 20 - - - 271 - 666 - - - - - 7,580 - 368 - 1,420 - - - 1,675 - 49 - - - 201 - - - 169 - 39 - 302 223 - - 58 126 - - 208 466 - 1 62 9 - - 1 69 16 - 16 2 15 3 157 - 4 - 55 - 4 - - - - - 47 215 - - 11 - - 26 - 26 - - 252 796 76 64 191 386 110 822 14 155 78 22 55 - 23 - 16 - 142 - 32 - - - 87 69 - - 48 13 - - - - - 4 354 103 100 138 113 246 239 89 201 228 12 31 489 1,133 426 2,728 856 2,674 446 1,769 224 878 428 1,233 10 282 58 65 334 169 362 858 - - - - 6,632 6,090 8,454 3,938 5,452 6,823 3,934 5,089 2,930 3,433 2,997 2,339 12,722 12,392 12,275 9,023 6,363 5,336 8.8% 8.6% 8.5% 6.3% 4.4% 3.7% - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 9 Rivers and Streams : : I s Point and npontsuce ArsubectopeitsSource Categories re iss ed by the State or EPA Used in This ....^; :4*-Jcs imy ouce categore of polu tt . :xi i ' (e'g. pulp and and nonpoint elements. For * Are also subject to paper mills, chemical manu- example, storm sewers/ enforcement action if their facturers, steel plants, textile runoff and resource extrac- permit limits are violated. manufacturers, food process- tion are sources that may be ing plants, etc.); addressed both via point Nonpoint Sources Municipal (e.g., publicly source control measures owned sewage treatment (i.e., permits) or nonpoint a Enter waterways generally plants which may receive source best management as runoff from widespread indirect discharges from plans. The following cate- (i.e., "nonpoint") areas. small factories or gories were used in the businesses); analysis of State data and U Are addressed via volun- Combined Sewers are not intended as legal tary controls, best manage- (storm and sanitary sewers definitions. ment practices, incentive combined, which may programs, demonstration discharge untreated wastes Point Sources programs, and to some extent during storms); by regulatory programs at Storm sewers/runoff - Discharge into waterways State or local level. (runoff from streets, paved via a discrete "point" such areas, lawns, etc., that enters as a pipe or ditch. a sewer, pipe, or ditch before RConstuction (eg., highway bui ding land feedlots pment); road construction); Construction (e.g., highway Resource extraction (e.g., mining, petroleum drilling, runoff from mine tailing sites); Land disposal (e.g., leach- ate or discharge from septic tanks, landfills, hazardous waste disposal sites); and Hydromodification (e.g., channelization, dredging, dam construction, streambank modification). 10 Rivers and Streams interpreted with care; a close Attainment of the In some cases, the look at Table 1-3 reveals that Clean Wat Act achievement of the CWA some States appear to er goals is precluded by physical predominate over others in Goals constraints, irrevocable the number of miles with water quality impacts, and impacts due to the various As stated at the beginning severe socioeconomic sources. For example, 61 of the Clean Water Act, "It impacts. In these cases, State percent of the river miles is the national goal that, water quality standards may with silvicultural impacts are wherever attainable, an exclude the fishable or swim- in Oregon alone. interim goal of water quality mable goal based on the Twenty-seven States which provides for the results of a special study of specified the degree of protection and propagation use attainability. Thus, there impact (i.e., major or of fish, shellfish, and wildlife are three possible outcomes moderate/minor) of the and provides for recreation for any waterbody when the pollution sources affecting in and on the water be question of CWA goal support their rivers. For no source achieved by July 9, 1983." is considered, as follows: category did major impacts Most U.S. waters are classi- outweigh moderate/minor fled to reflect these bench- � Fishable and/or swim- impacts. The two sources marks, which are commonly mable goals are supported; that had the greatest referred to as the fishable percentage of miles with and swimmable goals of the � Fishable and/or swim- major impacts are municipal Clean Water Act (CWA). mable goals are not supported and agricultural sources, Support of CWA goals is but are attainable; and with 39 and 38 percent, considered a separate and respectively. In 35 percent of independent criterion from * State water quality the miles with storm sewers/ the degree of designated use standards do not include runoff impacts, these support. fishable and/or swimmable impacts are considered Meeting the fishable goal uses (i.e., the CWA goals are major, as they are in 34 is defined by EPA for the not attainable). percent of the miles in the purpose of the 305(b) process industrial category. Other as providing a level of water In their 1988 water quality sources with a high percent- quality consistent with the assessments, 44 States age of major impacts include goal of protection and propa- provided data on the attain- combined sewer overflows gation of a balanced popula- ment of the fishable and and hydrologic/habitat modi- tion of shellfish, fish, and swimmable CWA goals in fication, with major impacts wildlife. Fishing advisories, their rivers and streams (see in 34 percent and 33 percent consumption bans, and high Table 1-4). A total of 480,503 of impaired river miles, incidences of fish abnormali- river miles were assessed for respectively. ties are indications that the fishable goal; 86 percent waters are not supporting were found to be attaining healthy aquatic populations the use, 11 percent were and do not support the fish- currently not attaining but able goal. Meeting the swim- could sometime in the mable goal is defined by EPA future, and 3 percent were as providing a level of water determined to be "not quality that allows for attainable" (see Figure 1-4). recreational activities in and Progress toward the CWA on the water. swimmable goal was assessed in 414,923 stream miles. Eighty-five percent were found to be attaining the swimmable goal, 11 percent were currently not attaining Rivers and Streams Table 1-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Rivers and Streams Fishable Goal (miles) Swimmable Goal (miles) Not Not Not Not State Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Alabama 11,174 9,925 801 448 11,174 9,925 801 448 Arkansas 10,820 10,581 239 - 10,099 8,107 1,992 - Colorado 10,823 8,960 1,040 823 10,000 9,474 526 0 Connecticut 880 738 140 2 880 682 196 2 Delaware 467 349 118 - 467 309 158 - Delaware River Basin 206 206 0 0 206 194 12 - District of Columbia 26 0 26 0 26 0 26 0 Florida 7,943 7,308 600 35 7,943 7,308 600 35 Georgia 20,000 19,443 557 - - - - - Hawaii 349 349 0 0 349 349 0 0 Illinois 12,970 12,488 482 0 2,994 730 2,189 75 Indiana 5,181 4,089 1,015 77 5,181 4,269 835 77 Iowa 8,235 6,714 1,497 24 8,235 1,638 580 6,017 Kansas 6,910 6,590 320 - 5,079 4,027 1,052 - Kentucky 8,633 7,841 792 - 2,406 1,308 1,098 - Louisiana 8,483 8,458 25 - 8,483 8,390 93 - Maine 31,672 31,377 295 0 31,672 31,377 295 0 Maryland 9,300 8,660 640 - 9,300 9,286 14 - Massachusetts 1,646 1,498 148 - 1,646 760 886 - Mississippi 15,622 15,200 422 0 15,622 14,785 837 0 Missouri 19,630 10,147 1,037 8,446 19,630 10,147 1,037 8,446 Montana 19,505 18,891 614 0 19,505 19,505 0 0 Nebraska 5,690 4,476 1,214 - 2,264 810 1,454 - New Hampshire 1,331 1,160 171 0 1,331 950 334 47 New Jersey 1,867 1,463 404 - 592 91 501 - New Mexico 576 554 22 0 576 576 0 0 New York 70,000 53,700 15,000 1,300 70,000 69,200 800 0 North Carolina 33,275 22,375 10,900 - 33,275 22,375 10,900 - North Dakota 9,851 9,389 462 0 9,851 9,287 564 0 Ohio River Valley 981 941 40 0 981 819 162 0 Oklahoma 19,791 18,834 436 521 19,791 17,663 2,128 0 Oregon 27,738 26,197 1,541 - 27,738 26,772 966 - Pennsylvania 13,242 9,642 3,600 - 13,242 9,642 3,600 - Puerto Rico 5,373 3,687 1,359 327 5,373 3,650 1,151 572 Rhode Island 581 465 27 89 581 465 27 89 South Carolina 3,795 3,477 318 - 3,795 2,199 1,596 - South Dakota 3,750 2,840 910 0 939 659 280 0 Tennessee 11,081 10,857 224 - 11,081 10,420 661 - Texas 13,998 13,843 155 - 13,998 12,616 1,382 - Vermont 5,162 4,990 172 0 5,162 4,787 132 243 Virginia 3,532 1,210 2,322 - 3,532 1,210 2,322 - Washington 4,637 3,168 1,469 0 4,637 2,898 1,739 0 West Virginia 14,340 13,005 1,335 0 14,340 13,005 1,335 0 Wyoming 19,437 19,430 7 0 947 947 0 0 Totals 480,503 415,515 52,896 12,092 414,923 353,611 45,261 16,051 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 12 Rivers and Streams the swimmable goal but could zero to 100 percent. For sometime in the future, and example, some States do not 4 percent were categorized adhere to EPA's definition of as "not attainable" (see fishability and consider Figure 1-4). Fewer waters waters fishable if they were assessed for the swim- support aquatic life (thereby mable goal than for the excluding fish consumption fishable goal, at least in part considerations). EPA is because some States do not working to better define include swimming uses in attainment of the CWA goals their standards. for future reporting. From these figures, it Eleven States reported that appears that proportionately the fishable goal was not more waters meet each Clean attainable in 12,092 stream Water Act goal than fully miles, and 11 States found support their designated the swimmable goal not uses. This may be because attainable in 16,051 miles. some States are reluctant to Reasons cited include indicate that a waterbody is naturally occurring physical not fishable or swimmable limitations and extensive when impacts in that water- land uses such as row crop body are slight or moderate. agriculture that would be Clearly, definitions of CWA prohibitively expensive to goal attainment vary among control. States as widely as do definitions of use support: the percent of waters meeting goals varies from Not Attainable Not Attainable Not Meeting (3%) Not Meeting (4%) Meeting Meeting (86%) (85%) Fishable Goal Swimmable Goal (480,503 Assessed Miles) (414,923 Assessed Miles) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 1-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Rivers and Streams 13 Rivers and Streams Making Assessment Decisions How do we know what it States collect a broad range procedures or involve site- means for a waterbody to of information on conditions specific sampling. Examples support or not support its in their rivers, lakes, and of this type of data include designated uses? What kinds estuaries. EPA asks the information provided by of data are used? How are States to report based on two citizens, reports of pollution- these data interpreted? Do categories of assessment caused fish kills, predictive all States use the same data. Monitoring data can modeling based on knowl- methods? be provided by networks of edge of sources, land use The answers to these ques- chemical or biological types, etc., surveys of tions are key to understand- sampling stations located fisheries personnel, and ing the water quality findings near dischargers or at other certain kinds of volunteer reported by the States and strategic points along water- monitoring. summarized in this docu- bodies, and by short-term or The degree to which States ment. In many cases, the one-time intensive or speci al use these different types of answers are not simple: State surveys designed to provide data varies greatly. Some methodologies vary widely water quality "snapshots" States rely almost exclusively and may not be clearly for discrete areas or to on fixed station monitoring documented. However, EPA answer questions about data or a combination of is engaged in efforts to specific problem sources or fixed station and intensive catalog State methodologies conditions. The data survey data. Other States and develop recommended collected may be chemical may use rotating basin guidelines which, if followed, (e.g., the concentration of a surveys in which a limited should result in more uniform given pollutant in water, number of basins are studied water quality assessments sediment, or fish/shellfish intensively. Others with among States. tissue) or biological (e.g., limited monitoring resources counts of the number of may find that their evalua- certain indicator species in a tive data provide a more given sample or testing the realistic picture of water toxicity of river or waste- quality conditions than does water samples). Their a small network of infre- common elements are that quently sampled stations. they are scientifically Most States use a combina- collected by the State tion of data types to reach pollution control agency, their assessment decisions. local governments, or Federal Designated use support authorities using quality information for rivers shows control procedures and that in the 38 States that involve actual observations specified data types, 386,530 and water/sediment/tissue/ stream miles were assessed, organism samples from 40 percent using monitoring aquatic sites. data and 60 percent using Evaluative data, on the evaluative approaches. Of other hand, are collected the 258,060 miles supporting from a variety of sources that uses in these States, 67 may not use quality control percent were evaluated and 14 :d~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rvr and Streams~ 33 percent wee monitored. Once data arecollected by guidelines donot allow fo However,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: nerl the reese teStts te us e uhflxbliyi mkn of this pplies i the 41147 analzed usig establshed deerminatins wher :~~~~~~~~:~ie no uprin ss rtei nodr o eiins ceia at ln r 32 percent of waters were to be made on support of used; do not address the~~~~~~~~: evlae n 8pret eintdue.I n isu o owt eihcota �~~~~~~~~~wremntrd.Todfer tep t noraecni- itr viec eg. eut entcoclsinscoldbe eny mog taesin ow ofbiloicl tudies tha draw frm tesefining: tesedecsios ae mde, disgre wih te rsuls o that~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sttscnetaeter EAhsisedgnrlceia nlss;add moitrig ffrt i tei gidliesoncrteiaStte nt ddes hw an dt ::::':;': ~ ~ ~ os derddwtr o ht mgtus odtrie onsaeatulyrqie where ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~Ut~ Sttsmnio hy dereo sespot.Tbe bfoeadcsincnb ten tofin prbles.Man 1- ilustats ky eemets ad. Utilmor wiel I�~ ~~~~~~~ttshaeidcte ht o heegieins hc ccpal ndcmrhn :~~~~~~~~:~~h fon: agmnti ru, wredvloe ontywth sbe udlie redvl Faced with diminishing the Association of Stean opdnddpedbth i~ ~~~~~~~~eore o mntrn, ItesaeWtrPolto ttsSaet-tt ~~~~~~a~~~M�Stte haetrdtinly otrlAmiitrtrsfra nonitnce i s focusd montorin statons 184 asessmet of rendsin suport etermnatios wil ~~~aditesv uveso aerqaiy dutescotnet thsearasmotliel t Sae dotin f hse hape ntonl nayss hav poblms Neerhelss gudeine hs benlimte. EA s tkig sep t ~~~:::: ~ ~ ~ ~ prhp a:: cobnto fte Apeiiaysreyo h eeo sesetgiac -�i-:��womyaplsic elac 18 taeScto 05b ha il rvdeabsi o on~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ moes qetonars rprsshw ha bu 1 ratrcnisec. eea an itzn oplit my Stts sdths gielns, nwdeeopetshv i:-a~ ~ ~~~~~fi torva erantpsofnmru Sae sdocurdtatne ob watr qalty robem. I vaiats f hes gudeine, cnsderd, ucasto ico !�::~ ~~~~~~~n cae P otne o ada adu i o pcf ogclseiiain o h supr bt ypso ass- whc riei te se n drainan rqunyo i -- entacivtie a te bst maingthirusesupot cncntatinsofcheicls kdnS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ avilbl an otpatcl deiin.Mn tte el teicese s ftxct waytoexpndcoerae f tatths e rtraaeto tsigadbooia o :: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ h Nainswtrrgdadd o ea otrn;adagetraae ~~---�--:_- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ aou wae quait condi imat cue yaia Table~~:::~~~ 1-.EAIsudGieieso aig s upr tos lary h P atrtos Basis for Full, Partial, or Nonsupport of Uses ~~~~ ~ ~ ~ aa~~8a~~~ ~~~ 2 At V: Lakes and Reservoirs ~~Support of ~ partially support uses, and 10 13 0 | 8 Designated Uses percent, or 1,591,391 acres, Designated Uses do not support uses (see Figure 2-1). Thirty-two States specified In their 1988 State Section the basis of their assessment 305(b) reports, 40 States, decisions. In these States, Territories, and jurisdictions 11,844,582 acres were (referred to hereafter as assessed. Sixty-eight percent States) provided information were monitored; the remain- on support of designated ing 32 percent were eval- uses in their lakes and reser- uated. (See Making voirs (see hable 2-1). A total Assessment Decisions for of 16,314,012 acres were further discussion.) assessed, 73 percent of the As for rivers and streams, lake acres estimated for these data should be inter- these States and 41 percent preted with caution because of the Nation's total of inconsistencies in data 39,400,000 acres. analysis and reporting. First, Of those assessed lake a number of States did not acres, 12,021,044 acres, or provide usable summary 74 percent, were found to be information on designated fully supporting their desig- use support in lakes. Second, nated uses. Of these, the percentage of total lake 2,897,711 acres are threat- acres assessed varies widely ened and may not fully among States, from a quarter support uses in the future if of total acreage to all State action is not taken to control acreage. Third, the percent pollution sources. Seventeen of assessed lake acres percent of assessed lake supporting designated uses acres, or 2,701,577 acres, also shows wide variations 17 Lakes and Reservoirs among States, ranging from under each of the cause category by the total acres zero to nearly 100 percent. categories that contribute to impaired (see Figure 2-2). These variations should impairment. This allows a The most commonly probably be attributed more single lake acre to be counted reported cause of use to different State methodol- multiple times if it is affected impairment in lakes is ogles than to wide differ- by multiple causes. The nutrients, which affect 49 ences in lake water quality. values reported are the total percent of impaired lake number of lake acres acres. Nutrients, in turn, can Causes of affected by a particular lead to organic enrichment cause of impairment, and low levels of dissolved Impairment according to whether the oxygen, which were identi- cause is a major or fled as affecting 25 percent In 1988, 33 States provided moderate/minor contributor of impaired lake acres. data on the causes of non- to impairment. (Data from Siltation also affects 25 support in their lakes (see States that did not specify percent, and salinity, the Table 2-2). As described in this degree of impact are fourth most commonly Chapter I for rivers, any included under the "major" reported cause, affects 14 given acre of lake can be column heading in Thble 2-2.) percent. Habitat modifica- affected by many causes (i.e., The relative extent of each tion, pathogens, and priority specific pollutants or cause of nonsupport can be organics affect approxi- pollutant processes). There- determined by dividing the mately 11, 9, and 8 percent fore, States were asked to total number of acres of impaired lake acres, include any given lake acre affected by each cause respectively. Not Supporting (1 0%) Partially Supporting (17%) I' Fully Supporting (74%) Assessed Acres (16,314,012) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 2-1. Designated Use Support in Assessed Lakes and Reservoirs 18 Lakes and Reservoirs Table 2-1. Designated Use Support in Lakes and Reservoirs Acres Assessed Acres Acres Acres Number Acres Percent Percent Fully Acres Partially Not State of Lakes of Lakes Total Evaluated Monitored Supporting Threatened* Supporting Supporting Alabama 43 504,336 491,566 2 98 405,486 -- 0 86,080 California 4,955 1,417,540 1,076,891 -- -- 568,739 -- 95,505 412,647 Colorado 4,069 265,982 124,973 91 9 123,300 7,172 1,673 0 Connecticut 6,000 82,900 21,701 39 61 9,312 8,176 12,389 0 District of Columbia 8 377 136 0 100 0 0 0 136 Florida 7,712 2,085,120 947,200 13 87 309,760 -- 536,320 101,120 Georgia 175 417,730 417,730 0 100 412,357 140 5,347 26 Illinois 2,940 247,188 183,572 41 59 22,931 22,455 100,591 60,050 Indiana 560 104,540 104,540 39 61 104,361 -- 63 116 Iowa 282 81,400 80,249 81 19 26,801 18,902 52,058 1,390 Kansas 232 175,189 173,911 8 92 116,655 116,655 48,141 9,115 Kentucky 92 228,385 214,483 0 100 179,335 152,544 31,471 3,677 Louisiana 101 713,719 517,476 93 7 376,335 87,034 141,141 0 Maine 5,779 994,560 994,560 -- -- 958,080 -- 36,480 0 Maryland 59 17,448 17,448 45 55 14,838 4,606 2,603 7 Michigan 35,000 840,960 424,021 -- -- 304,185 161,894 62,834 57,002 Minnesota 12,034 3,411,200 1,435,554 54 46 1,198,709 -- 67,622 169,223 Mississippi -- 500,000 500,000 51 49 481,740 -- 18,260 0 Missouri 362 288,012 288,012 -- -- 285,701 -- 2,311 0 Montana 4,018 756,450 663,363 81 19 345,367 129,500 305,396 12,600 Nebraska 412 145,300 85,518 -- -- 82,304 -- 2,779 435 New Hampshire 1,300 151,000 149,854 0 100 130,708 4,603 18,756 390 New Mexico -- 126,500 119,666 52 48 72,358 -- 47,308 0 New York 7,500 750,000 750,000 11 89 454,668 29,942 267,343 27,989 North Carolina 1,500 305,367 305,367 12 88 293,470 50,330 2,075 9,822 North Dakota 216 625,503 619,333 5 95 571,208 570,170 48,125 0 Ohio 2,500 117,323 90,771 -- -- 30,936 25,733 50,988 8,847 Oregon 6,095 610,808 504,928 85 15 374,303 -- 58,918 71,707 Puerto Rico 38 11,146 11,146 52 48 3,801 1,745 4,240 3,105 Rhode Island 113 16,520 16,089 29 71 14,688 11,425 787 614 SouthCarolina 1,418 525,000 410,407 0 100 409,242 -- 840 325 South Dakota 789 1,598,285 662,532 17 83 567,812 548,000 17,984 76,736 Tennessee 117 538,657 538,657 -- -- 452,009 75,828 50,830 35,818 Texas 5,700 1,410,240 1,410,240 O 100 1,225,629 332,145 0 184,611 Vermont 719 229,146 227,121 3 97 177,915 153,319 37,713 11,493 Virginia 248 161,562 161,089 64 36 147,352 -- 13,737 0 Washington 808 613,582 156,518 2 98 122,834 116,210 33,104 580 West Virginia 94 19,171 - 19,171 0 100 0 0 17,441 1,730 Wisconsin 14,998 971,000 971,000 -- -- 249,000 179,300 478,000 244,000 Wyoming 2,629 427,219 427,219 85 15 396,815 89,883 30,404 0 Totals 131,615 22,486,365 16,314,012 12,021,044 2,897,711 2,701,577 1,591,391 *Acres Threatened is a subset of Acres Fully Supporting. -- Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Lakes and Reservoirs Table 2-2. Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Causes of Pollution Total Organic Impaired Nutrients Siltation Enrichment Salinity State Waters' Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Alabama* 86,080 - - - - - - - - Colorado 1,672 - 500 - - - 650 - - Connecticut 12,389 9,612 2,777 812 7,914 1,462 8,930 - - District of Columbia 136 - Florida** 637,440 75,520 - 171,520 - 175,360 - 272,000 - Georgia 5,373 5,373 - Illinois 160,641 44,552 108,699 69,364 90,500 56,645 90,484 - - Indiana 179 122 12 - - 82 52 - - Iowa 53,448 19,048 34,278 46,112 2,268 44 16,815 - - Kansas 57,256 7 3,491 10 34,736 - - 9,230 13,167 Kentucky** 35,148 6,707 - 4,517 - Louisiana 141,141 - 121,262 - 986 - 42,548 - 46,394 Maryland 2,610 2,610 - 15 - Minnesota** 236,845 236,845 - - - - - - - Mississippi 18,260 - 18,260 724 17,060 - - - 1,200 Missouri 2,311 - Montana 317,996 5,750 17,449 19,022 5,600 - - 13,250 14,509 New Hampshire 19,146 95 4,281 - New Mexico 47,308 2,338 40,346 1,178 8,665 - New York 295,332 101,663 27,928 - 3,507 306 61,103 - 2,944 North Carolina"* 11,897 2,015 - 707 - 1,900 - - - North Dakota 48,125 37,467 10,555 6,288 12,800 11,984 30,663 5,000 1,750 Oregon** 130,625 115,965 - 15,594 - 69,147 - - - Puerto Rico 7,345 1,448 447 135 - 891 581 348 - Rhode Island 1,401 246 - 60 - South Carolina** 1,165 - - - - 50 - - - South Dakota 94,720 75,190 13,574 55,629 5,287 130 28 - - Tennessee 86,648 35,383 35,647 21,123 30,445 34,655 43,575 - - Vermont 49,206 2,953 9,089 1,102 16,184 684 13,878 - - Virginia 13,737 - 12,518 - 2,698 - 8,001 - - Washington 33,684 - 33,104 - - - 580 - 580 West Virginia 19,171 1,236 2,933 2,047 9,136 - 642 - - Wyoming 30,404 - 17,749 - 12,919 - 53 - 459 Totals 2,658,839 782,145 514,899 415,959 260,705 353,340 318,583 299,828 81,003 Combined Totals 1,297,044 676,664 671,923 380,831 Percent of Impaired Waters 48.8% 25.4% 25.3% 14.3% *The sum of partially and nonsupporting lake acres (Table 2-1). **These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); lake acres were placed in the "Major" column 20 Lakes and Reservoirs Priority Suspended Flow Habitat Mod Pathogens Organics Solids Metals Pesticides pH Alteration Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min - - - - 84,230 - - -1,850 - - - 1,850 - - - - - - - 105 - - - 102 410 160 - - - - - - - - 136 - - - - - 136 - - - 640 - - - - -41,600 - - - 11,520 - -- -- 2,437 4,845 2,937 2,228 74,401 83,665 5,196 17,355 13,395 1,070 - - - - - - 45 89 27 - - - 15 45 12 - 30 - - - 222 - 15,300 - - - - - - - 49,400 1 - 10 - - - - - - - -9,040 757 - - - - 3 5,694 - - - - - - - - 23,584 - - - - - - - - 100,352 - - - 22,490 - - - 1,229 - - 17,060 - - .....- 561 - 20 - - - 284,000 1,423 1,300 - - - - - 9,750 - - - .......... - - - - - . - 296 5,135 - - 10 200 - - - - - - - - - 3,355 22,939 102,060 434 - - 326 7,597 24,716 - 16,569 - 33,877 600 - - - - - - 9,680 - - - - 40 67 - - - - - 220 - - - - - - 5,469 - - 13,248 - - - - - - - 81,365 - - - 300 16 354 137 - - 836 251 47 - - 350 141 10 - - - - 966 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 865 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 359 593 - - - - - - - 79 16 - - 25,130 18,508 6,149 383 17,041 69 29,257 - - 69 11,924 - 24,905 7,205 9,318 741 131 - - - - - - - - 44 69 1,887 4,173 - - - 129 - - - - - 1,034 - 79 - 2,810 - - - - 580 33,104 580 - - - 580 33,104 - 33,104 - - 580 - .- - - - - - - -2,930 3,475 - - 2,973 1,761 - - .............._9- - - - - - 9,420 7,820 293,534 39,954 188,292 208,447 8,811 76,199 124,040 95,019 102,784 38,283 102,853 114,858 21,86536,397 50,340 301,354 228,246 217,258 200,239 197,803 141,136 136,723 86,737 11.3% 8.6% 8.2% 7.5% 7.4% 5.3% 5.1% 3.3% - Zero or not reported. for national reporting purposes. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 21 Lakes and Reservoirs Care should be taken in in their lakes and reservoirs. Sources of interpreting these figures, as As in rivers, for most cause a close look at 'able 2-2 categories there were more Impairment reveals that certain States lake acres in which the cause report a large proportion of was a moderate/minor Information on the various the impacts from these contributor to impairment sources of pollution contrib- causes of impairment. For than a major contributor. Of uting to use impairment in example, Florida alone the leading causes, only the lakes and reservoirs was accounts for 71 percent of priority organics category provided by 28 States. Table the lake acres affected by showed more major than 2-3 displays the categories of salinity; New York accounts minor impacts: in 93 percent sources and the size of for 47 percent of the acres of the lake acres affected by waters affected by each. affected by priority organics priority organics, their Since an acre of lake can be and 40 percent of the lake impact was considered major. affected by many sources of acres affected by flow Among the other causes of pollution, States were asked alteration; and Louisiana use impairment, those with to include any given lake accounts for 44 percent of the greatest percentage of acre under each of the the lake acres affected by major impacts include pH source categories that pathogens. Reporting incon- (major impact in 48 percent contribute to impairment. sistencies influence these of affected acres), siltation This allows a single lake acre findings. (major impact in 46 percent), to be counted multiple times Twenty-six States specified flow alteration (major impact if it is affected by multiple the degree of impact of the in 42 percent), and nutrients sources. The values reported various causes of nonsupport (major impact in 40 percent). are the total number of lake POLLUTION CAUSES Nutrients _ Siltation Organic Enrichment | Salinity lj I Habitat Modification ' Pathogens '"t:4 Priority Organics ] 1 Suspended Solids Unspecified Metals - Moderate/Minor Impact Pesticides E Major Impact 0 10 20 30 40 50 Impaired Acres Affected (%) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) Reports. Figure 2-2. Percent of Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Each Pollution Cause 22 Lakes and Reservoirs acres affected by a particular percent of impaired lake storm sewers/runoff and 82 source of impairment, acres. Other leading sources percent of the lake acres according to whether the in lakes include hydrologic/ affected by land disposal. source is a major or habitat modification Twenty-two States speci- moderate/minor contributor (affecting 33 percent of fied the degree of impact to impairment. The relative impaired lake acres), storm (i.e., major or moderate/ extent of each source of sewers/runoff (affecting 28 minor) of pollution sources in nonsupport can be deter- percent), land disposal their lakes. Only in the mined by dividing the total (affecting about 26 percent), agricultural category did the number of acres affected by and municipal dischargers number of acres with major each source category by the (affecting 15 percent). impacts exceed those with total acres impaired (see These numbers should be moderate/minor impacts Figure 2-3). interpreted with care, as a (major impact in 51 percent As with rivers, certain close look at Thble 2-3 reveals of impaired lake acres). ambiguities apply to the that certain States predomn- Other source categories with "definitions" of sources of imate in the number of lake a high percentage of major pollution in lakes (see discus- acres they report as affected impact include combined sion on p. 7). Tahble 2-3 by the various sources of sewers (major impact in 45 shows that agricultural pollution. For example, percent of affected lake runoff is reported as the Florida alone accounts for 85 acres) and municipal most extensive source of percent of the total number dischargers (major impact pollution, affecting 58 of lake acres affected by in 25 percent). POLLUTION SOURCES Agriculture :x.4c:x<y..c' Hydro/Habitat Mod Storm Sewers/Runoffr Land Disposal Municipal Industrial EIZ Resource Extraction Construction ~npcfe Siliviculture ]E:Moderate/minor impact Combined Sewers a Major Impact I I 0 1 0 20 30 40 50 60 Impaired Acres Affected(% Source: 1985s state Section 305(b) Reports. Figure 2-3. Percent of Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Each Pollution Sour-co 23 Lakes and Reservoirs Table 2-3. Impaired Lake Acres Affected by Sources of Pollution Total Hydro/ Storm Impaired Agriculture Habitat Mod Sewers/Runoff Land Disposal State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Alabama** 86,080 - - - - 15,930 - - - California** 508,152 107,922 - - - - - - - Colorado 1,672 - 148 - - - 1,000 325 - Districtof Columbia 136 - - - - - 27 - - Florida** 637,440 616,320 - 437,760 - 631,680 - 582,400 - Illinois 160,641 115,534 43,791 1,329 40,388 - - 6,056 19,629 Indiana 179 12 85 40 - 35 67 - - Iowa 53,448 48,264 3,774 229 - 4,822 12,529 7 - Kansas 57,256 10 34,769 3 5,734 - 16 - - Maryland 2,610 1,162 - - - 415 - - - Mississippi 18,260 2,979 14,081 - - - - - - Missouri 2,311 - - - 1,730 - 561 - - Montana 317,996 12,600 18,322 - 284,000 - - 150 5,420 New Hampshire 19,146 20 - - - 34 68 - - New Mexico 47,308 - 47,058 - 60 - - - - New York 295,332 28,205 93,991 33,877 - 1,314 3,720 2,844 48,829 North Carolina** 11,897 2,056 - - - 2,055 - 1,900 - North Dakota 48,125 37,729 6,677 665 6,453 22 5,951 - - Oregon** 130,625 98,145 - - - 10,866 - 13,129 - Puerto Rico 7,345 948 870 - - 1,505 782 25 378 Rhode Island 1,401 - 103 - 50 111 566 - 103 South Carolina** 1,165 - - - - 25 - - - South Dakota 94,720 83,628 1,516 1,209 7,868 99 - 12,731 9,272 Tennessee 86,648 15,520 45,813 9,221 31,559 33 41,481 - 7,800 Virginia 13,737 - 7,925 - - - 7,856 - - Washington 33,684 - 33,104 580 - 580 - - - West Virginia 19,171 76 5,047 - - 12 27 - - Wyoming 30,404 28,513 7,665 - 27,005 - 25 - - Totals 2,686,889 1,199,643 364,739 484,913 404,847 669,538 74,676 619,567 91,431 Combined Totals 1,564,382 889,760 744,214 710,998 Percent of Impaired Waters 58.2% 33.1% 27.7% 26.5% *The sum of partially and nonsupporting lake acres (Table 2-1). *These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); lake acres were placed in the "Major" column for national reporting purposes. 24 Lakes and Reservoirs Resource Combined Municipal Industrial Extraction Construction Silviculture Sewers Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min - - 68,300 - 1,850 - - - - - - - 160 - - - 31,082 - - - - - - - - 500 160 - 105 410 - 125 43 - - - 252,160 - 62,720 - 32,000 - 42,240 - - 6,046 62,403 2,631 10,972 43 22,831 1,352 14,273 - 99 - 15 - 30 - - - - 45 12 - 10,400 - - - - 12 - - - - - - - - 190 - - - - - - 35 360 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,200 - - - - - .- - - - - 2 20 - - - - - - - - - - 2,100 - - - 3,200 - - 142 - 15 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 590 - 879 - 15,468 8,203 - 7,800 - - - 35 - 3,180 2,944 1,900 - 9,680 - - - 2,042 - 450 - - - 9,299 - - 172 - - - 2,986 - 485 - 895 - - - - - 2,755 - - 62 - 112 - -- -- 250 1,870 - - - - - - - 162 463 - - 14,600 9,556 - 40,391 1,993 - 49 15,500 - 4,550 - 4,400 - 102 - 137 - - - - - 130 - - - - 580 - - - - - - - 580 - 12 2,684 2,930 3 3,111 6,320 114 41 137 6,099 - - - 8,300 - - - 9,520 - 11,506 - - - - 292,897 111,949 148,161 59,430 70,404 42,573 45,809 42,070 3,547 21,487 3,569 4,412 404,846 207,591 112,977 87,879 25,034 7,981 15.1% 7.7% 4.2% 3.3% 0.9/0 0.3% - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 25 Lakes and Reservoirs Attainment of the (12,013,438) were assessed matter that alter many basic for swimmabihity. Similar characteristics such as proportions were found to average depth, biological Goals apply to swimmability as to productivity, oxygen levels, fishability: 96 percent of and water transparency. This The Nation's lakes and assessed acres fully attained natural aging process is reservoirs, like its flowing the swimmable goal, 4 known as eutrophication. waters, are also traditionally percent were not currently Human activities can accel- measured in terms of their attaining it, and less than erate eutrophication by ability to support fishing and i percent (3,703 acres) were increasing the loadings of swimming, basic goals of the categorized as "not attain- nutrients and organic Clean Water Act. In 1988, 35 able" (see Figure 2-4). As substances through runoff, States reported this informa- with rivers, the States sewage discharges, septic tion for lakes (see Thble 2-4). reported higher levels of tank leachate, and similar A total of 12,155,998 lake attainment of the CWA goals sources. These substances acres were assessed for fish- than designated uses. This can overstimulate algae, ability; of these, 95 percent difference may be the result plant, and weed growth, fully attained the fishable of State reluctance to declare creating choked conditions goal, 5 percent did not moderately or slightly that adversely affect currently attain it but might impaired lakes as not fishable swimming, boating, and the in the future, and less than or swimmable. health and diversity of I percent (3,886 acres) were indigenous fish populations. determined to be "not attain- Trophic Status This major change in lake able" (i.e., suffering from of Lakes ecology due to human activi- irrevocable impacts and/or ties is known as cultural not designated for the use). Lakes naturally change eutrophication. Approximately the same over time, filling with number of lake acres sediments and organic Not Meeting Not Meeting (5%) ~ ~Meeting (4)Meeting (5%) ~ ~ (9% (94%) Fishable Goal Swimmable Goal (12,155,998 Assessed Acres) (12,013,438 Assessed Acres) Note: The "not attainable" categories are less than 1 percent for both goals. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 2-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Lakes and Reservoirs 26 Lakes and Reservoirs Table 2-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Lakes and Reservoirs Fishable Goal (miles) Swimmable Goal (miles) Not Not Not Not State Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Alabama 491,566 405,486 86,080 - 491,566 405,486 86,080 - Colorado 124,973 123,111 1,862 0 124,973 124,973 0 0 Connecticut 21,701 18,826 2,875 0 21,701 21,701 0 0 Districtof Columbia 136 0 136 0 136 0 136 0 Florida 947,200 846,080 101,120 0 947,200 846,080 101,120 0 Georgia 417,730 412,357 5,373 - 417,730 412,357 5,373 - Illinois 183,572 166,248 17,324 0 183,572 77,176 106,396 0 Indiana 104,540 104,424 116 0 104,540 104,361 179 0 Iowa 80,249 79,534 712 3 80,249 77,350 686 2,213 Kansas 173,884 173,809 75 - 173,884 173,809 75 - Kentucky 214,483 214,483 0 0 214,483 214,483 0 0 Louisiana 517,476 517,390 86 - 517,476 517,390 86 - Maine 994,560 979,558 15,002 0 994,560 958,080 36,480 0 Maryland 17,448 17,442 6 - 17,448 17,446 2 - Mississippi 500,000 500,000 0 0 500,000 500,000 0 0 Missouri 288,012 285,701 2,311 0 288,012 288,012 0 0 Montana 663,363 650,763 12,600 0 663,363 663,363 0 0 New Hampshire 149,854 149,854 0 0 149,854 149,854 0 0 New Mexico 47,308 47,308 0 0 47,308 47,308 0 0 New York 750,000 537,000 213,000 0 750,000 670,000 80,000 0 North Carolina 305,367 295,687 9,680 - 305,367 303,180 2,187 - North Dakota 619,334 608,657 9,792 885 619,334 614,067 5,267 0 Ohio - - - - 100,259 21,799 78,460 - Oregon 504,928 504,928 0 - 504,928 504,928 0 - Puerto Rico 11,146 6,395 2,581 2,170 11,146 6,395 3,915 836 Rhode Island 16,089 14,443 1,122 524 16,089 14,443 1,122 524 South Carolina 410,407 410,107 300 - 410,407 408,742 1,665 - South Dakota 662,532 662,532 0 0 662,532 662,532 0 0 Tennessee 538,657 496,337 42,320 - 538,657 521,235 17,422 - Texas 1,410,240 1,410,240 0 - 1,410,240 1,408,585 1,655 - Vermont 225,350 222,772 2,274 304 203,647 202,808 838 1 Virginia 160,985 147,248 13,737 0 121,777 121,648 0 129 Washington 156,518 122,834 33,684 0 156,518 155,938 580 0 West Virginia 19,171 17,441 1,730 0 19,171 19,171 0 0 Wyoming 427,219 427,219 0 0 245,311 245,311 0 0 Totals 12,155,998 11,576,214 575,898 3,886 12,013,438 11,480,011 529,724 3,703 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 27 Lakes and Reservoirs The eutrophication Although changes in lake Section 314 of the Water progression can be described water quality may be tracked Quality Act of 1987 required by a series of trophic states: by monitoring for trophic States, in their Section 305(b) state, experience has shown reports, to identify their * Oligotrophic-clear that the trophic state of a lakes by trophic status. As waters with little organic lake does not always define with other results reported matter or sediment and its use. Some States believe by the States, there is prob- minimal biological activity; that advanced eutrophica- able sampling bias in the tion does not necessarily lakes represented by the data � Mesotrophic-waters eliminate a lake's designated on trophic status. If the lakes containing more nutrients recreational uses, nor is an were assessed in response and therefore exhibiting oligotrophic lake always best to a problem or public more biological productivity; for recreational activities. complaint or because of their These States have recognized easy accessibility, there is * Eutrophic-waters this apparent disparity probable bias in the reported extremely rich in nutrients, between positive recrea- information. It is therefore with high biological produc- tional uses and the negative likely that the more remote tivity; and connotations associated with and/or pristine lakes are eutrophic conditions, underrepresented in some * Hypereutrophic-murky, adjusting the ways they State assessments. highly productive waters, determine trophic status to Table 2-6 displays the closest to the wetland status. reflect desired use (such results of the State evalua- as warmwater fishing) and tions of trophic status. States Dystrophic is also a lake public perceptions in addi- reported that 30 percent of classification but not tion to measurable physical, all lakes assessed for trophic necessarily a part of the chemical, and biological status were either eutrophic eutrophication progression. parameters. In addition, or hypereutrophic; 23 Dystrophic systems are often many lakes (particularly in percent were mesotrophic; low in nutrients yet are the Midwest and Southeast) 14 percent, oligotrophic; highly colored with dissolved are naturally eutrophic. and less than 2 percent, humic organic matter. Trophic status by itself is dystrophic. Trophic status for Sphagnum bogs are examples not an indication of water the remaining 30 percent of such dystrophic systems. quality but must be eval- assessed was unknown. Table 2-5 displays the uated against the natural general characteristics of status of the lake. lakes in the various trophic classifications. Table 2-5. General Characteristics of Traditional Lake Trophic Status Classifications Characteristics Oligotrophic Mesotrophic Eutrophic Nutrient Level Low Medium High Organic Matter Content Low Medium High Biological Productivity Low Medium High Lake Age Young Medium Old Water Transparency High Medium Low Oxygen Depletion Hypolimnion No Yes Yes Average Depth Deep Moderate Shallow Source: Report to Congress: Water Quality of the Nation's Lakes, 1989. Nonpoint Sources Branch, OWRS. 28 Lakes and Reservoirs Table 2-6. Trophic Status of the Nation's Lakes Lakes Oligo- Meso- Hyper- Dys- State* Assessed trophic trophic Eutrophic eutrophic trophic Unknown Alabama 34 4 15 11 0 0 4 Arkansas 71 0 59 4 0 0 8 California 459 114 39 12 2 0 292 Colorado 82 9 35 38 0 0 0 Connecticut 160 34 78 17 0 0 31 Delaware 31 0 0 31 0 0 0 District of Columbia 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 Florida 91 57 19 13 0 0 2 Idaho 554 0 55 499 0 0 0 Illinois 412 2 25 239 146 0 0 Indiana 404 75 144 67 0 118 0 Iowa 114 0 0 114 0 0 0 Kansas 193 0 68 125 0 0 0 Kentucky 92 14 27 51 0 0 0 Louisiana 101 0 0 101 0 0 0 Maryland 59 2 13 44 0 0 0 Massachusetts 478 133 289 56 0 0 0 Michigan 682 98 367 217 0 0 0 Minnesota 1,409 167 439 536 267 0 0 Mississippi 127 0 0 33 0 0 94 Montana 1,880 452 428 371 0 127 502 Nebraska 23 0 1 12 10 0 0 Nevada 9 1 4 4 0 0 0 New Hampshire 415 161 172 82 0 0 0 New York 3,340 85 132 84 0 0 3,039 North Carolina 144 11 21 25 9 8 70 North Dakota 216 0 0 216 0 0 0 Oklahoma 74 5 49 8 12 0 0 Oregon 204 46 78 69 11 0 0 Pennsylvania 37 1 29 7 0 0 0 Puerto Rico 17 0 3 14 0 0 0 Rhode Island 54 4 41 9 0 0 0 South Carolina 40 0 0 39 1 0 0 Tennessee 119 21 33 55 10 0 0 Utah 127 33 44 50 0 0 0 Vermont 719 19 72 28 0 11 589 Virginia 248 20 49 120 0 1 58 Washington 140 58 24 45 0 0 13 Wisconsin 2,153 605 746 802 0 0 0 Totals 15,514 2,231 3,599 4,248 468 265 4,703 * States not listed in the table either did not report the information or reported in a way that was inconsistent with the format of the table. 29 Lakes and Reservoirs EPA's Clean Lakes establishing a comprehensive funded over 350 projects at a Program grant assistance program total cost of $102 million. that included grants to the In the last 2 years, these States for the preparation of Clean Lakes projects have History of the Classification Surveys, as produced environmental Program well as for Phase I diagnostic/ results. For example, in feasibility studies and Phase Panguitch Lake, Utah, stream Widespread public support H implementation projects. banks have been resloped for preserving and protecting The purpose of the State lake and revegetated, 3,000 feet the Nation's lakes gave rise to classification survey was to of juniper tree revetments the Clean Lakes Program in identify and classify the have been installed in highly 1972. Initiated under the publicly owned lakes within eroded areas, seven check Federal Water Pollution each State according to dams and a sedimentation Control Act, the Clean Lakes trophic conditions. This pond have been built, and Program set ambitious goals activity set the stage for the fences have been installed to for defining the causes and award of Phase I grants by keep out cattle. The result has extent of pollution problems defining a universe of been a significant decrease in the lakes of each State and potential lake water quality in sediment and phosphorus for developing and imple- projects in each State and by loadings and a marked recov- menting effective techniques serving to assist in setting ery of the lake. Another to restore and protect lake priorities for potential example is the Baton Rouge resources. The Clean Lakes funding assistance. University Lakes in Louis- Program provided financial Phase I studies were iana. Hydraulic and mechan- assistance to the States to intended to determine the ical dredging, sewer rehabil- carry out the provisions and causes and extent of pollu- itation, runoff diversion, and objectives of the Act. tion in particular lakes of shoreline stabilization have Promulgation of the Clean each State, to evaluate significantly improved water Lakes Regulations in 1980 possible pollution control quality and thereby reduced focused the program by mechanisms for them, and to fish kills in the lakes. recommend the most feasible With the passage of the and cost-effective methods Water Quality Act of 1987, for restoring and protecting new directions for the Clean lake water quality. Up to 70 Lakes Program were estab- percent of the total cost of lished within the broader the project could be awarded context of State water by the Federal government, quality management. with a maximum of $100,000 awarded to any one study. The award of Phase II The Water Quality Federal assistance grants Act of 1987 translated Phase I lake restoration and protection Section 314 of the Water recommendations into Quality Act of 1987 action. Funds provided for reauthorized the Clean Lakes Phase II projects were Program and mandated a intended for actual imple- number of new initiatives mentation of in-lake restora- and requirements. First, in -T____ - --a tion practices and best order to remain eligible for management practices in the Clean Lakes Program grant lake watersheds. Phase II funds, each State is required projects required at least a 50 percent non-Federal match. Since 1976, EPA has Scooping algae from a eutrophic lake. 30 Lakes and Reservoirs to submit biennially to EPA Second, under the new In implementing the CWA the following: Act, EPA was authorized to reauthorization, States are establish a Clean Lakes encouraged to develop inte- * A revised Lake Classi- demonstration program to grated water quality strate- fication Report; enhance current scientific gies that include lake and understanding of the causes reservoir management, * A list of lakes that do not of lake degradation and the restoration, and protection meet water quality standards effectiveness of various lake activities. EPA will develop or will require controls to restoration techniques. This technical support materials maintain standards; includes a study of the to strengthen State programs. causes and extent of lake These materials focus on * Lake pollution control acidification nationwide and developing closer ties procedures; should result in the develop- between lake management ment of mitigation tech- interests and other water * A restoration plan for niques for affected lakes. quality programs. As part of degraded lakes; Third, EPA was required to this technical support effort, develop a lake restoration EPA will continue to encour- * Methods and procedures guidance manual and distrib- age national and interna- to mitigate the harmful ute it to the States and others tional lake management effects of acidity in lakes; interested in lake manage- conferences as well as ment, restoration, and regional and State lake * An assessment of the protection. The manual has management workshops. status and trends of lake been completed, and nearly water quality; and 10,000 copies have been distributed nationwide. * A list of threatened and Finally, in accordance with impaired lakes. Section 518(e) of the Water Quality Act of 1987, EPA's As required by the Act, the Administrator is authorized State Section 305(b) report to treat qualified Indian will be the mechanism for tribes as States. reporting this information. Section 314 of the Water Quality Act of 1987 mandated a number of new initiatives to study, protect, and restore the Nation's lakes. 31 Lakes and Reservoirs In addition, in 1987-1988, Indian tribes for the study approved restoration plans, EPA worked to improve coor- and restoration/protection of and Phase III Post-Restora- dination with other Federal lakes. Forty States and 12 tion Monitoring grants were agencies such as the U.S. Indian tribes received grants awarded to determine the Department of Agriculture; to assess lake water quality. longevity and effectiveness prepared a Report to In addition, 43 Phase I of previously completed Congress on the status of Diagnostic/Feasibility Study restoration activities. water quality in lakes; and grants were awarded to initiated a long-term citizen's determine the causes and information and education sources of pollution to program. specific lakes and to develop Also, in 1988-1989, the feasible restoration plans. Agency awarded over 100 Ten Phase II Restoration new Clean Lakes Program Implementation grants were grants to States and eligible awarded to implement 32 The Great Lakes Support In their 1988 State Section of00~ Designatd 0 f i305(b) reports, six of the Designated Uses eight Great Lakes States provided information on the The Great Lakes hold one- extent to which their Great fifth of the world's fresh Lakes shoreline miles attain water and are so large that in the uses for which they have many ways they might better been designated (see Table : t ~ ~' ;be considered as freshwater 3-1). A total of 4,479 miles inland seas. Major urban and were assessed-all of the industrial centers such as shoreline miles in these Chicago, Detroit, Gary, States and 87 percent of the Toledo, 'Ibronto, and Buffalo total number of Great Lakes are located along their shoreline miles in the U.S. shores. They serve as receiv- Eight percent of assessed ing waters for the municipal miles, or 372 miles, were and industrial dischargers in found to be fully supporting many of these urban areas uses, and 4 percent of these and are also affected by a were determined to be myriad of other sources supporting but threatened. including urban and agricul- Eighteen percent of assessed tural runoff, hazardous miles (819 riiles) were waste sites, pollution brought reported to be partially by tributaries, and atmos- supporting uses, and 73 pheric deposition. Despite percent (3,288 miles) were these influences, the Great reported as not supporting Lakes have immense recrea- uses (see Figure 3-1). tional and commercial value Table 3-1 gives further and are unique, vital natural evidence of the variability of resources. State reporting and assess- 33 The Great Lakes Table 3-1. Designated Use Support in Great Lakes Total Shoreline Miles Assessed Miles Miles Miles Shoreline Percent Percent Fully Miles Partially Not State Miles Total Evaluated Monitored Supporting Threatened* Supporting Supporting Illinois 63 63 0 100 0 0 63 0 Indiana 43 43 0 100 0 0 43 0 Michigan 3,288 3,288 0 100 0 0 0 3,288 Minnesota 272 272 0 100 272 - 0 0 New York 577 577 0 100 100 15 477 0 Ohio 236 236 - - 0 - 236 0 Totals 4,479 4,479 372 15 819 3,288 'Miles Threatened is a subset of Miles Fully Supporting. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. - Not reported. ment methodologies. Fish Great Lakes in its jurisdiction Causes and consumption restrictions are totaling 3,288 shoreline Sources of in place for one or more miles, reported all of its lake species throughout near- shore miles as not supporting Impairment shore waters of the Great uses. Other States have clas- Lakes; as a result, Michigan, sified waters with restric- Priority organics are by far which has portions of four tions as partially (or even the most extensive cause fully) supporting designated (i.e., specific pollutant or uses. process) responsible for use It should also be noted that impairment in the Great it is the nearshore waters of Lakes, according to the four the Great Lakes that are States reporting (see Table most likely to be degraded; 3-2). While all States Table 3-1 does not address reported Great Lakes waters water quality conditions in affected by priority organics, Fully Supporting the deeper, cleaner, less New York alone accounts for (8%) Partially Supporting stressed central waters of the over 60 percent of those (18%) Lakes. waters. Metals are also Table 3-2. Impaired Great Lakes Shoreline Miles Affected by Total Priority S Impaired Organics Metals State Waters Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Illinois 63 63 - - - Indiana 43 - 43 - New York 477 463 - - - Not Supporting Ohio 236 4 188 86 129 Totals 819 530 231 86 129 Combined Totals 761 215 Assessed Shoreline Miles (4,479) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 3-1. Designated Use Support in Assessed Great Lakes 34 The Great Lakes commonly reported, with A total of 1,191 shoreline Somewhat fewer shoreline nutrients, organic enrich- miles were assessed for miles (919) were assessed for ment/low dissolved oxygen, fishability. Largely because the swimmable goal. A strik- and pesticides also cited of fish consumption advis- ing reversal is evident for the as contributors to use ories and bans, only 32 swimmable goal: 98 percent impairment. percent of these assessed of assessed shoreline miles Three States provided waters are meeting the fish- meet the goal, and only 2 information on the various able goal. The main reason percent do not. Again, in sources of pollution in their for these fishing restrictions none of the assessed miles is Great Lakes shoreline miles is contamination of sedi- the swimmable goal of the (see lible 3-3). Land disposal ments by toxic chemicals Clean Water Act considered is cited as the leading source such as priority organics that not attainable. of impairment; however, all are, in turn, passed along to waters reportedly affected macroinvertebrates and fish. by land disposal are in one In none of the assessed Great State (New York). Source and Lakes shoreline miles is the cause data on the Great fishable goal considered not Lakes are limited and are attainable by State standards probably not indicative of (see Figure 3-2). Variations in the lake system as a whole. State definitions of fishable goal attainment clearly Attainment of account for inconsistencies Clean Water Act in these statistics. Goals Five States provided information on the degree to which their Great Lakes shoreline waters meet the fishable and swimmable goals of the Clean Water Act (see iable 3-4). Causes of Pollution Organic Nutrients Enrichment Pesticides pH Pathogens Siltation Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Modl/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min 17 26 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43 - - - - - - 29 - - 15 - - - - - 15 - 14 - 4 - 46 - - - 35 - - - 46 30 0 61 0 43 0 35 0 15 0 14 76 61 43 35 15 14 35 The Great Lakes Table 3-3. Impaired Great Lakes Shoreline Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution Total Land Combined Storm Impaired Disposal Agriculture Sewers Sewers/Runoff State Waters' Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Illinois 63 - - - - - 6 45 Indiana 43 - - - 43 - 43 - - NewYork 477 - 477 14 15 - 14 - 14 Totals 583 0 477 14 58 0 63 45 14 Combined Totals 477 72 63 59 *The sum of partially and nonsupporting Great Lakes shoreline miles (Table 3-1). - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Not Meeting (2%) Not Meeting Meeting Meeting Fishable Goal Swimmable Goal (1,191 Assessed Shoreline Miles) (919 Assessed Shoreline Miles) Note: the "not attainable" categories are less than 1 percent for both goals. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 3-2. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Great Lakes The Cleveland lakefront 36 The Great Lakes Resource Hydro/ Industrial Municipal Construction Silviculture Extraction Habitat Mod Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min - 43 - 43 - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 - - - - - - o 43 0 43 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 43 14 0 0 0 Table 3-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Great Lakes Fishable Goal (shoreline miles) Swimmable Goal (shoreline miles) Not Not Not Not State Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Illinois 63 0 63 0 63 63 0 0 Indiana 43 0 43 0 43 43 0 0 Minnesota 272 272 0 - - - - - New York 577 114 463 0 577 563 14 0 Ohio 236 0 236 - 236 231 5 - Totals 1,191 386 805 0 919 900 19 0 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Sediment contamination is the main reason for fishing restric- tions in the Great Lakes. Contaminants may be passed along to some fish species. 37 The Great Lakes The Great Lakes: Quality Board and the ial action plans are required A Narrative Science Advisory Board- for waters identified as Areas include members from a of Concern. Assessment variety of State and Federal Several of these IJC Areas agencies and universities of Concern are discussed The Great Lakes are who work together to below: the Niagara River, the cooperatively protected by identify problem areas, plan Grand Calumet River-Indiana the U.S. and Canada under programs to reduce pollu- Harbor Ship Canal, Wauke- the Great Lakes Water tion, and publish reports on gan Harbor, and Saginaw Quality Agreement of 1978 issues and findings. Bay. Other Areas of Concern as amended in 1987. The The IJC has identified 42 are discussed in detail in the Clean Water Act also applies Areas of Concern in the 1988 State Section 305(b) to the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes basin. These are reports. Great Lakes, incorporating defined as waterways where In their 1988 Section 305(b) the Great Lakes Water Qual- environmental quality is reports, seven States- ity Agreement by reference degraded and beneficial uses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and providing special Great are impaired. The IJC has Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Lakes programs under developed a system to classify and Wisconsin-provided Section 118(c). The Inter- the Areas of Concern in narrative information on the national Joint Commission terms of the information quality of the Great Lakes (IJC), which was established available on each and the within their jurisdictions. under the 1909 Boundary stage of development and Some overall conclusions can Water Treaty with Canada, is implementation of remedial be drawn about conditions in responsible for identifying actions. The IJC's main focus, the Great Lakes based on actions needed to maintain in its listing of these problem these assessments: the integrity of the Great areas, has shifted away from Lakes ecosystems. The eutrophication and toward � Contamination of fish Commission's two boards- toxic contamination of fish tissue and sediments by toxic the Great Lakes Water tissue and sediments. Remed- substances such as mercury, PCBs, DDT, and other pesti- cides continues to be wide- spread. Fish advisories and bans are in place in many areas of the Great Lakes. However, declines are noted in toxics in fish tissue- particularly in levels of DDT and mercury. All the Great Lakes States appear to be pursuing aggressive, long- term monitoring for toxic substances in fish tissue. * No improvement is noted for toxic contamination of sediments, a major problem in Great Lakes harbors and bays. Sediment contamina- tion, in turn, can affect aquatic life and serve as a continuing source of toxics to the larger lake system. 38 The Great Lakes * Phosphorus control � Nearshore waters- Huron. In surface area, Lake programs such as bans on particularly harbors and Superior is the largest body phosphorus-containing river outlets-seem to have of fresh water in the world; detergents and improve- the greatest problems with it is also the deepest (1,330 ments to municipal treat- sediment contamination, feet) of the Great Lakes. ment facilities-along with industrial and municipal Lake Superior is classified industrial and nonpoint pollution, combined sewer as oligotrophic. Water quality source controls, reductions in overflows, and tributary is generally good, with only a combined sewer overflows, inputs. few localized problem areas and resource management along the shoreline. Michigan actions-have been success- Information from the 1988 reports that atmospheric ful in reducing the levels of State Section 305(b) reports deposition appears to be an this nutrient in the Great is summarized below for each important source of pollut- Lakes. Improvements in the of the Great Lakes. ants because of Lake eutrophic conditions of Superior's large surface area nearshore waters are noted Lake Superior and the relatively low by several States. Nitrogen amount of input from other levels, however, appear to be Lake Superior, the sources. Wet atmospheric increasing. northernmost of the Great deposition may be respon- Lakes, discharges to the sible for as much as 22 southeast through the St. percent of the total sulfate Mary's River into Lake loads and 55 percent of the total nitrogen loads to the lake. In May 1986, the Minnesota Department of Health, in conjunction with the Wiscon- sin Department of Health, issued a lakewide advisory for lake trout over 30 inches. The advisory is most prob- ably the result of new data rather than worsening water quality conditions. Lake Superior's St. Louis Bay has been identified as an Area of Concern by the IJC because of toxic contamina- tion of sediments that, in turn, affect aquatic life. A remedial action plan is being developed by Minnesota and Wisconsin. 39 The Great Lakes Lake Michigan decreased to the point where tributary contributions from 90 percent or more of the the watershed. The highest Lake Michigan drains fish tested did not exceed values consistently appear eastward through the Straits action levels issued by the near the Indiana Harbor Ship of Mackinac into Lake U.S. Food and Drug Adminis- Canal. High levels of Huron. Its open waters are tration (FDA). However, con- chlorides in the contiguous oligotrophic. Nearshore areas taminant levels remain high harbor, as well as low in Green Bay and along the in lake trout over 25 inches dissolved oxygen and high southern portion of the lake long and in carp and brown un-ionized ammonia values are more mesotrophic trout. Levels of DDT, diel- in Trail Creek, may also be because of nutrient inputs drin, and PCBs are consist- responsible for some of the from industrial activities and ently higher in fish taken chemical variability in the urbanization. from the southern end of the Lake. Of the Great Lakes lake. These higher levels in Since testing began in the surveyed under Michigan's fish correspond closely with early 1970s, PCBs, chlordane, fish contaminant survey higher levels of these DDT, and dieldrin have been program, Lake Michigan has contaminants in the sedi- found in fish tissue in Lake been the most heavily ments at the lake's south Michigan at levels exceeding affected, particularly by end. FDA action levels. Indiana organochlorine compounds. Water quality in the issues a revised fish However, levels of most Indiana portion of Lake consumption advisory for contaminants in fish are Michigan varies widely. fishermen and consumers of declining. Mercury levels Indiana reports that water these fish each spring. have been declining in the column sampling reveals few The two branches of the lake since 1972. The 1984 violations of standards. Grand Calumet River meet to data showed that contami- However, concentrations of form the Indiana Harbor Ship nants in coho salmon, steel- mercury and phenols in the Canal, which empties into head, and lake trout less near shore zone reflect the Lake Michigan. The Grand than 20 inches long effects of wastewater and Calumet River-Indiana 40 The Great Lakes Harbor Ship Canal has been tions to evaluate the effec- Major sources of pollutants designated as an Area of tiveness of existing and new along the Illinois shore of Concern by the IJC. Stand- control programs will be Lake Michigan include ards for dissolved oxygen, conducted. atmospheric deposition, chlorides, ammonia, and Indiana is also preparing urban runoff, and in-place fecal coliform are commonly a remedial action plan to contaminants (s'ediment violated. However, the define activities needed to contamination). Waukegan number and severity of improve water quality in the Harbor, identified as an Area violations have been reduced Grand Calumet River-Indiana of Concern by the IJC, is one because of recent upgrades Harbor Ship Canal so that of several areas severely to area municipal sewage designated uses for Lake affected by sediment treatment facilities. Michigan are maintained or contamination. PCBs in the In 1985, EPA prepared a restored. harbor prevent its use for "Master Plan for Improving Illinois reports that priority fish consumption and swim- Water Quality in the Grand organics are considered a ming, and restrict dredging Calumet River and Indiana major problem along its Lake for navigation channels. A Harbor Canal." The Master Michigan shoreline. PCBs, Superfund Consent Decree Plan calls for programs that chlordane, and dieldrin were has recently been entered for will focus EPA and State found to exceed FDA action the Outboard Marine Corpo- water quality control efforts levels in fish tissue in 1986. ration site at Waukegan on problems in these waters. PCBs are also a problem in Harbor. While it includes a Programs include tightening sediments of various Lake remedial action plan specific discharger permit limits, Michigan harbors. Improve- to the site, the settlement developing pretreatment ments are noted for phos- does not address the harbor programs, and taking phorus due to municipal as a whole and should be compliance actions (both sewage treatment improve- considered as a probable municipal and industrial) to ments and a ban on phos- component of the Area of ensure that permit limits are phate detergents in Indiana. Concern remedial action met. Longer term investiga- plan. Now that the Super- fund issue is settled, Illinois will be able to prepare a remedial action plan for the Area of Concern under the terms of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 41 The Great Lakes Green BayFox River Mass Balance Study Description of Water: ua itC ;Description of Water Quality designated by the Interna- Geographical Area Problems tional Joint Commissionas one of the 42 Great Lakes Green Bay can be char- At present, conditions in Areas of Concern. acterized as a long, relatively Green Bay range from hyper- shallow extension of north- eutrophic in the southern The Green western Lake Michigan. The portion to mesotrophic- Bay/Fox River Green Bay watershed drains oligotrophic near the Lake Mass Balance land surfaces in both Wiscon- Michigan interface. The sin and Michigan and extreme productivity in the Study contains about one-third of southern portion results in the total Lake Michigan deposition of organic EPA's Great Lakes National drainage basin. It drains the material which, in turn, Program Office (GLNPO) is Fox River Valley, which causes hypolimnetic oxygen coordinating and providing supports extensive agricul- depletion in the central bay. major funding for a mass ture and is heavily industrial- The presence of toxic balance study of the toxic ized, containing the largest organic materials in the contaminants in the Green concentration of pulp and water, sediment, and biota Bay ecosystem. paper plants in the world. has adversely affected both The concept of total load the use and management of management in the Great the bay's fisheries. The Lakes Basin is a fundamental commercial fisheries in the element of the Water Quality bay, with the exception of Agreement between Canada yeow perch, are csed and the Uited States, of tion Conrsumption adiore and of the Lake Michigan have been~issue tosotbbtatCnritaey fisheren R~' dcie Gajae~mngrhv ities hav be5en obsevdn toccnamatsith i ~ ~ ~~~~are'apar~t lye d 6 apeesituti~d 42 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~rb ith d :po; t; oin4^ 4ng :off0 7 be: ::sem :n d 42~~~~~~~~~~~~'ersit i i ep~ hmsb~~prah The Great Lakes outputs. This concept serves coupled with a food chain * Sampling programs to as the framework around model to allow estimation of measure toxic input from which data are being the body burdens in the major rivers that enter Green gathered to provide a target species (carp, brown Bay, including the mouth of comprehensive picture-an trout, and walleye). The the Fox River; and ecosystem model-of integrated model will then be contaminant dynamics in used to predict concentra- � An in-depth study of the Green Bay. tions in the water, sediment, distribution and movement The overall goal of the and biota in response to of contaminants from Green Bay/Fox River Study is differing regulatory and polluted sediments. to develop a modeling frame- remedial action scenarios. work to improve our under- The predictions will include These activities will tap the standing of the sources, long-term extrapolation from expertise of a number of transport, and fate of toxic the short-term calibration. State and Federal agencies. compounds, to evaluate the The study is concentrating Aside from EPA's GLNPO, technological capability to research efforts on Green participants include the measure multimedia loadings Bay in order to gather the Wisconsin Department of to the system, and ultimately data needed to construct and Natural Resources; the to guide and support regula- drive the mass balance Wisconsin Sea Grant; the tory activity. model. Research vessels are National Oceanic and Atmos- traveling the bay to measure pheric Administration contaminant levels in water, (NOAA); the U.S. Fish and Study Scope and sediments, and biota. Wildlife Service; the U.S. Activities Projects to quantify sources Geological Survey; the of toxic contaminants Michigan Department of For the Green Bay/Fox include: Natural Resources; the Green River Mass Balance Study, Bay Remedial Action Plan models will be applied to � A first-of-its-kind network Implementation Committee; toxicants of interest. These of air monitors to measure EPA laboratories at Duluth, include PCBs, dieldrin, the introduction of airborne Minnesota, and Grosse Isle; cadmium, and lead. Physical/ toxicants to Green Bay; and EPA Region V's Divisions chemical models will be of Water and Waste Management. 43 The Great Lakes Study Schedule and NOAA deployed wave rider understood. The results of 1988 Status buoys and current meters at the Mass Balance Study will strategic locations in the bay. aid the State in refining its The study activities are Field work will peak plans to enhance water being conducted during a during the 1989 field season, quality in the bay. 4-year period beginning in when investigators will The methods and findings 1986 and continuing until the concentrate their efforts to of the study could also have a end of 1990. provide a comprehensive and much wider application. During 1986-1987, a moni- coordinated data set for Mass balance modeling has toring plan was developed, describing co anainant successfully been applied to along with a quality assur- dynamics in the Green Bay the regulation of nutrient ance program to be used in ecosystem. Sample analysis loads in the Great Lakes. evaluating analytical and and data evaluation will However, the sources, pati- field methods for the project. proceed through 1990. ways, and sinks for toxic Also during this time, model- Modeling results and a final substances are less well ing tasks were scoped out report are expected in 1991. understood. Under the Water and assigned to appropriate Quality Agreement, the U.S. investigators, and some field Significance :EPA and the Great Lakes reconnaissance was accom- States have a mandate to plished. the Study to manage toxic contamination During 1988, the three Great L Wa ter in the Great Lakes on a atmospheric deposition lakewide basis by taking all monitoring stations were Quai ty inputs into account. operating. The 1988 field Management The Green Bay/Fox River season saw the first shake- Mass Balance Study will test down surveys in the bay. As recommended by the the use of a modeling frame- EPA's research vessel, the International Joint Commis- work to improve our under- R/V Roger Simons was out- sion for all of the Areas of standing of the sources, fitted with the necessary Concern, Wisconsin's Depart- transport, and fate of toxic sampling and laboratory ment of Natural Resources compounds. It will ultimately equipment. During the has prepared a remedial guide and support regulatory August, October, and Novem- action plan for Green Bay activity. The study is also ber surveys, methods for and the Lower Fox River. designed to develop and test sampling toxics in bay and This plan outlines actions the methods, such as sampling tributary waters were tested State intends to carry out to for airborne toxics, that can in preparation for the main restore the bay's beneficial later be used for lakewide field work year of 1989. uses, such as swimming and investigations of toxic fishing. The lan pon ta �ff ' nceof e toxic contaminants, such as Lakes ecosystems. acid deposition, is not well 44 The Great Lakes tLake Huron an improvement in eutrophic out the nearshore and conditions. On the other particularly near river Lake Huron receives the hand, documented increases mouths, water quality outflow of both Lake in nitrate concentrations are standards are rarely Superior and Lake Michigan cause for concern. exceeded. However, viola- and in turn discharges to the Other indicators of water tions of metals standards are south through the St. Clair quality including water common throughout the River, Lake St. Clair, and the clarity, measurements of nearshore area, particularly Detroit River, into Lake Erie. phytoplankton biomass, and for cadmium and copper. Although Lake Huron is counts of certain fish species Metals violations are the classified as oligotrophic, also suggest that Lake Erie primary reason that the Lake Michigan reports that one water quality is improving. In Erie nearshore is classified as area of the Lake-Saginaw addition, recent evidence only partially supporting its Bay-is considered eutrophic. from municipal water intakes designated uses. Saginaw Bay has also been indicates that concentrations An exchange of fish moni- identified by the IJC as an of ions, such as chlorides and toring data among New York, Area of Concern. Water sulfates, have decreased Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michi- quality problems in the bay since 1970. gan, and the Province of include elevated levels of Michigan also reports that, Ontario revealed concentra- heavy metals, toxic organics, in general, concentrations of tions of PCBs in excess of conventional pollutants, and total PCB and other organo- acceptable FDA levels. This contaminated sediments. A chlorine contaminants moni- information led to the 1987 fish consumption advisory is tored in walleye since 1977 issuance of a whole-lake also in effect in the bay. have exhibited year-to-year advisory warning against Michigan reports that Sagi- variability and no obvious consuming channel catfish naw Bay's water quality has trend. Levels of mercury in and carp. (New York later improved considerably in walleye have decreased since withdrew its lakewide advis- recent years. 1977, remaining below FDA ory after determining that action levels, and concen- levels of PCBs in its Lake Lake Erie trations of other contam- Erie waters did not exceed inants have also remained acceptable FDA levels. Michigan reports that Lake relatively low. However, a statewide fish Erie's shallowness and warm Ohio reports that although consumption limit based on temperatures make it suscep- phosphorus loadings and more protective State criteria tible to nutrient enrichment concentrations have been does apply to all fresh waters problems. According to the decreasing, Lake Erie is still in New York.) Fish consump- International Joint Commis- eutrophic, particularly tion advisories are also in sion, remedial programs for throughout the western effect in the lower Black and reducing phosphorus load- basin and in nearshore areas. Ashtabula Rivers because of ings have led to a 56 percent The nearshore area at the elevated concentrations of decrease in rates of loading eastern end of the Ohio PCBs and polycyclic aromatic over the last 15 years. This shoreline is the only area of hydrocarbons (PAHs). has contributed to a 44 the State's nearshore waters Although Lake Erie supports percent decline in mean total in the lake approaching or the most productive fishery phosphorus concentrations attaining mesotrophic status. in the Great Lakes, the in the central basin's upper Maumee Bay and Sandusky issuance of the advisory water column over the same Bay, the most eutrophic areas classifies the whole lake as period. In recent years, in Lake Erie, are fed by rivers not supporting the CWA oxygen depletion rates in the whose drainage basins are fishable goal. central basin's lower water used intensively for agri- column have decreased and culture. Although nutrient are less variable, suggesting levels are elevated through- 45 The Great Lakes Ohio reports that Lake Erie to be a significant contrib- lake phytoplankton commu- harbor areas are much more utor of several volatile nity from one containing eutrophic and contain higher organic contaminants, mesotrophic forms to one levels of contaminants than including PCBs. with species more indicative any nearshore areas. The Fishing advisories are in of oligotrophic conditions. harbors act as natural sinks effect in Lake Ontario for a However, the concentra- for sediments and associated number of species including tion of nitrogen continues to pollutants delivered by tribu- channel catfish, lake trout, increase in the lake. The taries. Four of the harbor chinook and coho salmon, reasons for this increase areas in Ohio (the lower rainbow and brown trout, require further investiga- Maumee, Black, Cuyahoga, and white perch. PCBs, tion. Environment Canada and Ashtabula Rivers) have mirex, dioxin, and chlordane compared the rate of been designated as IJC Areas in tissue at levels exceeding increase in Lakes Ontario of Concern, and remedial FDA action limits are cited and Huron and concluded action plans are being as the causes of the fishing that both lakes are developed to return these advisories. responding in a similar areas to conditions support- Toxic substances in the manner to a common loading ing beneficial uses. water column off the major source. tributaries are also found at Eutrophication is also a Lake Ontario levels violating standards. problem in two major embay- Those that are measured ments along the lake, The bioaccumulation of most frequently in excess of Irondequoit Bay and Sodus toxic substances is one of standards are heavy metals, Bay. The problem is attrib- Lake Ontario's major prob- specifically cadmium and uted to local inputs of lems. New York reports that zinc. nutrients from point and tributaries to Lake Ontario- A steady decrease in nonpoint sources. the Niagara, Oswego, and phosphorus loadings to Lake Genessee Rivers-are often Ontario has been observed the major source of these since 1972. Improving condi- pollution problems. Atmos- tions in the lake are indi- pheric deposition is believed cated by a shift of the open 46 The Great Lakes Niagara River Run Creek, Gill Creek, Berg- and DDT residues since 1975 holtz Creek, and Scajaquada in spottail shiners collected The Niagara River drains Creek. A fishing advisory has at the outlet of the Niagara the entire Great Lakes been issued for several River. Mirex levels in these system and all of the species in the Niagara River fish declined since 1978, but municipal and industrial below the Falls because of no trends are evident for discharges entering the lakes PCB, mirex, and dioxin chlordane and hexachloro- from one of the most highly contamination, and for all cyclo-hexane isomers. Since industrialized regions of the fish species in Cayuga Creek 1980, levels of PCBs and DDT United States and Canada. because of dioxin contam- in spottails are no longer Because of the huge volume ination. declining, but fluctuations of flow in the Niagara, The International Joint make it difficult to deter- conventional wastes are Commission has identified mine any new trends. readily assimilated and the Niagara River as an Area A study completed in 1987 dissolved oxygen levels are of Concern. A remedial by the New York Department consistently above minimum action plan to address water of Environmental Conserva- required standards. However, quality problems is being tion found that the total toxic chemicals in water, prepared. The Niagara River daily loadings of priority sediments, and fish tissue Toxics Committee, a joint pollutants from 29 significant pose a persistent problem in U.S.-Canada work group, discharges into the Niagara the Niagara River, difficult found that data for sedi- River had decreased from to quantify and remedy. A ments and for some sport fish 2,740 pounds per day to 540 number of tributaries of the from the western basin of pounds per day since a Niagara River have also been Lake Ontario indicated 1981-1982 baseline study. identified as having water declines in the uptake of The majority of the total quality problems related to PCBs, DDT, mirex, and chlor- daily loadings are heavy toxic substances. These inated benzenes between the metals and cyanide, and the include Two Mile Creek, the early to mid-1970s and 1980. remainder are organic Black Rock Canal, Black This was confirmed by the pollutants. Creek, Smokes Creek, Bloody significant declines in PCBs A view of Niagara Falls. 47 The Great Lakes A report released in 1986 The Group released its A recent study of organo- by the Niagara River Data second report in early 1988 chlorine contaminants in Interpretation Group covering the period of April ducks wintering on the concluded that ambient 1986 to March 1987. Among Upper Niagara River found loadings of a number of the findings were that eight that concentrations of PCBs, substances were consider- organic contaminants and six dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, ably higher at the mouth of trace metals showed statis- and heptachlor epoxide the river, at Niagara-on-the- tically significant increases in increased in adults between Lake, than at the beginning loadings or in concentrations their late fall arrival and of the river at Fort Erie. This in water or sediment at early spring departure. These report summarizes data Niagara-on-the-Lake. contaminants were present collected by Environment Twenty-five of the 59 at levels high enough to be Canada at Fort Erie and contaminants analyzed were considered a potential health Niagara-on-the-Lake in higher at Niagara-on-the- risk to humans who might 1984-1986. Lake than at Fort Erie. consume the birds. 48 Estuaries and Coastal Waters The States provided far It should also be noted more information on water that information collected quality conditions in their through the National Estuary estuaries and bays than in Program and the Near their ocean coastal waters. Coastal Waters Program In part, this may be because indicates that some desig- degradation is more likely nated use data reported to occur in embayments and below may not accurately estuaries where polluted reflect known impairment in rivers join the sea and human estuaries and coastal waters. population has concentrated As EPA increases its empha- for economic and recrea- sis on estuarine and coastal tional reasons. Another water reporting, the accu- reason is that States gener- racy and comprehensiveness ally lack reporting capability of these data should improve. for offshore areas; histor- ically, EPA and the States placed little emphasis on developing this capability. States are therefore more likely to devote more resources to evaluating estuarine rather than coastal water quality. Summary water quality information for estuaries and coastal waters presented by the States in 1988 will be discussed below to the extent that data are available. 49 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Estuaries Table 4-1). A total of 26,676 percent of assessed square square miles were assessed, miles (6,078 square miles) 76 percent of the estuarine partially supported uses, and waters in these States. 6 percent (1,488 square Support of Of these assessed waters, miles) did not support their Designated Uses 19,110 square miles, or 72 designated uses (see Figure percent, were found to fully 4-1). Nineteen of the estua- Twenty-three States, juris- support designated uses. rine States specified the basis dictions, and Interstate About 2 percent of those of their assessment deci- Commissions (hereafter estuarine square miles sions; 23,049 square miles referred to as States) supporting uses were deter- were assessed in these States, provided use support infor- mined to be threatened by three-quarters using moni- mation on their estuarine pollution and could become toring and one-quarter using waters in their 1988 State impaired if control actions evaluative methods, such as Section 305(b) reports (see are not taken. Twenty-three mathematical models or fish- eries surveys. Table 4-1. Designated Use Support in Estuaries Estuary Square Miles Assessed Sq. Miles Sq. Miles Sq. Miles Square Percent Percent Fully Sq. Miles Partially Not State Miles Total Evaluated Monitored Supporting Threatened* Supporting Supporting Alabama 625 53 28 72 50 - 0 3 California 1,598 1,099 - - 1,076 - 0 23 Connecticut 601 601 10 90 367 8 231 3 District of Columbia 6 6 0 100 0 0 5 1 Delaware River Basin 866 866 - - 855 - 0 11 Florida 4,298 2,655 13 87 1,549 - 815 291 Georgia 594 594 85 15 583 - 7 4 Hawaii 134 134 0 100 40 0 94 0 Louisiana 7,656 4,928 88 12 2,731 0 2,077 120 Massachusetts 171 171 0 100 54 - 111 6 Maryland 1,981 1,981 0 100 0 - 1,974 7 Maine 1,633 1,633 - - 1,595 - 38 0 Mississippi 133 133 90 10 126 6 6 1 North Carolina 3,200 3,194 4 96 2,974 9 218 2 New Hampshire 27 17 0 100 7 7 0 10 New Jersey 420 259 0 100 117 0 124 18 NewYork 1,564 1,564 0 100 1,151 12 145 268 Rhode Island 192 192 48 52 154 15 18 20 South Carolina 2,155 663 0 100 583 - 18 62 Texas 1,990 1,990 0 100 1,532 0 0 458 Virginia 2,382 1,800 0 100 1,604 - 105 91 Virgin Islands 29 29 - - 25 - 1 3 Washington 2,943 2,114 4 96 1,937 293 91 86 Totals 35,198 26,676 19,110 350 6,078 1,488 *Square Miles Threatened is a subset of Square Miles Fully Supporting. - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 50 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Causes of While estuarine reporting ing to whether the cause is appears fairly comprehen- Impairment a major or moderate/minor sive, seven estuarine States contributor to impairment. failed to provide usable For their estuarine waters, The relative extent of each summary information on 16 States provided informa- cause of nonsupport is designated use support in tion on the causes of nonsup- determined by dividing the their estuarine waters. port (see 'hble 4-2). States number of square miles in Thirteen States claim that were asked to provide the each cause category by the they assessed all of their number of estuarine square total square miles impaired estuarine waters in 1988, miles under each cause (see Figure 4-2). and of these, six report that category that contributes to Nutrients and pathogens their assessments were based impairment and to assign a are reported by the States as entirely on monitoring data. degree of impact of major or the leading causes of nonsup- Much as with rivers and moderate/minor. Therefore, port in estuaries, affecting lakes, the area of estuarine any given square mile may be 50 and 48 percent of total waters found to be fully counted under several cate- impaired square miles, supporting uses varied gories if it is affected by a respectively. Organic enrich- widely, from zero to 99 number of causes. The values mentflow dissolved oxygen percent of assessed waters, reported are the total was found to affect 29 with nine States finding that number of estuarine square percent of impaired waters. over 90 percent of their miles affected by a particular This appears to indicate that assessed estuarine waters cause of impairment, accord- eutrophication (caused by fully support uses. Not Supporting (6%) Partially Supporting (23%) Fully Supporting2 (72%) Assessed Square Miles (26,676) Sources: State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 4-1. Designated Use Supported in Assessed Estuaries 'High levels of bacteria can lead to shellfishing closures. 51 Estuaries and Coastal Waters overabundant nutrients) and waterbody types, certain Twelve States specified the high levels of bacteria- States appear to account for degree of impact (i.e., major which can lead to shellfish- a large proportion of the or moderate/minor) of the ing closures and restrictions impact of various causes of causes of degradation in in shellfishing waters-are nonsupport in estuaries. For their estuarine waters. the leading threats to the example, Louisiana alone Among these, major impacts Nation's estuaries. accounts for nearly all those far outweighed moderate/ Other leading causes estuarine waters affected by minor impacts for a variety identified by the States were oil and grease and over half of pollutants including oil and grease, affecting 23 of those with pathogen priority organics, nutrients, percent of impaired waters; impacts. Florida accounts for and metals. For example, metals, affecting 10 percent; 84 percent of estuarine in 83 percent of waters siltation, affecting 7 percent; waters affected by metals, impaired by priority organics, unknown toxicity, affecting about 86 percent of those the impact was considered 5 percent; and priority with siltation impacts, and major, as was the impact of organics, affecting 4 percent. nearly all of the estuarine nutrients in 69 percent of These numbers should be waters affected by unknown affected waters and of interpreted with care. As for toxicity. metals in 52 percent. all sources and causes in all Table 4-2. Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution Total Organic Impaired Nutrients Pathogens Enrichment Oil & Grease State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Alabama** 3 3 - - - 3 - - - Connecticut 234 6 215 23 54 25 182 - - District of Columbia 6 - 5 1 5 1 - - 1 Florida** 1,106 222 - 1 - 203 - - - Georgia 11 - - - - 12 - - - Hawaii 94 - 46 - - - - - - Louisiana 2,197 62 568 120 1,815 62 568 25 1,561 Maryland 1,981 1,981 - 13 396 700 8 - - Mississippi 7 - 2 - 4 - 2 - - North Carolina** 220 135 - 26 - - - - New Jersey 142 70 - 142 - - - - - NewYork 413 - 100 251 120 14 99 - 24 Rhode Island 38 9 - 24 - 8 - - - South Carolina** 80 - - 59 - 21 - - - Virginia 196 - - 90 16 2 66 - - Washington 177 - - 67 93 - 25 1 5 Totals 6,905 2,488 936 817 2,503 1,051 950 26 1,591 Combined Totals 3,424 3,320 2,001 1,617 Percent of Impaired Waters 49.6% 48.1% 29.0% 23.4% *The sum of partially and nonsupporting estuary square miles (Table 4-1). **These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); estuary square miles were placed in the "Major" 52 Estuaries and Coastal Waters POLLUTION CAUSES Nutrients -- :. I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~I II Pathogens _ Organic Enrichment Oil and Grease 5iiii ... . . Metals Siltation | Unknown Toxicity - Priority Organics Unspecified Pesticides ! Moderate/Minor Impact pH - Major Impact 0 10 20 30 40 50 Impaired Square Miles Affected (%) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) Reports. Figure 4-2. Percent of Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Each Pollution Cause Priority Other Metals Siltation Unknown Tox Organics Pesticides pH Inorganics Ammonia Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min - 26 ..- - - - - - - 6 - 1 - - - 1 - - - 5 - - - 6 550 - 398 -345 - - 3 - 46 ..... .....- - - -2 - - - - 25 - - - - - ~1 - 3 - - 1 -- 3 ..... - -~ - 5 . . ... . . ....- - - - 70 - 70 ... ...- - - 5 145 4 -... 15 - _ _ _.. - -.. - - - - - - - - 2 21 - - - - 40 15 1 11 - - 21 14 - 2 - - - - - 5 605 50 404 59 345 8 236 47 70 2 2 26 25 - - 11 655 463 353 283 72 28 25 11 9.5%/ 6.7% 5.1% 4.1% 1.0% 0.4% 0.4% 0.2%/ column for national reporting purposes. - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 53 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Sources of As discussed earlier, any ITable 4-3 illustrates that a given square mile may be somewhat different water Impairment counted under several cate- quality picture exists for gories if it is affected by estuaries than for inland In their 1988 State Section a number of sources. The waters. The most extensive 305(b) reports, 14 States values reported are the total source of pollution cited by provided information on the number of estuarine square the States in their estuarine various sources of pollution miles affected by a particular waters is municipal contributing to use impair- source of pollution, according discharges (affecting 53 ment in their estuarine to whether the source is a percent of impaired square waters. This information is major or moderate/minor miles), followed by resource displayed in Table 4-3. States contributor to impairment. extraction (affecting 34 provided the total number of The relative extent of each percent), storm sewers/ square miles under each of source of nonsupport is runoff (affecting 28 percent), the source categories that determined by dividing the and land disposal (affecting contribute to impairment, number of square miles in 27 percent). To a lesser and in some cases assigned a each source category by the extent, agricultural runoff, degree of impact of major or total square miles impaired construction, industrial moderate/minor. (see Figure 4-3). discharges, and combined sewer overflows are also cited. Table 4-3. Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution Total Resource Storm Impaired Municipal Extract Sewers/Runoff Land Disposal State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Alabama** 3 1 - - - 2 - - - California** 23 1 - - - - - - - Connecticut 234 54 169 - 3 - 160 9 5 District of Columbia 6 - 5 - - 1 5 - - Florida** 1,106 744 - 68 - 109 - 571 - Georgia 11 - 1 - - - - - - Louisiana 2,197 82 837 25 1,561 62 567 - 559 New Jersey 142 140 - - - 140 - - - New York 413 59 190 - - 102 71 5 70 North Carolina** 220 64 - - - 8 - 9 - Rhode Island 38 7 29 - - 17 17 1 - South Carolina** 80 - - - - 48 - - - Virginia 196 43 8 - - 18 3 - - Washington 177 84 53 - - 21 29 48 51 Totals 4,846 1,279 1,292 93 1,564 528 852 643 685 Combined Totals 2,571 1,657 1,380 1,328 Percent of Impaired Waters 53.1% 34.2% 28.5% 27.4% *The sum of partially and nonsupporting estuary square miles (Table 4-1). **These States did not specify the degree of impact (i.e., Major or Moderate/Minor); estuary square miles were placed in the "Major" column for national reporting purposes. - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 54 Estuaries and Coastal Waters States report that discharges from sewage treatment facilities are the most extensive source of pollution in estuarine waters. Combined Hydro/ Agriculture Construction Industrial Sewers Habitat Mod Silviculture Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min -- 181 46 177 -- -- 555 - 467 - 324 - -- 205 - 34- - - - - ~~~~ ~~4 6 -- ---- 70- 140 --- -- -- -- - 28 - - -- 112 80 -- -- 130- - - 5 - - - -- -- -- --- 8 36- -- -- 1 1- -- -- - - - - 21- 22 3 - - 7 1 2 1 - - - - 38 27 - 1 40 9 31 8 17 11 21 1 841 58 607 1 381 207 228 271 223 11 76 1 899 608 588 499 234 77 18.60/ 12.50/ 12.1% 10.30/a 4.80% 1.6% Estuaries and Coastal Waters These findings should be of the miles affected by example, in 69 percent of the interpreted with care. First, combined sewer overflows. waters impaired by agricul- as mentioned previously, Although these findings are ture, the impact was consid- definitions of pollution fairly consistent with known ered major, as was the impact sources are ambiguous (see pollution sources in these of hydrologic/habitat discussion of Sources in States (e.g., oil drilling in modification in 62 percent Chapter One). Second, anal- Louisiana offshore waters, of affected waters. ysis of State data in Table 4-3 combined sewers in Connect- reveals that several States icut's older urban areas), appear to account for a reporting inconsistencies proportionally higher share influence these results to of impacts than others. For some extent. example, 96 percent of the Nine States specified the estuarine square miles with degree of impact of pollution impacts from resource sources in their estuarine extraction are in Louisiana, waters. Major impacts out- as are 42 percent of those weighed moderate/minor with land disposal impacts impacts in waters affected by and 36 percent of those with construction, silviculture, municipal impacts; Connect- agriculture, and hydrologic/ icut accounts for nearly half habitat modification. For POLLUTION SOURCES Municipal . Resource Extraction ,S.<fII Storm Sewers/Runoff ..,. Land Dispo sal~ Agriculture Construction IndustrialiiKK Combined Sewers Mruaf// Unspecified Hyd re/Habitat Mod MgJ Moderate/minor impact Siliviculture la Major Impact 0 1 0 20 30 40 50 60 Impaired Square Miles Affected(% Source: 1988 State Section 3051b1 Reports. Figure 4-3. Percent of Impaired Estuary Square Miles Affected by Each Pollution Source 56 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Attainment of the in the future, and less than Several States discussed Clean Water Act 1 percent (72 miles) were reasons for significantly found to be "not attainable" different fishable and swim- Goals (i.e., affected by irrevocable mable figures. In Maryland, impacts or not designated by for example, the mainstem of The basic goals of the the State for fishing uses). the Chesapeake Bay gener- Clean Water Act-that waters Nearly the same number of ally meets the swimmable be clean enough to support estuarine square miles were goal but fails to attain the fishing and swimming-apply assessed for the swimmable fishable goal, primarily as a to the Nation's estuaries as goal of the CWA. A higher result of the loss of aquatic well as to its rivers and lakes. percentage of waters-95 habitat. Shellfishing and Twenty States provided percent of the 21,594 square fishing restrictions may also information on Clean Water miles assessed-were found be the reason a greater Act (CWA) goal attainment to attain the swimming goal. percentage of estuarine in 1988 (see 'able 4-4). About 4 percent did not waters did not meet the A total of 22,258 estuarine currently attain the goal, and fishable goal in some States. square miles were assessed less than i percent were not for the fishable goal of the attainable. Figure 4-4 illus- CWA. Of these, 86 percent trates progress toward attain- attained fishing uses, 14 ment of the CWA goals in the percent did not currently Nation's estuaries. attain fishing uses but might Not Meeting Not Meeting. (14%) (4%) (14%) ~ ~ ~Meet ing 41/)Meet ing Fishable Goal Swimmable Goal (22,258 Assessed Square Miles) (21,594 Assessed Square Miles) Note: The "not attainable" categories are less than 1 percent for both goals. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 4-4, Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Estuary Square Miles 57 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Table 4-4. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Estuaries Fishable Goal (square miles) Swimmable Goal (square miles) Not Not Not Not State Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Alabama 53 50 3 - 53 50 3 - Connecticut 600 598 2 0 600 570 30 0 Delaware River Basin 866 845 21 - 866 855 11 - District of Columbia 6 0 6 0 6 0 6 0 Florida 2,655 2,364 291 0 2,655 2,364 291 0 Georgia 594 584 10 - - - - - Hawaii 40 40 0 0 40 40 0 0 Louisiana 4,928 4,926 2 - 4,928 4,928 0 - Maine 1,633 1,595 38 0 1,633 1,623 10 0 Maryland 1,981 0 1,981 - 1,981 1,974 7 - Massachusetts 171 116 55 - 171 79 92 - Mississippi 133 132 1 0 133 132 1 0 New Hampshire 17 17 0 0 17 17 0 0 NewJersey 259 117 124 18 189 117 54 18 New York 1,564 1,234 283 47 1,564 1,487 30 47 Rhode Island 191 178 6 7 191 178 6 7 South Carolina 663 640 23 - 663 636 27 - Texas 1,990 1,990 0 - 1,990 1,990 0 - Virginia 1,800 1,604 196 - 1,800 1,604 196 - Washington 2,114 2,008 106 0 2,114 1,963 151 0 Totals 22,258 19,038 3,148 72 21,594 20,607 915 72 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 58 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Understanding rise in population and the (3) Improve the under- Estuarine Water conversion of forests to standing of processes Quality: The urban, suburban, and agri- important to management cultural uses. Land use strategies, including the Chesapeake Bay changes have severely relationship between water Perspective affected water quality by quality and living resources. increasing the input of The Chesapeake Bay, the nutrients, sediments, and Since the signing of the Nation's largest estuary, toxic materials to the bay. Agreement, significant historically produced bounti- The decline of the Chesa- progress has been made in ful harvests of oysters, crabs, peake Bay became the focus meeting these objectives. and fish. Although crabs are of national attention in the Within the tidal waters of the still abundant, oyster and early 1980s. In an effort to bay, a monitoring network fish stocks continue to suffer restore the bay, top officials composed of 150 mainstem serious declines due to from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and tributary stations is degraded water quality and Maryland, the District of operational. This network harvesting pressure. These Columbia, and the U.S. provides data on a compre- declines have paralleled a Environmental Protection hensive suite of physical, Agency (EPA) gathered in chemical, and biological 1983 to sign the original water quality parameters Chesapeake Bay Agreement. 12-20 times a year. Signifi- This Agreement marked a cant progress has also been milestone in that the bay made in characterizing was now to be managed as a impacts to the bay's complete ecosystem span- submerged aquatic vegeta- ning its many political tion, wetland, shoreline, and boundaries (see Figure 4-5). shellfish resources. The Under the Chesapeake Bay findings of the water quality iii ?:" ii~Iiii::i::i5~j 1 CAgreement, a Monitoring network and efforts to char- Subcommittee was estab- acterize bay resources are lished to oversee the devel- presented below. " . . opment and implementation of a coordinated baywide monitoring program-a criti- Water Quality cal element in guiding the Findings restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. The Nutrients three basic objectives of this Nitrogen and phosphorus, monitoring program were to: nutrients required for phyto- plankton growth, accelerate (1) Characterize current the eutrophication that is the baywide conditions for key bay's foremost problem. Total a::W':'":- $ 2 �variables; nitrogen generally increases in concentration towards the (2) Identify long-term upper estuary reaches of the changes in these variables in mainstem and its tributaries. response to restoration and This gradient reflects the protection management large nonpoint source nitro- actions; and gen inputs entering from the bay's watersheds and the gradual dilution downstream Figure 4-5. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed 59 Estuaries and Coastal Waters as mixing occurs with nitro- concentrations in the bay factor accounting for the gen-poor coastal waters. system are found in the lower Susquehanna's relatively low Point source inputs, usually mainstem as concentrations phosphorus concentration is located in the upper estuar- decline from about 0.65 mg/l the lack of significant point ies, intensify the pattern. near the Patuxent River to sources in the river's lower The highest nitrogen concen- about 0.45 mg/l off the bay reaches as compared to its trations (>3 mg/1) are found mouth. freshwater flow. in the Back River and the Concentrations for total upper Patuxent River in phosphorus, as for total Dissolved Oxygen Maryland-areas strongly nitrogen, generally increase One of the major results of influenced by sewage treat- in an upstream direction eutrophication in the bay is ment plant effluent. The from less than 0.1 mg/l in the seasonal development of low mainstem above the Chesa- mainstem to greater than 0.3 dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) peake Bay Bridge and adja- mg/l in the upstream reaches in bottom waters. The most cent to Annapolis, Maryland, of several tributaries. This severe hypoxia (<1 mg/l exhibits concentrations gradient again reflects the dissolved oxygen [DO]) is similar to those found in location of point and non- found in the mainstem's many of the upper tribu- point source inputs entering "deep trough" region from taries (1-2 mg/1). The lowest the upper reaches of the the Baltimore-Annapolis area system. The mainstem, south to the Potomac River. however, does not fit this More moderate hypoxia ~~~SUSQUEHANNA 2pattern since total phos- problems (1-4 mg/i DO) are SUSQUEHANNAc phorus concentrations vary observed just upstream and Baltimore < |between about 0.03 and 0.06 downstream of the severe B alb~timorec ~mg/l without a strong areas and in the lower -\ ~ ~upstream gradient. This reaches of several other .vrr~ ~ ~~ s ~difference may be explained western shore tributaries- Washington DC by the influence of the the Magothy, Severn, South, \M ~_|~ ....~~ ~ '~~ \Susquehanna River, at the Patuxent, Rappahannock, 4 | t g^> > \head of the bay. The Susque- and York Rivers. A few hanna is dammed at the head eastern shore areas-the of the bay; sediment contain- lower Chester River, Eastern ing much of the river's phos- Bay, and Little Choptank 9 G,~o~ > a a phorus load settles behind Embayment-also experi- . Ge9X,}~ D - is>>> the dam and therefore does ence moderate hypoxia (see \Q~O� /5not enter the bay mainstem. Figure 4-6). Nitrogen, on the other hand, is in dissolved form and relatively unaffected by '�9 t~ 1)t~~ gimpoundment. A second <C " < \ Summer Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations = Limited (> 5 mg/l) - | Moderate (1 - 4 mg/I) Norfolk M Severe (< 1 mg/I) Figure 4-6. Average Summer Dissolved Oxygen Concentra- tions in Chesapeake Bay: 1985-1986 60 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Toxic Contaminants (<0.5 ppm). The majority of program indicated that SAV Thousands of potentially the PAHs found in Chesa- coverage dropped to its toxic substances enter the peake Bay samples can likely lowest recorded leyels in bay, representing a different be attributed to the combus- 1984 (see Figure 4-7). Since and more complex threat to tion of fossil fuels. Similar that year, some measure of its resources. Beginning in spatial patterns have emerged stability and even a small 1984, a 2-year sediment for other toxicants in the resurgence in the abundance sampling survey was con- mainstem, and results are and distribution of SAV have ducted to measure both becoming available for been recorded. Managers and metal and organic com- various tributaries. scientists have concluded pounds. A class of organic that water quality problems, compounds, polynuclear f particularly those resulting aromatic hydrocarbons Abundance o in eutrophication and (PAHs), was detected in a Submerged Aquatic reduced light transmission consistent pattern during Vegetation (i.e., plankton blooms and both years of the study. A suspended sediments) were pronounced peak in PAH The dramatic decline in primarily responsible for the concentrations (>7.5 ppm the baywide abundance and baywide declines of all SAV dry weight) was found in distribution of submerged species. the vicinity of the Baltimore aquatic vegetation (SAV) Harbor, a heavily populated began in the 1960s and has industrial center. North and led to the total disappear- south of the Baltimore ance of SAV in many areas region, these concentrations of the bay. Results from a decline (6.5-2.5 ppm). The 17-year ground survey lowest concentrations occur program and the multiyear near the mouth of the bay baywide aerial survey 30 25\ ') 20 0 X 15 (D\ C'N v N > 5 0'I i i i i i i i i 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 Year Figure 4-7. Percent of Maryland Chesapeake Bay SAV Ground Survey Stations with Vegetation Present 61 Estuaries and Coasa Waters lb: P : o : : :: : : : Water quality in the upper tional fishery of many fresh- The of the upper substantially over the a fifish species. utedtothe c ofpoint two decade Large-scale despite these water quality sources particularly at blooms o f blue-green algae and habitat improvemen regional wastewater treat- and very low dissolved discharges from regional met plants. The correspond- oxygen (DO) levels frefently w astewater treatment plants, ing recovery o f natural occurred in the Potomac nonpoint sources, and communities of submerged River during the late 1960s combined sewer overflows plants, benthic communities, but are now rare. Before the have slowed a complete and fishery populations is 1980s, submerged aquatic recovery of the upper thought to have strength- vegetation (SAV) had almost Potomac estuary. ened the pace of water disappeared in the tidal The Blue Plains Treatment quality improvements portion of the rivet ToIbday, Plant, serving the Washing- through increased filtering SAV beds have revegetated ton, D.C., metropolitan area, capacity and buffering of most of the upper tidal river is the largest sewage treat- nutrient concentrations shoreline and a e ontinuing ment plant in the upper tidal during the s ummer months, to reest ablish former habitats Potomac The plant contrib- Howeve; further improve- in the lower rive The utes about 70 percent of menrits to the estuary are Potomac now supports a treated flows to the river possible and, i ndeed, neces- healthy and popular recrea- Over the past 15 yeae, Blue sary. A p ollutant source still Plains has implemente d of concern is the loading of several adva nced-treatment nutrient-laden sediment measures to re d uce BOD, from the upper Potomac suspendeds ,and River basin. s of concern nutrient loadings to the are pollution inputs from estuary Even though flows combined sewer overflows of wastewaer have t ter creaethsince 1970n, vthe estuary from theW loadigs have reased gton DC., m opoieaand dramaticay.. . .... ... ashington - 62 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Th~e Anaco a% occurs because of high sedi- 33 percent. In addition, River: A Sever ment loadings from the the District is planning a River: Severe upper Anacostia watershed. nonpoint source monitoring Problems Remain Streambank erosion, resus- program to quantify NPS pension of sediment in the pollutant loads prior to the Unlike the Potomac River, tidal reaches, and CSOs development of NPS control its tributary, the Anacostia in the District may also measures. Local jurisdictions River, still suffers severe contribute to the problem. have also begun to establish pollution problems Pollutant To correct these problems, stormwater management sources include excessive the District of Columbia and regulations nonpoint source sediment Maryland signed the Anacos- loadings from abandoned tia Watershed Restoration gravel an d sand operations Strategy Agreement. This and urban areas, as well as Agreement calls for the bacterial and BOD loadings cleanup of the Anacostia from combined sewer over- River through CSO abate- flows (CSOs). ment measures within the Fbecal coliform concen- District and implementation trations frequently exceed of soil erosion control meas- the District's water quality ures in the watershed. standard for secondary In 1984, th e District began contact recreation in the a two-phase OCSO abatement tidal Anacostia. Dissolved program for the Potomac oxygen levels are extremely and Anacostia Rivers. After low, often resulting in fish completion, these abatement kills in the tidal Anaco stia. measures should reduce the Water clarity is also frequency of CSO events by extremely poor. Turbidity 5, A ; v-1C S,\eE,\KE I3At' DRAIN GFi Combined sewer overflows and storm-water runoff from l metropolitan areas affect tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. 63 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Status of Estuarine dredging projects, and the vegetated wetlands. Agricul- and Inland Wetlands natural rise of sea level. ture and other development Urban development was (mainly channelization A 1987 survey of wetland responsible for about one- related to farming) were types indicated that there fifth of the coastal wetlands equally responsible for are 1.2 million acres of losses. Since protective nearly 60 percent of the wetlands-one-fifth estua- legislation was enacted in inland vegetated wetland rine and three-fourths Virginia and Maryland in the losses. Pond and lake inland-within the Chesa- early 1970s, losses of coastal construction were also peake Bay drainage basin. wetlands have been essen- significant; urban develop- From the mid-1950s to the tially eliminated. State laws ment had less impact. These late 1970s, destruction of were also strengthened by losses of inland wetlands estuarine wetlands, typically the Federal Section 404 have continued virtually coastal marshes, occurred at regulatory program. unabated to date, although an overall rate of 6.3 percent During this same period wetland protection appears in Virginia and 9 percent in (mid-1950s to late 1970s), to be gathering both legisla- Maryland. Loss of coastal inland vegetated wetlands in tive and executive support. wetlands to estuarine waters the Chesapeake Bay experi- was the most significant enced even more dramatic Shoreline Erosion factor. This resulted from a losses. Maryland's inland combination of human and wetlands decreased by 15.1 A Chesapeake Bay natural actions, including percent, while Virginia lost Shoreline Erosion Study is coastal impoundments, 57 percent of its inland being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with Maryland and Virginia. Through this study, the average rate of 'fB~~~~~~~ v r ,shoreline erosion for the Chesapeake Bay has been estimated as 1 foot per year. Rates as high as 10 feet per year have been identified in some areas. About 4.7 million 64 a ~~ cubic yards of material- slightly more than half of the .jN~ ~sediment entering the bay from all sources combined- are eroded from the shore- line in a typical year. This study also involves the construction and monitoring of field modeling projects to determine cost-effective shore protection measures. Six projects are planned for construction and will be i monitored for 2 years. Efforts to protect wetland areas within the Chesapeake Bay drainage area appear to be gaining support. 64 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Declining Shellfish Future Directions baywide management plans. Harvest The centerpiece of the During the 1980s, monitor- Agreement is the commit- The Chesapeake Bay has ing and assessment efforts ment to achieve a 40-percent become world renowned for focused on the Chesapeake reduction in total nitrogen its oysters-historically the Bay have provided water and total phosphorus inputs bay's most bountiful harvest. quality managers and the to the bay by the year 2000. In recent years, however, a public with a better under- Along with these ambitious number of factors, including standing of the problems targets for nutrient control, degraded water quality, endangering this valuable the 1987 Chesapeake Bay sedimentation, harvesting estuary. With this increased Agreement emphasizes the pressure, and disease, have awareness has come the need to integrate the bay's resulted in a declining oyster challenge to implement living resources component harvest. In the early 1980s, needed control actions. In into the overall management the total annual Maryland -December 1987, a new of this ecosystem. Measures and Virginia oyster harvest Chesapeake Bay Agreement are being developed to eval- was over 3 million bushels. was signed committing the uate the success of pollution The harvest dropped to Governors of Pennsylvania, control and abatement approximately 2 million Maryland, and Virginia, the programs in restoring the bushels in 1983 and was Mayor of the District of estuary's living resource down to less than I million Columbia, the EPA Adminis- habitats. These measures bushels in 1988 (see 3lible trator, and the Chairman of will enable managers to focus 4-5). the Chesapeake Bay Commis- water quality restoration sion to a detailed set of programs on those regions of objectives and commitments the bay most critical to its including a timetable for the living resources and vital to a development of specific healthy, productive estuary. Table 4-5. Historical Record of Oyster Harvest from the Chesapeake Bay (in millions of bushels) 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Virginia 0.88 0.70 0.55 0.60 0.63 0.82 0.44 0.58 Maryland 2.53 2.31 1.48 1.08 1.14 1.56 0.98 0.35 Total 3.41 3.01 2.03 1.68 1.77 2.38 1.42 0.93 65 Estuaries and Coastal Waters sOther Ai 'aahnortter reslop~edighi and Oa4Etainontamintio orlongthe mid- zon~~~~~ae vae rmaglaite h 116 nM~instuart Beach closursdeto the 1 eWAand rugged~ cotastin mthe~ DelareadCspek6 gn ontoaminato lons ~ft 2noth to o eliefd furter Bas, an~rd te~l n~earyo i ablcue debi ffc athoen southern Mtsahsett Newlorkd ad sbandy ofestuarines b~ij contamicnatind orcetontanln South Caofia NwMrthe coasta theoter banLon Isand bariroaued bofm schoasa areas ande is bordered by a 100-mile- isands along southern Long ha-ve become a common wide coas"a plain. The Island, New3f 1)isy1 ela occurrence. Continental Shelf wange in Mire, Marylnd andVigna width from 70 miles to more ALso included are the estu than 100 miles. aries OfCuitkAe- H tria marke, and Panlic Sond Bckron behinul the Outer Baimksof M t o n Duigthe 1960s and the 1910 ~ m avri ofe ondsrl * *.~~~~~~~ AAW SaterQaliy ~ ~ uia tes werenms Problems ~ ~ Valia t~"~ontinenaalgself betdeing 1972 and 19nd In. ~ Wdw WOW summe ofe 188 Deawae. ofS thA egin ______ ~ ~ ~ ~~Acl~ a ' nprcdene publi daten (whic Sanctuares the ofid- j thlaionwas focse on iA okegan Atan s tmtic Sae rmPnsl attention. dublmsplging, the feaibleia manager- mid-A~ ~ ~ ~~aivstlati ceaslne s fu disposalstsi hsae Y~g�~ Beach closuresand the depat anSnctuais Atof dumpin *.~~~~~~~~o the coastlne envronmMa t EPbegnasytemti 66 Estuaries and Coastal Waters As a result, all four disposal programs have been modi- to Florida) as a first step sites were successfuly filed over the years to reflect toward addressing common phased out as environmen- changing utilization and concerns in the Mid-Atlantic tally acceptable land-based stresses on the living Bight and near coastal alternatives were developed. resources in the area. In waters. The purpose of the EPA Region I conducted 1987, EPA's regional monitor- initiative is to better define baseline surveys in and ing activities were again coastal problems, reorient around the dumpsite used expanded in response to new existing EPA and State for disposal of sewage sludge concerns: dolphin mortality, programs to more effectively from Philadelphia and Cam- atypical alga blooms, fish address common high- den. A variety of impacts diseases, and floatable priority problems, provide on the marine environment debris. suggestions for solving these were found. These impacts EPA Region III is pursuing problems, and implement included accumulations of additional strategies to better consistent ocean and estua- heavy metls in organisms understand coastal pollution rine policies where they are and sediments, the appear- problems and take a more lacking in major regulatory ance of sludge deposits on proactive approach to coastal areas. the ocean bottom, the protection. Baseline monitor- presence of sewage bacteria, ing and surveillance work changes in the benthic has been expanding. This Environmental community with the loss of includescoastal eut Rapid Dep-ment sensitive species, and the cation and public health occurrence of nerotic surveys i the area adiacent Team lesions and melanization of to the mouth of the Delaware gills in rock crab. After Bay, down the Delmarva In 1988, EPA Region m closure of the disposal sites, Peninsula to the region off organized an environmental followup monitoring revealed the aVirgini coast south of rapid deployment team. Its systematic recovery of the the Chesapeake Bay. In addi- purpose is to give EPA the benthic and fish species and tion to water and sediment ability to respond quickly to improvements in water and sampling, a marine mammal any new environmental or sediment quality. watch and floatable or plas- public health problems in tic pollution watch are Region Ill's near coastal included as part of routine waters. This effort includes surveillance activities. active participation by State Program and Federal agencies such as There areno active ocean M Al ithe U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, dumpsites in EPA Region Il I nitiat ive National Marine Fisheries As a resul monitoring Service, National Park Recognizing that ocean Service, and the States of pollution problems are Maryland, Virginia, and I a .l,.:~ ~~ ' '~ selom localized, EPA Region Delaware. Local governments III initiated an effort to and citizens who have timely develop a broad-based Mid- information on current or Atlantic Initiative that would abnormal environmental address coastal problems as a conditions in their coastal whole rather than from a communities are encouraged regional or State-level to take part in these perspective . activities. The Mid-Atlantic Initiative is ajoint proposal involving EPA Rgions I, II, HI, and IV ago,-i--- ~ (including States from Maine 67 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Ocean Of those assessed coastal 50 percent using monitoring | ~Coastal ~ miles, 3,324 miles (89 data. Coastal percent) were found to fully While these figures may support their designated satisfactorily portray coastal Waters uses. About 2 percent of conditions in these 12 States, these miles (73 miles) were they are not necessarily ~~. -~~.. ~~. ~determined to be threatened representative of the Nation -Supp~ort of and likely to become impaired as a whole because they Support of if pollution control actions apply to so few waters. Designated Uses were not taken. Eight Problems with inconsistent percent of assessed coastal reporting and assessment Ten States and two Terri- miles (307 miles) were identi- methodologies apply as well. tories (hereafter referred to fled as partially supporting For example: as States) reported on the uses, and 3 percent (124 degree to which their ocean miles) were found to be not * One State assessed only coastal waters support the supporting uses (see Figure 4 percent of its coastal uses for which they have 4-8). Ten States specified the waters, while nine States been designated (see 'hble basis of their assessment report that they assessed 4-6). These States assessed decisions (i.e., whether 100 percent; 3,755 coastal miles, 73 per- monitored data or evaluative cent of their total miles but information). In these ten * Five States relied only about 20 percent of the States, 2,679 miles were exclusively on evaluative Nation's estimated 19,200 assessed, 50 percent using data, and two States used miles of ocean coastline.* evaluative information and only monitoring data; and *Estimate excludes figures for Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Alaska. Table 4-6. Designated Use Support in Oceans Ocean Coastal Miles Assessed Miles Miles Coastal Percent Percent Fully Miles Partially Not State Miles Total Evaluated Monitored Supporting Threatened* Supporting Supporting Alabama 50 50 100 0 50 - 0 0 California 1,840 1,069 - - 1,009 - 0 60 Florida 1,291 835 16 84 761 - 74 0 Hawaii 824 824 62 38 824 0 0 0 Maryland 32 32 100 0 32 - 0 0 Mississippi 81 81 0 100 40 40 30 11 New Hampshire 18 18 100 0 18 18 0 0 New York 130 130 0 100 60 0 70 0 Puerto Rico 434 434 71 29 250 15 132 52 Virginia 112 112 100 - 112 0 0 0 Virgin Islands 173 7 - - 5 - 1 1 Washington 163 163 100 0 163 0 0 0 Totals 5,148 3,755 3,324 73 307 124 *Miles Threatened is a subset of Miles Fully Supporting. - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 68 Estuaries and Coastal Waters * Six States reported that Attainment of the pollution or not designated all their assessed coastal Clean Watefor fishing. waters supported designated A slightly smaller percent- uses, while in three States Goals age of miles-92 percent- about half of the assessed were found to attain the waters supported uses. Ten States provided infor- swimmable goal. Only mation on the extent to 1 percent of the miles were Causes and which their ocean coastal found to be not meeting the Sources of waters attain the fishable goal, but in 7 percent, the and swimmable goals of the swimmable goal was deter- Impairment Clean Water Act. Table 4-9 mined to be not attainable displays this information. (see Figure 4-9). This 7 Two States and one Terri- The same number of percent comes exclusively tory provided information on coastal miles were assessed from Puerto Rico, which did the causes and sources of for the fishable goal as for not identify the reason for nonsupport in ocean coastal the swimmable goal. Figure nonattainability in its coastal waters not fully supporting 4-9 reveals that 97 percent waters. uses (see Thbles 4-7 and 4-8). of the 2,679 assessed coastal Because these cause and miles attained the fishable source data include only a goal and 3 percent did not small proportion of ocean currently attain the goal but coastal waters, they may not might in the future. No be representative of coastal coastal miles were deter- pollution influences mined to be not attainable- i.e., irrevocably affected by Partially Supporting Not Supporting (8%)Partially (3%) Fully Supporting E (89%) Assessed Coastal Miles (3,755) Source: State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 4-8. Designated Use Supported in Assessed Oceans � 69 Estuaries and Coastal Waters ~Description of mean dephof meters. contamination. A preif- Port Townsend Bay is an suburban, 30 percent conser- of the bay) found further embayment in the northeast vancy/natural uses, and 30 evidence of an environmen- corner of the Olympic Penin- percent U.S. Naval Reserve tal problem: the diversity sula in Washington State. Its (Indian Island). and numbers of bottom- large northern outlet opens A variety of biological dwelling and benthic organ- to Admiralty Inlet, which resources can be found in isms were severely limited. connects the Strait of Juan and around Port Townsend de Fuca (and the Pacific Bay. The glacous-winged Ocean) to Puget Sound. At gull, pelagic cormorant, Pollutant Sources the southern end, a narrow pigeon guillemot, and black connection to Puget Sound oystercatcher use the area The major point source restricts exchange of water. for nesting. Commercial discharger to Port Townsend Between the bay's two fishermen operate just north Bay is an unbleached kraft islands, Indian and Marrow- of the bay in Admiralty Inlet. pulp mill that discharges 12 stone, lies Kilisut Harbor. The bay itself supports sport to 16 million gallons per day The bay (excluding Kilisut salmon fishing as well as into Glen Cove through an Harbor) has a surface area of spawning grounds and hold- outfall 1,800 feet offshore. In 30 square kilometers and a ing areas for the Pacific addition, the Naval Undersea herring and shellfish beds of Warfare Engineering Station geoduck, clam, and oyster. (NUWES), Indian Island Dungeness crab can also be Annex, is permitted to dis- found. charge up to 36,000 gallons per day of treated domestic ywastewater to waters off Crane Point on the eastern Problems shore of the bay. two�locations in Port Other possible pollutant At two locations include the Navy Townsend Bay isn n 1986 and Munition Steam-out Facility bulat one locatinon in 1987, on Indian Island. Conven- Iarge commnrernciao attem pts to raise tional explosives have be en Atlantic salmonin pens handled at ths site oince the 7eonecinto e0~failed because0ofa greateh r mid-1970s. Although apermit t han 90 per cent mfLoy exists to allow the discharge ABpathology study conclfded of optreated "ared wayr" from that the salmon mortality this facility, th ese wastes are was caused by severe liver not discharged at this site. A bay is general ly con sidered a a nd two anchorages for ships nonurban area wi th little or carrying explosives are ~ ' no previous re cord of t oxic within the bay, one at the 70 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t i~ t newih rsucscnb fudi sswr eeeylmtd co: ect : h :taio Jun adaru:PrtTws Estuaries and Coastal Waters mouth and one off Indian biomonitoring inspection of liver lesions but did not Island. It is not known what the Port Townsend Paper suffer mortality. The liver materials may have been Company pulp mill and an lesions appeared to be similar disposed of in the bay, either inspection of the Navy to those observed in previous intentionally or accidentally. Indian Island facility were years' testing. Additional Nonpoint sources are also of also conducted in late 1987. water sampling conducted in concern and include surface None of these investigations 1988 by WDOE at the pen runoff, septic leakage, and revealed the source of the site off the marina revealed boat traffic. waterborne toxicant. no problems. In 1988, further studies The liver disease, first were conducted. Long-term observed in Atlantic salmon, bioassay testing of the pulp has now been observed in Investigation mill effluent, using Atlantic other salmonid species in salmon, resulted in no liver Port Townsend Bay and does In October 1987, the lesions or significant mortal- not appear to be caused by Washington Department of ity. Atlantic salmon, Chinook the pulp mill effluent. Other Ecology (WDOE) began an salmon, Donaldson trout, water and sediment sampling investigation of the Port and shiner perch were also near the fish pens has not Townsend salmon mortality raised in pens off the Port revealed any likely sources of problem. Samples of salmon Townsend marina and at the problem. Since Atlantic tissues both within and Crane Point. Atlantic salmon salmon with similar liver outside the bay, samples of suffered high mortality at disease have been found in seawater at the salmon net both sites; young Chinook four unpolluted sites in pens, and bottom sediments salmon suffered a significant, British Columbia, EPA of the bay have been col- but lower, mortality rate at Region X is now encouraging lected and analyzed for the marina site while no further research to confirm priority pollutants, chlori- significant mortality was the hypothesis that a natural nated dioxin/furans, selected observed among larger algae-produced toxin may be trace metals, resin acids, Chinook salmon; and the cause of the problem. and munitions chemicals. A Donaldson trout displayed 7' i;. If a; )iV C0;;ff ffft0S0Sf0 \ 1'f- Lv 00;0;00500f0''"0;::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_8' / :;';;S.!M. \ : : r ;S\ ' fiS, ftH);;; i n l " Estuaries and Coastal Waters Table 4-7. Impaired Ocean Coastal Miles Affected by Causes of Pollution Total Priority Impaired Pathogens Organics Nutrients Siltation State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Mississippi 41 - 41 - - - - - New York 70 12 - - 70 - Puerto Rico 184 10 14 - - 10 27 12 22 Totals 295 22 55 0 70 10 27 12 22 Combined Totals 77 70 37 34 *The sum of partially and nonsupporting Ocean Coastal miles (Table 4-6). NOTE: The State of Washington reports no impaired miles. - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Table 4-8. Impaired Ocean Coastal Miles Affected by Sources of Pollution ~~Total ~Storm Impaired Land Disposal Sewers/Runoff Municipal Industrial State Waters* Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Mississippi 41 - 41 - 41 - - - New York 70 - - - - - 12 - - Puerto Rico 184 2 43 5 14 12 10 16 2 Totals 295 2 84 5 55 12 22 16 2 Combined Totals 86 60 34 18 *The sum of partially and nonsupporting Ocean Coastal miles (Table 4-6). NOTE: The State of Washington reports no impaired miles. - Zero or not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Not Meeting Not Attainable (3%) (7%) Meeting Not Meeting ~ Meeting (97%) (1 %) 92%) Fishable Goal Swimmable Goal (2,679 Assessed Coastal Miles) (2,679 Assessed Coastal Miles) Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 4-9. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Assessed Oceans 72 Estuaries and Coastal Waters Unknown Other Organic Toxicity Habitat Mod Metals Oil & Grease Enrichment pH Thermal Mod Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major ModlMin Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min 7 25 17 11 2 8 6 1 3 3 1 2 - 1 7 25 17 11 2 8 6 1 3 3 1 2 0 1 32 28 10 7 6 3 1 Combined Hydro/ Resource Sewers Habitat Mod Silviculture Construction Extract Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min Major Mod/Min 12 . . . . - - - 6 .- _ _ _ . 12 - 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 6 0 0 0 Table 4-9. Attainment of Clean Water Act Goals in Oceans Fishable Goal (coastal miles) Swimmable Goal (coastal miles) Not Not Not Not State Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Assessed Meeting Meeting Attainable Alabama 50 50 0 0 50 50 0 0 Florida 835 835 0 0 835 835 0 0 Hawaii 824 824 0 0 824 824 0 0 Maryland 32 32 0 - 32 32 0 - Mississippi 81 81 0 0 81 81 0 0 New Hampshire 18 18 0 0 18 18 0 0 New York 130 60 70 0 130 129 1 0 Puerto Rico 434 415 19 0 434 219 24 191 Virginia 112 112 0 0 112 112 0 0 Washington 163 163 0 0 163 163 0 0 Totals 2,679 2,590 89 0 2,679 2,463 25 191 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 73 Estuaries and Coastal Waters a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: : :ue I UT ~~~The southwest coast of marine and estuarine ecosys- Geographic Area Florida is not as developed as tems in which they occur. the east coast. Population Red tide derives its name The west coast of Florida, centers include Fort Myers/ from the red-brown water f rom t he Florida Keys to C a pe Coral, Sar asota/Brad en- color that occurs during an Cedar Key, is characterized ton, and Tampa/St. Peters- intensive bloom of dinoflag- by mangrove and barrier burg. The barrier islands and ellates. Between 1975 and islands to the south and coastal areas, from Naples to 1987, red tides in the eastern extensive mangrove swamps Clearwater, have undergone Gulf of Mexico generally and spartina marshes to the extensive residential and occurred in the fall and north. The nearshore area is commercial development in winter and were most preva- characterized by extensive the past 30 years, but iand lent in the area between shallows with seagrass beds areas have, to a large extent, qhmpa Bay and Charlotte and hard bottom communi- remained in pastureland, Harbor. Historic information ties. In addition to numerous citrus production, and indicates that between 1916 smaller embayments and pine/palmetto covet Indus- and 1980 there were 24 estuaries, the west coast trial development has been occurrences of red tide on includes Tampa Bay and confined mostly to Tampa this coast, although the Charlotte Harbor, the two Bay and Charlotte Harbor. actual number of events Was largest open water estuaries probably larger due to in the State. unobserved offshore occur- Water Quality rences. Problems Red tidesaretralt Pu Hiealth A ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~974 Gulf of iixc asdb periodtc ifi of the s ~ingle- Theto red tidealgaei Pt- celled algae ldsu icu rvspoue *ff~~~~~~~~~~beis^. Ti algaeclsificafed evter a; ;fnelurotidngss thoiat 74 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ p 0tbxi l 0 t0 arz0 e~ e ca3siuo e ..........~m~nes n blo~~~~~~~~~wen ashie dtesocn. mmrae anIevralo for catlcmuiisad otoneou system effects significantly Affec the including loss of coordina- 74 Estuaries and Coastal Waters tion, dizziness, headaches, Ecological Impact that total economic impact is and convulsions. Human very difficult to measure. intoxication has resulted Red tides have been asso- after ingestion of both raw ciated with mortalities of Dynamics and and cooked contaminated marine fish and inverte- Extent of the Red shellfish, indicating that the brates in the eastern Gulf of toxins are not destroyed by Mexico. Most of these events Tide heat. are caused by neurotoxins Unlike most toxic dino- that kill the animal directly Although early investiga- flagellates, which are or indirectly via ingestion of tors thought that blooms armored with a hard cell toxin-contaminated prey originated near shore and wall, Ptychodiscus brevis organisms. In other cases, were linked to nutrient cells are unarmored and thus oxygen depletion caused by enrichment, further investi- easily ruptured, releasing community respiration may gation found that Ptycho- their toxins into the sur- cause mortalities. Ducks and discus brevis blooms begin in rounding water. When incor- shorebirds feeding on an "initiation zone" 28 to 74 porated into the surf, the contaminated mollusks or kilometers offshore. Within toxins become associated fish are also at risk. In this zone, it is speculated with salt spray and aerosols, addition, it has been that benthic cysts for Ptycho- causing severe respiratory reported that manatees discus brevis exist in seed irritation, burning of the feeding on seagrasses during beds. This dormant resting nose and throat, coughing, red tide events inadvertently stage can accumulate in and choking. Although consume contaminated tuni- localized areas and reinocu- respiratory irritations usually cates and benthic inverte- late the overlying water subside when the victim is brates and are affected by column. When Gulf Loop removed from the affected disorientation and other current meanders and eddies environment, the long-term symptoms of NSP. pass through these seed beds, effects of exposure are not cysts can be carried up to known. areas with favorable growth Economic Impact conditions of more light, warmth, and nutrient supply. Fish kills and NSP in As the algal population Florida have caused economic increases under these favor- stress to local communities able conditions, the orga- and a number of industries. nisms can be concentrated The 1971 red tide caused an into blooms by currents and estimated economic loss of winds. $20 million to the tourist Winds, currents, and tides industry alone, and a 1973- move Ptychodiscus brevis e,, I - i . ~ 1 1974 red tide caused an blooms to coastal areas. In estimated $15 million loss to the eastern Gulf of'Mexico, that industry. Sportfishing, red tides usually move south- wholesale and retail seafood ward after reaching near- sales, and real estate sales shore waters, and in some were also affected. An cases are transported around "economic halo" effect the Florida peninsula and " - ~' o occurs because public then northward by Gulf concern can lead to buyer Stream currents. The first resistance to all seafood documented occurrence of _-2 : products, even if they are Ptychodiscus brevis red tide safe to eat. This halo effect on the east coast of Florida can extend far beyond the county or State involved, so 75 Estuaries and Coastal Waters was in 1972, although it is Monitoring and conditions that lead to bloom likely that there were occa- Resea h formation. The goal is to sional events before that predict red tides and possibly time. Activities control them at the source In the fall of 1987, an rather than after they have extensive red tide (identified The Florida Department moved to coastal waters. If as Ptychodiscus brevis) o f Natural Resources (DNR) benthic cyst accumulations occurred in coastal and is responsible for monitoring are indeed precursors of red inshore waters of North Ptychodiscus brevis concen- tides and can be located, Carolina. This bloom had a trations in nearshore waters control methods may be serious impact on shell- to determine locale and developed to prevent blooms fisheries in the area due to duration of shellfish bed from developing in the scallop mortalities and closed closures. Shellfish beds are offshore initiation zone. oyster harvesting areas. This closed to commercial har- An inexpensive screening was the first time a red tide vesting when Ptychodiscus technique is being developed had been documented in brevis concentrations in the to detect toxins in fish and North Carolina waters. It was water column exceed 5,000 shellfish meats and to presumed that the Gulf cells per liter. At this concen- monitor during and after a Stream had transported the tration the bloom is not red tide event. Also under red tide north from south detectable to the naked eye study is the question of Florida. Satellite imagery and would be unlikely to whether or no t human from the NOAA weather cause mass fish mortality. activity, which has increased service supported this However, shellfish can the load of nutrients into hypothesis with evidence of concentrate the toxins in a coastal waters, contributes to a warm mass of Gulf Stream low-magnitude bloom and the intensity of red tides. water moving into the North present a risk of NSP to Carolina coastal area at the consumers. same time the red tide Research is being occurred. condu c ted on environmental 76 Estuaries and Coastal Waters convened for 12 estuaries: ment actions can then be Albemarle/Pamlico Sound, applied in other areas of the Estuarine and North Carolina; Buzzards country. The following three Coastal Waters Bay, Massachusetts; Long projects were initiated in Island Sound, Connecticut 1988: and New York; Narragansett National Estuary Bay, Rhode Island; Puget � Decision-making Program Sound, Washington; San information system for Francisco Bay and Santa Delaware's Inland Bays- The National Estuary Monica Bay, California; New to develop a computerized Program, established York-New Jersey Harbor, Advanced Information through the 1987 amend- New York and New Jersey; System to help officials ments to the Clean Water Delaware Bay, Pennsylvania, quickly and accurately assess Act, confirmed the need to New Jersey, and Delaware; impacts of proposed actions focus greater attention on Delaware Inland Bays, on natural resources. the protection and improve- Delaware; Sarasota Bay, ment of water quality and Florida; and Galveston Bay, U Oregon Coastal Resource the enhancement of living Texas. Action Plan-to develop a resources in the Nation's comprehensive action plan estuaries. Estuaries are to for Oregon's coastal water- achieve these goals through Near Coastal Water sheds focusing on developing collaborative efforts called Pilot Projects interagency management comprehensive conservation coordination to protect near and management plans The Near Coastal Water coastal waters from point (CCMPs). Development of Pilot Projects are joint State- and nonpoint sources of CCMPs is carried out by EPA efforts to demonstrate pollution. management conferences. in selected near coastal As of July 1988, manage- waters innovative manage- U Perdido Bay Cooperative ment conferences were ment actions. These manage- Management Initiative-to develop a framework for management action strate- gies to protect and enhance Florida's and Alabama's Perdido Bay. 7 77 Wetlands Types of Wetlands activities that affect wetlands. Wetlands are mostly semi- A wide variety of wetlands aquatic lands that are either have formed across the coun- inundated or saturated by try as the result of regional water for varying periods of and local differences in vege- time during the growing tation, hydrology, water season. In all wetlands, the chemistry, soils, topography, presence of water creates climate, and other factors. In conditions that favor the general, two broad categories growth of specially adapted of wetlands are recognized: plants (hydrophytes) and coastal wetlands and inland promote the development of wetlands. A national distri- characteristic hydric soil bution of wetland types is properties. A Federal manual shown in Figure 5-1. for delineating wetland areas Coastal wetlands, as their has been developed with the name suggests, are found involvement of the EPA, U.S. along the Atlantic, Pacific, Fish and Wildlife Service Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. (FWS), U.S. Army Corps of They are closely linked to Engineers, and Soil Conser- estuaries, where seawater vation Service (Federal mixes with fresh water to Manualfor Identifying and form an environment of Delineating Jurisdictional varying salinities. Saltwater Wetlands, January 1989). and fluctuating water levels This manual defines wetlands (due to tidal action) combine based upon plants, soils, and to create a rather difficult hydrology, and is used as the environment for most plants. basis for Federal regulatory Consequently, many shallow 79 Wetlands coastal areas are unvege- where saltwater influence Wetland Values tated mud flats or sand flats. ends. Inland wetlands Some plants, however, have include marshes and wet In their natural condition, successfully adapted to this meadows dominated by wetlands provide many environment. Certain grasses grasses and herbs, shrub benefits including food and and grasslike salt-loving swamps, and wooded swamps habitat for fish and wildlife, (halophytic) plants form dominated by trees, such as water quality improvement, extensive colonies called bottomland hardwood forests flood protection, shoreline "coastal marshes." These along floodplains. Some erosion control, natural marshes are particularly regional wetland types products for human use, and abundant along the Atlantic include the pocosins of North opportunities for recreation and Gulf coasts. Mangrove Carolina, bogs and fens of and aesthetic appreciation. swamps, dominated by halo- the northeastern and north- Each wetland works in phytic shrubs or trees, are central States and Alaska, combination with other common in Hawaii and in inland saline and alkaline wetlands as part of a southern Florida. marshes and riparian wet- complex, integrated system. Inland wetlands occur lands of the arid and semi- An assessment of any throughout the Nation's arid West, prairie potholes of specific wetland must take interior. They are most Minnesota and the Dakotas, this critical interrelationship common on floodplains along vernal pools of California, into account. rivers and streams, in iso- playa lakes of the Southwest, lated depressions surrounded cypress-gum swamps of the by dry land, and along the South, wet tundra of Alaska, margins of lakes and ponds. and tropical rain forests of Some even form at the upper Hawaii. edges of coastal marshes Wetland Types Coastal Wetlands X5.2 Inland Marshes and Wet Meadows 28.4 Inland Shrub Swamps 10.6 Inland Forested Wetlands 49.7 Other Inland Wetlands 5.0 0.0 10.0.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 Millions of Acres Source: OPA-87-016. Figure 5-1. Extent of Wetlands in the Lower 48 States 80 Wetlands Fish and Wildlife in the water to form small stream property from flood Habitat particles of organic material damage. Trees and other (detritus). This enriched wetland vegetation help slow Wetlands are critical to the material is the principal food the speed of floodwaters. survival of a wide variety of for many small aquatic inver- This action, combined with animals and plants. For many tebrates, various shellfish, water storage, can lower species such as the wood and forage fish that are food flood heights and reduce the duck, muskrat, cattail, and for larger predatory fish, water's erosive potential. In swamp rose, wetlands are such as bluefish and striped agricultural areas, wetlands primary habitats-the only bass. These larger fish are, can help reduce the ilkeli- places they can live. For in turn, consumed by people. hood of flood damage to others, wetlands are not Thus, wetlands provide an crops. Wetlands within and primary residences but important source of food for upstream of urban areas are provide important food, people as well as for aquatic especially valuable for flood water, or cover. Moreover, animals, protection, since urban a number of rare and endan- development increases the gered species depend on rate and volume of surface wetlands for survival. Flood Protection water runoff, thereby Altogether, wetlands are increasing the risk of flood among the most productive Wetlands have often damage. natural ecosystems in the been referred to as natural world. They can be thought sponges that absorb flooding of as the "farmlands of the waters. They actually func- aquatic environment" since tion more like natural tubs, they produce great volumes storing either floodwater of food in the form of plant that overflows riverbanks or material. The major food surface water that collects value of wetland plants in isolated depressions. By comes when the plants' dead doing so, wetlands help leaves and sterns break down protect adjacent and down- Wetlands provide critical habi- *L tat to awide variety of animals %M and plants. Wetlands Shoreline Erosion commercial catch and over wetlands can intercept Control 50 percent of the recrea- surface water runoff from tional harvest are fish and land before it reaches open Wetlands are often located shellfish that depend on the water. They can also help between rivers and high estuary-coastal wetland filter nutrients, waste, and ground and are therefore system. Each year, the U.S. sediment from floodwaters. able to buffer shorelines commercial fisheries' harvest against erosion. Wetland is valued at more than $10 plants increase the durability billion. Wetlands also Recreation and of the sediment by binding produce fur-bearers such as Aesthetics soil with their roots, and muskrat, beavers, and mink. dampen wave action and The Nation's harvest of Through the centuries, reduce current velocity muskrat pelts alone is worth painters and writers have through friction. So signif- over $70 million annually. sought to capture the beauty icant is the erosion control Waterfowl hunters spend of wetlands on canvas and function of many wetlands over $300 million annually to paper. Today, such artists are that some States are recom- harvest wetland-dependent oftenjoined by others with mending the planting of birds. cameras and video and sound wetland vegetation to recorders. An estimated 50 control shoreline erosion in Water Quality million people spend nearly coastal areas. Improvement $10 billion each year observ- ing and photographing Natural Products One value of wetlands is wetland-dependent birds their ability to help maintain alone. Wetlands also provide A wealth of natural and improve the water quality endless opportunities for products are produced by of our Nation's rivers and other popular recreational wetlands. Those available for other waterbodies. Wetlands activities, such as hiking and human use include timber, do this by removing and boating. fish and shellfish, wildlife, retaining nutrients, process- blueberries, cranberries, and ing chemical and organic wild rice. Much of the wastes, and reducing sedi- Nation's fishing and shell- ment loads to receiving fishing industry harvests waters. Wetlands are partic- wetland-dependent species. ularly good filters. Because For example, in the South- of their position between east, 96 percent of the upland and deep water, Information contained in the above sections was drawn from a brochure developed by the EPA Office of Wetlands Protection, America 's Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between Land and Water February 1988, OPA-87-016. For copies or further information, contact U.S. EPA, Office of Wetlands Protection (A-104F), Washington, DC 20460. 82 Wetlands Overview of State national scales. The FWS States. The following infor- Reporting National Wetlands Inventory mation is intended to provide is one such tool relied on by a national overview of the The information submitted some States for this purpose. Nation's wetland resources by the States in their 1988 However, as of 1988, only 60 and a more consistent basis State Section 305(b) reports percent of the lower 48 for State reporting for future focused exclusively on the States and 16 percent of 305(b) cycles. quantity of their wetland Alaska had been mapped. resources and certain State Second, wetlands are a programs. The impact of complex, fragmented, and in Wetland chemical contaminants and some areas widely distributed Resources other stresses on the quality water resource. The effort of existing wetlands has not required to identify and been addressed by the States assess all State wetlands on a A National and is not discussed in this biennial basis is enormous. Perspective report. Information on the Third, in the past EPA has quality of existing wetlands not issued specific guidance It is estimated that over is generally not available on wetland reporting. Guid- 200 million acres of wetlands because of the lack of State ance issued by EPA in 1988 existed in the lower 48 States and Federal resources to marks a first-time shift at the time of European set- monitor wetland quality. toward more consistent and tlement. Since then, exten- Inconsistent reporting of complete State reporting on sive losses have taken place, wetland acreage and State the quantity and quality of with many of the original programs is the result of wetlands nationwide. wetlands drained and con- several factors. First, there is lb provide a more complete verted to farmland. Today, a general lack of appropriate assessment of State wetland less than half of our original data bases and related tools resources, this report draws wetlands remain (see Figures to track the quantity and upon several sources of 5-2 and 5-3). This amounts to quality of wetland resources information to augment the an area equal to the size of on consistent statewide or information provided by the Remained in the mid-1970's Lost Human Impacts Natural Threats (46% or 99 Million Acres) (54%) Drainage Erosion Dredging and stream Subsidence channelization Sea level rise Deposition of fill material Droughts s Diking and damming Hurricanes and other Tilling for crop production storms Grazing by domestic Overgrazing by wildlife animals Discharge of pollutants Mining Alteration of hydrology Source: OPA-87-016. Figure 5-2. Original and Remaining Acreages of Wetlands Figure 5-3. Major Causes of Wetland Loss and Degradation in the Lower 48 States 83 Wetlands California. An additional 200 Wetlands of the United acres (440,000 acres of inland million acres of wetlands are States: Current Status and wetlands and 18,000 acres of estimated to exist in Alaska- Recent Trends (U.S. FWS, coastal wetlands) during this covering slightly more than 1984). This report assesses period. half the State-while Hawaii the changes in the national Agricultural activities has approximately 100,000 wetlands resource between affecting wetlands, including acres. Next to Alaska, Louis- the mid-1950s to the mid- drainage, filling, and road iana and Florida have the 1970s. Estimates of wetland construction, were respon- largest wetland acreage in loss are based on the evalua- sible for 87 percent of losses the U.S. tion of wetland acreage between the mid-1950s and Two basic types of data within thousands of 4-square- mid-1970s. Agricultural collection efforts can be used mile plots located across the activities had the greatest to track the quantity of U.S. The number and loca- impact on forested wetlands, wetlands: (1) detailed maps tions of the plots were inland marshes, and wet and (2) status and trends chosen to provide a given meadows. Urban develop- reports. Detailed maps statistical precision when the ment and other development provide site-specific infor- information was extrapolated were responsible for 8 mation on wetlands. Status to the entire U.S. percent and 5 percent of and trends information is Based on these data, the wetland losses, respectively. used to evaluate changes to FWS estimates that the Urban development was the the resource over time. The Nation's wetlands are being major cause of coastal FWS has been extensively lost at an alarming rate. wetland losses outside of involved in these two areas Between the mid-1950s and Louisiana, while submer- over the last several years. mid-1970s alone, about 11 gence of Louisiana's coastal The only complete national million acres of marshes and marshes by Gulf waters was assessment of the changes in swamps were destroyed, an the leading factor in that the quantity of U.S. wetland area three times the size of State. In addition to the resources over time is New Jersey. The average direct physical destruction of contained in a report entitled annual loss was 458,000 wetlands, these habitats are V M mid-i 970s. 84 Wetlands also threatened indirectly by * California-Over 90 chemical contamination and State-Reported percent of California's other pollution. Information original 5 million acres has In recent times, the most been lost by conversion to extensive losses of wetlands In their 1988 State Section other land uses. Located in have occurred in Louisiana, 305(b) reports, 14 States the interior are 240,000 Mississippi, Arkansas, North reported on the acreage and acres of modified wetlands; Dakota, South Dakota, causes of wetland loss. Many 170,000 acres of coastal Nebraska, Florida, and Texas. State estimates of wetland wetlands remain. These and losses in other acreage are based on States have greatly dimin- National Wetlands Inventory U Connecticut--Total inland ished our Nation's wetland (NWI) information; others wetlands acreage is estimated resources and the benefits are independent estimates. at 435,000 acres, or about they once provided. For The following is a summary 15 percent of the State's example, increased flood of State-reported informa- land area. The Connecticut damages and declining water- tion on wetland acreageand Department of Environmen- fowl populations are, in part, current rates and causes of tal Protection (DEP) esti- the result of wetland loss. No attempt has been mates that 1,200 to 1,500 destruction. made to compare the esti- acres may be lost or altered The FWS is currently mates provided by the States annually. The primary cause updating its 1984 report on with the data from NWI. of wetlands loss is land devel- wetlands status and trends NWI and State-generated opment for residential or and has recently prepared a data can provide a basis for commercial use. To further similar report for the Mid- consistent reporting of improve wetland protection Atlantic Region of the U.S. wetland acreage in future efforts statewide, the DEP (Mid-Atlantic Wetlands: State Section 305(b) reports. has instituted a comprehen- A Disappearing National sive education and training Treasure, June 1987). The program for local commission methodology used to develop members. the national report was used to prepare this regional assessment. 85 Wetlands It has been estimated that U Maryland-Prior to * New Hamipshire-The approximately half of the passage of the State's Tidal State has about 100,000 acres original tidal wetlands in Wetlands Law, about 1,000 of freshwater and tidal Connecticut have been lost acres of wetlands were being wetlands. Although wetland because of urban encroach- destroyed each year. For the drainage is not generally ment and other human activ- 25-year period between 1942 allowed, New Hampshire ities such as dredging and and 1967, wetland losses in continues to lose about 25-50 filling. Since the enactment Maryland exceeded 23,000 acres per year, mainly as the of the Tidal Wetlands Act in acres. Approximately result of residential and 1969, however, the DEP esti- 438,000 acres of wetlands commercial development and mates that less than 1/10 of remain. road construction. i percent of the remaining wetlands have been filled. U Mississippi-Prior to U New York-The State has Current estimates are that 1973, Mississippi had lost almost 2 million acres of approximately 17,500 acres approximately 10,000 acres freshwater wetlands and of tidal wetlands remain in of wetlands. Since 1973, over 25,000 acres of tidal the State. Additionally, State fewer than 20 acres of wetlands. Based on land-use and local initiatives have coastal wetlands have been trends and soil analyses, resulted in the restoration altered. It has been estimated estimates are that over half of between 400 and 600 acres that if this trend had been of New York's wetlands have of previously degraded tidal allowed to continue, Missis- been lost since colonial times wetlands. sippi would have lost approx- to draining, dredging, filling, imately 42 percent of its and pollution. Since the * Illinois-The State was wetlands resources. With 1950s, New York has lost over once covered by more than strong State and Federal 40 percent of its tidal wet- 8 million acres of wetlands. legislation in place, the area lands. Some losses continue Currently less than 500,000 affected is estimated to be to occur. Although all tidal acres remain. less than 0.05 percent. wetlands are protected by State statute, only 60 percent of freshwater wetlands receive State statutory protection. Wild ponies in a wetland area on Assateague Island, Maryland. 86 Wetlands There have been some gains � Oregon-By the 1970s, The most significant wetland in wetlands in New York. wetland areas in most loss in Pennsylvania is taking New wetlands are being estuaries in the State had place as a result of second created or existing ones been reduced by 50-95 home development, coal enlarged as the result of percent as a result of agricul- mining, and urbanization. managed changes in beaver ture and the siting of port/ Second home development is populations. Other wetland industrial activities. Early an immediate threat to a gains can be attributed to the losses can be attributed to large number of wetlands in restoration of agricultural diking for the purpose of the Pocono area, which has land back to wetlands. creating agricultural lands. a greater concentration of Most of these conversions bogs, swamps, and marshes � North Carolina-State occurred prior to the 1930s than any other region in the wetland protection programs and account for about 90 Commonwealth. While there are generally limited to the percent of the habitat losses, are approximately 45,000 20 coastal counties. Most of Since the 1930s, most losses year-round housing units in the 3.4 million acres of have been attributed primar- the three-county area, there wetlands in the State are ily to urban development. are almost four times as tidal. many subdivided lots for � Pennsylvania-An second home development. � North Dakota-By 1980, estimated 498,000 acres of Coal mining affects wet- nearly half of the original freshwater wetlands remain, lands through alteration of wetland acreage in North Strip mining in the western hydrologic conditions, acid Dakota had been drained counties, development in the mine drainage, erosion of (about 2 million acres northeast, and the construc- spoil material, and drainage remain). Since 1980, the loss tion of impoundments on a of water tables near mining of wetlands is estimated at statewide basis were the sites. The greater reliance on 20,000 acres per year. The primary causes for the loss coal to satisfy increasing annual loss of wetlands of these wetlands. energy demands, combined appears to be lessening. However, this may be attrib- utable to the diminishing wetland base as well as the difficulty and cost associated with draining. A North Carolina coastal community. 87 Wetlands with the abundance of the coastal zone were attrib- � Wisconsin-The State reserves, poses a formidable utable to residential develop- once had 7.5 to 10 million threat to wetland acreage in ment. acres of wetlands. Now, less the Commonwealth. Since than half remain: the State most floodplain development � Vermont-The State has has completed a statewide occurs in metropolitan areas, approximately 220,000 acres wetland mapping effort the relatively few remaining of wetlands, representing and estimates that it has wetlands in and near major about 4 percent of its land 5,331,392 acres of wetlands. urban centers are in danger. area. About 120,000 acres Since passage of the Federal Much of the existing wetland are forested wetlands, about Emergency Wetlands acreage in metropolitan 64,000 acres are scrub-shrub Resources Act of 1986, areas is located along major wetlands, and about 25,000 Wisconsin has taken some waterways and is susceptible acres are emergent wetlands important steps to protect to industrial expansion, (marshes and wet meadows). wetlands. A comprehensive pollution, and floodwater A recent analysis of wetland wetlands inventory was inundation. impacts in the State found completed in 1985. Mapping that 36 acres were lost by county, township, and Rhode Island-Develop- between January 1986 and range was completed for all ment pressures remain a May 1987; the leading cause wetlands 5 acres or larger. major threat, as indicated by of loss was development for A draft Wetlands Priority a significant rise in applica- light industry. Road construc- Plan has recently been tions to alter wetlands. In tion and residential develop- submitted for review to the 1984, 60 percent of the activ- ment were also cited as National Park Service. The ities that led to alterations in causes of wetland loss. plan addresses wetland preservation and protection, resource assessment, protection strategies, and criteria for acquisition. 'I~~- Road building, light industry, and residential development are leading causes of wetland loss. 88 L ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wetlandts Wetlands important Federal regulatory permit decisions. The FWS program for the protection and the National Marine Protection of wetlands. Fisheries Service also Programs Inland freshwater wetlands influence the 404 permitting constitute 95 percent of the process through their review remaining wetland resource of applications. After receiv- Summary of Federal in the United States and ing comments from these Programs 97 percent of the estimated agencies, the States, and 300,000 acres of wetlands other interested parties, the Section 404 of the Clean lost each year to develop- Corps of Engineers makes its Water Act gives the U.S. ment. Many of the losses are permit decisions. Army Corps of Engineers due to agricultural activities, Before permits are issued, authority to issue permits for some of which are not regu- EPA has an opportunity "the discharge of dredged or lated under the 404 program. under Section 404(c) to exer- fill material into the navi- The 1985 Farm Bill should cise its authority to prohibit, gable waters [of the United help mitigate this problem by condition, or restrict the use States] at specified disposal discontinuing subsidies to of any site if such use is sites." Section 404 also gives farmers who drain and plant found to "have an unaccept- EPA a number of responsibil- in wetlands. able adverse effect on ities to ensure that the envi- Approximately 13,000 municipal water supplies, ronment is sufficiently project applications under shellfish beds and fishery protected from the adverse Section 404 and Section areas (including spawning impacts of these discharges. 404/10 (Section 10 of the and breeding areas), wildlife, Although States may be Rivers and Harbors Act) are or recreational areas." granted the authority to processed each year by the However, this action occurs assume 404 permitting, to Corps of Engineers. EPA in only a small fraction of date only Michigan has reviews and evaluates them projects. assumed that responsibility. using its 404(b)(1) guidelines, As a result of this process, Since 1972, the 404 program which contain the environ- the Corps of Engineers has developed into the most mental criteria for 404 annually denies slightly more The 1985 Farm Bill discontinued subsidies to farmers who drain and plant in wetlands. 89 Wetlands than 3 percent of project provide a national overview Information on nonregu- applications. About one-third and consistent basis for State latory programs is more of the pen-nits are signifi- reporting for future 305(b) difficult to summarize. In cantly modified from their cycles. general, most coastal States original application, and In addition to the Federal have approved coastal zone about 14 percent of the Section 404 program, the management programs; five 13,000 annual permit appli- States have developed a coastal States do not. Several cations are withdrawn by variety of programs to regu- States have a combination of applicants. The Congres- late activities affecting acquisition programs, heritage sional Office of Tebchnology wetlands or to encourage programs, and Section 401 Assessment has estimated wetlands preservation. These certification programs. Section that these denials, modifica- programs include permitting, 401 certification gives the tions, and application with- coastal zone management, States the authority to review drawals save 50,000 acres of wetland acquisition, and and approve, disapprove, wetlands each year. heritage programs, to name modify, or condition any a few. Federal permit or license Summary of State Many coastal States (the (e.g., Section 404 permits and Programs term "coastal" here includes Federal Energy Regulatory the Great Lakes States) have Commission licenses). Water The following is a summary had permit programs for quality standards provide the of State wetland protection several years that regulate basis for State involvement programs. Since State- certain activities affecting in these Federal activities. submitted information alone marine and estuarine wet- EPA's Office of Wetlands does not provide a complete lands. Out of a total of 30 Protection has developed a and consistent data base for coastal States and 5 coastal document entitled Wetland~s reporting, the information Territories, 25 have their own and 401 Certification (April presented below is drawn permit programs (see Thble 1989) on the use of Section from several sources, includ- 5-1). A far lower percentage 401 certification to protect ing State Section 305(b) of States have permit wetlands. Future State reports. This is intended to programs that apply to activ- Section 305(b) reports should ities affecting freshwater or provide a more complete inland wetlands; only 16 summary of State programs, States currently have inland including both regulatory wetland permit programs. and nonregulatory programs. Wetlands Table 5-1. Summary of State Permit and Other Selected Nonpermit Programs Comprehensive Coastal Inland Statewide Permit Permit Permit State Program Program' Program** 401 Program Alabama � - - � Alaska - - - 0 American Samoa 0 � Arizona NA - - a Arkansas NA California - - - Connecticut * * � Colorado NA Delaware * * Florida * Georgia 0 Guam � � �* Hawaii - Idaho NA Illinois Indiana Iowa NA Kansas NA Kentucky NA - - Louisiana - Maine 0� [ * Maryland � - 0 Massachusetts � � Michigan 0 0 * e Minnesota e Mississippi * - Missouri NA Montana NA Nebraska NA - - Nevada NA New Hampshire � � � New Jersey 0 0 New Mexico NA - - New York *� � e North Carolina - e North Dakota NA Ohio - Oklahoma NA Oregon 0 Pennsylvania 0 * 0 Rhode Island � � � South Carolina * - - � South Dakota NA Tennessee NA - - Texas Utah NA Vermont NA 0 * e Virginia 0 * Washington * � � Coastal program West Virginia NA - Wisconsin � * e Wyoming NA - * Program in place. *Freshwater/nontidal. * Convened a State task force to look into nontidal wetlands protection; study not yet completed. ** Comprehensive programs cover [ Program in place; 10-acre limitation. both coastal and inland wetlands. * Program in place; legislation enacted but not yet implemented; regulations to be developed. v Program in place; can be delegated to local authorities; 12.4-acre limitation, some smaller wetlands of local importance (New York). * Nontidal legislation failed to pass, 1988. 91 Wetlands In tea go a more M'6st importan ly, in its EPA's Administr ator a sked coherent and predictable Action Plan, EPA has the Conservation Foundation manner, consistent with adopted the Forum's goal of to co nvene an independent economic and social needs. "no overall net loss" in the National Forum on wetlands. The Forum conducted public Nation's remaining wetland Its 20 members included workshops in three States base and the restoration and three Governors; leaders and consulted widely with creation of wetlands, where from local government; devel- policy and technical advisors, feasible. EPA will participate opers; forestry, oil, and gas individuals, and groups. On on the Domestic Policy Coun- representatives; environ- November 15, 1988, the cil's interagency wetlands mental conservation groups; Forum issued its report, task force which will farmers; and academic Protecting America 's Wet- examine implementation of experts. Former EPA Admin- lands: An Action Agenda, the "no net loss" goal. One istrator Lee Thomas and A subgroup of the Forum major action of the task force representatives of four other continues to work on imple- is to revise and strengthen Federal agencies also p artici- mentation of the recommen- the Executive Orders on pated as ex officio members. dations, and the full Forum wetlands and floodplains. The goal of the Forum was will reassess progress after The Agency will also to provide policy recommen- 1 year. cooperate as Congress eval- dations to Federal, State, and The Forum recommended uates legislative changes to local officials and to wetland direct protection measures, improve wetlands protection owners and users on protect- improving the management benefits of farm programs, processes, and specific imple- strengthen permitting mentation actions. EPA has programs, and provide incen- adopted a short-term "Wet- tives for States to assume lands Action Plan" that regulatory responsibility, begins to respond to many of expand set-aside areas under the proposals of the Forum. the Coastal Barrier Resources The Plan includes highlights Act, and strengthen the but is not intended to Resource Conservation and describe all work going on Recovery Act to improve in the Office of Wetlands wetlands protection. Specif- Protection or in other EPA i cally, EPA has ident ified offices to address wetl and s 92 The~~~~~ ~~~~~ goal of th Foru wa ilrasespors h gnc ilas to povid poiey ecomen- 1 yer. < eooerat as ongess val 16:~ ~ ~ ~ ~~dain toFdrl ttad TeFou eoredd utslgsaiecagst im~ ~ ~ ~ ~~lclofcasad owtad drc rtcinmasf ipoevelnspoeto 92 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~snr n sr onpoet mrvn h aaemnt bn~t ffr rgas Wetlands seven objectives in its Action 4. Implement the policy that In addition, President Plan to implement the unavoidable wetland impacts Bush has adopted the "no recommendations of the should be fully offset by wet- net loss" recommendations Forum: lands restoration or creation. of the Forum in public state- ments, speeches, and, most 1. Provide technical support 5. Increase public awareness recently, in his FY 90 budget and participate in the of wetlands' functions and proposals to Congress. application of planning values and of regulatory and Many of the EPA activities approaches, including the nonregulatory programs. are designed to assist the preparation of State Wet- States in meeting the "no lands Conservation plans. 6. Develop and test methods overall net loss" goal. The for assessing the cumulative information submitted in 2. Provide guidance, tech- effects of wetland loss and future Section 305(b) reports nical assistance, and support degradation. Incorporate will help the Nation meet to strengthen the protective these approaches into plan- this goal by providing an role of State and local ning and permit decisions. improved accounting of governments. remaining wetlands, their 7. Identify opportunities and status, and the threats they 3. Work with the Corps of initiate projects to restore face. Copies of the Forum Engineers to increase and create wetlands. Report and the EPA Action enforcement under Section Plan can be obtained from 404; work with the Corps the U.S. EPA, Office of specifically on reducing Wetlands Protection uncertainty and confusion (A-104F), Washington, in implementing this legisla- DC 20460. tionw; toward consis- tency in planning, permit- ting, and enforcement. 1. roidetehn~ea sppot . ncras pbli aarees rcenly inhi F790buge Wetlands Water Quality include wetlands adjacent to wetlands for protection as Standards for other waters such as rivers, "outstanding resources" Wetlands lakes, estuaries, and the under Tier III of antidegra- ocean, and isolated wetlands dation. Water quality standards are that are used for interstate The inclusion of wetlands used to regulate the many commerce. Congress and the in the definition of "State activities that affect surface Courts have made it clear waters" is not necessarily an waters, including wetlands. that the jurisdiction over indication of the strength of These activities include wetlands is to be as extensive a State's wetlands protection municipal and industrial as the Constitution permits. program. However, water point source discharges, Therefore, the general provi- quality standards for wet- nonpoint source discharges, sions of the CWA that apply lands can play a pivotal role actions under RCRA and to "navigable waters" also in the development of State CERCLA, and dredge and fill apply to wetlands. regulatory and nonregula- activities under Section 404 Water quality standards tory programs to protect of the CWA. laws for each State were wetlands, and provide a The provisions of the Clean reviewed to identify whether framework for reporting Water Act and the State the laws specifically mention under Section 305(b). The standards designed to imple- wetlands in their definition inconsistency in State ment the CWA's goals and of "State waters." Standards Section 305(b) wetland objectives apply to all were also reviewed to identify reporting may be the result, "navigable waters." Navi- any use classifications, in part, of the lack of fully gable waters are defined in criteria, or antidegradation developed water quality Section 502(7) of the CWA provisions specifically for standards for wetlands. as "waters of the United wetlands. Information was States," which are in turn taken from the Bureau of defined by regulation (40 National Affairs "Environ- State-Reported CFR Part 230; 45 FR 85345, ment Reporter" (updated as Information dated December 24, 1980) to of March 1989). This informa- tion is provided here to serve In their 1988 State Section as a baseline for future State 305(b) reports, 13 States Section 305(b) reports. A provided information on final report, dated August 17, specific programs or legisla- 1989, is available from either tion designed to protect their the Office of Water Regula- wetland resources. The fol- tions and Standards or the lowing information was Office of Wetlands Protec- reported by the States in tion, U.S. EPA. their Section 305(b) reports: Of the 56 States and Terri- tories that were reviewed, � California-In November 26 include wetlands in their 1983, the California Depart- definition of "State waters." ment of Fish and Game States have generally not published "A Plan for established use classifica- Protecting, Enhancing, and tions, criteria, or antidegra- Increasing California's dation procedures specifically Wetlands for Waterfowl," for wetlands. However, some pursuant to State Senate States include certain wet- Concurrent Resolution No. lands in their waterbody- 28. This resulted from specific classification enactment of Chapter 7 systems and some identify a of the California Public limited number of specific Resources Code known as the 94 Wetlands California Wetlands Preser- and watercourses. Connect- U Illinois-In 1984, the vation Act (Keene-Nejedly). icut's landmark inland Illinois Department of The areas identified in this wetlands legislation is Conservation initiated a plan are to be acquired for considered to be among the comprehensive wetland the public domain. Proposals most stringent in the Nation. protection and management for State funding to acquire The State law provides for program designed to identify new wetlands and recoin- delegation of regulatory critical issues, examine mendations for increased authority to volunteer e~xisting government Federal support are included municipal wetlands commis- programs, and develop in the plan. sions. These citizen boards needed technical informa- operate under the guidance tion and procedures. The U Connecticut-In 1969, and oversight of the Depart- wetland program is governed Connecticut enacted its Tidal ment of Environmental by the Wetlands Committee, Wetlands Act. Since then, Protection (DEP) Commis- a subgroup of the Governor's the loss of tidal wetlands has sioner and Wetlands Manage- State Water Plan Tfask Force. virtually stopped. This ment Section. The DEP has The Committee is responsible success is attributable to the adopted model municipal for developing policy and implementation of the Act wetlands regulations and program recommendations and broad public support for provides technical assistance and is composed of policy- wetlands conservation in the and training to town makers from agencies State. wetlands commissions. responsible for programs that affect Illinois' water The passage of the Inland * Florida-The Warren B. resources. Wetlands and Watercourses Henderson Wetlands Protec- Act in 1972 placed consider- tion Act, passed in 1984, U Maryland-The State has able restrictions upon indis- recognizes the value of had a tidal wetlands regula- criminate alteration, and wetlands in its mission to tory program since 1970. This subsequent loss, of the protect, maintain, and program is administered by State's freshwater wetlands improve the quality of water the Department of Natural throughout the State. The Resources and the State Act requires that a detailed Board of Public Works monitoring record be kept of through a public interest wetland acreage in order to review and permit process. control dredge and fill activ- The law requires property ities, as well as to identify owners to obtain permission the number of acres being from the State before alter- lost, disturbed, created, ing tidal wetlands. If a permit improved, and preserved. or license is necessary, the State will issue a public Several State land acquisition notice, if required, and hold programs help to protect any requested public Florida wetlands. The "Save hearings. Our Rivers'' program has purchased over 250, 000 acres of floodplain since its incep- tion. The "Save Our Coasts" program has bought 72,000 acres of land. About a half million acres of land, much of it wetlands, have been purchased by the State since 1979. 95 Wetlands The National Wetlands photography Wetlands are than 500,000 acres of wet- and Wildlife S f 11 States. the Nation's coastal and acreage is then estimated As discussed earlier in inland wetlands. Wetland f rom the completed maps. this report, several States maps developed by the NWI To date, approximately 60 provided estimates of current provide important informa- percen t of the lower 48 wetland acreage in their tion on the extent of State States, 100 percent of 305(b) reports. In order to wetland resources and Hawaii, and 16 percent of provid e a consistent basis for provide a basis for a wid e Alaska have been mapped. comparing wetland a cre age variety of regula tory and Table 5-2 summarize s w et- b etw een States, Tble 5-2 nonregulatory activities. The land acreage by State. Six includes wetla nd acreage NWI also provides a consist- States have greater than estimates provided only by ent way of reporting the 5 million acres of wetlands, NWI. No attempt has been extent of wetlands by State. 12 States have between I and made to compare what the Wetlands are mapped 5 million acres, 8 States have States reported in 1988 primarily by the use of good- between 500,000 and 1 million against the findings of the quality, high-altitude aerial acres, and 13 States have less NWI. 4g g W: g~~~~~~~~>~~~~~~~~~~~iiiii i' - iii iiiiiilCfi .. .. 500K-1,000K 1,000K-5,000K e O >5,000K ~ Source: 1988 National Wetlands Inventory. Figure 5-4. Wetlands Acreage Distribution Nationwide 96 :~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rN Wetlands Table 5-2. Estimated Wetland Area by State Acres Percent of Total State (in thousands) State Land Area Alabama 3,069 9 Alaska - - Arizona - - Arkansas 2,764 8 California 389 1 Colorado 675 1 Connecticut 261 8 Delaware 223 18 Florida 11,333 33 Georgia 5,298 14 Hawaii 110 - Idaho - - Illinois 712 2 Indiana 285 1 iowa - - Kansas 435 1 Kentucky 205 1 Louisiana 8,674 30 Maine 1,731 9 Maryland 438 7 Massachusetts 542 11 Michigan 5,583 15 Minnesota 7,540 15 Mississippi 4,067 13 Missouri 836 2 Montana - Nebraska 1,906 4 Nevada - - New Hampshire 190 3 New Jersey 916 19 New Mexico 482 1 New York 1,184 4 North Carolina 5,690 18 North Dakota 2,868 7 Ohio - _ Oklahoma 1,270 3 Oregon -- Pennsylvania 498 2 Rhode Island 84 13 South Carolina 4,659 24 South Dakota 1,548 3 Tennessee 787 3 Texas 3,957 2 Utah 584 1 Vermont - Virginia 1,045 4 Washington 748 2 West Virginia 102 >1 Wisconsin 4,410 13 Wyoming - - Reliable wetland area data not available. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, June 1988. 97 Wetlands Mississippi-Prior to � New Hampshire-The � New York-Special wet- 1973, the State's shoreline, State's long-standing wet- land categories and unique including wetlands of the lands protection program is a wetland systems have been Gulf Coast, was significantly cooperative effort involving identified under a Significant altered by man. Primary the State, through the Habitat program and the impacts were associated with Wetland Board, and local State's Natural Heritage residential development and governments through their program. These specifically industrial expansion into Conservation Commissions. designated and protected wetlands areas. In 1973, Generally meeting weekly, areas, along with active the Mississippi Legislature the Board considers any acquisition programs, are passed the Coastal Wetlands dredge or fill activity helping to curb further losses Protection Law. This law occurring within a wetland of wetlands. New York is an established a regulatory or surface water. The local active participant in the program for wetlands protec- Conservation Commissions North American Waterfowl tion and curtailed human review wetland alteration Joint Ventures, which is encroachment into wetlands. applications for the Wetland coordinating multiple oppor- Subsequent to the wetlands Board. Special emphasis has tunities to protect, create, law, the legislature enacted been placed on the protec- and restore large acreages of the Mississippi Coastal tion of coastal wetlands. wetlands in key areas of the Program, which further State. Recent educational strengthened the State's � New Jersey-On July 1, efforts-e.g., focusing on ability to protect the coastal 1987, the Freshwater Wet- local governments, school environment. lands Protection Act of 1987 children, tax assessors, and was enacted. The Act author- land owners-will involve izes the New Jersey Depart- other parties in wetland ment of Environmental protection. V~}~ � , Protection to issue permits for regulated activities. The permit program will not affect tidal wetlands regu- lated under the separate Wetlands Act of 1970. In addition, the new Act con- tains several provisions relating to wetland mitiga- tion requirements and establishes a Wetlands Mitigation Council. 98 Wetlands U North Carolina-In U North Dakota-The State U Vermont-In 1986, the coastal counties, the Coastal recently enacted a law State legislature passed a Area Management Act (Senate Bill 2035) initiating a wetlands act that provides (CAMA) and Section 404 of "No Net Loss" program. The the basis for a broad measure the Clean Water Act combine basic concept of the program of protection to many of to effectively protect salt requires that for every Vermont's wetlands. The Act marshes. Section 404 applies permitted acre of wetland restricts activities that could to wetlands statewide, but that is drained, an equal potentially degrade the there are no State laws that acreage of wetlands must be function or value of signifi- protect wetlands outside of restored. The landowner cant wetlands. In addition, the coastal zone. While the who drains must pay 10 the State Development 404 program offers limited percent of the costs for the Control Law (Act 250) protection for inland fresh- restored acres, with the requires a permit for every water wetlands, it has not remainder coming from major land development and been effective in limiting other sources. Fifty percent subdivision in the State; wetland conversion because of the restored wetlands among the criteria for permit of enforcement problems and should be located in the issuance are several that the limited scope of the county where the drainage afford protection to wetlands. program. occurred. However, most agricultural and silvicultural activities Wetland acquisition U Rhode Island-The are not regulated under Act programs in North Carolina Freshwater Wetlands Act 250, nor are small-scale have set aside some 85,000 of 1971 (FWWA) recognizes industrial, commercial, and acres of wetlands, both swamps, marshes, and other residential projects. privately and publicly freshwater wetlands as owned. Freshwater wetlands buffer zones and absorption Other statutes provide some receive the most attention in areas for floodwaters, measure of wetland protec- these programs because of recharge areas for ground tion in Vermont. These the lack of regulatory water, high-value wildlife include the Management of protection. habitat, and recreation areas. Lakes and Ponds statute and the Stream Alteration Law. In 1971, the State created the The State is currently Coastal Resources Manage- compiling a master list of ment Council (CRMC), which wetlands to be acquired. is Rhode Island's lead agency under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act. 6 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns In 1988, States were asked aquatic life. Examples of to report specifically on toxic pollutants include pollution problems affecting heavy metals, pesticides, and public health and aquatic PCBs. life. Among the topics they Our knowledge of the were to address were fishing health effects of many toxic advisories and bans, pollu- pollutants in water and fish tion-caused fish kills, prob- tissue is still limited. We lems with toxic contamina- know that some are linked to tion of sediments, and human health problems such closures of bathing areas or as cancer, kidney ailments, surface drinking water and birth defects. Some supplies due to pollution, chronic health effects may Many of these impacts are result only after long-term the result of toxic contamn- exposure; others may develop inants. years after a short period of Although any pollutant exposure. Exposure routes may have toxic effects if it is from the aquatic environ- found in sufficient amounts, ment to humans may include a number of pollutants drinking water; contam- appear to have adverse and inated fish, shellfish, and long-term effects at waterfowl; and contact extremely low concentra- recreation sites such as tions. These toxic substances swimming beaches. may be either synthetic or In addition to public health naturally occurring, may problems, toxic pollutants persist in the environment can damage aquatic eco- for long periods of time or systems by eliminating sensi- dissipate quickly, and may tive species or causing have a variety of different disease in the species that effects on public health and remain. Some toxins may 101 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns persist in the environment reported by the States. These information in 1958. for decades, posing a elevated levels are defined as Increased monitoring continuing threat to humans, exceedances of State water activity may also have led to aquatic organisms, birds, and quality standards; criteria the detection of more prob- other wildlife. This is clearly developed by EPA under lems. TIhble 6-1 illustrates the the case with pesticides such Section 304(a) of the Clean following: as DOT and dieldrin, which Water Act; Water Quality have been removed from use Advisories developed by U Rivers and streams: for a number of years yet EPA; or "levels of State 28 States reported that continue to be found in the concern" where numeric they monitored for toxic environment, criteria do not exist. substances in about 67,500 rib a large extent, our river miles and found understanding of the preva- Total Size of roughly one-third of these lence of toxic substances, Waters Affected waters to be affected. An exposure routes, and levels of additional seven States did concern is limited by the by Toxics not provide data on the difficulty and expense of number of river miles they monitoring and conducting Reporting on the extent of monitored for toxic pollut- long-term health effect toxic contamination of ants, but reported that an studies. The Federal govern- waters was more comprehen- additional 17,085 stream ment has developed 62 sive in the 1988 State Section miles are affected by numeric human health 305(b) reports than in elevated levels. criteria and 25 aquatic life previous years. Table 6-1 criteria for toxic pollutants summarizes this reporting by against which sampled State, for all waterbody concentrations can be types. measured. Many more toxic These numbers reflect substances affect the aquatic substantial increases environment, and State compared to data for adoption of existing criteria previous years on waters is not universal. Therefore, affected by toxic pollutants. the following discussion of This increase moost likely toxic contamination is only in occurred because a greater terms of "elevated" levels number of States provided Some toxins are persistent in the environment. 102 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns � Lakes and reservoirs: U Great Lakes: Four States able experience over the last 23 States reported that they reported that 955 of their decade in monitoring for monitored for toxic pollut- Great Lakes shoreline miles toxic substances and in tar- ants in about 4,981,600 acres were monitored for toxic geting monitoring to areas of lakes and found roughly pollutants, and about 90 most likely to be contami- one-third to be affected. An percent were found to be nated. Because we cannot additional five States did not affected. One additional always predict where report on the number of lake State did not report on contamination is likely to acres they monitored for shoreline miles monitored for occur, monitoring for toxic these substances, but toxic pollutants, but reported compounds must also be reported that about 56,200 that about 199 shoreline conducted in previously lake acres are affected by miles are affected. unmonitored waters. Never- elevated levels of toxic theless, based on the results pollutants. In some cases the presented by the States, it percentage of monitored appears that we are making * Estuaries: 13 States waters found to have progress in identifying these reported that 5,980 square elevated levels of toxic sites. miles of their estuaries were substances appears high. monitored for toxic However, because monitoring substances, and about a for toxic substances is an fourth were found to be expensive, resource-inten- affected by elevated levels. sive process, States are most likely to monitor primarily in * Coastal waters: Four those waters suspected or States reported that they known to have toxic prob- monitored 560 coastal lems (e.g., waters with shoreline miles and found multiple industrial about a third to be affected dischargers or waters with by elevated levels of toxic known sediment contamina- substances. tion problems). EPA and the States have gained consider- Examining English sole for evidence of tumors. 103 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns Table 6-1. Size of Surface Waters Affected by Toxic Substances Rivers (miles) Lakes (acres) Total Monitored Elevated Total Monitored Elevated ; *>^State Waters for Toxics Toxics Waters for Toxics Toxics Alabama 40,600 619 110 504,336 202,680 86,080 Arizona 6,671 1,451 906 - - - Arkansas 11,508 2,873 74 - - - Colorado 14,100 4,600 1,294 265,982 10,093 0 Delaware River Basin 291 * 155 45 - - - District of Columbia 36 26 26 377 136 136 Florida 12,659 2,695 510 2,085,120 546,560 50,560 Georgia 20,000 1,119 10 417,730 39,878 0 Hawaii 349 - - - - - :-'i ~ | ~ Idaho 16,146 - 1,468 727,202 - 32,000 Illinois 14,080 5,425 1,834 305,847 - 13,381 Indiana 90,000 2,306 922 104,540 54,686 1,106 Iowa 18,300 2,624 2,097 81,400 20,700 0 Kansas 19,791 2,697 556 175,189 92,098 0 Kentucky 18,465 - 1,084 228,385 - - Louisiana 14,180 - 116 713,719 - 1,170 Maine 31,672 865 435 994,560 38,106 400 Massachusetts 10,704 999 264 - - - Minnesota 91,944 1,855 1,599 3,411,200 1,367,131 1,245,929 Mississippi 15,623 1,075 271 500,000 45,578 0 Missouri 19,630 3,650 458 288,012 - 561 Montana 20,532 - 890 756,450 - 9,100 New York 70,000 3,400 345 750,000 668,000 130,946 North Carolina 37,378 - 382 305,367 282,909 9,688 North Dakota 11,284 6,829 560 625,503 399,381 0 Ohio 43,917 - 1,637 117,323 91,226 29,729 Oklahoma 19,791 4,997 4,608 - - - Pennsylvania 50,000 - 1,508 - - - Puerto Rico 5,373 1,710 1,505 11,146 2,982 981 Rhode Island 724 80 59 16,520 4,968 0 South Carolina 9,900 2,518 180 525,000 354,114 8,560 South Dakota 9,937 3,080 163 1,598,285 548,000 0 Virginia 27,240 3,535 296 161,562 57,992 0 Washington 40,492 1,189 846 613,582 134,834 134,822 West Virginia 28,361 4,574 3,795 19,171 13,465 4,655 Wyoming 19,437 544 7 427,219 6,098 0 Totals 861,115 67,490 30,860 16,730,727 4,981,615 1,759,804 Includes 85 miles of Delaware estuary. - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 104 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns Estuaries (sq. miles) Oceans (coastal miles) Great Lakes (shore miles) Total Monitored Elevated Total Monitored Elevated Total Monitored Elevated Waters for Toxics Toxics Waters for Toxics Toxics Waters for Toxics Toxics 625 35 0 - - - 782 - - 6 6 6 - - - 4,298 1,648 938 8,460 262 85 594 44 0 - - - 134 34 0 - - - ..- 63 63 63 ..- 43 43 43 7,656 - - - - 1,633 10 10 - - - 171 39 16 - - - - - - - - - 272 272 272 133 7 0 81 40 0 - - - 1,564 1,564 154 130 130 70 577 577 492 3,200 - - - - - - - - 236 - 199 -- -- -- 434 127 35 192 100 17 - - - 2,155 319 2 2,382 1,800 18 2,943 370 214 28,468 5,976 1,375 9,105 559 190 1,191 955 1,069 105 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns Fish Consumption be harmful to the public, are more sensitive (e.g., Advisories and some States have considered children and women of local factors such as childbearing age). Fishing Bans consumption rates for bans generally prohibit general consumers, sports- consumption of one or more Toxic chemicals discharged men, or subsistence fisher- species of fish and apply to to rivers, lakes, and estuaries men; type of fish consumed; all potential consumers. may be absorbed or ingested and duration of exposure. National statistics on by aquatic organisms that In 1988, 29 States reported fishing restrictions are are, in turn, consumed by finding concentrations of incomplete. Many States rely larger predators such as fish. toxic contaminants in fish on local authorities to impose Toxic pollutants can collect tissue exceeding FDA action these restrictions, and there- (bioaccumulate) in the levels or other levels of fore do not keep statewide tissues and organs of these concern in localized areas. tallies of their numbers, fish, which poses a potential Many States respond to the locations, and the species of health hazard to people who finding of elevated levels of fish affected. However, as eat them. Various methodol- toxic substances by imposing water quality reporting ogies (e.g., FDA "action fishing bans or fish consump- improves, we are gathering levels, "Water Quality tion advisories. Advisories more information on this Criteria, or levels of State typically recommend limiting topic. concern) have been used by consumption of certain In their 1988 State Section the States or local authorities species of fish from given 305(b) reports, 47 States, to impose fish consumption waterways to a few meals per jurisdictions, and Interstate restrictions. To determine week or month and differen- Commissions (hereafter whether the levels of fish tiate between general referred to as States) tissue contamination could consumers and those who provided information on fishing advisories and bans in their waters. Of these, eight States reported that no fish- ing restrictions were in place in their waters. 'able 6-2 summarizes this information by State. Figure 6-1 illus- trates the national distribu- tion of fishing advisories and bans combined. Thirty-nine - 0orNR ,, 6-10 - '::,.r ' ..:::::.. - SI % il ~11-50 A,% - . \ _,10 Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports Figure 6-1. Fishing Restrictions Nationwide 106 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns Table 6-2. Fishing Restrictions Reported by the States No. of Restrictions Area Affected Advi- River Lake Estuary Great Lakes sories Bans Miles Acres Sq. Mi. Shore Miles Arizona 2 0 - - Arkansas 0 1 - - California 8 12 92 292,867 3 Colorado 5 0 - - - Connecticut 3 0 65 - 225 Delaware 2 0 Delaware River Basin 4 0 District of Columbia 0 0 Florida 0 0 Hawaii 2 0 - - Illinois 8 4 534 990,021 Indiana 10 12 585 - - 43 Iowa 1 0 Kansas 3 1 44 - Kentucky 1 1 112 - Louisiana 6 0 25 1,066 Maine 1 4 128 1,976 Maryland 3 1 - - Massachusetts 7 1 - - Michigan 38 3 383 24,128 - 3,288 Minnesota 235 50 1,599 1,245,929 - 272 Mississippi 0 1 12 - - - Missouri 15 0 833 700 Montana 1 0 - - Nevada 1 0 - - New Hampshire 0 0 - - New Jersey 6 7 - - 72 New Mexico 0 0 - - New York 16 24 North Carolina 1 0 - 1,900 North Dakota 0 0 - Ohio 5 6 160 - Ohio River Valley 1 0 40 Oklahoma 2 0 - - Oregon 1 0 - 1,139 Pennsylvania 6 2 - Rhodelsland 1 1 South Carolina 2 0 South Dakota 0 0 - Tennessee 13 0 204 - Vermont 1 1 0 174,175 Virgin Islands 0 0 - - Virginia 2 1 296 - Washington 12 0 19 - 34 West Virginia 1 0 48 - Wisconsin 160 1 304 102,083 - 495 Wyoming 0 1 4 0 Totals 586 135 5,487 2,835,984 334 4,098 - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 107 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns States reported a total of 586 2,835,984 lake acres were ized and complete reporting advisories, and 21 States affected (including 976,640 is in effect. Bans and advi- reported 135 bans. The acres of Lake Michigan, sories, once imposed, tend to pollutants most commonly reported by Illinois). Four remain in place for a number identified as causing adviso- States reported that 4,098 of years because of the ries or bans include PCBs, Great Lakes shoreline miles persistence of many of the chlordane, mercury, dioxin, were affected by fishing chemicals involved. Thus, a and DDT. Table 6-3 indicates restrictions. large apparent change in the how many States cited These numbers summar- number of bans and adviso- particular pollutants as izing fishing advisories and ries reported by the States causing fishing restrictions. bans should be interpreted over a 2-year period is more General categories of with caution and should not probably the result of sources contributing these be compared with the find- increasingly comprehensive contaminants include indus- ings of previous State Section reporting and monitoring trial discharges; land disposal 305(b) reports until standard- rather than actual water (hazardous waste sites and landfills); nonpoint sources Table 6-4. Sources Associated with Fishing Restrictions such as spills, in-place Number of States contaminants, and atmos- pheric deposition; and agricultural activities. Table Industry 14 6-4 depicts the number of Land Disposal 8 States attributing fishing Other Nonpoint Sources 8 restrictions to these sources. Agriculture 7 In addition to reporting on Urban Runoff 6 the number, causes, and Resource Extraction 5 sources of restrictions, States Municipal Facilities 3 were asked to report on the Natural Sources 3 area affected by fishing advisories and bans. Twenty- Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. one States reported that 4,487 stream miles were affected, 4 States reported that 334 estuarine square miles were affected, and 12 States reported that Table 6-3. Pollutants Associated with Fishing Restrictions Number of States Pollutant Reporting PCBs 22 Chlordane 17 Mercury 15 Dioxin 9 Other Metals 9 DDT 7 Organics (unspecified) 5 Dieldrin 4 Pesticides (unspecified) 4 Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 108 Public Health/A quatic Life Concerns quality changes. In addition, fishing restrictions may not U Maine reports that a for any given waterway a have extensive monitoring health advisory was issued in combination of advisories programs to detect fish tissue May of 1985 recommending and bans may be imposed for contamination. that consumption of fish different fish species or may The following examples caught from the Andro- apply differently to different cited by the States in 1988 scoggin River be limited to segments of the waterway or help illustrate the variety two or three times per to different people (e.g., of pollutants and sources month. The advisory was children or women of child- responsible for fish tissue issued by the State after bearing age). Last, a great contamination and subse- dioxin contamination was deal of variability is evident quent fish consumption detected in a whole-fish between States in the criteria restrictions. sample collected by the U.S. used to impose fishing EPA; dioxin levels in the restrictions and the programs a In Arizona in 1986-1987, fillet were determined to be in place to monitor, analyze, intensive pesticide analyses below the FDA action level. and report fish tissue data. of fish and other tissues were Kraft-process pulp manufac- Therefore, the high conducted in the vicinity of turing was determined to be numbers of restrictions the Gila River below metro- the source of the dioxin. reported by some States are politan Phoenix. Findings of more likely attributable to toxaphene and metabolites U Nevada reports that an the criteria and procedures of DDTI in fish tissue and intensive study of mercury used in deciding on restric- sediment samples at Painted contamination in the Carson tions and to sophisticated, Rock Borrow Pit Lake and River, its sediments, and fish well-established fish tissue the Gila River upstream have tissue led to the imposition of monitoring programs in those resulted in a continuing a health advisory in 1985. States, rather than to health advisory against Sediment contamination was unusually degraded water consuming fish caught there. found throughout the lower quality conditions. By the Carson River system, from same token, States with no U As a result of a special Dayton to the lower reaches, data or with only a few study of a number of urban and in the canal networks of drainage areas in Maryland, the Newlands irrigation ~~~~~ ~~~~the State has issued adviso- project, Indian Lakes ries against consumption of complex, and the Carson channel catfish, carp, black sink. The fish consumption crappie, and American eels advisory was revised in 1986 taken from Back River, Balti- and remains in effect; the more Harbor, and Lake source of the mercury is Roland (Jones Falls water- believed to be mining opera- shed). The warning, issued in tions conducted in the late 1986, was imposed because iSO0s. of chlordane contamination. Other finfish, oysters, and crabs were not found to be affected, and no other toxic compounds were identified as problems. 109 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns * In July 1986, South Caro- in lake trout. Individuals serve as a continuing source lina issued a health advisory over 15 years old were of toxics to the water column cautioning people not to eat advised to eat no more than and to aquatic organisms. fish taken from Langley Pond one meal or 1/2 pound of lake Bottom-dwelling animals in Aiken County. Levels of trout per month. Children such as aquatic insects, for mercury above the FDA under 15, pregnant women, example, may take in sedi- action levels were found in and women planning to bear ment contaminants as part of fish tissue, and sediments children were advised to their feeding activities and were found to contain high avoid consuming lake trout. may themselves serve as food levels of chromium, mercury, The sources of the contam- for animals higher in the food and PCBs. The sediment ination may include a nearby chain (including humans). contamination is tied to Superfund site, urban runoff/ In addition to potential discharges of partially combined sewer overflows in impacts on the water column treated or untreated waste- Burlington and other and biota, sediment contam- water, primarily from textile communities along the lake, ination can pose obstacles to manufacturing facilities, and atmospheric deposition. the maintenance dredging of discharged in the area since harbors and navigation the late 1800s. Several channels. Disposal of dredge former dischargers are under Sediment spoil can become a difficult order to conduct a study to Contamination issue if that spoil contains determine the sources, unacceptable levels of PCBs, nature, and extent of Contamination of stream, mercury, dioxin, and similar contamination in Langley lake, and estuarine sedi- chemicals. Methods of Pond. ments by toxic substances disposal such as open water has been identified by some dumping, confinement in * In Vermont and New York, States as a growing concern. diked containment areas, and a fishing advisory for all of Although some contaminants spreading in coastal areas, Lake Champlain (174,175 are broken down by microbes wetlands, and "reclaimed acres) went into effect in in sediments, others can be lands" could clearly create August 1987 because of retained for many years after new-and possibly more elevated levels of PCBs found a discharge has ceased, and severe-environmental Contaminants in sediments can be retained for many years after a discharge has ceased. 110 Public Health/A quatic Life Concerns problems. Other impacts that have reported on available thousand acres of lakes show may occur in certain cases data. Therefore, the follow- impacts from sediment when dredging takes place ing discussion of State- contamination. Leading include resuspension of reported information on pollutants associated with toxics into the water column, sediment contamination is sediment contamination habitat alteration, and the limited and probably under- include heavy metals (e.g., smothering of bottom- states the extent of the copper, mercury, lead, dwelling aquatic organisms. problem. As methodologies cadmium, chromium, and Since it may be necessary to develop and more emphasis zinc); PCBs; pesticides such dredge harbors simply to is placed on reporting, the as DDT, chlordane, and keep them open for naviga- comprehensiveness of State dieldrin; and dioxin. tion purposes, the States face data will doubtless improve. The following examples difficult decisions where Thirty-five States provided from the 1988 State Section sediment contamination is a some information on sedi- 305(b) reports serve to concern. ment contamination in their illustrate the variety of Methods of analyzing waters. Thirty-four of pollutants and sources sediments and interpreting these States indicated that contributing to sediment analytical results are still in instances of sediment contamination problems. their infancy. EPA is in the contamination exist in their process of issuing criteria waters; one State reported U In Connecticut's urban for 12 contaminants in sedi- no problems. A total of 533 harbors (such as portions of ments and is beginning to separate instances of sedi- Stamford, Norwalk, Black- document methodologies for ment contamination are rock, New Haven and New assessing contamination. reported by 30 of the 35 London Harbors), historical Many States, therefore, do States. Eight States specify wastewater discharges, not have the analytical tools that about 2,700 streamn runoff from urban areas, and and resources for sediment miles are affected, and six other sources have resulted monitoring; others may not States report that roughly a in the contamination of some Sediment contamination can pose obstacles to the maintenance dredging of harbor and navigation channels. Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns sediments with heavy programs such as intensive active hazardous waste metals, oil and grease, and basin stream surveys and disposal facility. Followup other synthetic organics. fixed station networks. sediment sampling in 1986 The State reports that Sediment chemistry results confirmed the presence of dredging is routinely are compared to a classi- PCBs, and fish tissue performed in coastal waters fication system developed by analyses found elevated to maintain navigation chan- the Illinois EPA. Among the concentrations of two toxic nels and access to marinas. findings reported in 1988 hydrocarbons. A major Dredge material disposal were elevated levels of heavy portion of Devil's Swamp involves the use of four open metals (such as arsenic, lead, north of the lake had been water disposal sites in Long and copper) and organics previously identified as Island Sound. A dredged (such as chlordane and DDT) contaminated by an aban- material management plan in some sediments in the Des doned hazardous waste entitled "Interim Plan for the Plaines river basin. The disposal facility. A cleanup Disposal of Dredged Material sources of the heavy metals plan has been established for from Long Island Sound" are believed to be municipal the site, and a swimming and (1980), prepared by the dischargers and surface fish consumption advisory former New England River runoff; nonirrigated crop was issued for Devil's Swamp Basins Commission, guides production and surface Lake. State and Federal decision- runoff were identified as the making on dredged-material most significant sources of � Michigan reports that disposal. This plan estab- organics. sediment contamination in lishes three tiers of sediment the Detroit River is wide- quality and requires special � Louisiana reports on spread, with higher concen- management practices for sediment contamination in trations on the U.S. side the disposal of contaminated Devil's Swamp Lake, north- downstream of the Rouge sediments. west of Baton Rouge. In late River and in the Trenton 1985, PCBs were detected in Channel. These sediments * In Illinois, sediment sediment from the lake and may be a source of contam- chemistry samples are an effluent channel flowing inants to Lake Erie through collected through several into the lake from a nearby translocation; they may be 1,1 112 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns available to aquatic animals River estuary, contain rela- * Develop a Program for bioaccumulation or may tively high levels of over 300 Summary Report identifying cause direct physiological toxic metals and organic EPA sediment-related activi- effects through resuspen- compounds. Biological ties among different offices sion. However, the signifi- studies have shown that and under varying statutory cance of these in-place communities of bottom- authorities; pollutants to human health, dwelling organisms and fish to aquatic biological orga- are affected. U Develop a Sediment nisms, and as a source to Classification Methods Lake Erie is still unknown. A In 1983, the Chesapeake Bay Compendium-an "encyclo- 1982 study by the Michigan Program identified the Eliza- pedia" of the methods used Department of Natural beth River system as one of to assess chemically contam- Resources found 43 priority the most highly polluted inated sediments; pollutants in the soft bodies of water in the entire sediments of the Detroit Bay watershed. State and U Revise the Technical River, including heavy local officials recognized that Support Document for Water metals, polynuclear aromatic a comprehensive water Quality-Based Toxics hydrocarbons, and PCBs. quality management plan Controls to account for the was needed, including effects of sediment on water * In North Dakota, approxi- setting water quality goals quality; mately 30 acres of sediments and standards, controlling in Nelson Lake have been point and nonpoint sources U Prepare Sediment affected by arsenic, zinc, and of pollution, addressing Chemical Fact Sheets copper. The source of the toxics. and dredging. summarizing all known contaminants is a nearby Through the cooperative toxicity and regulatory data coal-fired power station. efforts of State and local on 47 toxicants; and officials, industry represen- * Virginia reports that sedi- tatives, researchers, and � Coordinate EPA-wide ments in the Elizabeth River, environmental organizations, (and eventually interagency) a tidal tributary of the James a Comprehensive Elizabeth contaminated sediment- River Restoration Strategy related activities. has been developed for implementation during The Office of Water 1988-1990. Regulations and Standards/ Criteria and Standards New Initiatives Division has developed interim sediment quality Efforts are under way at criteria for 12 nonionic EPA to provide States with organic contaminants using better tools to assess and the Equilibrium Partitioning control sediment contamina- Approach. The method for tion problems. EPA has generating interim sediment established steering and criteria is being reviewed by technical Sediment Oversight EPA's Science Advisory Committees to identify, Board, and the results of this coordinate, and provide review are expected in guidance on activities August of 1989. A major relating to the assessment effort is under way that and management of contam- focuses on the development inated sediments, and to of a method for generating facilitate the decisionmaking sediment criteria for metal process. Among the activities contaminants. Science Advis- of these committees are to: ory Board review of this 113 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns method will also be sought. fish kills and report them to � Two of these States In addition to the develop- fish and game wardens or indicated that no pollution- ment of sediment criteria, other State officials. Many caused kills occurred in their efforts are under way that fish kills may go unnoticed or waters. focus on developing standard unreported; others may be bioassays that can be used to difficult to investigate. (Dead � Thirty-five States assess chronic and bioaccu- fish may be carried quickly provided information on the mulation effects of contam- downstream, for example, or number of kills, for a total of inants in sediments. may be difficult to count 996 incidents (see Figure because of turbid condi- 6-2). Fish Kills Caused tions.) Reporting on pollu- tion-caused fish kills is new � In the 24 States that by Pollution to the State Section 305(b) indicated the number of fish process, and a number of killed, over 36 million fish One obvious and important States either did not provide were reported killed. Sixty- indicator of water quality data, did not present a four percent of that total was problems is the occurrence of comprehensive tally of kills, in one State alone (Texas). fish kills caused by pollution. or did not specify the cause Information on fish kills is and/or magnitude of kills. � Toxic substances such as not complete; the informa- Available data reported by heavy metals and pesticides tion presented below, the States are presented in appear to be a less common reported by the States in Table 6-5. cause of fish kills than 1988, most probably under- Table 6-5 shows that 37 conventional pollutants such estimates the extent of the States provided some infor- as biochemical oxygen- problem for several reasons. mation on the occurrence of demanding substances. In In many cases it is the pollution-caused fish kills those States that specified public-fishermen, campers, during the 1986 to 1988 the distinction, nearly five and hikers-who first notice reporting period: times more kills were attrib- Kills 114 0orNR I1-1 :11-30 io ~7--~ 31.70 l 70 Soure: 1988 State Section 306(b) reports. Figure 6-2. Fish Kills Distribution Nationwide 114 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns Table 6-5. Fish Kills Caused by Pollution* Kills Caused by Kills Caused by No. of No. Fish Toxics Pollutants Conventional Pollutants State Fish Kills Killed No. Kills No. Fish No. Kills No. Fish Alabama 8 43,370 6 33,370 2 10,000 Connecticut 6 2,820 2 1,710 4 1,110 Delaware 1 124,588 - - 1 124,588 District of Columbia 3 - 0 - 3 - Florida 25 5,500,000 - - - Hawaii 0 0 - - - Illinois 49 561,049 - - - Indiana 41 428,331 - - - Iowa 45 286,601 10 119,324 35 167,277 Kansas 51 174,263 11 133,708 40 40,555 Kentucky 53 359,143 6 19,155 47 339,988 Maine 6 6,450 - - 6 6,450 Maryland 40 - 8 - 32 - Minnesota 80 112,419 11 5,663 69 106,756 Mississippi 6 70,400 4 69,500 2 900 Montana 9 3,000 9 3,000 - - Nebraska 52 - - - Nevada 4 - - - - New Jersey 9 - 1 - 8 New Mexico 5 - 2 - 3 - New York 24 21,980 13 12,530 11 9,450 North Carolina 88 4,052,000 4 1,200 84 4,050,800 North Dakota 0 0 - - - Ohio 28 608,042 4 30,720 24 577,322 Oklahoma 16 74,160 1 2,000 15 72,160 Oregon 2 200 1 - 1 200 Puerto Rico 16 - 2 - 14 - South Carolina 144 - 14 20,382 130 South Dakota 3 - - - - Tennessee 33 - 6 - 27 Texas 69 23,225,000 - - Utah 13 - 7 - 6 Vermont 1 - 1 - - Virgin Islands 2 - - - 2 Washington 13 - - - - West Virginia 17 52,322 6 24,739 11 27,583 Wisconsin 34 411,394 6 43,365 28 368,029 Totals 996 36,117,532 135 520,366 605 5,903,168 *During 1986-1988 reporting period only; excludes kills due to natural causes when a breakout was possible. - Not reported. Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 115 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns uted to conventional pollut- Ba A Thirty-one States provided ants than to toxic substances. Bathing rea some information on the Closures closure of bathing areas. In * Leading causes of fish 13 States, no closures were kills include biochemical Information reported by reported to have occurred; in oxygen demand/low dissolved the States on the closure of the remaining 18 States, 224 oxygen, oil and gas, pesti- bathing areas such as beach closure incidents were cides, ammonia and chlorine, beaches and recreational reported. Most of these clos- temperature changes, and lakes is extremely limited. As ures were probably of short- herbicides (Table 6-6). for other types of informa- term duration and are attrib- tion in this section, beach uted primarily to microbial * The most commonly closures are often the pathogen indicators such as reported sources of fish kills responsibility of State health fecal coliform bacteria, are agriculture (in particular, agencies and local govern- which may indicate the runoff from animal holding ments (i.e., cities and coun- presence of disease areas and feed lots and appli- ties) that may not coordinate organisms from municipal cation of fertilizers and reporting with pollution sewage treatment plants, nutrients), spills, municipal control agencies preparing combined sewer overflows, sewage treatment plants, and the State Section 305(b) urban runoff, and spills. industrial dischargers (Table reports. Thus, comprehensive 6-7). tallies of bathing area closures are not yet available. Table 6-6. Pollutants Associated with Fish Kills Number of States Pollutant Reporting BOD/DO 19 Oil and Gas 14 S'RRi Pesticides 14 Ammonia 8 Chlorine 8 Temperature 8 Acidity 6 Inorganics 5 Nutrients 5 Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Table 6-7. Sources Associated with Fish Kills , HA ARD Number of States Source Reporting ! I f ~l Agriculture 24 p~ c be i. ry Spills 17 a h'tnee oi n r Municipal Facilities 16 ' Wate r. Industry 13 d M toinry Q jrilrtv 1- li ltif I bI It Land Disposal 6 Urban Runoff 4 Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. 116 Ground-Water Quality and Protection Introduction Ground water is a vital programs to address ground natural resource that is with- water. drawn for drinking water, Ground-water protection is irrigation, industrial use, and especially important because livestock watering. In many of the difficulty and expense parts of the United States, involved in cleaning up ground water is the only contaminated aquifers, reliable source of water. providing alternative water Under certain geological supplies, or adding treatment conditions, ground water can to public water systems. The also be quite vulnerable to States and Territories have contamination. An increas- identified a broad range of ing number of pollution inci- contaminants and contanm- dents affecting both public ination sources, such as water supplies and private underground storage tanks, wells have been reported septic systems, and landfills. throughout the country. Controlling these sources of While in a majority of situa- contamination has become a tions only low levels of central focus of State contamination have been ground-water protection found, there are some local- programs. ities that have experienced This section discusses contamination above the many of these State and drinking water standards. Territorial programs (e.g., As a result of a growing ground-water protection awareness of the important strategies, Wellhead nature of this resource and Protection Programs, and its vulnerability, many States aquifer classification and and Territories are develop- mapping projects) and the ing and expanding legisla- contaminants and sources of tion, regulations, and contamination addressed by 119 Ground-Water Quality and Protection these activities. In addition, government has provided In addition to the data Federal activities to protect grant money to the States to from the State Section 305(b) ground water are described develop their water quality reports, this section reports in this section. However, this programs. The States have, supplemental ground-water section is not intended to in turn, been required to use data from the U.S. provide a summary of all submit data and information Geological Survey's 1984 and State and Territorial ground describing their State 1986 National Water water-related activity. programs under the Section Summaries and Open File Instead, it describes only 305(b) reporting process. Report 88-112. Reports certain State and Territorial EPA requested that each prepared by the U.S. EPA programs in order to illus- State and Territory provide Office of Ground-Water trate the scope of ongoing information concerning its Protection were also used in activities. The absence of a ground-water protection the development of this State description under one program, the sources of section. or more of the section ground-water contamination This section summarizes headings does not indicate identified in the State, and the following information: that a particular State the contaminants observed ground-water withdrawals program does not exist, in the State's ground water. and use, ground-water The Agency collected the This chapter summarizes the quality, State ground-water information reported in this data provided by 52 States legislation and programs, section primarily from 1988 and Territories and the and Federal statutes and State Section 305(b) reports. District of Columbia; infor- programs to protect ground Under Section 106 of the mation was not available for water. Clean Water Act, the Federal two States and one Territory. 120 Ground-Water Quality Ground-Water Quality Current ground water to provide ta domestic supply for less ta Ground-Water Use 25 percent of their population. In many parts of the Just over 50 percent of the country, ground water is also Nation's population relies on relied upon as a water source ground water as a source of for uses other than domestic drinking water (U.S. Geologi- supply: 68 percent of all cal Survey, 1986 National ground-water withdrawals in Water Summary). Figure 7-1 the U.S. are used for irri- t! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~depicts the distribution of gation; 13 percent are population served by ground consumed by industry; and a water for domestic supply in small percentage (less than 2 the U.S. The importance of percent) of withdrawals are good-quality ground water as used for watering livestock. a drinking water source is In the East and South, illustrated by the heavy ground-water withdrawals reliance on ground water in are largely used for industrial all regions of the country. In and domestic purposes. In 12 States and Thrritories the West, most ground water (hereafter referred to as is withdrawn for irrigation. States), ground water In 1985, ground-water supplies drinking water for withdrawals in the U.S. greater than 75 percent of totaled approximately 76 the population. The vast billion gallons per day. As majority of the Nation's rural shown in Figure 7-2, these population relies on potable withdrawals are concen- ground-water sources to trated in a limited number of provide water for domestic States. California and Th-xas use. Only five States rely on both withdraw greater than 121 Ground-Water Quality 10 billion gallons per day and Ground-Water can be vulnerable to together account for approx- contamination. At issue is imately one-third of the Quality keeping ground-water qual- Nation's total withdrawals. ity high so that costly Five other States-Arizona, The States are demon- remedial actions are not Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, and strating a growing awareness required. Nebraska-each withdraw and interest in ground-water In an effort to protect and more than 4 billion gallons of quality. Nine States reported maintain their resources, ground water per day. These that their ground-water many States are engaging in seven States use ground quality is excellent, and studies to better understand water primarily for irrigation 17 States reported generally the quality of their ground and are responsible for two- good quality. The remaining water, identify potential thirds of the Nation's ground- States did not express a sources of contamination, water withdrawals. judgment. The 1988 State and determine the vulner- The national use of ground Section 305(b) reports ability of the resource to water has grown signifi- indicate that, overall, the pollution. This section cantly over the last 40 years. quality of the Nation's describes a number of these Figure 7-3 illustrates the ground water is quite good, State studies and concludes trend in ground-water with- based on the testing that has with a discussion of the drawals from 33 billion been done to date. Human contamination sources and gallons per day in 1950, to a activity may occur in zones ground-water contaminants high of 82 billion gallons per where ground water is with- reported by the States. day in 1980, and to approx- drawn for public water imately 76 billion gallons per supply; under certain geolog- day in 1985. ical conditions, these wells Puerto Virgin Samoa Northern Rico Islands 50-74 w Marianas i 25-49 Guam c" m 10-24 Source: 1988 State 305(B) Water Quality Reports or 1986 USGS National Water Summary Figure 7-1. Percentage of State and Territory Populations Served by Ground Water for Domestic Supply 122 Ground-Water Quality Ground-Water Studies Over 30 States reported </, .. -. ~ ~, .' conducting broad-ranging .'~ ES~ L ' { / A ground-water quality studies, -~ 1l~lg ~ ....E . - 20 v 2 ,hC , with an average of 1 to 3 _,a i r a . . T Ax ' / ',. ,~.~., studies by each State. A few States have also begun /'mffl ' l l.8 0 ? ,-H, "/ studying more innovative approaches to ground-water i�---.~~~~ . . . . ?-,protection (e.g., aquifer vulnerability and land use studies). '~ `� ?' .The most common types of !s ii! !i!!1 '/,assessments reported by the States were ground-water se gen{>X-~, ' d quality studies. At least 10 States conducted both state- ' '~ Legend \ Million gallons per day wide studies and more local- 9,700-14,600 ized or regional studies; Puerto Virgin = 4,800-9,699 another 10 States conducted Samoa Northern Rico Islands i 2,400-4,799 broad statewide sampling GuMarianam I ~" :arna 1,500-2,399 Guam 1,500-2,399 studies alone, and the I G 0-1,499 remaining 10 States Source: 1988 State 305(b) Water Quality Reports or 1986 USGS National Water Summary. conducted only localized studies in response to Figure 7-2. National Breakdown of Ground-Water Withdrawals studies in response to anticipated contamination problems. The majority of these studies involved moni- toring programs aimed at 90 evaluating the impact of a specific contaminant (e.g., , 80 nitrate) or a contaminant a / _ source (e.g., septic tanks). Statewide surveys are � 70 becoming more common as 0 many States are seeking to track their ambient ground- ai60 water quality. The Texas _,, / Water Development Board 50 maintains a 5,800-well _U~~~~~~ I ~~~~~~~ground-water quality moni- toring network and analyzes B 40 0100/ water quality samples from approximately 1,200 of those 30 1 wells annually. Data from these surveys will be main- 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 tained in the Texas Natural Resource Information Year System. New Jersey will Source: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 88-112. sample 25 to 30 wells in 1988 Figure 7-3. National Use of Ground Water 1950-1985 in its ambient ground-water 123 Ground-Water Quality quality network. New Jersey pollution complaint investi- Minnesota recently will also intensively study gations. The Virginia data conducted a ground-water 40 to 45 additional wells in base incorporated 301 new survey designed to deter- the northern portion of the event reports during the mine the extent of the State. Florida is tracking 1988 reporting period, problems caused by "normal" ambient ground-water qual- In many States, the focus use of pesticides in pesticide- ity in a statewide monitoring of concern for ground-water sensitive areas (i.e., pesticide program. studies is on regional use not associated with spills, A number of the States problems. In 1987, Kentucky leaks, or mishandling). The conducting ground-water undertook studies of domes- study was a cooperative quality studies have estab- tic well water quality in eight effort by the Departments of lished or are beginning to counties. Well water was Agriculture and Health. The establish data bases to analyzed for 81 constituents Department of Agriculture catalog ground-water data including bacteria, pesti- sampled ground water by and known or suspected cides, primary and secondary using shallow observation contamination incidents drinking water constituents, wells placed at the edge of throughout the State. For and priority pollutants. The agricultural fields. The example, Indiana has created studies indicated isolated Department of Health a data base to track known incidents of contamination, focused on sampling public incidents of ground-water specifically high fecal and private drinking water contamination. This data coliform bacteria levels, supplies in rural areas. Of the base currently contains 228 States have also reported 500 water well and drinking case histories of ground- agricultural activities as a water samples collected, 38 water contamination. Of regional source of concern, percent had detectable levels the 228 cases, 16 percent and many studies have been of one or more pesticides. involved public water initiated to investigate this The State did not report the systems. Florida is devel- problem. For example, during number of these samples oping a data base to manip- 1986 and 1987, Kansas that exceeded drinking water ulate the data from its State completed two phases of a standards. ground-water quality moni- three-phase Farmstead Well Connecticut recently spon- toring program. New Mexico Contamination Study. The sored investigations of pesti- has started work on a study estimated the number cides in groundwater and ground-water/vadose zone of farmstead wells in Kansas detected concentrations of contamination inventory. contaminated by volatile 1,2-dichloroethylene, Presently, there are over 850 organic compounds (VOCs), atrazine, and metalochlor at identified ground-water inorganic compounds, or several sites above State contamination incidents in pesticides and helped iden- drinking water standards and New Mexico, involving over tify the factors contributing EPA advisory levels. 1,000 documented wells. The to such contamination. The Salt-water intrusion has inventory will include a information gathered in also become a local ground- narrative abstract of each Phases I and II will be used in water quality problem in situation and will have many the third phase to develop an variables available for cross- educational program. The referencing, including loca- program will address ground- tion, depth to ground water, water contamination and its aquifer, contaminants, relationship to agricultural contaminant concentrations, practices, farmstead activi- and monitoring dates. ties, well construction, and Virginia also maintains a data well siting. base to track ground-water 124 r ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ground-Water Quality many areas. The U.S. Geolog- ethene, and Freon-113) were preventing both short- and ical Survey has established a found to exceed Arizona long-term degradation of sampling network of 240 Department of Health ground-water quality. Iowa is wells in New Jersey specif- Services action levels. The also investigating the use of ically to track saltwater largest area of detectable protection standards in its encroachment. Delaware and VOC in ground water was ground-water regulatory Maryland are conducting a near a municipal landfill. program and the impact of joint study on the prevention In some instances, States ground-water contamination of saltwater intrusion in their examined specific sources of on human health in the States. Virginia has also contamination. Rhode Island State. begun a saltwater intrusion and Colorado conducted Other unique activities study program. studies of the impact of are being developed by the Other States assessed surface impoundments on States to support their ground-water quality, either ground-water quality. ground-water programs. regional or statewide, by Washington investigated the North Carolina developed a focusing on specific contain- effect of 45 existing on-site computer-based Ground inants. During the past 2 sewage systems on ground Water Advisory system to years, North Dakota has water and completed a study assist the permitting staff in performed a nitrate screen of agricultural chemicals in evaluating the potential on over 4, 000 private well ground water in 3 counties. impact of waste disposal samples. Nitrate-nitrogen in The agricultural chemicals activities on ground-water excess of 2 mg/l was found in survey sampled 81 welis in quality. Minnesota has 23 percent of the samples, the 3 counties and found initiated a project to assess and 11 percent of the detectable levels of sampled the relative susceptibility of samples exceeded the drink- pesticides in 23 of the wells ground water to contamina- ing water standard of and nitrate levels above tion in the State. Data from 10 mg/I. health standards in 15 wells. digitized base maps is being A few States combined Washington did not report combined and ranked to ground-water quality studies whether the detected pesti- highlight those areas of the with contamination source cides exceeded health State most vulnerable to investigations. As part of the standards. contamination from land U.S. EPA-funded 205Q) A few States have devel- surface and near-surface program, Arizona examined oped studies to assist in activities. This program will the VOC content in ground broadening the scope of assist in setting priorities water surrounding the City ground-water protection in for Minnesota programs and of Mesa. Water samples were their States. Studies include raising public awareness of collected from 47 wells, and assessments of current regu- the vulnerability of ground perhlooetylee, ichoro caesdevelopment of new In addition to those studies approaches to ground-water described above, the States protection regulation. The also require routine monitor- New Mexico Environmental ing of certain water wells to Improvement Division assess ground-water quality conducted a study to deter- (e.g., monitoring public mine the quantitative contri- water supplies, testing bution of major chemical and individual domestic wells, biological contaminants from and monitoring at waste domestic septic tanks to disposal unit boundaries). All - ground water. The study of these State studies are - evaluated the adequacy of geared toward understanding the State liquid waste regula- or controlling the contamina- tions regarding lot size and tion sources and contain- ~: disposal-field clearance in inants described below. 125 Ground-Water Quality Overview of Figure 7-5 illustrates top five source-, of concern. these rankings. The most In addition to the sources Contamination frequently noted top priority of contamination listed in Sources concern was underground Figures 7-4 and 7-5, the storage tanks (ranked first States identified other The States identified major by 15 States). Abandoned contaminant sources of sources of ground-water hazardous waste sites were concern, such as hazardous contamination in their ranked as the top priority material spills, mining waste, Section 305(b) reports. The concern by eight States, abandoned and poorly con- number of States identifying while agricultural activity structed wells, and above- each of the sources as a and septic tanks were each ground tanks. The priority priority of concern is indi- identified as the top priority rankings assigned to these cated in Figure 7-4. Over half concern by five States. other contaminant sources classified underground stor- Underground storage tanks are indicated in Figure 7-6. age tanks, septic systems, were most frequently identi- Mining wastes, sewer leaks, agricultural activities, fied among the top five cyanide heaps, construction, municipal landfills, surface contamination sources of and manufacturing were impoundments, and aban- concern (ranked by 34 each identified by one State doned hazardous waste sites States). Twenty-five States as its top priority source of as major threats to ground- characterized municipal concern. water quality. With very landfills among the top five The broad range of activi- minor differences, these are sources of concern, while 23 ties identified by the States the same sources of concern States ranked agricultural as priority contaminant reported in the 1986 State activity among the top five. sources indicate that ground- Section 305(b) reports. Abandoned hazardous waste water protection from Many of the States sites (ranked by 21 States) unacceptable contamination assigned a priority ranking to and septic tanks (ranked by requires controlling many these contamination sources 20 States) ranked fourth and different processes and that reflects their level of fifth, respectively, among the waste management concern about each source. practices. Source Other ttt> es Salt and Brine Pits ~ Salt Water v -mm Road Salt*se* Land Application sast Regulated Hazardous Waste Sites- iaise Injection Wells etse~n Other Landfills Industrial Landfills Abandoned Hazardous Waste Sites e~ ite emsa Surface Impoundments Municipal Landfills t t t*5 Agricultural Activity ttlt' Septic Tanks' �tttS~ Underground Storage Tanks OM* MMMiI. RMr~eae 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Number of States and Territories Source: 1988 State Section 3051b1 reports. Figure 7-4. Frequency of Reported State and Territory Concern with Ground-Water Contamination Source 126 Ground-Water Quality Sources Road Salting . 1st Priority Industrial Landfills 2nd Priority Salt Water Intrusion 3rd Priority Land Application 4th Priority Regulated Hazardous Waste Sites 5th Priority Other Landfills Injection Wells ~ u'*"'7i- Oil and Gas Brine Pits ' Municipal Landfills : Surface Impoundments . ::: I Septic Tanks Agricultural Activity t:. . Abandoned Hazardous Waste Sites Underground Storage Tanks 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Number of States and Territories Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 7-5. Priority Ranking of Ground-Water Contamination Sources Sources Municipal Wastewater 1st Priority Tankyards , 2nd Priority Agricultural Wells .3dri 3rd Priority Sink Holes . Fertilizer and Pesticides ...--.. .- . 4th Priority Waste Piles [] 5th Priority Salt Storage .- -..,r:t Abandoned Wells ~::cc.`.. c:s : Urban Runoff Above-Ground Storage Tanks Spills : : . . ':.: Feedlots maw~ Manufacturing Construction Cyanide Heaps Sewer Leaks :::: Mining Wastes . ......... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Number of States and Territories Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 7-6. Priority Ranking of "Other" Ground-Water Contamination Sources 127 Ground-Water Quality Overview of earlier finding; the only are responsible for that risk. Contaminants exception is a reduction in In 1986, 12.3 percent of the the number of States report- ground water-based systems, In addition to identifying ing sewage problems in 1988. serving 6.8 percent of the sources of contamination, In another approach to population using these the States identified the assessing ground-water systems, violated MCLs; in contaminants they have contamination and trends 1987, 11.1 percent of these observed in their ground across the United States, EPA systems, serving 6.4 percent water. Figure 7-7 presents has used State data reported of the population, violated these ground-water contam- to the Federal Reporting Data MCLs. inants of concern. As shown System to analyze the degree in the figure, more than half to which ground water-based of the States identified water supply systems are nitrates, pesticides, volatile meeting all applicable Maxi- organic compounds, petro- mum Contaminant Levels leum products, metals, and (MCLs). EPA used this indi- brine as contaminants of cator to provide: information concern. Other contaminants on the number and propor- reported by the States tion of ground water-based include bacteria, solvents, public drinking water acids, and tanning wastes. systems meeting applicable In 1986, the States MCLs and some indication of reported sewage, nitrates, the degree of risk posed by synthetic organic chemicals, those systems not meeting volatile organics, brine/ the standards; the geographic salinity, and metals to be the distribution of that risk most common ground-water across States; and an indica- contaminants. The current tion and identification of the reports generally parallel this specific contaminants that Contaminant Other Inorganics . � � Fluorides Arsenic ~~ ~' ~ Other Agricultural Contaminants .mm_ S'- " n Radioactive Material *.- ,'.t.t.iiN, Coliform Bacteria MSt g . t.: Synthetic Organic Chemicals . Brine - - . . ---e Metals iintnnmS-a Petroleum Products .: - ' . . SS.- Volatile Organic Compounds snmmmmma,-m. Pesticides am' ~'in t is'"m~ 'n'n*t ~ Nitrates*tittt ttiti . NS.4 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Number of States and Territories Source: 1988 State Section 305(b) reports. Figure 7-7. Number of States and Territories Reporting Ground-Water Contaminant as a Concern 128 Ground-Water Protection Programs State Programs Ground-Water Protection Strategies The States are currently engaged in a number of At least 49 States and Terri- ground-water protection tories (hereafter referred to activities to address con- as States) have Ground-Water taminants and sources of Protection Strategies or are contamination. These activ- in the process of developing ities include: adopting and them. Many of the States implementing ground-water reported that they used protection strategies; enact- portions of their Section 106 ing ground-water legislation grants under the Clean Water to create comprehensive Act to prepare their Strate- ground-water protection gies. These Strategies typi- programs and develop cally outline goals and protection regulations, objectives for addressing standards, and special ground-water problems; controls for specific contain- contain information on the inant sources; adopting nature and location of wellhead protection and ground water in the State; ground-water classification and describe legislative and and mapping programs; and regulatory programs to establishing procedures to protect groundwater and better coordinate the develop public interest and ground-water management support for protection activities of State agencies. activities. Many of these State Strategies have also been accompanied by 129 Ground-Water Protection Programs changes in State laws or the development of ground- underground storage tank regulations to bolster water classification and monitoring and remediation, ground-water protection discharge regulations for and hazardous waste activities. The following regulating all discharges to management. The Florida section contains examples of ground water; a proposed Strategy also outlines State the comprehensive legisla- program to certify well pump initiatives such as a ground- tive and regulatory programs installers and all non-water water discharge permitting that have been adopted by well drillers in Kentucky; a program, septic system regu- many of the States to achieve proposal to reform oil and gas lations, and ground-water the goals of their Strategies. laws; and various funding classification to create In November 1987, proposals to protect aquifers, special aquifer protection Kentucky published its cleanup non-Federal aban- areas. Florida is developing Ground-Water Protection doned hazardous waste sites, water supply well location Strategy. Kentucky describes and expand ground-water guidelines to control drilling its Strategy as a working research and data manage- in known or suspected areas document that announces ment. of contamination. The major new ground-water The Florida Ground-Water Florida Strategy describes an initiatives. The foremost Protection Strategy focuses extensive ambient ground- component of the Strategy is on programs to control water quality monitoring the adoption of a ground- ground-water contamination network and a computerized water protection goal to and on plans to implement data base to track water maintain and protect the ground-water monitoring quality data. Florida even- resource for its highest and and data collection activities. tually plans to use these data best use, and to minimize or The Florida Strategy outlines to support the development prevent ground-water degra- a number of activities to of a geographic information dation. Program elements protect ground water, system to track expected announced in the Strategy including the implementa- sources and areas of ground- include: a proposed classifi- tion of federally mandated water contamination. cation system equivalent to programs such as under- that proposed by U.S. EPA; ground injection control, C WNorthborouqh, Massachusetts. Ground-water planning map for130 Northborough, Massachusetts. a 130 Ground-Water Protection Programs Virginia has prepared a amending ground-water This legislation has led to Ground-Water Protection legislation and regulations. the promulgation of regula- Strategy that is overseen and A sample of these legal and tions that, in many States, implemented by an inter- regulatory activities are stipulate controls for the agency committee, the described below. management of specific Groundwater Protection sources of contamination and Steering Committee. The Ground-Water standards for ground-water components of the strategy Protection quality protection. These include a Virginia pollution standards may be used to abatement permit program Legislation, apply limits on the allowable to control animal waste Regulations, and discharges from contamina- lagoons, industrial waste Standards tion sources or to set contain- lagoons, and land application inant targets or threshold of sludge, as well as regula- Although most of the levels for ground-water tions affecting underground States have authority to cleanup. Ground-water storage tanks, landfills, and develop ground-water protection standards can new well construction. The protection programs under involve either narrative Virginia strategy also calls for general clean water statutes, descriptions of nondegrada- ground-water data collection over the past several years a tion goals or numeric levels and management and techni- majority of the States have that set allowable health- cal training and educational either passed legislation based concentrations for programs. designed specifically to specific compounds in The Ground-Water Protec- protect ground water, or ground water. tion Strategies described have amended existing water above generally form the quality statutes to better basis for ground-water account for ground-water quality control programs in problems. At least 31 States the States. To implement have adopted specific these protection activities, ground-water protection many States are adopting or legislation. A water treatment facility in Florida. 131 Ground-Water Protection Programs Portions of three State ground-water supply in the ments to control these programs are summarized State. Tob facilitate ground- sources, especially within briefly to illustrate the broad water protection planning, public water supply recharge array of ground-water pro- Arizona has adopted a areas. Three State agencies tection activities throughout ground-water basin scheme. have responsibilities under the United States. The basins are designed the Act-the Department Under the Arizona Envi- primarily on the basis of local of Energy and Natural ronmental Quality Act of physiography, surface drain- Resources, the Department 1987, the Arizona Depart- age patterns, subsurface of Public Health, and the ment of Environmental geology, and aquifer charac- Environmental Protection Quality was given primary teristics. Based on this Agency. These responsi- responsibility to protect scheme, Arizona has identi- bilities include a permit aquifers supplying drinking fled four "Active Manage- program for noncommunity water to the State. The Act ment Areas" where ground- wells, a ground-water stipulates statewide monitor- water supplies are imperiled. protection planning program, ing of ground water and soils The State has developed a ground-water data collec- to detect contamination. management plans to protect tion and Automation Monitoring requirements are both ground-water quality program, ground-water also included in the public and safe yields. standards development, an drinking water supply Illinois enacted a Ground- interagency coordinating programs, hazardous waste Water Protection Act in 1987 committee, a ground-water management programs, and that established a protection protection needs assessment, Federal and State "Super- policy to prevent degradation and community water well fund" programs. The Arizona and to preserve beneficial surveys. Furthermore, the Department of Water uses of ground water. The State Department of Energy Resources and the U.S. Act requires the State to and Natural Resources is Geological Survey have identify sources of ground- planning a considerable primary responsibility to water contamination and research effort to implement study and manage available establish technical require- the goals of the Act. This effort includes water supply recharge area mapping, evaluation of the impact of pesticide use on ground- Nw:, ~t: A water quality, a statewide ground-water quality and quantity assessment, and the ,2-D 1-D 2-c creation of an automated . - : l||system to track ground-water data. Display of a cross section of monitoring well locations. 132 Ground-Water Protection Programs South Dakota recently The New Jersey Depart- In addition to the controls passed legislation mandating ment of Ground-Water the States have established the development of State Quality Management issues on well-known sources of wellhead protection guide- ground-water discharge ground-water contamination, lines to be used by local permits under the general such as landfills and septic governments in their authority of the New Jersey systems, other States and program development Discharge Elimination 'ITerritories have adopted efforts. The program System. Ground-water specific controls on other elements described in the discharges that have been minimally regulated sources Governor's Centennial Envi- or can be issued a permit of contamination. For ronmental Protection Act include surface impound- example, Puerto Rico mirrors the elements in the ments, infiltration/percola- established an animal waste Federal Safe Drinking Water tion lagoons, landfills, management system to help Act. The State intends to injection wells, spray irriga- control contamination from have these guidelines in tion, overland flow, and land animal runoff. Michigan place by June 1989. application of residuals for requires storage permits and In addition to improved hazardous and nonhazardous pollution prevention plans planning, monitoring activ- wastes. Work involved in for nonhazardous wastes. ities, and specific source permit issuance ranges from Guam regularly monitors controls (such as those pre-application conferences urban runoff collection mandated under under- and application reviews to surface impoundments for ground storage tank, under- public notices and hearings. pesticides and heavy metals. ground injection control, and All permitted facilities must solid and hazardous waste perform routine discharge Wellhead Protection regulations), a number of and aquifer (upgradient and Programs States are also protecting downgradient) monitoring. their ground water through Final permits are issued for Since the reauthorization the adoption of underground 5 years. New Jersey also and amendment of the Safe discharge permitting conducts a review of other Drinking Water Act in 1986, programs. New Jersey's permit requirements for many States and local program is described below. potential ground-water governments are actively discharges. These reviews moving to develop and include industrial waste implement Wellhead Protec- management facilities, the tion (WHP) Programs. statewide sludge manage- Section 1428 of the Act ment program, and best specifies that each State management practices for must prepare a WHP stormwater and emergency Program and submit it to cleanup from major indus- EPA by June 19, 1989. lTo trial facilities. New Jersey date there have been 30 is also revising its statute submittals to EPA. EPA has addressing "Standards for provided States and local Individual Subsurface Sew- governments with extensive age Disposal Systems." The assistance in this area, new standards will reflect including technical assist- current scientific knowledge ance documents, workshops, and engineering practices to training sessions, and pilot protect ground-water quality projects. and to reduce the frequency The State summaries listed of septic system malfunc- below are representative of tions. the types of WHP Programs 133 Ground-Water Protection Programs being developed by the Maine's ground-water WHP work plan, with the States and give a clear protection program is coordi- goal of having a program in indication that many States nated by the State Planning place within 2 years. The and local governments are Office with technical assist- State has also put together a actively conducting specific ance from the Department of proposal for a GIS pilot WHP activities. Environmental Protection. project that would comple- The Connecticut General Together they are finalizing ment various elements of an Assembly has recently the statewide ground-water actual WHP Program. The adopted the recommenda- protection strategy. The project includes mapping all tions of a legislative task WHP Program was drafted public water supply wells/ force to begin an aquifer for review by the State WHP wellfields in the State, protection program state- Program workgroup. The locating contaminant sources wide. The State is requiring program was published for around those supplies, and water companies to delineate review in November 1988. identifying alternate water zones of contribution to The resulting State WHP supply sources for those public water supplies and is Program underwent public communities using ground also requiring towns to review and was submitted to water as their public water create local boards to the legislative session supply source. Part of this consider ground-water (Winter-Spring 1989) and project also involves devel- protection. A legislative task then to EPA. oping a ground-water flow/ force is developing recom- The Missouri Department transport model that can be mendations on which land- of Natural Resources used by emergency response use controls should be exer- submitted a coordinated personnel to track the cised in the aquifer protec- work plan for WHP activities movement of a contaminant tion areas. Connecticut has in late 1988. The State then spill from an identified submitted a WHP Program to began implementing the source within a WHP EPA. activities identified in the Program, should such an event occur. N~i..i if PR ON PROUGRAM Wellhead protection map for Dade County, Florida. 134 Ground-Water Protection Programs In New York, the responsi- technical assistance to any supply. Many of the State bilities for ground-water municipality that wants to classification programs are management and public develop a WHP Program and, designed to support the water supply protection are to date, has completed two application of ground-water divided between the New such projects in the State. quality standards. A few York State Department of The Commission also has examples are cited below. Environmental Conservation proposed a Class V injection Colorado's ground-water (NYSDEC) and the New York well regulatory strategy that classification program was State Department of Health, would include participation established under the State respectively. The NYSDEC by local governments and Water Quality Control Act. has been designated as the would incorporate WHP. In The State is planning to lead agency for developing addition, Austin has enacted classify its groundwater and implementing a state- local regulations to protect according to water use or wide WHP Program. The several aquifer recharge potential use and water State has submitted a WHP areas. The Del Rio area quality, to the extent that the Program to EPA. has implemented a WHP quality affects the appro- The Te'bxas Water Commis- Program designed to prevent priate use of the water. sion has launched a program contamination of an open Based on the ground-water for local education and tech- spring, which is the town's classifications, the State will nical assistance on WHP. The only water source. Texas has apply numeric organic water Commission is conducting a submitted a WHP Program to quality standards on a site- series of seminars for local EPA. specific basis. The State is officials and public water Vermont is conducting a also planning to adopt an system operators on the joint pilot study between the aquifer-based classification State's existing ground-water Department of Health and system because of the need protection programs and the Department of Environ- for a more resource-oriented what can be done on a local mental Conservation to approach. The Colorado level to protect ground water. demonstrate the coordina- Water Quality Control The Commission offers its tion of inventories of Class V Commission has promulgated A free-flowing artesian well. underground injection wells rules to implement basic with implementation of WHP control regulations and plans in Vermont. A Source intends to promulgate Protection Plan has been numerical standards in the developed that will be incor- fall of 1989. porated into the WHP Hawaii is in the process �~~e~~~ ~project. The Source Protec- of mapping and classifying tion Plan addresses the iden- ground water on all the tification and assessment of islands using a methodology threats, along with the man- created by the Water agement of the existing risk. Resources Research Center at Vermont has submitted a the University of Hawaii. WHP Program to EPA. This methodology was derived using definitions for Ground-Water Class I, 11, and III ground water contained in EPA Classification and Draft Classification Statewide Mapping Guidelines. Programs Over 40 States report active programs to classify the ground waters of the State or map vulnerable 0 �~~~~~~~~~ ~'%~ ~:~ ;:sources of ground-water 135 Ground-Water Protection Programs Coordination of to develop a series of MOUs tional capability to protect Coordination of between the agencies that ground water is to strengthen Protection Programs have specific responsibilities State programs. Accomplish- Among State for ground-water protection. ments over the last 4 years Agencies include addressing major Federal Ground- sources of contamination Sources of ground-water Water Protection more comprehensively contamination have histor- Water Protection through stronger statutory ically been regulated by Programs authorities and EPA initia- many different agencies tives, and building States' within the States. Coordi- In recent years, the Federal capabilities through more nating the activities of these government has joined the effective and coordinated agencies to ensure an effec- States in their efforts to use of resources for State tive ground-water protection protect the Nation's ground grants, technical support, program is a priority in at water. The following sections and research and least 12 States. briefly describe the Federal development. The diffuse responsibilities programs and laws that deal for ground-water regulation specifically with the control typically found in the States and study of contaminant Ground-Water is clearly illustrated by the sources. Classification System situation in Louisiana. Seven- teen different agencies have As a part of the EPA a responsibility for various Ground-Water Ground-Water Protection aspects of ground-water Protection Strategy Strategy, EPA developed a protection in Louisiana. Of ground-water classification the 17, the Department of In 1984, EPA developed a system, and EPA is now Environmental Quality is the Ground-Water Protection developing additional guide- lead agency for ground-water Strategy that provides an lines for performing site-by- quality. To date, coordination approach to integrating site classification. Class I between the agencies has source-specific control and ground waters are highly vul- been primarily informal, cleanup programs into a nerable, irreplaceable as However, on certain issues, comprehensive policy and sources of drinking water, memoranda of under- institutional framework for or ecologically vital. These standing (MOU) have been protecting the resource. receive the highest level of developed. One major goal of The Strategy recognizes activity necessary to protect the State's Ground-Water that the most effective way ground water. Current or Protection Strategy will be to increase national institu- potential drinking water s136e- 136 Ground-Water Protection Programs sources not meeting Class IGrudWtrDaSferikn requirements are designated GrudWtrD a Sferikn Class II ground waters. Class Management Water Act (SDWA) HII ground waters are those ground waters that are not ' lb better support Federal The Safe Drinking Water potential drinking water and State ground-water Act and its 1986 amendments sources because of wide- protection efforts, EPA has created three programs to spread human or natural been working to improve protect ground water. contamination or insuffi- ground-water data manage- cient yield. ment requirements. As an U The Underground initial step in developing data Injection Control Program National urvey forstandardization, EPA has establishes technical criteria National urvey for developed a minimum set of and standardsfoth Pesticies in Dinking data elements for ground construction, operation, Water Wells water and has convened a monitoring, and testing of This Survey ~workgroup to develop defini- wells to control the under- .hsSre is jointly tions and formats for these ground injection of wastes. sponsored by EPA's Offices of terms. Ground-water data Many States reported enforc- Drinking Water and Pesticide accessibility will be addressed ing their own underground Programs. It is a national by improving capabilities to injection control programs. statistical survey designed to share information among determine the presence of programs and organizations. U The Sole Source Aquifer pesticide residues in two EPA has also begun initia- Program authorizes EPA to distinct populations of drink- tives, such as the study of undertake a special review ing water wells: public water geographic information of possible ground-water system wells and private, systems and improvements impacts from federally domestic drinking water to the STORET system, to funded projects in desig- wells. Over 1,300 wells are enhance ground-water data nated areas that receive being analyzed for over 100 analysis capabilities. Federal financial assistance. pesticides specifically In addition to these EPA selected for their propensity programs, Federal statutes to leach and their degrada- mandate certain ground- tion products. Each well will water protection activities. also be analyzed for nitrate. The Survey is scheduled for completion in 1990. Large public water supply well. 137 Ground-Water Protection Programs * The Wellhead Protection U The Nonpoint Source Program provides assistance Control Strategies are to States to develop programs required from the States by Conservation and to protect the wellhead area the 1987 CWA Amendments. Recovery Act of all public water systems Under CWA Section 319, (RCRA) from ground-water contain- States must describe strate- inants that may adversely gies to coordinate and A number of programs affect human health. EPA implement best management established under RCRA has published guidelines to practices; measures to provide for ground-water assist the States in devel- control nonpoint sources; protection and cleanup. oping their Wellhead Protec- and the nature of State and These programs emphasize tion Programs. local nonpoint source control prevention of releases to programs. In addition, under ground water and other Clean Water Act Section 319(i), the EPA environmental media through (CWA) Administrator may make management standards and grants to States to conduct cleanup requirements. Most The Clean Water Act ground-water quality protec- States are currently manag- authorizes two programs tion activities that will ing or developing new directly relevant to ground- advknce the State toward programs derived from the water protection. implementing a comprehen- following major sections of sive nonpoint source pollu- RCRA: * The CWA Section 106 tion control program. Grant Program supports U Subtitle C-Hazardous State programs to improve Waste-requires design, institutional capabilities operating, and closure stand- through the development of ards for all hazardous waste State ground-water protec- treatment, storage, and tion strategies. disposal facilities. It also requires post-closure care and ground-water monitor- ing for land disposal facilities. An irrigation canal in Arizona. 138 Ground-Water Protection Programs * Subtitle D-Solid protect or clean up contami- Federal Waste-requires minimum nated ground water. Using its national management stand- emergency response authority Insecticide, ards for municipal solid under "Superfund," EPA Fungicide, and waste landfills to be adopted responds to releases of Rodenticide Act and implemented by States. hazardous substances into (FIFRA) the environment, thereby * Subtitle I-Underground removing those hazardous FIFRA protects ground Storage 'lanks-requires substances before they have water indirectly by control- EPA to develop a compre- the opportunity to contami- ling the use of pesticides hensive program for manag- nate ground water. In a through registration and ing certain categories of Superfund remedial action, certification procedures. EPA underground storage tanks EPA undertakes long-term may deny registration for a containing petroleum and efforts to provide a perma- pesticide if its normal use chemical substances. nent remedy to existing will result in unreasonable releases of hazardous wastes adverse effects on the envi- Comprehensive that pose a serious, but not ronment, including ground- immediate, danger to public water contamination. Environmental health. Remedial actions Response, often involve cleaning up Compensation, contaminated ground water. and Liability Act The "Title III" Emergency (CERCLA) Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (a free standing act created as part CERCLA and the Super- of SARA) requires industry fund Amendments and and Federal, State, and Reauthorization Act of 1986 local governments to work (SARA) created several together in developing emer- programs being operated by gency plans, emergency EPA and States that act to release notification proce- dures, "community right-to- know" reporting, and toxic chemical release reporting. Or Installation of underground fuel tanks. A Superfund site in Pennsylvania. 139 Water Pollution Control Programs Introduction The Clean Water Act of depending on pollutants 1972 determines the way the typically discharged, treat- Federal government and the ment technologies available, States regulate point and etc., but are applied uni- nonpoint sources of pollu- formly to every facility in a tion. regulated industrial category. The Clean Water Act (CWA) Technology-based limits for established two basic types publicly owned treatment of approaches for controlling works provide for "second- pollution from point sources: ary treatment," as specified the technology-based in the Act. Technology-based approach and the water limits for industries and quality-based approach. municipal sewage treatment Technology-based controls plants do not take into consist of uniform, EPA- consideration the condition established standards of of the water to which the treatment that apply to cer- effluent is dicharged. tain industries and municipal Water quality-based sewage treatment facilities. controls, on the other hand, These effluent standards are are based on the quality of limits on the amounts of the receiving water. This pollutants that may be approach relies on the use of discharged to waterways. water quality standards set Limits for industries are by the States and approved derived from the technol- by EPA. State water quality ogies that are available for standards consist of desig- treating the effluent and nated uses to be made of the removing pollutants, and on streams (e.g., fishing and considerations of economic swimming) and the criteria achievability. These stand- (or limits on pollutants) ards vary by industry, necessary to protect those 143 Water Pollution Control Programs uses. Individual discharge The CWA provides the generally administered at the requirements are based on impetus for nonpoint source local or State level. the effluent quality that is controls but does not provide Programs to control point needed to ensure compliance direct authorities to regulate and nonpoint source pollu- with the water quality stand- these sources. Water quality tion will be discussed in more ards. The water quality- standards must be developed detail below, along with based approach is used to for all waters of the U.S., obstacles to their implemen- develop stricter effluent and these standards are to tation, successes achieved, limits where technology- be attained regardless of and new initiatives for the based controls will not be the sources of pollution. future. Further information stringent enough to ensure However, nonpoint source on programs specific to lakes, that waters can support their pollution is difficult to estuaries, coastal waters, and uses. EPA's point source regu- control because of its diffuse, wetlands, can be found in latory approach may there- episodic nature. To address Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. fore be characterized as one nonpoint sources, State and in which technology-based local governments develop controls provide a baseline control programs that are level of surface water pollu- sometimes regulatory but for tion requirements, and water the most part encourage quality-based controls voluntary actions, with provide regulatory supple- incentives and technical ments to deal with environ- support provided by a mental "hot spots," critical number of State and Federal habitats, and otherwise agencies. Nonpoint pollution sensitive waters. controls are often applied on a case-by-case basis and are Water-quality standards must be developed for all waters of the U.S. 144 9 Point Source Control Program The Water Quality Act of each such point source. 1987 (WQA) reinforced both These individual control the water quality- and tech- strategies are National Pollut- nology-based approaches to ant Discharge Elimination point source control, requir- System (NPDES) permits ing EPA to develop and with new or more stringent update technology-based limits on the priority pollut- standards and adding specific ants of concern and with direction as to how water supporting documentation to quality-based limits should show that the permit limits be used to achieve additional will meet water quality improvements. One of the standards within the satis- Act's primary emphases lay factory timeframe. The in strengthening the Nation's general effect of Section toxics control program. 304(1) is to immediately focus national surface water : 1 " Toxics Control quality protection programs Toxics Control: on addressing known water Section 304(I) of quality problems due entirely or substantially to point C ;-"the Clean Water source discharges of Section -" -1:" , Act 307(a) toxic pollutants. Co b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~Controls for these pollutants Nc B y 1 Z Bj;g i Section 304(1) of the CWA must be established as soon requires States to develop as possible but no later than lists of impaired waters, the statutory time frames set identify point sources and forth in Section 304(1). the amounts of pollutants EPA has been implement- they discharge causing toxic ing control measures for all i2E F ~~~~a~~~cJ~~~~ ~impacts, and develop indi- toxic pollutants as part of .f i| -~ i~ i 8~ I~ vidual control strategies for its ongoing surface water 145 Point Source Control Program program. Section 304(1) preliminary listing activities emphasizes the importance or to refine preliminary lists, Developing Control of the water quality-based States were asked to develop Strategies and technology-based needed data quickly. EPA approaches in protecting asked States to report Section 304(1) requires that surface waters from the preliminary lists of waters, individual control strategies priority toxic pollutants and point sources, and amounts (ICSs) be developed by establishes a number of one- by April 1, 1988, in their February 4, 1989, to reduce time requirements. After the Section 305(b) reports. These the discharge of toxic pollut- Section 304(1) deadlines pass, lists were then refined and ants from each point source EPA will continue identi- expanded by the statutory identified under Section fying impaired waters and deadline of February 4, 1989. 304(1)(1)(c). controlling the discharge of The immediate emphasis These ICSs are to consist of toxic and other pollutants of Section 304(1) and the effluent limitations under through existing reporting, national program for toxics 402 of the CWA. This is the standards setting, and per- control is for States and EPA provision establishing the mitting programs. to address problems identi- NPDES permit program. fied through review of exist- Therefore, to ensure com- Identifying Impaired ing and readily available pliance with the 1992 dead- Waters data. However, States and line, each ICS is to consist of EPA Regions will continue to final enforceable NPDES In developing lists of collect new water quality permits, to the extent pos- impaired waters, States used data as an ongoing obligation sible, and accompanying a variety of available data under the national program documentation (i.e., fact sources (including State to ensure that changes in sheets). Where a State Section 305(b) reports). At a water quality are identified demonstrates that a final minimum, dilution analyses and any important gaps in permit cannot be issued by were conducted based on existing data are filled to February 4, 1989, a draft existing or readily available provide a reasonable basis for permit and supporting docu- data. Where data could be identifying and addressing mentation may be accepted readily developed to complete impaired waterbodies. as an ICS. However, such a A lumber mill in California. 146 Point Source Control Program draft permit must be accom- Results of 304(I) (as as 1,745. States initially panied by a schedule provid- of June 1989) listed a total of 16,719 waters ing for final issuance by no and EPA added a total of 646 later than February 4, 1990, As of June 9, 1989, the for a national total of 17,365 and providing for compliance EPA Regions had made on the long list as of June 12, with the limitations such approval or disapproval 1989. The long list will be that water quality standards decisions on Section 304(1) used for long-term planning will be achieved by June submissions from 55 States and setting of priorities for 1992. and Territories. monitoring, total maximum Section 304(1)(2) requires Nationwide, as of June 12, daily load (TMDL) develop- that EPA approve or dis- 1989, States had listed 495 ment, nonpoint source approve the lists of waters waterbodies as impaired controls, and permit and each ICS within 120 days primarily by point source revisions. after the February 4, 1989, discharges of Section 307(a) Of the listed facilities con- deadline for the submittal of toxic pollutants. EPA added tributing to toxic contam- lists of waters and ICSs. 100 waters to these lists for ination, about 240 are Controls must achieve the a total of 595. In addition, municipal (such as sewage applicable water quality States indicated that 769 treatment plants and standard within 3 years (no point source discharges were combined sewer overflows) later than June 4, 1992). primarily responsible for and about 627 are industrial, If the lists or ICSs are impairing the quality of these including 135 metal-finishing disapproved, or if the State waters, and EPA added 110 and manufacturing facilities, fails to submit the required point sources to this list for 94 pulp and paper mills, lists or ICSs, EPA must, in a total of 879. 21 petroleum-refining cooperation with the States, The States were also facilities, and 27 organic develop these lists and ICSs required to submit "long" chemical and plastics and within 1 year (June 4, 1990) lists of all waters impaired by synthetics plants. All other and controls must ensure any pollutant from either industrial categories that standards are met no point or nonpoint sources. numbered 20 or fewer facil- later than 3 years thereafter States' long lists of waters ities. In addition, there are (June 4, 1993). ranged from zero to as many 12 Federal facilities on the lists. EPA is providing public notice and requesting comment on the States' lists and individual control strate- gies that it disapproved. EPA is also providing public notice if a State did not involve the public when it was developing its lists and s individual control strategies. EPA will consider public comments and make its final decisions no later than June 1990. Setting a seine to trap and evaluate a representative sample of stream fauna. ' 147 Point Source Control Program Treating Municipal July 1, 1988, for eligible project using a State priority Wastewater plants, was established for system that is based on water the achievement of "second- quality and public health Municipal treatment facil- ary treatment," a level of objectives; the development ities receive wastewater from treatment that removes at of a detailed facilities plan residential sources, as well as least 85 percent of several and project design; the distri- from industry, ground-water key conventional pollutants. bution of Construction Grant infiltration, and stormwater If secondary treatment is funds to States (based on an runoff. The array of pollut- not enough to meet water allotment formula specified ants that may be associated quality standards, the Clean by the CWA); and, finally, the with these sources includes Water Act mandates addi- issuance of grants to fundable suspended solids, organics, tional treatment, as high-priority projects. heavy metals, nutrients, necessary. These expenditures, along acids, viruses, and bacteria. Under the Clean Water with funding from State and Adequate treatment of Act, EPA is authorized to local sources, have produced municipal wastewater is help municipalities solve significant gains in municipal important for the protection their wastewater treatment wastewater treatment. In of the Nation's water problems by providing grants 1972, 85 million people were resources and public health. (and now loans) for construc- served by facilities providing Without adequate treatment, tion. For this purpose, $18 secondary treatment or this pollution poses a poten- billion was originally appro- better. Today, 77 percent of tially serious threat to fish priated to the Construction all facilities provide second- and shellfish communities, Grants program. Funding has ary or advanced levels of recreational opportunities, continued since the initial treatment for approximately surface water drinking appropriation, and the Fed- 144 million people. These supplies, ground-water eral investment in municipal facilities process 84 percent drinking supplies, and the wastewater treatment is of the Nation's wastewater. general health and stability approximately $50 billion to Fewer than i percent of all of many of the Nation's date. Projects eligible for facilities (serving about 1.5 streams, rivers, lakes, and grant assistance include million people) are currently estuarine ecosystems. wastewater treatment facil- discharging raw sewage. The Clean Water Act ities that provide secondary Table 9-1 displays the requires municipalities to or advanced treatment, improvements in treatment achieve treatment levels interceptor sewers, and capabilities (by number of based on technology correction of infiltration/ facilities, design capacity, performance. A July 1977 inflow problems in sewer and population served) from deadline, extended by the systems. The grants process 1984 to 1988. 1981 CWA amendments to includes the ranking of each The States, in their 1988 Section 305(b) reports, Table 9-1. Levels of Municipal Wastewater Treatment (1984-1988) provided some examples of water quality improvements Population Served due to municipal construc- Number of Facilities Design Capacity (MGD) (millions) tion and upgrading. For Treatment Level 1984 1986 1988 1984 1986 1988 1984 1986 1988 example: Raw 202 149 118 - - - 1.3 1.6 1.5 * Alabamareportsthat L.T. Secondary 2,617 2,112 1,789 6,510 5,529 5,030 33.7 28.8 26.5 since the enactment of the Secondary 8,070 8,403 8,536 14,603 15,714 16,087 70.7 72.2 78.0 Clean Water Act, the State GT. Secondary 2,965 3,115 3,412 13,874 14,373 15,488 59.5 54.9 65.7 has reduced the discharge of No Discharge 1,726 1,762 1,854 938 973 1,034 5.5 5.7 6.1 primary-treated wastewater from 65 million gallons per Totals 15,580 15,541 15,709 35,925 36,589 37,639 170.7 163.2 177.8 day (MGD) to none and the Source: U.S. EPA. 1988 Needs Survey Report to Congress. volume of raw discharge 148 Point Source Control Program from 2.5 MGD to none. A and total suspended solids pesaukee River collection total of 112 public waste- have decreased dramatically. and treatment system as well water treatment facilities as the construction of facil- have been constructed/ U Idaho reports that more ities on tributaries to the upgraded. than 30 State and EPA grant- Merrimack. Completion of assisted projects have been the Hall Street facilities in * The District of Columbia completed in Idaho during Concord has led to a resur- reports on improvements the 2-year reporting period. gence in recreational interest made to the Blue Plains As a result, nearly 30,000 in the Merrimack River. New sewage treatment plant, a more people are now receiv- facilities in Bennington, large sewage treatment plant ing full secondary treatment Hillsborough, and Hopkinton that contributes about 70 services. have significantly improved percent of the municipally the quality of the Contoocook treated water directly U Massachusetts reports River. entering the Potomac River. that significant segments of Over the past 15 years, the Assabet, Hoosic, Millers, U In North Carolina, water with assistance from the Charles, and Merrimack quality problems in the Construction Grant program, Rivers have improved upper Deep River have been Blue Plains has implemented dramatically because of the addressed by upgrading several advanced treatment construction of municipal treatment facilities at four measures to reduce biochem- facilities. plants. A substantial reduc- ical oxygen demand (BOD), tion in the amount of oxygen- suspended solids, phos- U In New Hampshire, the demanding substances being phorus, and nitrogen loadings Winnipesaukee River and discharged to the River has to the estuary. Although most of the upper Merrimack been noted, along with a flows of wastewater have River are now fishable/swim- reduction in the toxicity of increased since 1970, mable because of the these wastes. While some loadings of nutrients, BOD, construction of the Winni- A sewage treatment facility with settling basins in foreground. 149 Point Source Control Program water quality problems beaches, and shellfishing larger facilities have remain in portions of the areas were reopened in increased flow because they river, a steady improvement Warren. serve a larger percentage can be seen in most areas. of the population, and the The greatest improvements U Since 1972, Virginia has population is growing. were observed below the old completed 149 Construction However, since the newer Jamestown sewage treat- Grant projects at a total cost plants provide a higher ment plant (ceased discharge of over $1 billion. These degree of treatment, the in 1984) and below the Ashe- projects have extended treat- actual quantities of pollut- boro plant (upgraded in ment to populations not ants discharged have 1986). previously served by treat- dropped. ment facilities. As a result * Rhode Island, reporting of this construction activity, Funding Needs for on the results of recent Virginia reports a general Wastewater sewage facility upgrades, trend towards an increase in notes that the upgrading of a treated flow from municipal facility in Westerly, Rhode sewage treatment plants over The Needs Survey, a Island, coupled with sewer- the past decade. Compared biennial Report to Congress, age works construction in with 1976, the average state- is the primary mechanism for Stonington, Connecticut, has wide aggregate flow of assessing national waste- resulted in the opening of municipal wastewater has water treatment needs. shellfishing areas in Little increased by about 46 Based on the latest survey, Narrangansett Bay. The percent. However, over the $36.9 billion is needed for upgrading of the Woonsocket same period, the amount of upgrading or constructing plant has raised the Black- BOD discharged from these secondary wastewater treat- stone River from a Class D to facilities decreased by 45 ment facilities, correcting a Class C stream, making it percent, and the amount of infiltration/inflow problems, consistent with water quality TSS discharged dropped by or building new interceptor goals. Improvements at the about 47 percent. These sewers. As shown in Table Warren and Scarborough changes are the result of 9-2, three other categories of plants have improved bath- construction of new treat- projects are reported in the ing water quality at nearby ment facilities. The new, Needs Survey-replacement Table 9-2. Needs for Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Facilities (January 1988 Dollars, in Billions) Current Design 1988 Year 2008 Needs Category Needs Needs I Secondary Treatment $20.2 $26.8 II Advanced Treatment 3.9 5.0 lilA Infiltration/Inflow Correction 2.9 2.9 IIIB Replacement/Rehabilitation 3.7 3.7 IVA New Collector Sewers 10.9 13.8 IVB New Interceptor Sewers 9.9 14.9 V Combined Sewer Overflow 16.4 16.4 Categories I-V 67.9 83.5 Treatment Categories I and II 24.1 31.8 Categories 1, 11, lilA, and IVB 36.9 49.6 Source: U.S. EPA. 1988 Needs Survey Report to Congress. 150 Point Source Control Program and rehabilitation for sewers, � The population receiving The 1987 Amendments to new collector sewers, and treatment or collection the CWA will affect many combined sewer overflows. would increase by approx- areas of wastewater treat- These projects are typically imately 40 percent. ment. For example, in those ineligible for Construction areas where waters are not Grants funding. However, � National treatment meeting designated uses because the Clean Water Act capacity would increase by because of toxicity, States (CWA) allows a Governor to approximately 20 percent. are required to determine use up to 20 percent of the the extent to which munici- State's Construction Grants � The number of facilities pal facilities are contributing allotment on these projects, providing secondary treat- to the problem. If they are these needs are included. ment or greater would contributing, municipal facil- Needs for these latter three increase by 25 percent, while ities will be required to categories were $31 billion; the number of facilities develop control strategies to thus, the aggregate for providing less than second- reduce or eliminate toxicity meeting current wastewater ary treatment would to the greatest degree treatment needs is $67.9 decrease by almost 100 possible. billion. percent. Sludge, the residual "Design year needs" material from the waste- (current needs plus needs to � All facilities still water treatment process, can serve the population through discharging raw sewage also be a source of environ- the year 2008) have also been would be eliminated or mental pollution. Approxi- included in this table. Based replaced. mately 7.6 million dry metric on Needs Survey data, $83.5 tons of sludge are generated billion is required to meet all � The removal of biochem- by the municipal wastewater needs for the population ical oxygen demand and total treatment process every year. through the year 2008. A suspended solids would Pursuant to the 1987 Amend- number of national benefits increase by approximately ments, EPA is required to could result if all needs were 75 percent and 60 percent, identify all toxic pollutants met. For example: respectively, of concern in sludge, set 151 Point Source Control Program numerical limits for each Perhaps the most signifi- Treating Industrial pollutant, and establish cant item in the Amend- Wastewater management practices. ments relating to municipal Standards for sludge use and treatment was the provision The Clean Water Act disposal are to be imple- creating a new financing required EPA to establish mented through permits. The mechanism for municipal uniform, nationally consist- 1987 Amendments also wastewater treatment. In ent effluent limitation 'direct EPA to impose condi- order to transfer financial guidelines for industrial tions in sewage treatment responsibility for wastewater discharges. At this time, EPA plant permits or take other treatment from the Federal has established Best Avail- appropriate measures to government to the States, able Technology Econom- protect public health and Congress provided for the ically Achievable (BAT) and the environment from the use of a State Revolving Fund Best Conventional Pollutant adverse effects of pollutants (SRF) program as an alterna- Control Technology (BCT) in sewage sludge prior to the tive to the Construction guidelines for about 28 promulgation of the stand- Grant program. Federal seed industrial categories. EPA ards for sludge use and money will be appropriated has also promulgated tech- disposal. to the States to establish the nology-based guidelines for The amendments also loan program while the approximately 15 additional direct attention to storm- Construction Grant program secondary industries that water management. A time- is gradually being phased represent Best Practicable table was established for out. Control Technology Cur- EPA to develop regulations Under the grant program, rently Available (BPT) levels. for issuing permits for: (1) strict requirements limited EPA is studying an additional municipal stormwater how money could be spent. dozen industries for future sources serving more than Funding was directed guideline development. 100,000 people and (2) primarily toward upgrading In addition to these industrial stormwater or constructing treatment technology-based require- sources. facilities, except for the ments, in 1984 EPA issued a Governor's 20 percent discre- policy on the water quality- tionary monies, which based control of toxic pollut- allowed funding for other ants discharged by point types of projects. The SRF sources. In 1985, a technical loan program provides States guidance document was with much more discretion in issued to support the national selecting projects for fund- policy. Both the policy and ing. States are now able to guidance recommend using finance projects they may overall toxicity as a measure consider to be of higher of adverse water quality priority, such as nonpoint impact and as a regulatory - source, estuarine, combined parameter. The use of toxic- sewer overflow, or storm- ity testing as a regulatory water control projects. tool is a relatively new Thirteen States had approved concept, but, coupled with SRF programs in place as of January 1989. Stormwater runoff. 152 Point Source Control Program chemical testing for pollut- Pretreatment Based on data reported by ants that are hazards through the control authorities, about bioaccumulation, provides a The goal of the National 13 percent of the SIUs are powerful means of detecting Pretreatment Program is to significantly violating and controlling toxic protect municipal waste- pretreatment requirements. problems. water treatment plants and This compares with a rate of States are making progress the environment from damage 7 percent of the industrial in developing the capability that may occur When toxic or majors in the NPDES to assess and regulate toxic hazardous wastes are program that discharge discharges using biological discharged by industries into directly to waterbodies. The techniques. As of May 15, a sewer system. This protec- EPA has recently begun an 1989, 20 delegated States tion is achieved by regulating enforcement initiative required effluent toxicity the wastewater discharged to because 47 percent of the monitoring by dischargers. municipal facilities from sewage treatment facilities Four States either required industrial or nondomestic are failing to implement the toxicity testing in over half of users. The principal responsi- pretreatment program. their major NPDES permits bility for administering the There are three types of or had more than 50 permits program lies with the munici- pretreatment standards. with testing requirements; palities that, by virtue of the Categorical pretreatment 489 permits included permit size or environmental signif- standards are developed for limitations on effluent icance of their treatment specific industrial categories toxicity; at least 496 major works, must develop and and are based on an assess- permits required effluent receive approval to operate ment of available treatment toxicity monitoring; and local pretreatment programs. technologies and economic 2,424 permits required EPA and the States have impact on the industry. EPA's ambient field biological begun evaluating municipal 1986 Report to Congress on assessment. programs and have contin- the Discharges of Hazardous ued to enforce requirements Wastes to Publicly Owned for pretreatment among the Treatment Works (the estimated 50,000 significant "Domestic Sewage Study") industrial users (SIUs). Full projected a 94-percent implementation will signifi- reduction in total metals cantly reduce loading of loadings to sewage treatment metals and organic toxic facilities after full implemen- pollutants to municipal tation of categorical pretreat- facilities, thus providing ment standards for 30 indus- protection to publicly owned trial categories. treatment works and receiv- National prohibited ing streams. discharge standards forbid As of September 30, 1988, certain types of discharges 1,429 local programs had by any nondomestic sewage been approved out of a total system users, regardless of of 1,481. Of those remaining, whether or not these dis- 43 municipalities were charges are covered by recently identified and are categorical pretreatment on compliance schedules to standards. Discharges that develop local pretreatment are prohibited include those programs. Eight other sew- that create a fire hazard, age treatment facilities have have a pH less than 5.0, are been sued to develop approv- solid or viscous enough to able programs and implemen- interfere with the operation tation. 153 Point Source Control Program of the sewage treatment � In the early 1960s, fish � The City of Rockford, facility, or are hotter than kills occurred regularly in Illinois, decreased levels of 104� Fahrenheit. Michigan's Grand River as the cadmium, chromium, and Local limits, the third type result of cyanide and heavy zinc in treated wastewater by of pretreatment standard, metals in the wastewater more than 85 percent after are established by sewage discharged by the Grand implementing local pretreat- treatment facilities to address Rapids sewage treatment ment limits and national site-specific conditions. Local plant. Controls on industrial categorical pretreatment limits are numeric limitations discharges of cyanide and standards. Toxic metal implementing the national metals were implemented concentrations in the nearby prohibited discharge stand- in 1969. Since that time, Rock River declined by ards. Where necessary to concentrations of heavy almost 50 percent. achieve pretreatment objec- metals have been reduced tives, local limits are more by over 90 percent in both The continued implemen- stringent than categorical incoming and treated tation of effective local standards. wastewater. pretreatment programs will Pretreatment of toxic achieve the environmental wastes has produced signifi- � In the early 1970s, sewage benefits envisioned by cant improvements in envi- sludge from Virginia's Hamp- Congress. However, the task ronmental quality, increased ton Roads Sanitation District of the pretreatment program effectiveness of sewage showed high metals levels is far from complete. Such treatment systems, and because of industrial items as revising and/or reduced contamination of discharges. The District implementing EPA regula- sewage sludge. Pretreatment began its sanitation program tions in response to recom- has also reduced the poten- in 1972. By 1985, the quality mendations of the Pretreat- tial for sewage collection of the sludge from eight of ment Implementation system and treatment plant nine treatment plants had Review Task Force (PIRT) and corrosion, explosions, and improved enough to allow the Domestic Sewage Study worker hazards. For example: land application. (DSS), and following through 154 Point Source Control Program with the National Enforce- The National Enforcement Permitting ment Initiative still lie ahead. Initiative has begun against The PIRT final rule was sewage treatment facilities During the early 1980s, the promulgated on October 17, that failed to adequately rate of permit issuance feli 1988. The purposes of the implement their approved behind the rate of permit PIRT revisions are to address pretreatment programs. A expiration, and large back- deficiencies in the existing schedule has been estab- logs of unissued permits pretreatment regulations, lished to identify noncomply- developed. Efforts to remedy respond to the recommenda- ing facilities and to initiate these backlogs have been tions of the PIRT Tahsk Force, appropriate enforcement largely successful. As'Thble and make pretreatment regu- action. 9-3 illustrates, the backlog of lations compatible with EPA is expected to promul- major unissued permits has equivalent provisions of the gate sludge standards by late been brought down to about NPDES regulations. The next 1991 for the safe and bene- 13 percent and the backlog of task is to foster implementa- ficial use of municipal sludge. minors to about 32 percent. tion of these new PIRT regu- The application of increas- lations in sewage treatment ingly stringent discharge Cmlac n plant pretreatment programs. standards governing toxic ac n On February 22, 1989, the pollutants to municipal treat- Enforcement comment period closed on ment plants is also expected. the DSS regulatory revisions. Where industrial or other Despite examples of water These revisions were nondomestic wastes are quality improvements asso- designed to implement the limiting a municipal treat- ciated with the construction recommendations of the ment plant's sludge manage- and upgrading of municipal Domestic Sewage Study and ment practices or compliance sewage treatment plants, ensure adequate control of with its discharge permit, the 13 percent of major muni- hazardous waste discharges plant's pretreatment program cipal facilities that have to sewage treatment plants will be the vehicle for achiev- completed construction do through Clean Water Act ing the necessary pollutant not meet the requirements programs. EPA expects to reductions. of their National Pollutant promulgate the final rule- Discharge Elimination making in early 1990. System permits. Industrial Table 9-3. Status of Permit Issuance Major Minor Permits Permits Total Facilities* 6,986 51,089 EPA-issued: Total 2,405 11,768 Expired 452 6,163 2 Percent 19 52 State-issued: Total 4,581 39,321 Expired 430 10,267 Percent 9 26 R *Note: Totals do not include ill major and 4,308 minor "unknown" permits issued. Source: Permit Compliance System, January 3, 1989. Point Source Control Program permittees have achieved a Table 9-4 illustrates rates The National higher rate of compliance of significant noncompliance, Municipal Policy and as of December 31, 1988, based on statistics main- only 7 percent of the tained by EPA for the report- Because of the generally completed facilities are now ing period of June 1984 poor municipal compliance unable to meet their final through September 1988. It record, and because of permit limits. is important to note that at Congressional concern over EPA and the States are the beginning of FY 1986, the the performance of treat- responsible for ensuring that NPDES program modified its ment plants built substan- municipal and industrial definition of significant tially with Federal funds, facilities comply with the noncompliance to promote EPA and the States devel- terms of their discharge greater consistency and oped the National Municipal permits. Currently, 39 States clarify what quantifiable and Policy (NMP) to address the have approval to administer qualitative violations needed entire spectrum of municipal their own NPDES programs. to be reported by the States. noncompliance. On January EPA has the lead implemen- This redefinition included a 23, 1984, the EPA Adminis- tation responsibility in the strict interpretation of the trator signed the NMP into remaining States. Along with resolution of significant effect. The NMP clarifies and the States, EPA monitors noncompliance and a stronger emphasizes EPA's resolve to discharger compliance with emphasis on violations of ensure that municipalities permit limits. Facilities in reporting requirements and comply with the Clean Water noncompliance are subject to enforcement orders. As a Act as quickly as possible, Federal as well as State result, rates of significant regardless of whether Federal enforcement action. noncompliance increased grant assistance is available during FY 1986. for treatment facility Table 9-4. National Composite Rates of Facilities in construction. Significant Noncompliance (in percents) Quarter Ending Non-Municipals Municipals 12/31/83 8 19 3/31/84 10 20 6/30/84 6 14 9/30/84 6 13 12/31/84 5 12 3/31/85 5 13 6/30/85 5 10 9/30/85 5 9 12/31/85* 8 14 3/31186* 8 16 6/30/86* 8 15 9/30/86* 7 14 12/31/86* 7 14 3/31/87* 8 13 6/30/87* 9 16 9/30/87* 7 14 12/31/87* 7 14 3/31/88* 7 16 6/30/88* 7 14 9/30/88* 6 12 *Reflects NPDES Rule Change. 156 Point Source Control Program The NMP required EPA The principles of the policy New Initiatives in and the States to identify have been adopted by States Point Source affected municipal facilities and accepted in several court and their construction needs decisions as equitable and Control and to prepare individual logical approaches to assess facility action plans to bring penalties for violations of Toxicity Testing these facilities into full NPDES permit conditions. statutory compliance by July Results of NMP efforts The States and EPA 1, 1988. After the NMP took immediately following the Regional offices are incorpo- effect, EPA and the States July 1, 1988, deadline are rating toxicity limits and identified about 1,500 major displayed in Figure 9-1. toxicity testing requirements and over 2,000 minor facili- Eighty-seven percent of all into permits. When toxicity ties that needed some publicly owned sewage treat- testing shows a permittee's construction to meet require- ment plants met the dead- discharge contains toxicity at ments. A major municipal line. Eighty-nine percent unacceptable levels, permit sewage treatment facility is of all majors came into limitations and conditions one that discharges one compliance under the NMP, require the permittee to million gallons per day or and 86 percent of all minors reduce toxicity so that no greater, or serves an equiva- achieved compliance. This unacceptable effects occur lent population of 10,000. represents increases in instream. In February 1986, EPA overall compliance of 28 and Toxicity reduction evalua- issued a revised Clean Water 7 percent for majors and tions (TREs) are a way to Act Penalty Policy for deter- minors, respectively. EPA is identify and implement mining penalties that are committed to continuing the whatever actions are needed appropriate for settlements. drive for 100 percent to reduce effluent toxicity compliance for all facilities. to the levels specified in the In the 1987 Water Quality permit. TREs combine toxic- Act amendments to the ity testing, chemical analyses, Clean Water Act, EPA was source investigations, and POTW given authority to seek treatability studies to (15Universe administrative penalties determine either the actual from violators of the Clean causative agents of effluent Water Act. EPA issued guid- toxicity and/or the control ance and delegated the methods that will reduce authority to the regional effluent toxicity. EPA is Majors1 Minors2 level in August 1987. The currently documenting (3,731) (11,755) first Administrative Penalty successful TREs conducted Order (APO) was issued in by permittees, States, and September 1987. Through EPA researchers. Methods January 1989, more than 175 and procedures for conduct- APOs have been issued. ing TREs are described in In I Out of In Out of These orders have addressed several EPA guidance Compliance3 Compliance Compliance3 Compliance many individual violations, documents. (3,308) (423) (10,083) (1,672) such as spills or isolated In addition, EPA's Permit reporting violations, which Writer's Guide to Water 1 Majors are facilities serving 100,000 or more people or treating had not been penalized in Quality-Based Permitting 1 million gallons of wastewater per day. the past. The APO is filling for ibxic Pollutants urges the 2Minors are facilities serving less than 10,000 people or treating an important niche in the use of an integrated toxics less than 1 million gallons of wastewater per day. overall enforcement scheme. control strategy with both 3"In compliance" means that the facility does not meet criteria for listing under the Significant Noncompliance Regulation. Figure 9-1. Status of Compliance for Municipal Facilities (July 1, 1988) 157 Point Source Control Program whole effluent toxicity-based Prior to the 1987 amend- based on different methodol- assessment procedures and ments to the Clean Water ogies and approaches. pollutant-specific assessment Act, the authorities and Section 406 of the Water procedures to uphold State regulations related to the use Quality Act of 1987, which water quality standards. and disposal of sewage amends Section 405 of the sludge were fragmented and Clean Water Act, for the first Sludge Management did not provide States and time sets forth a comprehen- municipalities with adequate sive program for reducing the The need for effective guidelines on which to base environmental risks and sludge management is sludge management deci- maximizing the beneficial continuous and growing. In sions. There was no single uses of sludge. The program the United States, the quan- legislative approach or is based on the development tity of municipal sludge framework for integrating of technical requirements for produced annually has the various Federal laws to sludge use and disposal, and almost doubled since 1972. ensure that sludge would be the implementation of such Municipalities currently used or disposed of in a requirements through generate approximately 7.6 consistent or environmen- permits. million dry metric tons of tally acceptable manner. Pursuant to Section 405, wastewater sludge per year, While the Clean Water Act, EPA is developing regula- or approximately 32 kilo- the Clean Air Act, the tions for each of the major grams per person per year. Resource Conservation and use and disposal options for Improper sludge manage- Recovery Act, the Marine sewage sludge. These options ment could lead to signifi- Protection, Research and include land application, cant environmental degrada- Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), incineration, landfilling, tion of water, land, and air. and the Toxic Substances distribution and marketing, Failure to properly dispose of Control Act all regulate some and surface disposal sites. sludge could have impacts on aspect of sludge manage- EPA will ensure that these ground water and wetlands, ment, coverage is uneven, regulations also comply with as well as human health. and the requirements are other relevant statutes such The States and EPA are incor- porating toxicity limits and toxicity testing requirements into permits. . -: 158 Point Source Control Program as the Solid Waste Disposal Combined Sewer develop statewide permit- Act. The first set of regula- Overflow Control ting strategies by January 15, tions, addressing 28 pollut- 1990, for the development ants in sewage sludge, was Large projects to mitigate and implementation of proposed in February 1989. the water quality impacts of measures to reduce pollutant Development of a compre- combined sewer overflow discharges from CSOs. hensive set of disposal option (CSO) discharges have been regulations will give the undertaken in a number of States and municipalities a municipalities. However, NPDES Stormwater basis for making environ- most CSO discharges are Controls mentally appropriate and currently not addressed or cost-effective sludge man- are inadequately addressed Since 1972, State and EPA agement decisions. in NPDES permits. In recog- efforts under the NPDES In May 1989, EPA promul- nition of this, EPA issued the program have traditionally gated regulations for includ- final National CSO Control focused on controlling ing sludge management Strategy in August 1989. The pollutant discharges from conditions in NPDES permits objectives of the strategy are publicly owned treatment and to issue sludge-only to ensure that if CSO dis- works (POTWs) and industrial permits. These proposed charges occur, they are only process wastewaters. As rules also outline the require- as a result of wet weather; to these sources of pollution ments for State sludge bring all wet weather CSO came increasingly under management programs that discharge points into compli- control, the need for control- seek EPA approval to imple- ance with the technology- ling pollutants in stormwater ment the new statutory based requirements of the point source discharges requirements. In addition, CWA and applicable State became more critical to regulations that address water quality standards; and efforts to achieve the goals of sewage sludge disposal in to minimize water quality, the CWA. As reflected in this municipal solid waste land- aquatic biota, and human report, stormwater discharges fills were proposed in August health impacts from wet from a variety of sources, 1988 and are scheduled to be weather overflows. The including storm sewers promulgated in December National CSO Control Strat- discharging urban runoff, 1989. egy calls upon States to feedlot runoff, construction The need to control pollutants in stormwater is becoming more critical as other sources come under control. 159 Point Source Control Program site runoff, runoff from populations of 100,000 or EPA is required to issue resource extraction activi- more, and for stormwater regulations by no later than ties, and runoff from land discharges associated with October 1, 1992. These regu- disposal sites are major industrial activity. In the lations are to designate sources of use impairment. December 1988 notice, EPA additional stormwater In addition, man-made storm- proposed to address storm- discharges to be regulated to water drainage systems can water discharges from a protect water quality and directly or indirectly cause number of industrial sources, establish a comprehensive hydromodification impacts. including manufacturing program to regulate such Prior to enactment of the facilities, mining activities, designated sources, including Water Quality Act of 1987 oil and gas facilities, certain requirements for State (WQA), EPA had promul- construction activities, and stormwater management gated effluent guideline land disposal sites that programs. limitations for stormwater received hazardous and/or discharges from a number of industrial wastes. EPA is also industrial categories, includ- developing two stormwater ing petroleum refineries, reports to Congress. The first certain mining activities, and will identify stormwater large feedlots. Section 405 of discharges, and determine, to the WQA established a time- the maximum extent practi- table and framework for EPA cable, the nature and extent to address other stormwater of pollutants in such discharges under the NPDES discharges. The second study program by adding Section is for the purpose of estab- 402(p) to the CWA. On lishing procedures and December 7, 1988, EPA methods to control storm- proposed permit application water discharges to the requirements for discharges extent necessary to mitigate from municipal separate impacts on water quality. storm sewer systems serving Based on the two studies, 160 10 Nonpoint Source Control Program Sections 208 and 303(d) of late and control nonpoint the Clean Water Act of 1972 sources, and are in the best established the framework position to weigh local needs for addressing nonpoint and conditions. sources of pollution. Funds Traditionally, then, EPA's provided by EPA under role has been to provide Section 208 were used by program guidance, technical States and local planning support, and limited funding agencies to analyze the to the States in their efforts extent of nonpoint source to manage and control non- (NPS) pollution and develop point sources. Various nation- water quality management wide programs begun in the programs to control it. Best late 1970s with EPA sponsor- management practices were ship or cooperation have had evaluated, assessment significant results, including models and methods were the Model Implementation developed, and other types Program, the Nationwide of technical assistance were Urban Runoff Program, and made available to State and the Rural Clean Water Pro- local water quality managers. gram (RCWP). These projects In fact, under the Clean were not comprehensive, but Water Act, as amended, did result in some successes. States are granted primary (See "References and authority to prevent and Further Reading" for a list control nonpoint source of reports summarizing the pollution. Because of their results of these projects.) very nature, nonpoint source Either as part of these problems are diverse and nationwide projects or in site-specific; States are addition to them, a number closest to the problems, have of States have made progress _ Li~P -L~dPPYAR~r~P~ B]~-;P~s~PI~CIIL~iQ~~ the legal authority to regu- in reducing the impacts of 161 Nonpoint Source Control Program nonpoint sources in specific mented the effectiveness of in-lake water quality is waters. Some highlights of retention and detention continuing to improve. Other these State nonpoint source areas for runoff and storm- Clean Lakes Projects recently activities are described water control. In addition, completed (Green Valley below. other urban NPS controls, Lake, Iowa; Spiritwood Lake, Urban NPS Control: such as runoff and construc- North Dakota; Panguitch The City of Baltimore, with tion ordinances, have been Lake, Utah; Swan Lake, assistance from EPA's Clean demonstrated as effective in Iowa; and Broadway Lake, Lakes Program, retrofitted the South Fork Rivanna South Carolina) show water existing stormwater deten- Reservoir (Virginia), Lake quality improvements as a tion ponds for water quality Ballinger (Washington), and result of agricultural NPS purposes. Initial analysis of Devil's Lake (Oregon). control activities. the quality of the water Agricultural NPS Control. Several RCWP projects entering and leaving the Through the Clean Lakes have documented water modified basins indicates Program, the Illinois Envi- quality improvements asso- that the retrofit design ronmental Protection ciated with agricultural NPS removes over 90 percent of Agency, in cooperation with management. These projects all particulate material and various Federal and State include: Rock Creek, Idaho between 30 and 40 percent agencies, demonstrated the (irrigated agriculture); Thylor of total phosphorus. The low effectiveness of watershed Creek, Florida (dairy man- cost of the modifications and management in improving agement); Tillamook Bay, the high degree of sediment the water quality in Lake Oregon (dairy management); removal make this project a Le Aqua-Na. After imple- Highland Silver Lake, Illinois model for urban NPS control mentation of all watershed (soil erosion control); Prairie projects. management activities, sedi- Rose Lake, Iowa (soil erosion Other Clean Lakes projects, ment yields fell 57 percent control); and St. Albans Bay, such as Lake Jackson (Flor- from prerestoration levels. Vermont (manure manage- ida), Iroquois Lake (New Continued monitoring of ment). York), and Lake Hopatcong dissolved oxygen and visual (New Jersey), have docu- examinations indicate that 162 Nonpoint Source Control Program In-place Pollutants: The anticipated yet have not U Illinois enacted a 5-year, State of Vermont, with assist- been measured to date. For $20 million component of the ance from the Clean Lakes example: "Build Illinois" program for Program, successfully demon- cost-sharing to enhance strated the treatment of U The Massachusetts efforts to meet "T by 2000" phosphorus-laden, hypolim- transportation bond bill goals established in 1985. netic sediment with alum authorizes $5 million for and sodium aluminate to stormwater runoff grants to U Indiana established a reduce internal phosphorus cities and towns. "T by 2000" program that loading in Lake Morey. Two included a lake enhancement years of post-treatment U The new Chesapeake Bay component. The program is monitoring documented Agreement calls for a 40 funded from a dedicated tax a reduction in total percent reduction of on tobacco. phosphorus concentration nitrogen and phosphorus ranging from 50 to 75 loads to the Bay by the year U Wisconsin adopted percent from pretreatment 2000. legislation in 1988 that concentrations. Dredging, created regulatory authority another technique that is U Pennsylvania is promoting for nonpoint source abate- used to abate in-place nutrient management tech- ment associated with severe pollutant problems, was niques in 14 watersheds in water quality problems. successfully used in Clean the Susquehanna River Lakes projects in Lake basin. U Wyoming initiated a Lansing, Michigan, and Ada contract to test the effective- City Lake, Oklahoma. a North Carolina's Agricul- ness of best management State Program Activities: ture Cost Share Program practices in controlling In addition to those activities provides $7 million per year channel erosion from irri- described above, States have to share, with farmers, the gated lands in the Ocean initiated or continued many costs of implementing best Lake watershed. activities for which water management practices. quality improvements are 163 Nonpoint Source Control Program The Water Quality identify best management Revolving Fund (Section 603 Act of 1987 practices (BMPs) for each (c)(2)). Both the 1 percent nonpoint source category or reserve and 20 percent set- Based upon lessons learned particular nonpoint source; aside depend upon Construc- from past and ongoing Fed- and the State and local tion Grant funds that are not eral and State NPS programs, programs that would imple- authorized for appropriation Congress established a ment controls. The Manage- after fiscal year 1990. .comprehensive framework ment Program, covering a In addition, as described in for accelerated efforts to 4-year period, must identify Chapter 9, the Water Quality control NPS pollution. This the following: actual BMPs to Act of 1987 established new framework was established address the problems docu- deadlines for the develop- as part of the Water Quality mented in the Assessment ment of a permit program for Act (WQA) Section 319 Report and programs to stormwater discharges asso- amendments of 1987. Major implement the BMPs; sources ciated with industrial activ- new requirements for States and proposed uses of all ities and municipal separate are that each State prepare nonpoint source control storm sewers. This new pro- and submit to EPA, by funding; and Federal gram will be used to address August 4, 1988, a nonpoint programs and projects that runoff from urban areas. The source Assessment Report States wish to review for substantive requirements of and Management Program. consistency with their own these programs are still being The Assessment Report must nonpoint source programs. evaluated. identify State waters that The WQA provided several Finally, EPA is required will not attain or maintain funding sources for imple- to provide annual reports to water quality standards menting Section 319 Manage- Congress on the States' without additional nonpoint ment Programs. Under progress in controlling source controls; the cate- Section 319, the WQA nonpoint source pollution. gories of nonpoint sources or authorizes a total of $400 At the end of the 4-year particular nonpoint sources million from fiscal year 1988 period provided by Congress responsible; the process to to 1991 to be used for imple- for the States' initial Manage- menting approved Manage- ment Programs, EPA is ment Programs. However, no further required to recom- Section 319 funds have been mend programs (including appropriated to date. In enforcement) that are addition, the WQA reserves needed to control nonpoint under Section 205(j)(5) an sources sufficiently to attain additional 1 percent of each and maintain water quality State's annual Construction standards and the goals of Grant allotment to be used the Act. to prepare the Assessment Report and Management The State Section Program and to implement The State Section the Management Program. 319 Reports The WQA also makes imple- mentation of approved The NPS Assessment nonpoint source Manage- Reports and Management ment Programs eligible for Programs developed by the funding under the Gover- States under Section 319 are nor's 20 percent discretion- a critical element of EPA's ary set-aside of the State's national NPS program. They annual Construction Grant will be of great value in allotment (Section 201(g) providing direction for NPS (1)(B)) and under the State activities in the States, Water Pollution Control among other Federal agen- 164 Nonpoint Source Control Program cies, and within EPA; identi- of 1987. The 'hsk Force 4. Regulatory Programs- fying NPS-related problems established the following Help States and local in all media (air, surface national NPS agenda goal: governments improve water, sediments, ground their capability to develop water) and assisting in Tob protect and restore their own regulatory setting priorities and designated uses of the solutions. targeting funds for their Nation's waters by provid- mitigation; identifying areas ing strong leadership for 5. Good Science-Develop requiring stormwater the national nonpoint the tools States and local discharge permits; develop- source program, and by governments need to ing management plans for helping States and local establish sound water national priority areas such governments overcome quality-based programs as the Great Lakes, Puget barriers to successful for NPS, particularly Sound, and the Chesapeake implementation of NPS water quality criteria and Bay; and expanding NPS measures. monitoring protocols that pollution control efforts to are specifically designed more fully address ground Other Federal agencies, to evaluate NPS controls. water, wetlands, estuaries, private interest groups, and and coastal zones. environmental groups were invited to comment on an New Directions The NPS Agenda early draft of the NPS agenda, and a widespread As part of the new initia- Task Force public comment period was tives brought about by Sec- held prior to deciding on the tion 319, EPA's NPS program In 1988, EPA initiated an final Agenda. The Agenda will work with the Agency's NPS Agenda Task Force to focuses on the Section 319 monitoring programs to lay out plans for its NPS State NPS Management develop and refine NPS activities for FY89-93. The Programs as the cornerstone assessment, analysis, and Thsk Force was created to of the national NPS program. quantification techniques. explore new, creative, pro- Approved by the EPA Admin- EPA will also provide leader- active approaches to imple- istrator on January 18, 1989, ship for State and local infor- menting the NPS provisions the Agenda includes the mation/education programs of the Water Quality Act following general themes: and define NPS research needs. EPA will work with 1. PublicAwareness-Help the States to develop ade- States and local govern- quate water quality criteria ments raise the level of for assessing NPS impacts public awareness about and will work with various how NPS pollution affects Federal agencies to identify water quality and their where NPS concerns can be daily lives. addressed within their regu- latory, financial assistance, 2. Successful Solutions- and technical support Provide States and local programs. governments with infor- mation on practical, feas- ible solutions to prevent or control NPS pollution. 3. Financial Forces and Incentives-Examine the economic forces that drive behavior causing the NPS problem. 165 Nonpoint Source Control Program The President's restrictive regulation and icals and ground-water con- Water Quality sustains an economical and tamination, and the exten- Initiative safe supply of food and fiber. sive degree of interagency The primary objectives coordination, collaboration, President Bush recom- of the multi-agency, multi- and program integration mended a new initiative for disciplinary plan for this required to successfully enhancing water quality in program are to: (1) determine achieve its goals. his 1990 budget proposal to the precise nature of the A total of eight principal the Congress, presented on relationship between agricul- USDA Agencies and their February 9, 1989. The Presi- tural activities and ground- cooperating State institu- dent's initiative defines a water quality, and (2) develop tions and Agencies are col- vigorous effort to protect and facilitate the adoption of laborating with EPA, the US ground and surface water technically and economically Geological Survey, and the from potential contamina- effective agrichemical man- National Oceanic and Atmos- tion by agricultural chem- agement and agricultural pheric Administration in this icals and wastes, especially production strategies to program. pesticides and nutrients. protect water quality. The primary goal of the The plan has three major Water Quality Program is to integrated and interdepend- provide farmers, ranchers, ent functional components: and foresters with the know- (1) education and technical ledge and technical means to assistance; (2) research and respond independently and development; and (3) data voluntarily in addressing base development and eval- on-farm environmental con- uation. cerns and related State The Administration's Water water-quality requirements. Quality Program supplements The Administration plans to existing programs. Its distinc- achieve this goal in a way tion arises from its particular that reduces the need for focus on agricultural chem- 166 11 Surface Water Monitoring EPA works with the States characterization studies used to monitor the quality of by EPA to determine typical surface waters in the U.S. constituents of specific types Under the Clean W ater Act, of industrial dischargers. States receive Federal grants to conduct water monitoring � Ambient monitoring activities and report the involves all forms of monitor- results of their assess- ing conducted beyond the ments to EPA. EPA, in turn, immediate influence of a provides monitoring guid- discharge pipe. It can include ance and technical support water column, sediment, or to the States and sponsors biological sampling, and special studies addressing may be conducted through issues of national concern. networks of fixed stations, There are two main special surveys, or statis- approaches to water quality tically designed special monitoring: studies. * Source monitoring States most often use a involves assessing the combination of fixed station composition of industrial networks and intensive or municipal effluents surveys to conduct their discharged into waterbodies, ambient monitoring. At fixed and of the mixing zone stations, samples are repeat- where effluents merge with edly collected over time to the receiving water. It may provide an overview of water be conducted through self- quality conditions and trends monitoring by dischargers, at specific sites. Intensive compliance sampling inspec- surveys are more detailed tions that check on discharger studies of water quality, self-monitoring, or effluent sediments, and/or aquatic life 167 Surface Water Monitoring at specific sites or in rela- and identify problem waters; management programs is tively well-defined areas (2) support the development used to establish or revise such as river basins. Special of water quality manage- designated use categories in studies, such as EPA's Dioxin ment priorities, plans, and water quality standards, Study, are most often one- programs; and (3) evaluate classify specific waterbodies time surveys with a broad the effectiveness of pollution as to their assigned desig- geographic coverage and a control actions. nated uses, develop site- specific focus. Monitoring to characterize specific or State-specific In addition, EPA encour- water quality should identify criteria to support desig- ages States to supplement whether or not waterbodies nated uses, and provide site- their water monitoring meet EPA-approved water specific data to develop activities with evaluations quality standards (criteria wasteload allocations for based on the best profes- and designated uses) and the permit limits and nonpoint sionaljudgment of trained fishable/swimmable goals of source controls, or determine personnel and data such as the Clean Water Act. Ideally, compliance with pollution mathematical models, citizen monitoring to characterize control requirements. In complaints, results of citizen ambient water quality also addition, ambient data and monitoring, and surveys of identifies specific pollutants, discharger self-monitoring fisheries personnel. the sources of pollution, and data may be used in develop- any impacts such as fishing ing priorities for control, Goals of the Water restrictions or fish kills. regulation development, or Monitoring Results of ambient water additional monitoring. quality monitoring are Monitoring to evaluate the Program reported to EPA via Section effectiveness of pollution 305(b) and other provisions control actions, while not The primary objectives of the Clean Water Act traditionally an emphasis in of the surface water quality (e.g., Sections 303(d), 319, the water quality monitoring monitoring program are to: and 314). program, is becoming (1) characterize the quality of Monitoring conducted in increasingly important. In the Nation's water resources support of water quality general, this type of moni- 168 Surface Water Monitoring toring consists of "before- may not be sufficiently way into surface waters. and-after" studies to docu- extensive in some States. Difficult to analyze toxico- ment the effects of municipal Finally, more effort must be logically, their effects may be construction or upgrades, made to assess the ecological influenced by site-specific watershed monitoring to health of our water resources factors and exposure condi- assess the effects of nonpoint in order to adequately tions, which in themselves source management prac- address nonpoint source- are difficult to assess. Eco- tices, or assessments of water related problems and wet- logical monitoring is often quality problems at permitted land preservation, as well as limited by a shortage of dischargers. more traditional concerns. skilled personnel in State In part, these deficiencies monitoring programs. The Need for stem from the cost and Another reason that the complexity of monitoring. monitoring program has not Change Nonpoint source loadings are adequately addressed these often episodic and unpredict- issues is that monitoring has A number of concerns able, and may vary from been principally oriented have been raised about the long-term, low-level inputs toward point source pollu- methods, capabilities, and to high-level, concentrated tion problems. Historically, direction of the surface pulses. They may be asso- States relied on periodic water monitoring program. ciated with toxic and sampling of water column For example, comparatively nontoxic pollutants, as well chemistry at fixed stations to little monitoring is currently as with stresses that States characterize water quality, aimed at detecting problems have not traditionally identify problem waters, caused by diffuse sources of addressed, such as habitat and determine trends. Fixed pollution such as agricultural loss. Monitoring for toxic station monitoring was runoff, in part because they substances is limited by the generally designed to are so difficult to identify. high cost of laboratory measure the impacts of local- Similarly, monitoring for analysis. In addition, a ized point sources of pollu- toxic substances in water, bewildering array of toxic tion and tended not to fish tissues, and sediment substances can make their support conclusions about 169 Surface Water Monitoring upper watershed problems, intensive surveys, many for Change, evaluated the assessment of habitat and States have had to reduce performance of the EPA and ecological conditions, or their number of fixed State water quality monitor- detection of episodic stations. ing program. problems. Further, most Despite these problems, The study identified States are strongly oriented the need for monitoring data numerous deficiencies in the toward measuring conven- has never been greater. The monitoring program and tional pollutants such Water Quality Act of 1987 recommended that EPA and as oxygen-demanding included new requirements the States: substances and nutrients, for water quality informa- and have only recently tion, particularly on toxic U Develop guidance on begun to monitor for "prior- substances and nonpoint designing scientifically ity pollutants" and use sources. According to the sound, cost-effective assess- ecological assessment Act, States were to identify ment programs that make methods. waters affected by these use of new and emerging Surveys are also usually problems and develop approaches such as eco- conducted to support point control strategies or manage- regions, volunteer monitor- source control activities such ment plans to address them. ing, and biological moni- as construction of waste- New emphasis was also toring methods to comple- water treatment plants and placed on increasing our ment traditional water permitting of major indus- understanding of lakes and chemistry techniques; trial and municipal estuarine/coastal waters. dischargers. To a certain At about the time of the U Accelerate the develop- extent, more intensive passage of the Water Quality ment and application of surveys are now being Act, EPA's Offices of Water promising biological moni- conducted to aid in defining and Policy, Planning, and toring techniques and limits for toxic chemicals in Evaluation issued a major evaluate the role that industrial discharges and to study of the Agency's surface biological methods should support other point source water monitoring activities. play in monitoring programs; control decisions. However, This study, Surface Water in order to conduct more Monitoring: A Framework A recent EPA study recom- mended accelerated develop- ment of biological monitoring i methods. B 170 Surface Water Monitoring * Analyze the feasibility the effectiveness of water recommends monitoring of requiring NPDES permit- quality management actions, approaches, and discusses tees to conduct ambient and promote the use of water analytical methodologies monitoring; data in decision-making. appropriate to the assess- Therefore, EPA has devel- ment of nonpoint source * Improve their ability to oped a number of initiatives pollution. document progress in water to implement the "frame- pollution control; work" recommendations. U EPA is also preparing a guidance document on devel- * Centrally coordinate EPA � EPA is organizing regular oping volunteer monitoring activities to integrate water- national symposia to discuss programs within State moni- related data; and technical and programmatic toring programs. A second surface water quality issues guidance document and a * Make existing monitoring and build consensus between videotape are being devel- data more accessible and States and the Federal oped for volunteer lake useful to water quality government on ways to monitoring programs. managers. address them. * EPA is developing New Water � A Federal/State work- national policy statements Monitoring group has been established on the role of ambient water to develop revised program quality information and on Initiatives guidance for monitoring the more specific topic of the activities and develop a use of ecological assessments EPA recognizes that 5-year framework to provide and biocriteria. implementing the recom- support to State programs. mendations made in the � EPA is exploring ways to "framework for change" � EPA is developing a use "indicators" of environ- study will enhance State/ Nonpoint Source Monitoring mental accomplishments to EPA capabilities to charac- and Evaluation Guide that judge the effectiveness of its terize problems, evaluate outlines data needs, programs. Indicators of environmental accomplishments will help EPA ~ judge the effectiveness of pollution control programs. 171 Surface Water Monitoring � EPA has developed workgroup will be estab- � EPA has conducted a rapid ecological assessment lished to develop recommen- feasibility study on requiring methods for wadeable dations for these two issues. NPDES permittees to conduct streams. The methods manual ambient monitoring and the has been published, training � EPA has established the feasibility of imposing permit workshops are being held Water Quality Data Systems fees to fund monitoring. throughout the U.S., and a Steering Committee to advise EPA is encouraging use of training videotape is being senior EPA management on ambient monitoring in developed. direction for all data systems NPDES permits through handling water quality infor- program guidance. * EPA has developed a mation. data system to manage water quality assessment informa- U EPA has integrated Outlook for Water tion. This system, the Section several separate CWA assess- Quality Monitoring 305(b) Waterbody System, ments pursuant to 303(d), makes assessment informa- 319(a), and 314(a) with the By developing and imple- tion more accessible for State Section 305(b) report- menting these new initiatives management decision- ing process. These assess- and continuing various making. The system also ments are to be coordinated successful current monitor- helps integrate the various with each other, and EPA has ing efforts, the monitoring assessments that are often proposed rules to combine program is moving from a developed by different these assessments (especially fragmented, reactive agencies within the State. 303(d)) through the biennial approach to one with State Section 305(b) process. forward-looking objectives * EPA has initiated studies and the ability to meet the to examine methods used to � EPA is encouraging States growing demand for ambient determine designated use to supplement water column data. The ultimate goal is to support and methods used to chemical criteria with criteria develop an integrated moni- estimate total waters in a for water column toxicity, toring program that serves as State. A Federal/State sediment quality, habitat an early warning system in quality, and biological detecting emerging problems; quality. effectively integrates data 172 Surface Water Monitoring from a variety of sources, We have already made provide valuable contribu- agencies, and monitoring progress toward this goal. For tions to the assessment and approaches; analyzes these example, current monitoring decisionmaking processes. data and makes the data programs such as EPA's Bio- EPA is committed to accessible to water quality accumulation Study are at continuing this progress by managers at all levels of the vanguard of efforts to implementing the new initia- government; evaluates the characterize emerging toxic tives resulting from the effectiveness of control contamination problems; "framework for change" programs and tells us where State and EPA activities study and helping States we need to focus our pollu- under Section 304(1) of the meet the challenges of the tion control resources; and Water Quality Act to identify water quality management fosters a sense of public waters with toxic impacts issues they face. Forging a ownership of our natural have shown that data from strong working partnership resources by involving citi- many sources can be success- among Federal authorities, zens in identifying problems fully integrated; and many State and local governments, and working toward solu- States have already demon- and citizens is key to the tions. strated that citizens can success of this effort. 173 Surface Water Monitoring ~ -- .~ The field of water pollution spend on data collection and Existing citizen monitoring control has become increas- analysis. In many areas of the programs cover a broad ingly complex. While the country, citizen volunteers spectrum of waterbody types regulatory focus of the 1970s have been mobilized to and use volunteers to collect was on controlling conven- collect some of this much- data on a wide variety of tional pollutants from point needed environmental data. water quality parameters. sources, most current In May 1988, EPA and The programs fulfill three controls address conven- Rhode Island Sea G rant overall monitoring objec- tional and toxic pollutants sponsored a workshop on the tives: identification of long- from point sources as well as Role of Citizen Volunteers in term water quality trends, from less defined nonpoint Environmental Monitoring. studies of specific water sources. These water quality The participants in this quality problems, and identi- problems are harder to iden- workshop identified approxi- fication and resolution of tify and controls are more mately 37 active citizen a cute water quality impair- difficult to design and monitoring programs that ments. implement. Environmental collect environmental data. managers are faced with Of these, 22 are designed to 1. Monitoring to identify increasing needs for moni- collect surface water data long-term wa ter quality toring information and The geographical distribution trends: These programs decreasing resources to of these programs is shown in use volunteers to collect Figure 11-. water quality data at --' _ ~ . ~ � | I ~ No Program ~~ \ ~. ; ~0 ,\ ' " ' State Managed '"-I - ~ ~ ~%. ~.~~. ~Not State Managed Figure 11-1. States with Citizen Monitoring Programs (CMPs) These programs use 174 Surface Water Monitoring citizen volunteers to raising the level of public � Insufficient funding: evaluate water quality awareness, identifying NPS Although citizen monitoring conditions in their local problems, and evaluating the is cost-effective, adequate areas and report on effectiveness of controls. The funding and management acute problems and contribution of citizens is support are needed. violations of water especially significant since pollution control laws citizens often have a local � Insufficient data sharing and regulations. knowledge of water resources and coordination: Citizen and are familiar with stream monitoring programs must conditions before, during, share data and techniques An Emerging Area and after stream events; are and coordinate their activ- for Citizen familiar with land uses in ities if they are to succeed. for Citizen their areas and can help Involvement- identify specific sources of Nonpoint Source pollution; and have a vested EPA Support of Pollution interest in evaluating best Citizen Monitoring management practices and Assessment monitoring their progress. EPA is actively researching existing citizen monitoring Nonpoint source pollution Obstacles to programs. A guidance docu- is primarily caused by land Monitoring ment directed at State use and misuse. Since land Citizen managers is being developed use is generally controlled Efforts to provide information on at the local level, public how to start and manage a awareness of NPS problems Citizen monitoring efforts citizen monitoring program. and their solution is consid- have been very successful in EPA will also be writing a ered critical to effective NPS many areas of the country. methods manual for citizen- management. Citizen moni- However, a number of obsta- based lake monitoring. Volunteers measuring water toring and involvement cles remain to be overcome, Citizen monitoring is a clarity using a Secchi disk. programs can greatly assist in including the following: central component of EPA's National Estuary Program * Professional distrust and is also being incorpo- of volunteer data: Many rated into the nonpoint water quality professionals source program. are skeptical about using EPA has recognized the evidence that volunteers can toring programs and will be collect scientifically credible working to further integrate data. these programs into its water pollution control efforts. As a Mismatchesbetween citizen monitoring activities l8; ~~~~ 3~~~ information needs and the grow in popularity through- capabi s of citizen volun- out the U.S., EPA can and teers: Managers of volunteer will help encourage and programs need to carefully coordinate these programs to select volunteers who can maximize their benefits to provide the type of infor- State monitoring programs. mation most likely to be accepted and used. 175 12 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control Section 305(b) of the Clean of administering environ- Water Act calls for States to mental programs at the local, provide estimates of the State, and Federal levels. economic and social costs Therefore, more inclusive necessary to achieve the data, prepared by the U.S. objectives of the Act. States Department of Commerce's are also requested to report Bureau of Economic Analy- on the economic and social sis, are shown in Table 12-1. benefits of these achieve- Government capital ments. This section draws expenditures for water upon information submitted pollution control (primarily by the States and additional wastewater collection and information collected by treatment) peaked in the other State and Federal mid-1970s when the Federal agencies that address the government was heavily costs and benefits of water financing construction of pollution control. sewage treatment facilities. Since 1982, government capital expenditures have Costs begun to rise again as local governments have sought In those instances where to meet the deadlines for cost information is presented compliance with secondary by States, most report the wastewater treatment guide- capital costs for wastewater lines. Estimated government treatment systems funded expenditures on new capital with State and Federal rose to $7.7 billion in grants. This information does 1986-an increase of $0.8 not include local and indus- billion since 1984. The cost trial expenditures for water of maintaining the growing pollution control or the costs 177 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control stock of wastewater treat- Expenditures on pollution resource programs in 1986 ment capital has contributed control, defined here as the are presented in Table 12-2. to the steady increase in costs of private and govern- The results have been sum- government operating and ment research and develop- marized according to the per maintenance expenditures ment, and government regu- capita expenditures for from $3.4 billion in 1972 lation and monitoring, have water quality and quantity to $6.6 billion in 1986. remained relatively constant programs managed by States, Capital expenditures by since 1972. Private industry and the percentage of total private industry peaked a expenses have accounted for State funds allocated to few years earlier than did 50 to 60 percent of the total these programs. The results government capital spending research and development indicate that State expenses in the 1970s, have continued annual expenditures, the for water quantity/quality to decline into the mid-1980s, remainder being primarily programs range from less but have leveled off at about Federal research. Govern- than $5 per capita to over $3.0 billion since 1983. ment expenditures for $15 per capita. The table Private industry operation regulation and monitoring suggests that there is no and maintenance expend- were split 50-50 between apparent relationship itures have risen at a rate Federal and State/local in between State expenditures comparable to that of 1983, but in 1986 State and for water quantity/quality government expenditures, local governments were bear- programs and delegation of although at a slightly lower ing 55 percent of these costs. NPDES authority to States. aggregate level-from $2.7 The results of a survey of States without NPDES billion in 1972 to $5.3 billion State expenditures for envi- authority do not tend to in 1986. ronmental and natural Table 12-1. Spending for Water Pollution Abatement and Control (billions of constant 1986 dollars) Pollution Abatement Pollution Control Operation & Maintenance Capital Research Regulation Total Govern- Indus- Govern- Indus- Nonpoint Total & & Abatement Year ment trial Other* ment trial Other Controls Abatement Development Monitoring & Control 1972 3.4 2.7 0.2 8.1 3.7 2.3 2.1 22.6 0.4 0.4 23.3 1973 3.8 3.1 0.3 8.5 4.1 2.4 2.4 24.5 0.5 0.5 25.4 1974 3.9 3.1 0.5 9.5 3.8 1.9 1.9 24.6 0.4 0.6 25.6 1975 4.0 3.3 0.6 10.6 4.8 1.5 1.6 26.2 0.4 0.6 27.2 1976 4.3 3.7 0.5 11.0 5.2 1.6 1.7 28.1 0.4 0.6 29.0 1977 4.8 4.1 0.5 11.0 5.0 1.8 1.1 28.3 0.4 0.7 29.4 1978 5.2 4.3 0.6 11.9 4.9 2.2 1.8 30.7 0.4 0.7 31.8 1979 5.4 4.6 0.6 11.5 4.5 2.0 1.8 30.5 0.4 0.7 31.5 1980 5.5 4.5 0.3 10.5 4.2 1.7 1.6 28.3 0.4 0.7 29.4 1981 5.8 4.6 0.2 8.1 3.7 1.5 1.4 25.3 0.4 0.7 26.3 1982 6.1 4.4 0.3 7.2 3.5 1.5 1.4 24.3 0.4 0.6 25.3 1983 6.1 4.7 0.5 6.2 3.0 1.7 1.2 23.5 0.3 0.4 24.3 1984 6.0 4.9 0.5 6.9 3.0 2.0 1.3 24.6 0.3 0.4 25.3 1985 6.0 5.0 0.7 7.1 2.9 2.0 1.2 25.0 0.3 0.5 25.8 1986* 6.6 5.3 0.6 7.7 2.9 2.0 1.2 26.3 0.3 0.5 27.1 Totals 76.9 62.3 6.9 135.8 59.2 28.0 23.6 392.8 5.4 8.6 406.8 Consists largely of spending for private connections to public sewer systems. *Preliminary. Note: Pollution abatement and control expenditures cover: direct pollution abatement expenditures by industry, household, and governmental units for reduction of point and nonpoint source discharges; regulation and monitoring expenditures by government for activities that "stimulate and guide action to reduce pollutant emissions"; and research and development expenditures to support abatement and increase the efficiency of regulation and monitoring. Source: Kit Farber and Gary Rutledge. "Pollution Abatement and Control Expenditures, 1983-1986:' Survey of Current Business, May 1988, p. 22. 178 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control Table 12-2. Distribution of 1986 State Expenditures for Water Quantity/Quality Programs Percent of State Budget Allocated for Water Programs* Less than 0.1% 0.1% to 0.2% 0.2% to 0.3% Greater than 0.3% Less than $5 Arkansas** Georgia Indiana Pennsylvania expended Hawaii Texas** Oklahoma** Nebraska per capita Ohio Iowa Kentucky Alabama S. Carolina N. Carolina Minnesota Kansas W. Virginia Connecticut New York Nevada Louisiana** $5 to $10 Colorado Vermont expended New Mexico** Illinois per capita Arizona** Virginia Maine** Wyoming Utah Mississippi Maryland Tennessee Florida** Missouri Washington $10 to 15 Michigan expended N. Dakota per capita Greater than $15 Oregon expended Rhode Island per capita Massachusetts** Idaho** Delaware New Hampshire** New Jersey Montana California Wisconsin Alaska** S. Dakota** *Expenses expressed as a percentage of total State expenditures for all services in 1986 fiscal year. Expenditures for water quality and quantity include drinking water, marine and coastal programs, watershed management districts, water quality, and water resources. Other categories may serve to improve water quality, but they were not included (e.g., mining reclamation, land management, soil conservation). **States to which NPDES delegation had not been granted by 6130/86. Source: Resource Guide to State Environmental Management. Council of State Governments: Center for the Environment and Natural Resources, 1988. 179 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control spend less on water quantity/ managed by States. Total and benefits of water pollu- quality programs than do current (1988) annual tion control programs cannot States with NPDES authority. expenditures are estimated yet be made at the national As States assume a greater to be $429 million for level. proportion of the regulation all State water programs. Selected local projects, and monitoring responsibility Surface water quality often involving a single or and the many new require- programs, which include homogeneous class of pollu- ments of the 1986 Amend- monitoring, permitting, tion sources (e.g., wastewater ments to the Safe Drinking enforcement, and other treatment outflows, agricul- Water Act and the 1987 activities, cost $316 million. tural runoff), constitute Amendments to the Clean The remaining $113 million the few instances where Water Act, the administra- is spent to manage State economic benefit-cost tive expense of their drinking water programs. analyses have been expanded water pollution Ground-water resource performed. While useful control programs will protection programs occur as a tool for aiding local increase greatly. A report in both areas. decisionmakers on water prepared by EPA, using State The incremental State quality projects and demon- needs figures generated by expenses of meeting new strating methods of valuing the Association of State and and expanded water program environmental improve- Interstate Water Pollution requirements as a result of ments, these studies can only Control Administrators and recent legislative amend- serve as anecdotal evidence the Association of State ments are projected to total of the potential total Drinking Water Administra- $559 million for the 3 years economic benefits that have tors, estimated the costs between 1988 and 1990 accrued as a result of past of operating State water combined. The largest incre- efforts to achieve the fish- programs in the wake of this mental costs are projected able and swimmable water new legislation. Table 12-3 for drinking water, ground quality goals of national and provides an estimate of 1988 water, nonpoint sources, State environmental legis- State water quality program pretreatment, and control lation. expenditures for activities of toxic substances. In the few instances where States reported on economic Benefits benefit-cost studies performed to support a water quality Although economic costs program, benefits were can be readily described, shown to exceed the costs of calculating the economic the program. Several States value of water quality acknowledge that the grow- improvements presents a ing sums of money spent on greater challenge to local, pollution control have led to State, and Federal authori- a greater demand for benefit- ties. Many States have cost information. The incre- prepared descriptive infor- mental costs of recent mation on chemical and programs aimed at reducing biological improvements in even greater amounts of water quality or reductions water pollution loadings in physical pollutant loadings carry a higher price tag than from industrial, municipal, did efforts undertaken in the and nonpoint sources. Few early 1970s. Furthermore, have chosen to translate the shift in the burden from these changes into economic Federal funding sources to values. As a result, compari- State and local sources will sons of the economic costs likely serve to promote the C, 180 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control Table 12-3. Distribution of State Water Quality Program Expenditures 1988 and 1988-1990 Estimated Incremental Needs (millions 1988 dollars) States' Base States' Incremental Needs: Category Program: 1988 Total for 1988-1990 Water Quality Management Emergency Response $ 10 Enforcement 43 Indians 0 Monitoring/WLA 54 Nonpoint Sources 5 Permits 46 Pretreatment 10 NOTE: Breakdown Program Management 30 into program categories Sludge 0 not available. Stormwater 0 Wetlands 0 Water Quality Planning 17 Water Quality Standard 10 Groundwater Strategy 8 ASIWPCA Additional* 70 Other** 13 Subtotal Water Quality Management 316 289 Drinking Water Public Water Systems 98 158 Underground Injection 15 23 Wellhead Protection 0 89 Subtotal Drinking Water 113 270 Total Surface Water and Drinking Water $429 $ 559 *The Water Quality Management needs numbers are from the original EPA needs estimates. The "ASIWPCA Additional" number reflects ASIWPCA's estimate of the additional money States spent in the 1988 base program. "Other" includes various water pollution-related activities that do not fit into the above categories, such as shellfish protection, public participation, office automation, etc. Source: "State Funding Study," EPA Office of Water, May 1989. Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control development and implemen- � In New York, several of nonpoint control measures tation of economic benefit Lake Erie's tributaries now individually would have had valuation techniques. have large runs of coho and a benefit-cost ratio greater In their 1988 State Section chinook salmon and steel- than 1.0, but together they 305(b) reports, several States head trout. Smallmouth bass provided the necessary cited water quality improve- are now able to use these improvements to water ments that have been asso- waters as spawning grounds. quality conditions in St. ciated with economic bene- Improvements in these Albans Bay. fits. For example: streams are attributed to reductions in municipal � In West Virginia, the sport * In Connecticut, the sewage and food processing fishing industry is recovering Connecticut River has wastes. Skaneateles Creek, in the Ohio, Kanawha, and enjoyed a resurgence in once so polluted that fish Monongahela Rivers. This commercial and recreational could not survive in its improvement, in turn, activities compared to condi- waters, is now one of the contributes to improvements tions that persisted in the prime trout streams in the in other forms of water- late 1960s. Hartford attracts State. Similar success stories based recreation such as a larger number of tourists to have helped contribute to boating, water-skiing, and its waterfront festivals since the massive direct and swimming. Mount Storm providing municipal sewage indirect impact of anglers Lake's pH and its fishery treatment to sources on the economy. have been enhanced at discharging to the river, minimal cost because of a Excursion boats now operate � In Vermont, visitors to permit variance granted to on the river, and commercial St. Albans Bay Park are now the Virginia Electric Power and sport salmon and shad using the park for swimming Company. fisheries are returning. The after a 10-year hiatus due to quantity of shellfish harvested poor water quality. The city's These and other examples in Long Island Sound has also sewage treatment plant has in the State Section 305(b) increased in comparison with been upgraded, and agri- reports qualitatively docu- 1970 harvests. cultural nonpoint source ment water quality improve- management practices are in ments and enhanced uses of use to control runoff. Result- the Nation's waters. In time, ant water quality improve- States will be able to prepare ments have increased water quality assessments bayfront property values, that systematically address enhanced recreational the benefits and costs of opportunities, and reduced water quality improvements. maintenance costs to facil- At that time, a more useful ities relying on water from national assessment of the the lake. A study by the U.S. economic benefits of water Department of Agriculture's quality programs can be Agricultural Research conducted. Until then, we Service found that the must rely on case studies and quantified benefits exceeded qualitative discussions of the costs by a ratio of 1.3 water quality improvement to 1. Neither point nor to evaluate the merits of the dollars spent on water pollu- tion control. 182 Costs and Benefits of Pollution Control Washingtons Centenna Clean Some States have devel- marine waters; prevention or sales, formation and assess- oped innovative programs to reduction of ground-water ment of Local Improvement help finance the costs of pollution; lake protection Districts, fines and penalties, water pollution control activ- and restoration activities; or a variety of other methods. ities. An example of such a control of nonpoint sources Projects are rated based on program is the State of Wash- of pollution; public educa- such factors as the serious- ington's Centennial Clea n tion; and innovative projects. ness of the problem they are Water Program. In 1986, the The Centennial Clean to address, local support for State legislature created the Water Fund forges a partner- the project, and the nature of Centennial Clean Water ship between State and local the project (i.e., preventive, Fund, a sou rce of financial government. The State corrective, or both). assistance-raised through a provides financial assistance Washington's Centennial tax on tobacco products-for and experienced guidance; Clean Water Fund provides waterpollution control the recipient-usually a an innovative, effective projects. The legislature has county, city, conservation approach to the financing of authorized $45 million p er district or other political pollution control activities. year through 2021 to support subdivision-administers the By helping local communities projects such as the construc- proect and provides the meet water quality, health, tion of sewage treatment "local match" (cash, labor, and safety requirements, the facilities and the reduction and in-kind contributions). State has taken a crucial step of combined sewer overflows The local share may be in protecting its rivers, lakes, or storwater discharges to financed through taxes, bond marine waters, and ground water for current and future generations. 13 State Recommendations In their 1988 reports, bilities. For example, Louis- 26 States and Territories iana writes: discussed recommended "New program require- program actions needed to ments for the State such as make additional progress the toxics program, Clean toward the Clean Water Act's Lakes, and the nonpoint goal of fishable and swim- source program will require mable waters. These recom- a shift of limited resources mendations are often from already critically expressed in terms of State short areas. While it is objectives or continuing agreed that such programs needs and cover a range of are beneficial and needed, actions at the Congressional, the decisions of where to Federal, State, and local concentrate manpower and levels. These recommenda- where to set priorities are tions are discussed below. It extremely difficult. There should be emphasized that have been increases in this discussion is restricted grant conditions from the to the recommendations Federal government and reported by the States them- increased expectations selves in 1988 and does not from the people of the attempt to assess their State in the area of water merits. However, many of the quality management as State recommendations for public awareness has action also reflect EPA increased. However, there program priorities. has been little or no A theme common to almost increase in funding and all State recommendations is no increase in manpower insufficient funding to carry resources. Increased out burgeoning State water funding and expanded quality protection responsi- 185 State Recommendations staffing will be necessary tion, prevention, and control proper operation and mainte- in order for the State to of nonpoint sources (NPS) of nance of older sewage treat- meet the demands and pollution. Most commonly, ment facilities. Several States requirements being placed States cite the need for also recommend the use of upon it." additional funding for NPS State Revolving Loan Funds In general, State recom- programs and the need for to finance the construction mendations fall into nine better monitoring and assess- of facilities as Federal/State major categories. Ranked by ment methods to detect NPS, funding ends under the the frequency with which assess their impacts, and Construction Grants program. they are reported, these determine the effectiveness Another recommendation categories are nonpoint of NPS controls. Several concerns the untreated source abatement, water States also indicated that direct discharge of household quality monitoring, municipal they are in the process of sewage in areas that are too facilities, toxics identification developing and refining economically depressed to and control, water quality NPS Management Plans and shoulder the cost-share criteria and standards, recommend that additional burdens of the Construction ground-water protection, funds be made available to Grants program. This can be lake protection, data man- carry out the goals of those a significant water quality/ agement/coordination, and plans. public health concern in wetlands protection. Other Water Quality Monitoring: certain areas. EPA is urged to topics less frequently cited Beyond expressing a general provide assistance to help by the States include pre- need to enhance water quality meet these sewage treatment treatment, permitting and monitoring activities and the needs. enforcement, combined evaluation of them to be Identification and Control sewer overflows, and sludge certain they are providing of Tbxic Substances: The management. needed data, a common States strongly recommend Nonpoint Source Abate- theme of State monitoring expanding efforts to gather ment: Recommendations recommendations was to data on toxic pollutants and most often cited by the increase the emphasis on to develop or implement States concern the identifica- biological monitoring. State toxic control programs. Specifically, States recom- Specific recommendations mended developing or adopt- include more monitoring for ing bioscreening techniques, toxics in fish tissue; improve- biotic indices, biosurvey ment of Federal data bases methodologies, bioassay on toxic substances; estab- techniques, and in-stream lishment of an EPA clearing- macroinvertebrate biomoni- house for literature reviews toring. Other monitoring such as risk assessments recommendations include conducted by the States; and seeking EPA and State greater use of toxicity testing support to expand toxics results in establishing monitoring programs, effluent limitations. increase long-term intensive Water Quality Criteria survey efforts, and study and Standards: The States' cause/effect relationships in ability to assess water quality the environment, conditions depends heavily Municipal Facilities: on criteria (limits) for specific Continued funding for the pollutants, established by the maintenance, upgrade, and States and approved by EPA. construction of municipal When these criteria are sewage treatment facilities violated, beneficial uses may remains a leading recommen- not be met. Together, the dation of the States. Several criteria and the uses they z - States cite problems with protect form the State's 186 State Recommendations water quality standards. A ground-water data. Their handle a wide range of water number of States recommend recommendations include quality and program informa- updating their standards by the establishment of a tion. A common State recom- taking such actions as national ground-water mendation is to integrate and adopting numerical criteria research program; more enhance these various data for toxics or developing more Federal funding to allow bases. States also urge more specific use designations and States to expand ground- effective coordination among appropriate criteria. Federal water monitoring, manage- State, local, and Federal leadership was urged in ment, and standards devel- agencies to better address continuing to refine and opment; and action by EPA diverse environmental prob- develop criteria for to incorporate ground-water lems such as wetlands pro- substances causing risks to quality data into existing tection, hazardous waste human health. EPA was also computerized data bases. disposal, agricultural runoff, encouraged to continue its Lake Protection: The States and fish tissue contamina- research on better criteria strongly recommend that tion. for contact recreation uses. Congress appropriate funds Wetlands Protection: Ground-Water Protection: to support the Clean Lakes A number of States call for Clear priorities many States Program. States cite the need increased effort in protecting and Territories have expressed for additional data on lake valuable wetland resources. are to gain a better under- water quality conditions and Specific recommendations standing of the quality of trends, expanded reporting vary from the need for addi- their ground water, to iden- requirements under Section tional Federal appropriations tify and map their ground- 314 of the Clean Water Act, for wetland protection to water resources, to identify and vulnerability of lakes to better enforcement by the potential sources of contam- acid deposition. Corps of Engineers of ination, and to determine Data Management/Coordi- permitted and unpermitted the vulnerability of their nation: EPA and the States activities in wetland areas. resources to pollution. The are actively engaged in States recommend continued developing computerized collection and analysis of data management systems to 187 In addition to the 1988 State water quality assessments, the following documents were References and cited in this report and are recommended for further reading. Further Reading Council of State Governments, Center for the Environment and Natural Resources. 1988. Resource Guide to State Environmental Management. Farber, Kit, and Gary L. Rutledge. 1988. Pollution abatement and control expenditures, 1983-1986. In: Survey of Current Business. May. North Carolina State University, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1988. Rural Clean Water Program: 1988 Workshop Proceedings. National Water Quality Evaluation Project. December. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ground-Water Protection Strategy, 1984. Office of Ground-Water Protection. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1983. Results of the National Urban Runoff Program. Office of Water. December. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1987. Permit Writers Guide to Water Quality- Based Permitting for Toxic Pollutants. Office of Water. Publication No. EPA-440/4-87-005. July. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1987. Surface Water Monitoring: A Framework for Change. Office of Water and Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation. September. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1988. America s Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between Land and Water Office of Wetland Protection. Publication No. OPA-87-016. February. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Needs Survey Report to Congress, 1988. Office of Municipal Pollution Control. Publication No. EPA 430/09-89-001. February. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Nonpoint Source Agenda for the Future. Office of Water. January. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Report to Congress: Activities and Programs Implemented under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, FY 1988. Office of Water. Publication No. EPA-506/9-89/003. August. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Report to Congress: Water Quality of the Nation's Lakes. Office of Water. Publication No. EPA-440/5-89-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. State Funding Study, Office of Water. May. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1989. Federal Manualfor Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. January. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Wetlands of the US: Current Status and Trends. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Mid-Atlantic Wetlands: A Disappearing National Treasure. June. U.S. Geological Survey. 1988. 1986National Water Summary. Water Supply Paper 2325. 0 0 0 0 0 OQ 00 0 Appendix 0 0 0 0 0 0 -4' Appendix Alabama and organic enrichment tions of organics; these Arizona leading to depleted levels were well below recom- To obtain a copy of the of dissolved oxygen. mended safe levels of 'Tob obtain a copy of the Alabama 1988 305(b) report, Inadequately treated exposure. Arizona 1988 305(b) report, contact: effluents from municipal Presently, Alabama contact: discharges, industrial responds to ground-water Alabama Department of discharges, and nonpoint concerns under general Office of Emergency Environmental source runoff appear to be statutory authority provided Response and Management leading sources of pollution by the Alabama Water Pollu- Environmental Analysis Planning and Projects in the State. tion Control Act. While 2005 North Central Avenue Branch A significant concern to existing problems can be Phoenix, AZ 85004 1751 Cong. W. L. Dickinson the State is lack of informa- addressed fairly effectively Drive tion on lakes, estuaries, and in this manner, there is a Montgomery, AL 36130 wetlands. Lack of National need for a more coordinated Surface Water Clean Lakes funding has approach to specific sources Quality Surface Water hampered the State's ability of potential ground-water to develop a reservoir moni- contamination. Items During water years Quality ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~During water years Quality toring program; a prelim- outlined by the State as 1986-1987, 2,279 river miles inary assessment of lake concerns or objectives to were assessed in Arizona, During the reporting water quality was provided be incorporated into their 34 percent of river miles with period, Alabama assessed in this 1988 report, and ground-water management water quality standards. Of 11,174 miles of streams, Alabama has applied for program are: (1) response to the river miles assessed, 491,566 acres of lakes, 53 Clean Lakes funding to instances of ground-water 69 percent fully supported square miles of estuaries and improve future assessments. contamination; (2) develop- designated uses while 21 50 coastal miles. Approxi- The State is also planning to ment of a State ground-water percent did not meet stand- percent did not meet stand- mately 91 percent of river increase its data-gathering strategy; (3) additional ards. The largest segment ards. The largest segment miles assessed were found to capabilities for estuarine and statutory authorities, where (297 miles) not meeting (297 miles) not meeting be fully supporting their wetland areas. needed; (4) implementation criteria was the Little designated uses, 82 percent of a ground-water classifica- Colorado and Purco Rivers. of lake acres were fully Ground-Water tion system; and (5) addition These rivers are contami- supporting their designated of new, related regulations nated with radiochemicals uses, 94 percent of estuary Quality under the Alabama Water and heavy metals. The lower and heavy metals. The lower square miles were fully Pollution Control Act. Salt and Gila Rivers (110 Salt and Gila Rivers (110 supporting uses, and all of Currently, Alabama does In addition to these miles) do not meet uses miles) do not meet uses the ocean coastal miles were not have a comprehensive initiatives, vulnerability because of pesticide conta- because of pesticide contam- fully supporting uses. ground-water quality moni- assessments for major ination in addition to metals Alabama also conducted an toring network. Available aquifers in the State have and other inorganics. and other inorganics. assessment of the extent to information based on a been completed. This Because of Arizona which its waters support the limited ground-water information will be incor- ec e rizns extreme atidity, its wetlands fishable/swimmable goal of monitoring network of 77 porated into the classifi- re aridy vla are particularly valuable the Clean Water Act. Eighty- wells indicates that the cation effort and implemen- aquatic resources. A substan- aquatic resources. A substan- nine percent of assessed overall quality of ground tation of the overall ground- tial proportion of the State's tial proportion of the State's river miles, 82 percent of water in Alabama is good. water management plan. wetlands were destroyed by wetlands were destroyed by assessed lake acres, 94 The only problems indicated overgrazing, wood-cutting, overgrazing, wood-cutting, percent of estuary square by the current monitoring mining, water diversions, mining, water diversions, miles, and all of ocean data are localized instances and construction activities. and construction activities. coastal miles were found of highly mineralized water Arizona is beginning to Arizona is beginning to to be meeting the fishable/ and one instance of saltwater address wetlands issues address wetlands issues swimmable goal. intrusion. Volatile organic through the Statewide The main causes of sampling of 113 public Comprehensive Outdoor Comprehensive Outdoor nonsupport of designated ground-water supplies in Recreation Planning Process. Recreation Planning Process. uses were determined to be 1985 found only six wells excessive levels of nutrients with detectable concentra- A-i Appendix Gr quality provide due to resource timber use, and 1 percent for thermo- Qu ali ty m i n i m i .tpre extraction. Silviculture is the electric energy. Fifty-five minimization, prevention, mitig yation and remedies of predominant land use in the percent of the population Ground-water quality is past, present, and future Ouachita Mountains Region; depends upon ground water Ground-water quality is past, present, and future the region is characterized by for drinking water and a major concern in Arizona potential discharges to the region is characterized by for drinking water and because it is the State's aquifers; protect surface exceptionally high water domestic use. principal source of public waters which are fed by, or quality al though concerns Contaminati on of shallow water The four most docu- discharge, to aquifers; and have been voiced about the domestic wells and springs by water. The four most docu- discharge, to aquifers; and effects of harvesting prac- human and animal wastes is mented sources of ground- prohibit discharge of toxic effects of harvesting prac- human and animal wastes is ewater contamination ares prollutants to aquifers. tices. In the Arkansas River the most prominent ground- watleaking underground storage Valley Region, zero flows water problem in the State, tanks, septic tanks, agricul- are common during summer as evidenced by high nitrate tural practices, ankd wastes critical conditions. During concentrations. Some surfi- tufrom high technology Arkan s peak runoff events, contami- cial aquifers have been fromhighndus technologyes Arkansas nants enter the Region's contaminated by industrial streams from agricultural wastes which include both Four Active Management 'Tob obtain a copy of the 1988 sources. The Boston Moun- heavy metals and organic Areas (AMAs) were defined Arkansas 305(b) report, Areas (AMAs) were defined Arkansas 305(b) report, tains Region is highly used chemicals; some of these are in the 1980 Ground Water contact: for recreational purposes and being monitored under the has extremely good water Superfund and RCRA pass geographic areas where Arkansas Department of quality. Potential water programs. ground-water supplies are Pollution Control and quality degradation is of Contamination of fresh imperiled. These AMAs Ecology concern because of conver- ground water by saline water comprise the populated areas Water Division sion of hardwoods to pasture- has occurred in several places of Phoenix, Tucson, Pinal, 8001 National Drive lands, expansion of confined due to large-scale pumping. and Prescott. Common Little Rock, AR 72209 animal operations, timber Continued large-scale sources of contaminants sources of contaminants management practices, and pumping has the potential to withleaking underground storage Surface Water localized natural gas produc- increase contamination. In leaking underground storage Surface Water tion. Lastly, in the Ozark some areas, the occurrence tanks, septic tanks, ar iul- Quality Highlands Region, water of saline water appears to be nology indture, majorng, anuses h ig tec h is reportingperi quality problems are directly of natural origin and not the nology industry. Major causes For this reporting period, related to the high rate of result of human activity. of pollution contributed by Arkansas assessed 4,107 animal management activ- Some saltwater contamina- these sources include miles of streams, which ities such as chicken, swine, tion in south Arkansas is due petroleum hydrocarbons, represents 36 percent of the and cattle operations. The to oil and gas exploration, nitrates, colforms, pesti- State's total river miles. waste from this animal production, and disposal cides, sulfate, metals, and Approximately 42 percent production is generally land- practices. volatile organic compounds volatile organic compounds of assessed river miles fully applied and therefore has the Ground-water levels are Arizona has completed a support their designated potential to contaminate declining in large areas of uses. both surface and ground the State where pumping preliminary ground-water protection strowate that In its 1988 305(b) report, waters. rates exceed recharge rates. the State provided regional Ground-water levels in the contains background infor- Ground-Water Sparta Sand aquifer have mation on the goals and assessments of water quality. matutory framework for Water quality in the Delta Quality declined as much as 320 feet ground-water protection Region is significantly in the vicinity of El Dorado, ongoing and future ground- influenced by agricultural Use of ground water in the as much as 225 feet in the gwater program activities, runoff. The vast majority of 1980s has varied between vicinity of Magnolia, and as wan interagencyam activt, waterways in this region four and five billion gallons much as 60 feet in the tion The basis for the goals have been channelized for per day. About 93 percent vicinity of Stuttgart. The is to protect public health; agricultural development was for agricultural use, greatest decline in the and therefore have impaired 2 percent for industrial use, alluvial aquifer has been in preserve, enhance, and uses. The Gulf Coastal Region 2 percent for municipal use, Poinsett County, where exhibits site-specific impacts 2 percent for rural domestic water levels at one point are A-2 Appendix almost 120 feet below land Diego Region (15,300 acres); solids, pesticides, herbicides, not supporting designated surface-a decline of some Clear Lake in Lake County other toxic organics, and uses; however, about half of 70 feet since the early 1900s (44,000 acres); and the metals. Toxic substances are the State's ground-water when it was first used as an Salton Sea (220,000 acres). now recognized as a resource is of unknown irrigation source. Pollution sources in constantly expanding threat water quality. Areas with the Potential ground-water streams not fully supporting to water quality. 'Tobxic most numerous and wide- problems are found state- uses include agriculture, substances have been, and spread ground-water prob- wide. Potential threats to abandoned and active mines, probably still are, dumped lems are the San Francisco ground water include a large and other nonpoint sources illegally into community Bay Region, the Central number of waste impound- such as urban runoff, erosion, sewer systems, municipal Valley Region, and the three ments. landfills, and open individual disposal systems, landfills, vacant lands, and South Coastal Regions of Los dumps, especially those and animal grazing. The surface waters. California is Angeles, Santa Ana, and San located in moderate to high remaining stream pollution moving aggressively to Diego. Naturally occurring aquifer recharge zones, sources consist of point address the toxic pollution poor quality ground water is Contamination from waste sources and natural or issue with new legislation, fairly common throughout impoundments, storage unknown causes. more severe penalties, and the Lahontan Basins and in tanks, and dumps has Lakes are mostly affected new programs. the Colorado River Region. occurred. Hazardous by natural causes and agri- The State identifies the Pollution of ground-water substances transported by cultural return flows, following as statewide issues supplies can occur from vehicles and trains have been Municipal and industrial of concern: ground-water many sources. These include involved in accidents result- point sources are prohibited pollution, hazardous waste individual disposal systems, ing in ground-water contami- from discharging directly disposal sites, pollution of solid and liquid waste nation. The potential for to lakes in California. harbors and bays, agricul- disposal sites, underground leaks and accidents is always Point sources and nonpoint tural impacts on water chemical storage tanks, present. sources are about equal quality, and mine drainage, surface spills of toxic contributors of pollution in substances, applications of harbors and bays. Urban agricultural chemicals, urban storm runoff and erosion are Ground-Water runoff, deep injection well California major nonpoint pollution Quality disposal, and other as yet sources in San Francisco, San unknown sources. About 12 TC obtain a copy of the 1988 Diego, Newport, and Mission The water in California's percent of the identified California 305(b) report, Bays. underground basins and the ground-water pollution is contact: Trends in water quality storage space in these basins from industry, including reflect the above concerns are among the State's most military installations and California State Water Reucesornitr oater and indicate that California valuable resources. About 40 railroad centers. A high Resources Control Board esiour CofWter Qal surface waters have percent of California's annual incidence of contamination Division of Water Quality improved or been protected applied water needs is from organic solvents is 901 P Street Sacramtrto CA9from overall degradation due obtained from ground-water noted. Agriculture and other Sacramento, CA 95801 to point sources. There do basins. Apart from the nonpoint sources contribute not appear to be significant Central Valley, the greatest pesticides, nitrogen, and Surface Water changes in the overall quality concentrations of ground- dissolved salts. Stormwater of marine and estuarine water withdrawals are in runoff used for ground- Quality waters, although major southern California and in water recharge is also a toxic improvements in bacterial the Santa Clara and Salinas pollution source. Over three-fourths of quality have been noted in Valleys. Most cities in the San California's assessed stream Eumboldt/Arcata Bay, Joaquin Valley are supplied miles and half its lake acres portions of San Francisco entirely by ground water, and are classified as having water Bay, and San Diego Bay. ground water is a significant quality that generally However, a significant part of the public supplies in supports designated uses. increase is noted in the southern California and the Some of the largest water- detection of toxic pollution. Santa Clara Valley. bodies not supporting uses Major pollutants affecting Less than 2 percent of the in the State include harbors, waters of the State include ground waters assessed have bays, and lagoons in the San bacteria, nutrients, dissolved water quality classified as A-3 Appendix solids concentrations, how- Connecticut The Department of Environ- Colorado ever, are comparatively low. Connecticut The Department of Environ- Water quality in the .mental Protection is an Tob obtain a copy of the Wat er quality in the ob obtain a copy of the active participant in the Colorado 1988 305(b) report, Arkansas River basin reflects Connecticut 1988 305(b) Long Island Sound Water early mining activity in the Long Island Sound Water contact: Leadville area, burgeoning Quality Study, which began population in the middle in 1985. The magnitude of Colorado Department f Connecticut Department of the Sound's problems are lower basin Environmental Protection being researched, pollution Water Quality Division Overall, the quality of Water Compliance Unit sources identified, and a Overall, the quality of 122 4210 East 11th St. water in the Colorado River 122 Washington Street management plan and Denver, CO 80220 mainstem basin and its main Hartford, CT 06106 mathematical model of the tributaries is probably the entire Sound are being Surface Water best in the State. This quality Surface Water developed. has been maintained through There are 69 major Quality the investment of consider- Quality recreational lakes having able manpower and fiscal public access in the State. Colorado has 14,100 miles resources into the basin since As of 1988, 582 of Connect- The most common water- of streams, nearly all of the early 1970s. icut's 880 miles of major quality concern in these which are classified under There are several stream rivers and streams fully lakes is growth of nuisance State water quality stand- segments in this basin that support water-quality goals. weeds and algae caused by ards. A total of 4,600 stream reflect Colorado's early An additional 239 miles nutrient enrichment. miles have been or are being mining history. These partially support goals. The Nutrient conditions in routinely monitored, and streams have high metal remaining 59 miles do not impaired lakes are attributed 5,400 have been evaluated loads and some do not support most water uses, to natural sources and a by special studies as to their support aquatic life. The other than perhaps limited variety of nonpoint sources chemical and biological most likely parameter to aquatic habitat use, naviga- such as household waste- quality. Of these assessed exceed standards is copper tion, and industrial activities. water systems, surface streams, 86 percent fully and much of this loading is Major sources of water-quality runoff, land development, support uses, 7 percent are likely due to natural causes. impairment are municipal and highway runoff. The partially impaired, and The other metals known to sewage treatment plants, State's eutrophication 7 percent are not supporting be high on various segments toxic and conventional abatement program has uses. in the Colorado River main- pollutants from industrial resulted in meaningful There are roughly 149,000 stem basin are lead, zinc, and discharges, combined sewer water-quality improvements acres of lakes in Colorado; cadmium. overflows, and nonpoint for 37 percent (by area) of 124,746 lake acres were The San Juan basin has sources. the lakes assessed. These assessed and nearly all are high quality water except The most heavily impacted efforts will soon be reported to be fully support- for the Animas River in its estuaries in the State are the supported by a new State ing designated uses. headwaters near Silverton. urbanized harbors and tidal grant program for lake Man's activities have Because of previous mining portions of major tributary restoration established by affected water quality in the activities, high metals loads rivers. Approximately 234 of recent legislation. South Platte River more than in the mainstem and several the 601 square miles assessed Less than 1/10 of 1 percent any other major river basin tributaries have significantly are suspected of having of Connecticut's 17,500 acres in Colorado. Exceedances of affected their ability to water-quality problems. The of tidal wetlands have been water quality standards for support aquatic life. sources of pollution, in filled since implementation dissolved oxygen, unionized Metals impairment of descending order of relative of the Connecticut Tidal ammonia, fecal coliforms, several stream segments in impact, are: municipal Wetland Act in 1969. A State and metals have been iden- the Rio Grande basin are that sewage treatment plants; permit program regulates tified within the basin. basin's only identified water combined sewer overflows; activities in tidal wetlands, Phosphorus, nitrates, and quality problem. No water toxic and conventional with very little filling dissolved solids concentra- quality problems have been pollutants from industrial authorized. tions in parts of the basin are identified in the Republican sources; and nonpoint generally among the highest or Green River basins. sources, such as failing septic in the State. Total suspended systems and urban runoff. A-4 Appendix Delaware the elevated nutrient levels Delaware's ground water Ground-Water Tobanacpoftedetected are natural condi- is a relatively unprotected Quality To obtain a copy of the tions and do not result from resource due to generally Delaware 1988 305(b) report, anthropogenic activities. high soil permeability and contact: asalwwtrtbe Approximately 32 percent contact: Of major concern to the a shallow water table. of the population dependsof State are contamination of Common causes of ground- Delaware Department of ae otmnin cld on ground water for potable Natural Resources and harvestable shellfish and water contamination include Natural Resources and water supply. Over 90 percent Environmental Control steep reductions in hard clam nitrates, iron, pH, salinity, Environmental Control of the State's ground-water landings throughout the trihalomethanes, and volatile 89 Kings Highway ognccros uhipr resources is presumed to be Inland Bays/Coastal Sussex organic carbons. Such impur- suitable for drinking without P.O. Box 1401 estuarine waters. These ities originate from many treatment. Impacts from Dover, DE 19903 phenomena are strong indi- sources, including domestic improper solvents handling cations of environmental on-site wastewater systems, and disposal, leaking Surface Water problems. The landing of landfills containing munici- underground petroleum hard clams by commercial pal and industrial wastes, storage tanks, landfill Quality interests has declined chemical spills and leaks leachate, pesticides (EDB), significantly since 1958 due from tanks or lagoons, agri- and improper road salt Delaware's surface waters in part to the closure of cultural activities, and storage have resulted in the are, for the most part, in clamming areas because of saltwater intrusion along the contamination of 1,332 good condition. Most of the public health concerns and coast. The limits of natural public and private water State's designated uses and decreased clam density. treatment and standards of supply wells as of February the Clean Water Act fishable/ Bacterial contamination, purity in ground water 1988. swimmable goals are sedimentation, and low are now exceeded more The State of Connecticut supported. Ninety-three dissolved oxygen are cited as frequently and over larger has taken numerous steps to percent of assessed stream, primary reasons for reduced areas than in the past. increase protection of its lakes, and estuarine waters harvests. Sources of pollution In 1985, Delaware imple- ground-water resources. are of sufficient quality to contributing to the problem mented new regulations Among these are the publi- support (in whole or in part) include treated waste dis- governing the design, cation of a Ground-Water all uses designated in the charges, nutrient enriched installation, and operation Management Strategy; an State's Water Quality ground water, surface runoff, of septic systems. These inventory of the State's Standardsfor Streams. septic system overflows, and regulations are designed to largest aquifers and known Further, about 94 percent natural conditions. protect ground-water quality. or suspected contamination of the State's waters are In addition, Delaware's threats; and the formation of determined to be fishable, Ground-Water Management an Aquifer Protection lhsk and 96 percent are Ground-Water Plan identifies a series of Force. Ground-water moni- swimmable. measures to protect ground toring activities include Excessive bacteria (fecal Quality water by relying on land use programs administered by coliform and/or enterococcus) controls in critical ground- the Department of Health levels continue to be one of More than 38 billion gallons water resource areas. A Services, Department of the major water-quality of high quality ground water ground-water monitoring Environmental Protection, problems in some of the are withdrawn each year for strategy for Delaware was and U.S. Geological Survey. State's surface waters. In all uses in the State. The formulated in FY 1986; most cases, however, these domestic water needs of implementation began in levels are not so excessive approximately two-thirds of FY 1987. as to suggest public health the State's population are hazards and impairment of met with ground water recreational uses. provided through municipal Excessive nutrient levels and private wells. All of the are a water-quality problem fresh water for farm use and inherent in many of Dela- most of the water used for ware's waterways. Most of irrigation and self-supplied Delaware's lakes and ponds industrial use is also derived are eutrophic. In some cases, from ground water. A-5 Appendix Delaware 98 percent of assessed Ground-Water percent of its lakes and estuary square miles were Quality impoundments. River Basin meeting the fishable goal. Most of the District's Approximately 94 percent of In December 1982, the surface waters did not To obtain a copy of the the assessed river miles and Delaware River Basin support all of their desig- Delaware River Basin 99 percent of the assessed Commission completed a nated uses. The exception Commission's 1988 305(b) estuary square miles were 3-year study leading to the was the Potomac River report, contact: meeting the swimmable goal. development of a ground- estuary, where 83 percent Two issues of concern water management plan and of estuarine square miles Delaware River Basin to the DRBC are toxic implementation program for partially supported desig- Commission substances and increased the Delaware River Basin. nated uses. Most of the P.O. Box 7360 development along the upper The study set forth 27 recom- District's surface waters West Trenton, NJ 08628 Delaware River. The Dela- mendations for improving designated for use as raw ware River flows through the the management of ground- water sources for industrial Surface Water world's largest freshwater water quality and quantity. and public water supplies Surface Water port and the second largest Work continues on the imple- met these particular uses. Quality U.S. petrochemical center. mentation of these recom- In the District, causes of Small, pervasive, unnoticed mendations. One of the nonsupport are typical for Delaware River and Bay spills from this large urban, specific recommendations an urban area. Fecal coliform comprise part of the bound- industrialized area continue dealt with the implementa- contamination is a principal ary of four states: Delaware, to have an unknown impact tion of a well registration cause of nonsupport of desig- New Jersey, New York, and on the river system. The program. This program, nated uses. In the Anacostia Pennsylvania. From Hancock cleanup of this river system currently being imple- River, low dissolved oxygen New York to the mouth of since 1972 has brought on a mented, will provide data levels is a leading cause of the Delaware Bay, the Dela- dramatic increase in recrea- essential for ground-water nonsupport of uses. High ware River flows 330 miles, tion along the Delaware management and protection. metal concentrations are also draining 0.4 percent of the estuary. In the upper Dela- a concern, particularly in U.S. land area. Almost 10 ware, growth and develop- many of the District's smaller pecent of the Nation's popu- ment threaten the water streams. Other causes of lation rely on the waters of quality of two components of District of nonsupport include oil and the Delaware River Basin for the National Wild and Scenic grease, high pH, and high potable and industrial water. Rivers System. Columbia un-ionized ammonia levels. In 1987, approximately 94 The protection of water Urban runoff, whether percent of the assessed river quality from growth-related To obtain a copy of the from storm sewers, combined miles in the Delaware River impacts (both point and District of Columbia 1988 sewer overflows (CSOs), or Basin were found to be fully nonpoint) will be essential 305(b) report, contact: surface runoff, is a principal supporting their designated to maintain high quality source of pollution to District uses. In the Delaware Bay reaches of the river and the Department of Consumer surface waters. Presently, itself, approximately 99 water quality improvements & Regulatory Affairs combined sewers serve 35 percent of the assessed achieved over the last 40 Water Hygiene Branch percent of Washington, D.C. square miles were fully years. Recreational use of the 5010 Overlook Avenue, S.W. Discharges of untreated supporting their designated Delaware River is intense Washington, D.C. 20032 sewage after a rainstorm uses. and increasing in both the Attn: Hamid Karimi results in high fecal coliform, The Delaware River Basin nontidal river and the high biological oxygen Commission (DRBC) also estuary; this increased use demand, and low dissolved conducted an assessment of makes the maintenance of Surface Water oxygen. Storm sewers/runoff its waters relative to their water quality a key concern. Quality add sediment, heavy metals, support of the fishable/ An unanswered concern is road salts, oil, and other swimmable goal of the Clean the impact of the recrea- For 1988, the District toxics to receiving waters. Water Act. This assessment tional use itself on the river's of Columbia assessed 100 Wastewater treatment revealed that 100 percent of quality. percent of its estuarine plant effluent discharges are the assessed river miles and waters, 72 percent of its a major source of nutrients to small streams, and 36 A-6 Appendix the Potomac estuary. Imple- Florida supporting uses and 57 system of contiguous reser- mentation of advanced waste- ' obtain a copy of the percent were partially voirs with connection to qb obtain a copy of the ufc aes t ro water treatment processes at Florida 1988 305(b) report, meeting uses. (This lower surface waters. Data from the Blue Plains Wastewater cnatdegree of use support for over 1,500 wells are being contact: Treatment Plant has signifi- lakes is attributed to the fact stored in a data base. cantly reduced nutrient that two lakes-Lake Okee- Preliminary analysis of the loads to District waters. Still Florida rment o chobee and Lake George- data indicates generally Envir~~~~conme nt ale Reogulaio of concern are nutrient Environmental Regulation account for almost half of excellent ground-water Standards Monitoring inputs from fall line points, Stio the assessed lake area in the quality, particularly in the particularly the upper Section State and are partially Floridan aquifer which 2600 Blair Stone Road Potomac watershed. meeting uses.) underlies all but the Ta~llahassee, FL 32399-2400 etrms n ohr- Other pollution sources llahassee, FL 32399-2400 Ninety-six percent of the westernmost and southern- are more site specific. These State's estuarine area was most parts of Florida. sources include leachate Surface Water reported as assessed, with 58 Major contamination from landfills, runoff from percent meeting uses. Of the sources in the State are industrial yards, leaks from Quality State's ocean coastal area, underground storage tanks underground storage tanks, 67 percent was reported as (primarily for gasoline) and and breaks in sanitary sewer Most of Florida's waters are assessed and 91 percent of agricultural activities. Other lines. of good quality; the distribu- ocean square miles were pollution sources include tion of problem areas closely found to meet uses. saltwater intrusion, septic Ground-Water follows the distribution of In previous years, most tanks, landfills, phosphate Florida's population. Water water quality problems in the mining, and hazardous waste Quality quality problems in the State State were caused by point sites. All community water are evident around the sources. Recently, however, systems are required to be Reliable information densely populated, major nonpoint sources accounted tested periodically for 118 regarding the quality of the urban areas including Jack- for the majority of the State's organic contaminants. The ground water in the District sonville, Orlando, 'ampa, the water quality problems. This contaminants include most of Columbia is essentially Cape Kennedy area, and the is because point source treat- of the priority pollutants as nonexistent. This is because southeastern Florida Coast. ment processes have improved well as certain pesticides virtually all of the City's The sparsely populated and there has been an known to be used in the water supply needs have northwest and west central increase in the acreage of State and suspected to be been satisfied by the sections of the State have agricultural and urban devel- polluting ground water. Potomac River. To fill the very good water quality. oped land. Major water Major ground-water void in ground-water data Florida has not historically quality problems in Florida protection programs in and management activities, been highly industrialized. include agricultural runoff, Florida include a ground- the District has begun a Thus, difficult and persistent urban stormwater, domestic water classification program; program for the protection of industrial types of pollution wastewater, pulp and paper a permitting program to ground-water resources. In are not widespread. However, mills, and hydrologic modi- regulate underground injec- 1987, the District submitted Florida has undergone an fication. tion of wastes; an under- to EPA a draft ground-water extensive population growth ground storage tank program protection strategy outlining in the last two decades which to monitor for leakage and plans for ground-water has resulted in more pollu- provide cleanup procedures; protection. Additionally, the tion sources associated with Quality a program to track pesticide District has funded a 3-year development. use; a program to regulate study of its ground-water Florida reports that it Because ground water hazardous waste storage, resources. assessed 90 percent of its supplies over 90 percent of disposal, and cleanup; and stream miles, and of these, Florida's drinking water, septic tank and landfill 67 percent fully supported ground-water programs have regulations. designated uses. All but 1 traditionally focused on the percent of the State's lake monitoring of wells for acres were assessed. Thirty- contamination. Recently, three percent of assessed a program has begun to lakes were found to be fully monitor ground water as a A-7 Appendix Georgia Water quality in Georgia's irrigation use, and almost surface water and ground- estuaries in 1986-1987 was half of the industrial use of water availability as well as lb obtain a copy of the also good. Of the 594 square water in the State. For prac- surface water and ground- Georgia 1988 305(b) report, miles of estuaries, 98 percent tical purposes, outside the water quality. fully supported uses, 1 per- larger cities of the Piedmont, cent partially supported ground water is the domi- Water Quality Management uses, and 1 percent did not nant source of water. Program support designated uses. Except where they may Hawa li Georgia Environmental Municipal and industrial become saline at lower Protection Division discharges, and storm sewers/ depths, all of the aquifers can To obtain a copy of the 270 Washington Street, S.W. runoff are cited as the most be considered as potential Hawaii 1988 305(b) report, Atlanta, GA 30334 common sources of use sources of drinking water. contact: impairment in Georgia rivers, For the most part, these Surface Water lakes, and estuaries. Gener- aquifers are underutilized Department of Health ally, the causes of most and generally free of contain- O. Box3378 Quality concern are dissolved oxygen, ination. Water from most of Honololu, HI 96801 nutrients, toxic substances, the aquifers may be safely Water quality in Georgia's turbidity, and fecal coliform consumed without treat- Surface Water streams in 1986-1987 was bacteria. ment, and, except for good. An assessment of the Georgia continued its occasional curtailment of Quality State's 20,000 miles of strong permitting and lawn sprinkling, water has streams and rivers indicates enforcement programs in not been rationed. Located some 5,000 miles that the vast majority 1986-1987. A total of 526 The most extensive in the central and western support designated water NPDES permits were reissued contamination of Georgia's Pacific Ocean, Hawaii has a uses. In 1986-1987, 97 and Georgia's record of no aquifers is from naturally coastal environment substan- percent of stream miles permit issuance backlog was occurring mineral salts (i.e., tially different from that of assessed supported desig- maintained. Ninety percent high total dissolved solids). the U.S. continental shelf. nated uses, 2 percent of major municipal discharges Another natural source of Hawaii assessed all of its partially supported uses, and and 98 percent of major contamination is from radio- river, estuarine, and coastal 1 percent did not support industrial discharges main- active minerals that are waters for this reporting designated uses. This evalua- tained consistent permit common rock constituents in period. Approximately 76 tion is based on predictive compliance in 1986-1987. many Georgia aquifers. While percent of river miles fully modeling, 20 years of trend However, improperly treated naturally occurring radio- supported their designated monitoring, intensive discharges, spills, and ero- activity may occur anywhere uses, 30 percent of estuary surveys, and special studies, sion/sedimentation problems in Georgia, the most signifi- square miles fully supported as well as the judgment of resulted in monetary penal- cant problems have occurred their designated uses, and professional staff members. ties totaling $542,763 being at sporadic locations in a 100 percent of ocean coastal Water quality in Georgia's levied by the Georgia Envi- southwest-northeast trend- miles supported their publicly owned lakes/reser- ronmental Protection ing zone extending from Tift designated uses. voirs in 1986-1987 was good. Division. County to Montgomery River and stream channel Of the 417,730 acres of lakes County. Manmade contam- alterations are considered to assessed, 98.7 percent fully Ground-Water ination can come from a be most damaging to aquatic supported uses, 1.3 percent number of sources, such as freshwater ecosystems, partially supported uses, and Quality business and industry, causing modifications to 0.01 percent did not support agriculture, homes (e.g., natural habitats and changes designated uses. All publicly Ground water is extremely septic systems), and hazard- in water quality due to flow owned lakes were sampled in important to the life, health, ous waste facilities. In 1986, restrictions, dissolved oxygen 1980 and 1981 as part of the and economy of Georgia. For Georgia developed a compre- depletion, turbidity, and Georgia Clean Lakes Program. example, in 1987, ground hensive water management temperature increases. Large Monitoring of major lakes water provided over 30 plan that addresses both quantities of nonpoint source and other selected lakes has percent of the public water pollutants have a significant continued on approximately supply, 93 percent of the impact on stream ecosystems an annual basis since 1982. rural use, 65 percent of the and nearshore coastal waters. A-8 Appendix During heavy flooding, urban sole source aquifer. The Pearl Idaho Idaho has over 2,800 street contaminants and Harbor ground-water basin, named freshwater lakes other debris wash into which has been heavily used lb obtain a copy of the Idaho covering a total of more than streams and drainage canal over the past years due to 1988 305(b) report, contact: 500,000 surface acres. Lake systems in urban areas. The increased industrial and conditions vary from pristine silt-laden waters invariably urban development, is Idaho Department of to over productive. Most of discolor nearshore waters included in this massive the Environment the reservoirs in Idaho were and cause elevated levels of area aquifer. 450 W. State Street created to provide agricul- coliform bacteria, nutrients, The public's awareness of Boise, ID 83720 ture irrigation water; many and turbidity. ground-water quality issues are experiencing eutrophica- Most estuaries in the State has increased in recent years. tion problems due to exces- are within embayments that Two well surveys in 1987 Surface Water sive nutrient and sediment generally are not subject to included first-time analyses loading from irrigation rapid and efficient flushing. for some unregulated Quality return flows and agricultural Therefore, embayments and compounds that had been runoff. High alpine lakes are nearshore waters in general believed to be bound strongly The major focus of this pristine and generally not may be significantly affected to the soil and therefore not report is the identification affected by human activities. by nonpoint source pollution. considered potential contam- of waters that are not meet- Signs of deteriorating water Major nonpoint factors inants. The finding of com- ing water quality standards quality are most notable in contributing to use impair- pounds such as dieldrin and or are not supporting bene- lakes in the panhandle area. ment in estuarine waters lindane, albeit at extremely ficial uses due to pollution Although few are classified include stormwater runoff, low levels, has led the State from nonpoint sources. as eutrophic, there is a strong construction and agricultural to reevaluate which com- Over 16,000 stream miles public perception of deterior- activities, and natural pounds should be classified were assessed for nonpoint ating water quality. Sources erosion. Domestic and indus- as leachable. source pollution impacts; this of impact are varied. Shore- rial sources of pollution Because of limited State amounts to approximately line development results in continually threaten fish and funding and State laboratory 50 percent of the total impacts from construction, wildlife sanctuaries. The resources, the Ground Water stream miles in the State. urban runoff, and subsurface State also reports that Protection Program has Over 12,000 miles of streams sewage disposal. Watershed wetlands and marshes near contracted out analyses for experience some type of non- sources of impact include residential districts are only 29 comprehensive point source impact; in half mining, agriculture, and threatened by habitat screens in 1988. In order to of these stream miles, at least forest practices. alterations due to urban ensure that the State's one beneficial use is not fully A total of 727,202 lake growth and development. overall ground-water quality supported. acres were assessed for this is assessed, the wells chosen The primary nonpoint report. Of the total lake acres will be from all the Hawaiian source activity impacting assessed, 220,410 were classi- Ground-Water islands except Oahu, where beneficial uses in Idaho fled as oligotrophic, 407,829 Quality data are already available. streams is agriculture. The as mesotrophic, and 93,496 second most significant as eutrophic. nonpoint source impact is Concerns about the quan- nonpoint source impact is ity and quality of ground hydrologic or habitat modi- Ground-Water ity and quality of ground water and well water systems fication. Other nonpoint Quality source activities affecting continue to be a major issue in both the public and Idaho waters are forest prac- Limited monitoring data private sectors. The 1987 tices, construction, and have indicated that most Legislative Session finalized mining. The extent of impacts ground water in Idaho is of a State Water Code whichvaries good quality. Where contam- addresses the crucial issue of by region. Agricultural activ- ination has been found, it ities affect more streams in ground-water quantity and tes affect mor e streams ranges from localized inci- use appropriations. Protec- the central and southern dents in a few acres to more tion of the Southern Oahu regons, widespread nonpoint source Aquifer has been afforded by tices are more significant in pollution such as elevated its designation by EPA as a the northern region. nitrate levels. A-9 Appendix Idaho's principal aquifers Illinois percent were partially Ground-Water have been evaluated for supporting uses, and the Quality potential contamination by Tob obtain a copy of the remaining 33 percent were the U.S. Geological Survey Illinois 1988 305(b) report, not supporting uses. Addi- Ground-water monitoring and the Department of Water contact: tionally, 91 percent and and assessment information Resources. Both studies 42 percent of these assessed to date indicate that state- assessed a wide variety of Illinois Environmental waters met the fishable and wide ground-water quality potential contaminant Protection Agency swimmable goals of the CWA, is generally good. However, sources, intensity of land Division of Water Pollution respectively, many activities, past and use, and aquifer vulnerability Control The primary causes of use present, contribute to resulting from geological and 2200 Churchill Road impairment for lakes are ground-water contamination hydrologic factors. Springfield, IL 62706 suspended solids, siltation, in Illinois. Major sources of Major land use practices in organic enrichment/dissolved identified contamination in Idaho were ranked according Surface Water oxygen deficiencies, and the State include leaking to their contamination poten- Surface Water nutrients. Nuisance aquatic underground storage tanks, tial. Highest priority sources Quality plants and taste and odor are abandoned hazardous waste were petroleum handling and the next most important sites, and municipal and storage, feedlots and dairies, Rivers and streams in causes affecting impaired industrial landfills. Sub- landfills and hazardous Illinois total 14,960 river lakes; toxics and other causes stances identified as contam- waste disposal sites, and land miles (13,200 interior river are of relatively minor impor- inants include organic and application of wastewater. miles; 1,760 border river tance statewide. Sources inorganic chemicals, metals, Nonpoint sources of impact miles). In this reporting affecting the greatest radioactive materials, pesti- to ground water are poorly period, 12,970 river miles number and acreage of lakes cides and other agricultural understood in Idaho, princi- were assessed for degree are agriculture (primarily chemicals, arsenic, brine, and paliy because monitoring of use support. Of these row crops), in-place contam- petroleum products. data are inadequate. Limited assessed miles, 45 percent inants (deposited sediment The Illinois Ground-Water monitoring does indicate were fully supporting their with associated nutrients Protection Act, signed into nonpoint source impacts designated uses. The major and pollutants), and lake/ law September 24, 1987, from septic systems and agri- causes of use impairment stream bank erosion. will help direct new program cultural activities. The rela- include nutrients, siltation, Lake Michigan includes a initiatives through numerous tive importance of nonpoint habitat/flow alteration, total of 63 shoreline miles, agencies to protect the State's source versus point source organic enrichment/low forming the northeastern ground-water resources from impacts, however, is not dissolved oxygen, ammonia/ portion of Illinois' border. future degradation and to known, chlorine, and metals. The All 63 shoreline miles are avoid difficult and expensive major sources of use impair- assessed to be partially remedial cleanup efforts. ment include agriculture, supporting designated uses point sources, hydrologic/ with minor impairment. The habitat modification, causes for less than full construction/urban runoff, support include total phos- and resource extraction. phate concentrations in Ninety-six percent of water column samples and assessed stream miles were priority organics based on found to be meeting the fish- the lakewide sport fish able goal of the Clean Water advisory. Major sources Act (CWA), and 24 percent include atmospheric depo- were meeting the swimmable sition, urban runoff, and goal. in-place contaminants. Due The State assessed 382 to a sport fish health advis- lakes covering 183,572 acres ory, Illinois' portion of Lake and representing 74 percent Michigan is considered to not of the acreage of inland lakes be fully attaining the fishable in Illinois. Twelve percent of goal of the CWA. All shore- assessed lake acres were line miles meet the swim- found to support uses, 55 mable goals of the Act. A-10 Appendix Indiana not considered to support the not been shown to have been efforts within and among all "fishable" goal due to the adversely affected by man's levels of government, and To 'obtain a copy of the Indbalna 198rpyofrt lakewide fish consumption activities, over 200 sites of continued public partici- Indiana 1988 305(b) report, coIndianaot advisory. ground-water contamination pation. contact: The major causes of have been documented. nonsupport of uses were These problems affect over * Indiana Department fecal coliform bacteria, 900 individual wells and of Environmental of Environmental organic enrichment and several hundred thousand owa * Management dissolved oxygen problems, people. 105 South Meridian Street pesticides, priority organic The substances m ost b obtain a copy of the Iowa pestcids, rioityorgnic The substances most Indianapolis, IN 46225 compounds, and ammonia. frequently detected as well 1988 305(b) report, contact: componds, nd amonia. frequently detected as well There is also an indication water contaminants in the ~Surface Water that chlorine was moderately State are chlorinated volatile Iowa Department of Natural affecting uses. The sources organic chemicals, petroleum Resources Quality of substances most often products, and nitrate. Moni- Wallace State Office Building contributing to nonsupport toring wells at waste disposal Des Moines, IA 50319 During the reporting of uses were: industrial and sites most often indicate period, Indiana assessed municipal/semi-public point ground-water pollution from urface Water 5,181 miles of streams, sources, combined sewer inorganic chemicals. About 104,540 acres of lakes, and overflows, and agricultural 10 percent of the private Quality 43 Great Lake shoreline nonpoint sources. Nonpoint wells and 2 percent of the miles. Of the waters assessed, sources were most often noncommunity wells tested Of the 8,235 miles of 68 percent of the river and considered to have only contain excessive nitrate streams assessed during 1986 stream miles and over 99 minor to moderate impacts. levels. These are thought to and 1987, about 20 percent percent of the total inland One area of special concern be primarily of nonpoint were described as not lake and reservoir acreage for Indiana is toxics control source origin. The sources of supporting the uses for fully supported their and monitoring. Increased ground-water contamination which they were designated designated uses. All of monitoring of fish tissue and most commonly reported in in the State's water quality Indiana's portion of Lake sediments for toxic and the State are hazardous standards. About 79 percent Michigan was considered as bioconcentrating materials material spills, leaking were partially supporting partially supporting desig- has occurred in Indiana over underground storage tanks, those uses. For lakes, 55 nated uses due to the lake- the last two years, and a and waste disposal activities. percent of the 48,549 wide fish consumption considerable amount of data The Indiana Inter-Agency assessed acres were found advisory for certain species. has been collected. However, Ground Water Task Force to be supporting designated Of the stream miles little guidance is currently adopted a final version of the uses, about 42 percent were assessed, it was estimated available to aid the State in State Ground Water Protec- partially supporting, and that the swimmable goal interpreting this fish tissue tion Strategy and Draft the remaining were not was supported in 82 percent and sediment data as to Implementation Plan in supporting uses. Thirty-two and the fishable goal was health effects and potential early 1987. This document percent of 26,192 assessed supported in 79 percent. environmental impacts. addresses 43 separate issues wetland acres were found to Although both the fishable involving wells, ground water be fully supporting desig- and swimmable goals were quality, and water quantity, nated uses, about 54 percent Ground-Water supported in over 99 percent and makes 160 recommenda- were partially supporting, of the total lake and reser- Quality tions for improved safe- and about 14 percent were voir acreas assessed, many guards and management not supporting. are considered threatened Indiana's plentiful ground of the resource. The plan Iowa also assessed attain- by point and/or nonpoint water resource serves 60 calls for new and revised ment of the Clean Water Act sources of pollution. All of percent of its population for laws and rules, new as well as goals for streams, lakes, and Lake Michigan governed by drinking water and fills many modified agency programs, wetlands. Eighty-two Indiana supported the of the water needs of busi- research and information percent of assessed stream "swimmable" goal but was nesses, industry, and agri- management, coordination miles, 99 percent of assessed culture. Although most of lakes acres, and 86 percent of Indiana's ground water has wetland acres were found to A-11 Appendix be meeting the fishable goal. Major ground-water Along with pesticides, supported designated uses, Due to naturally occurring concerns in Iowa center synthetic organic compounds and 31 percent did not physical limitations-primar- around human activities and have also been detected in support designated uses. ily size and depth of water- resultant ground-water con- Iowa ground water. In several Of the lake acres assessed, the swimmable goal was not tamination. Agricultural instances, concentrations 67 percent fully supported attainable in 73 percent of chemicals, landfills, under- have been detected that are designated uses, 28 percent the stream miles and 76 per- ground storage tanks, agri- high enough to be considered partially supported desig- cent of the wetland acres cultural drainage wells, a health concern for long- nated uses, and 5 percent did assessed. Of the waters in livestock wastes, and term exposure. not support designated uses. which the swimmable goal is improper management of In 1987, Iowa initiated Assessment of Kansas attainable, 74 percent of the hazardous substances all ground-water protection waters relative to their stream miles, 99 percent of contribute to some degree to legislation under the Ground- support of fishable/swim- the lake acres, and 73 ground-water degradation. Water Protection Act. This mable goal of the Clean percent of the wetland acres Several studies in north- Act combines regulatory and Water Act revealed that 100 were found to meet the goal. eastern Iowa have focused nonregulatory approaches to percent of assessed lake The stream miles not meet- primarily on contamination protect Iowa's ground-water acres met both the fishable ing the swimmable goal were involving nitrates, pesticides, sources. This law includes and swimmable goal. Ninety- impaired by fecal coliform and other manmade organic provisions relating to pesti- five percent of the river bacteria. The wetland acres chemicals. High levels of cide and fertilizer sales and miles assessed met the not meeting the swimmable nitrates have been detected use, as well as improved fishable goal and 79 percent goal were impaired by sedi- in ground-water drinking management practices relat- met the swimmable goal. ment and nutrients. water supplies throughout ing to specific environmental The main causes of use Nonpoint sources the State. Nitrogen fertilizer concerns: solid waste impairment in rivers were contributing mainly sedi- usage, animal wastes, and disposal, underground storage determined to be pathogens ment, nutrients, and pesti- wastewater treatment all tanks, agricultural drainage and salinity. The leading cides were the primary contribute to elevated nitrate wells, and sinkholes. sources are agriculture and reason for use impairment in levels in ground water. municipal dischargers. For Iowa's streams. Other major Studies in northeast Iowa's lakes, the main causes of use causes of pollution cited by karst areas and statewide impairment appear to be the State include metals and sampling during 1985, 1986, Kansas siltation, salinity, and metals. pathogens. There are no and 1987 have detected low 'lb obtan a copy of the Agriculture and hydrological/ direct discharges of waste- levels of various pesticides in Kansas 1988 305(b) report, habitat modifications were water to lakes in Iowa, so all Iowa ground water. Runoff the leading sources of use lake pollution problems were into agricultural drainage impairment in the lakes. attributed to nonpoint wells and sinkholes, as well sources. The leading causes as infiltration through soils, Health and Environment Ground-Water of nonsupport in lakes were are believed to be the sources Water Quality Assessment nutrients, siltation, and to a of pesticide contamination. Sectionty lesser degree oil and grease. Except for instances where Bureau of Water Protection contamination has been Forbes Field Kansans rely on ground- G rou nd-Water found in the vicinity of ag- KS 66620 water resources for public, chemical dealerships, the rural, industrial, and irriga- Quality concentrations of pesticides tion water supplies. Approx- found are thought to pose no i Wmately 85 percent of all Ground-water withdrawals immediate threat to public urfce ater water used in Kansas is account for nearly 85 percent health. However, little is Quality supplied from ground water. of the total water uses in known about the effects of Irrigation continues to be the Iowa, with approximately 80 long-term exposure to low During Water Years 1986- largest user of ground water. percent of all Iowa's drinking concentrations of many of 1987, Kansas assessed 6,888 In rural areas, ground water water coming from ground- these chemicals or their miles of streams and 173,911 supplies 85 percent of the water aquifers. The quality breakdown products. acres of lakes. Of the river drinking water. and quantity of Iowa aquifers miles assessed, 58 percent Ground-water quality vary throughout the State. fully supported designated problems in Kansas are uses, 11 percent partially generally localized. About A-12 Appendix 300 isolated ground-water KeVtn ck Natural sources, surface found and attributed to pollution problems are ntuclq mining, and unspecified faulty well construction. No known and are generally the To obtain a copy of the nonpoint sources accounted significant cases of organic result of human activities. Kentucky 1988 305(b) report, for the greatest impacts to contamination were found. Pesticide contamination of contact: lakes. While these studies point out ground water is a site-specific The discharge of brines to the good quality of the problem; more analysis is Kentucky Division of Water Kentucky waters remains a ground water in these areas, needed to determine the Water Quality Branch serious problem, particularly other statewide problems extent of contamination. The 18 Reilly Road in portions of the Licking and remain to be solved. Impacts Kansas Department of Health Frankfort Office Park Kentucky River drainages. from sanitary landfills and and Environment (KDHE) Frankfort, KY 40601 Significant improvements in domestic on-site sewage Frankfort, KY 40601 has established a Bureau of water quality in parts of treatment, inconsistencies Environmental Remediation the Blaine Creek drainage in Federal and State laws to respond to State contam- Su resulted from the application regarding ground water, and ination cleanup needs. Surface Water of newly promulgated Federal improperly abandoned wells Some Kansas ground water Quality chloride criteria to oil and are of concern. is not desirable for drinking gas permitting actions. because of inorganic chem- During the reporting Continuation of the permit- icals and mineralization. period, Kentucky assessed ting activities should signif- Louisiana Screening of Public Water 8,653 miles of streams and icantly improve water quality LUUISlana Supply wells for volatile 214,483 acres of lakes. in the other areas affected To obtain a copy of the organic chemicals resulted in Approximately 71 percent by brine pollution. the removal of over 30 wells of assessed river miles fully The loss of wetland Louisiana 1988 305(b) report, from service. Nitrate was supported their designated resources and adverse found to exceed public uses, as did 84 percent of impacts to remaining wet- Drinking Water Standards in assessed lake acres. land areas are of concern to Department of several studies, including the The major causes of use the State. It is estimated that Environmental Quality Farmstead Well Contamina- nonsupport in rivers were half of Kentucky's original Standards Development tion Study. The KDHE and fecal coliform contamina- wetland& Implementation Section the U.S. Geologic Survey tion, affecting primary Nearly all of the remaining Water Pollution Division maintain a ground-water contact recreation use, and areas have been degraded by P.O. Box 44091 monitoring network and siltation, impairing warm- pesticides, acid mine drain- Baton Rouge, LA 708044091 conduct special investiga- water aquatic habitat use. age, siltation, oil brine, tions as warranted. The major sources of the or domestic and industrial fecal coliform contamination waste. A major threat to Surface Water were municipal wastewater Kentucky wetlands is treatment plant discharges. destruction by competing Quality Nonpoint sources, primarily land use activities and poor surface mining and unspeci- land management practices. Louisiana contains a fled other sources such as plentiful supply of water agriculture, were the major Ground-Water resources comprising an sources of siltation. estimated 290,000 river and Iron and manganese were Quality stream miles, 715,812 the greatest cause of use lake/reservoir acres, and nonsupport in lakes. This was With some exceptions, the 7,656 square miles of largely due to impacts on quality of Kentucky's ground estuaries. Of the 8,483 total domestic water supplies from water is good. Special studies river miles assessed, 68 hypolimnetic water released were conducted in 1987 on percent are fully supporting from large reservoirs. 199 wells in the Gateway designated uses, 25 percent Nutrients were the second Area Development District are partially supporting greatest cause of use non- and the Calvert City area. designated uses, and 7 support and affected the Isolated occurrences of fecal percent are not supporting largest number of lakes. coliform contamination were designated uses. Seventy- A-13 Appendix three percent of the State's and other oxygen demanding potential sources of drinking remaining untreated point 715,812 assessed lake acres substances. The DO levels in water will be a key goal. sources, and the emergence are fully supporting their many of Louisiana's water- of ground-water quality and designated uses, and 27 bodies reflect the impact of hydropower as major percent are partially wetland drainage. concerns, it is doubtful that supporting their designated Mai ne future water quality improve- uses. Of the 7,656 square Ground-Water 'me nts will continue at the miles of estuaries which rot ota c t same rate as in the past. were assessed, 55 percent Quality 1988 305(b) report, contact: are fully supporting their designated uses, 42 percent The quality of water in the Maine Department of Ground-Water are partially supporting State's major aquifer systems Environmental Protection Quality designated uses, and 2 remains excellent. The State House Station No. 17 percent are not supporting deeper aquifers remain free Augusta, ME 04333 During the past 10 years, designated uses, from contamination. Of many wells in Maine have The most frequently cited specific concern in Louis- Surfacbeen abandoned due to pollutants identified as iana, however, are the urface Water contamination from causes of use are fecal shallow aquifers and the Quality nonpoint source pollution. coliform bacteria, oxygen- water bearing zones which Based on present knowledge demanding substances, are not used as major sources During Water Years 1986- of pollution sources affecting nutrients, oil, and inorganic of water. These strata, which 1987, 31,672 river miles, ground water, it is safe to impairment (specifically, have been shown to contrib- 994,560 lake acres, and 1,633 assume that there are thou- chlorides and brine). The ute significantly to the water square miles of estuary were sands of sites in Maine with most commonly cited sources balance of the deeper aqui- assessed. This represents 100 unpotable ground water. The of pollutants are runoff from fers, are becoming increas- percent of the total size of State is currently formu- unsewered communities, ingly threatened. This threat waterbodies in the State. Of lating a Ground Water inadequately treated sewage is two-fold. Site-specific the assessed waters, 99 Strategy to deal with the discharges from municipal- contamination of these percent of river miles, 96 alarming degradation of this ities, discharges and spills shallow strata presents a percent of lake acres, and 98 critical resource. Preventive from petroleum activities, direct threat to the major percent of estuary square rather than reactive measures agricultural runoff, and aquifers by means of leakage miles fully supported their will form the basis of this urban runoff. At this time, through well bores, strati- designated uses. strategy. nonpoint sources appear to graphic interconnections, In the more populated Major sources of ground- be the predominant sources and fractures. In addition, areas of Maine, water quality water contamination in the contributing to water quality individual wells are located is affected by a combination State include septic systems, problems in the State. in these shallow strata and of point sources such as agricultural activities, Waterbodies that may become directly contam- industrial and municipal improper storage, and experience frequent or inated. effluents, and nonpoint disposal of hazardous sub- chronic depressed levels of To address this growing sources such as urban and stances, landfill leachate, dissolved oxygen (DO) are of problem, the Department of suburban stormwater runoff, leaking underground storage special concern to the State. Environmental Quality now combined sewer overflows, tanks, and salt storage/road Low DO levels can result has a Ground Water Protec- agriculture, construction- deicing. Present trends from a combination of tion Division within the related runoff, and waste indicate that more of Maine's natural and man-induced Office of Water Resources. In disposal practices. Most of ground water is becoming sources which are frequently addition to enforcing State the larger municipal and contaminated each year, and difficult to separate. Low DO and Federal ground-water industrial effluents now almost none is being restored levels can be attributed to protection programs, the new receive the equivalent of to acceptable levels of qual- partially or inadequately Division is working on the best practicable treatment. ity. Migration and expansion treated sewage and to development of a State This has led to improved of existing contamination natural conditions, especially ground-water protection water quality in the State's plumes would be a contin- in waterbodies surrounded strategy. Although this major rivers in the last 20 uing concern even if current by wetlands which contribute strategy is still under devel- years. Given the difficulties pollution sources could be nutrients, organic matter, opment, the protection of all of controlling nonpoint addressed. sources, the low number of A-14 Appendix Maryland about 2 percent did not the total water used in the Massachusetts support their designated State, ground water is of To obtain a copy of the uses. Of the 17,448 acres of substantial cultural and To obtain a copy of the Maryland 1988 305(b) report, large public lakes assessed in economic importance. For Massachusetts 1988 305(b) contact: the State, 85 percent fully example, ground water report, contact: supported their intended constitutes up to 97 percent uses, 15 percent partially of the total water used in Massachusetts Division of the Environment supported uses, and less than some Eastern Shore counties. Water Pollution Control Chesapeake Bay & Special 1 percent did not support Approximately 15 percent of Westview Building Projects Program their intended uses. None of the State's population use Lyman School Grounds 2500 Broening Highway the 1,981 square miles of the ground water as a drinking Westborough, MA 01581 Baltimore, MD 21224 mainstem Chesapeake Bay water supply; other major estuary fully supported uses of ground water include Surface Water designated uses. No water livestock water supply, irri- Surface Water quality impacts were noted gation, and industrial uses. Quality Quality along 32 miles of the open On the whole, the State's ocean coast. ground waters are of accept- Water quality in Massa- The State's surface waters Nutrients, sediments, and able quality. However, a chusetts has not changed are of good quality and bacteria are the three major number of localized instances significantly since 1986. exhibit stable trends even causes of use impairment in of ground-water contamina- The State reports that water though many problems still the State. These problems tion exist. Locally serious quality impacts from point exist and new ones have occur statewide and in most impacts occur as a result of sources appear to be declin- been identified. The most waterbody types. Regional excess nitrates, bacteria, salt, ing as a result of the construc- serious of these problems is causes of severe water toxic compounds, and petro- tion and upgrading of waste- the continuing accumulation quality impacts include leum products. In some cases, water treatment plants. of nutrients in estuaries and organic enrichment in the water supply wells have been Nonpoint sources, however, impoundments. Suspended Chesapeake Bay estuary and closed. continue to degrade water sediments continue to be a in the lower tidal rivers, and Existing or potential quality and are more appar- problem in both free-flowing acidity in the State's western sources of ground-water ent now that control of point and tidal waters. Locally rivers and streams near contamination in the State sources has improved. elevated bacterial levels are abandoned coal mines. Other include septic systems, land- Data for this reporting found throughout the State, causes of severe water fills and dumps, underground period indicate that 43 and have resulted in some quality impacts include pesti- storage tanks, saltwater percent of the 1,646 river areas being closed to recrea- cide contamination (chlor- intrusion, agricultural activ- miles assessed fully support tional bathing or shellfish dane) and flow alteration. ities, surface impoundments their designated uses, 36 harvesting. Acid mine drain- Leading sources of impair- and injection wells, spills and percent partially support age from many abandoned ment include agricultural improper storage, and land uses, and 20 percent do not coal mines in Western Mary- and urban runoff, mining, application of sewage sludge support their uses. Of 171 land remains a long standing, rural conditions, municipal and wastewater. estuarine square miles difficult problem to solve. discharge, land disposal assessed, 32 percent support The presence of the toxic (failing septic systems and uses, 65 percent partially pesticide chlordane in some raw sewage input), bottom support uses, and 4 percent sediments and fish tissues in sediment releases, and do not support uses. Baltimore Harbor, Back upstream sources. In Massachusetts' rivers River, and Lake Roland indi- and estuaries, coliform cates a long-term pollution Ground-Water bacteria are the leading problem. cause of the impairment of Of the 9,300 miles of rivers Quality designated uses. Combined and streams assessed in sewer overflows and munic- Maryland, nearly 93 percent Ground-water resources in ipal sewage treatment plants fully supported their desig- Maryland are an abundant are the major point source of nated uses, 5 percent par- natural resource. Although it fecal coliform bacteria, while tially supported uses, and comprises only 13 percent of urban runoff and failing A-15 Appendix septic systems are its leading pesticide EDB. Other nonpoint source contrib- contaminants cited include Mi ch gan Four of the five Great utors. Nutrients, dissolved nitrates, MBAs, phenols, Lakes border Michigan. oxygen, and biochemical trihalomethanes, and bTo obtain a copy of the Three of these lakes- oxygen demanding substances calcium carbonate. Michigan 1988 305(b) report, Superior, Michigan, and are also significant causes of Contamination was traced Huron-are considered to be use impairment. to industrial sources, includ- oligotrophic and of excellent Monitoring data indicate ing leaking sewer lines and Michigan Department of quality. Water quality in that 91 percent of the State's storage areas, discharges, and Natural Resources Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron river miles are fishable and 9 illegal dumping; leaking Surface Water Quality has improved considerably in percent are posted with a underground tanks; landfills; Division recent years and has contrib- fish consumption advisory. overdevelopment; septic P.O. Box 30028 uted to improved water qual- Of the State's estuarine systems; road salts; a sewage Lansing, MI 48909 ity conditions in Lake Huron. waters, 68 percent are fish- treatment plant; and natural Conditions in Lake Erie have able, 31 percent have fish conditions or unknown also improved. Lake Erie is consumption advisories, and sources. Private water sup- still considered to be eutro- 1 percent are under fishing plies are also threatened by Quality phic, but biological communi- bans. PCB and heavy metal pesticides from agricultural ties are becoming more contamination are the cause activities. Water quality in Michigan's balanced and there are fewer of fish consumption advis- Much has been accom- lakes and streams is gener- problems with low dissolved ories and bans in the State. plished in the past 5 years ally quite good. The inland oxygen levels. Michigan is to further ground-water waters of the upper penin- currently preparing or Ground-Water protection and cleanup in sula and the northern half implementing Remedial Ground-Water Massachusetts. A 1983 of the lower peninsula are Action Plans for several Quality Ground Water Protection of excellent quality and Great Lakes nearshore Areas Strategy set the organiza- generally contain diverse of Concern to improve water Ground-water supplies tional framework necessary aquatic communities. In the quality conditions in these serve approximately 33 to identify and effectively southern part of the State, historically degraded areas. percent of the population in and efficiently address lakes and streams have been Over the past 20 years, Massachusetts, with around matters affecting ground- affected by surface water pollution abatement efforts 400,000 individuals relying water quality and public runoff from agricultural land have reduced water quality on private on-site wells. health. Within the context of and urban centers, and by problems in many Michigan Since 1960, 41 municipalities this strategy, new regulatory municipal and industrial waters. Eutrophication prob- have been affected by chem- programs and financial discharges. lems in particular have been ical or bacterial contamina- and technical assistance During the reporting substantially reduced due to tion of municipal water programs have been devel- period, Michigan assessed major point source reduc- supplies. This has resulted in oped and implemented. 36,350 miles of streams, tions in phosphorus and temporary or permanent Closed and contaminated 424,021 acres of lakes, and organic material loads. The closures of 108 public wells, water supplies have been 3,288 Great Lake shoreline State is now increasing its well fields, or reservoirs treated, local land use miles. Designated uses were efforts at determining the across the State. There are controls have been strength- supported in 98 percent of magnitude of nonpoint few statistics on private well ened, and grants for the the assessed river miles and source nutrient loads and closures. purchase of land to protect 72 percent of assessed lake formulating nonpoint source Ground-water monitoring wells have been distributed. acres. Since all Michigan control programs. is conducted through routine Because of these programs waters of the Great Lakes Toxic contaminants testing, the State Purgeable and grants, 26 percent of the have public health fish continue to have a major Organic Testing (SPOT) Pro- closed municipal supplies consumption advisories in impact on water resources in gram, citizen requests, and have been brought back on place for at least one species several areas of the State. special studies. This moni- line and an additional 17.6 due to elevated levels of toxic Michigan has recently imple- toring has resulted in well percent are slated for materials in their tissue, the mented an industrial pre- closures due to elevated reactivation. State's Great Lakes waters treatment program, promul- levels of organics, iron and are considered to be not fully gated new rules on the manganese, salt, petroleum supporting their designated discharge of toxic materials, products, coliform, and the uses. and regulated hazardous A-16 Appendix waste disposal facilities to also on the Federal Super- ination presents an increas- public water supply; rural control the discharge of fund list. ing challenge to the State's domestic and livestock water these substances. However, As of January 1988, 35 efforts to protect water supply; irrigation; thermo- many problems are due to Michigan municipal well quality. electric power generation; in-place pollutants that have systems were known to have During the reporting and self-supplied industrial accumulated in bottom sedi- been affected by toxic period, Minnesota assessed use. Public and domestic ments from historical dis- contaminants and over 950 4,443 miles of streams, water supply account for charges. At present, little is private residential wells were 1,435,554 acres of lakes, and 55.7 percent of the ground known about the interaction known to be contaminated. 272 Great Lake shoreline water withdrawn, which was of these materials with the Even greater numbers of miles. Of the assessed waters, more than 140 billion gallons aquatic environment, the public and private wells are 35 percent of river miles, in 1985. extent of contamination in potentially affected by 84 percent of lake acres, and The Minnesota Pollution problem areas, the specific known contamination sites. 100 percent of Great Lake Control Agency (MPCA) has chemical compounds Various steps are being shoreline miles were fully conducted a Ground Water involved, or toxic material taken to protect the State's supporting their designated Quality Monitoring Program resuspension and transport ground water including the uses. since 1978. The monitoring rates. cleanup of hazardous waste The major causes of use network consists of approx- sites and contaminated impairment in rivers were imately 400 wells and springs Ground-Water aquifers, the regulation of siltation, nutrients, patho- statewide, which are sampled activities that could poten- gens, and organic enrich- in a 4-year rotation and Quality tially impact ground-water ment. Seventy-three percent analyzed for basic constit- supplies, and monitoring of impaired river miles were uents and volatile organic Ground water is readily ground-water quality. An affected by nonpoint sources compounds. Pesticides are available at most locations in interagency ground-water of pollution. The only cause also analyzed for a very Michigan, although there are management and protection of use impairment cited for limited basis. some places in the western program is being imple- lakes was nutrients, primarily The natural quality of upper peninsula and southern mented. from nonpoint sources. Minnesota's ground water is Michigan where yields are Fish tissue analyses were generally quite good, with low. Most of the State's used to identify waters con- concentrations usually ground water is of excep- taminated with bioaccumu- falling far below the primary tional quality and is used for M innesota lative toxics and to monitor drinking water standards. a variety of purposes includ- heavily used water for However, there is growing ing domestic consumption, To obtain a copy of the potential problems. Mercury concern over increased crop irrigation, food process- Minnesota 1988 305(b) and PCBs were determined nitrate and pesticide contam- ing, and industrial processes. report, contact: to be the leading causes of ination. The influence of Approximately half of Michi- nonsupport of fish consump- land use activities on ground- gan's residents, or about 4.6 Minnesota Pollution Control tion uses in lakes; in rivers, water quality can be seen in million people, depend on Agency PCBs were the leading cause, the chronic exceedances of ground water as their sole Water Monitoring and Data although mercury was also the nitrate standard in the source of drinking water. The Management Unit a factor. In rivers, toxic southwestern counties, withdrawal of ground water 520 Lafayette Road contamination of fish tissue where animal feedlots are for public consumption is the St. Paul, MN 55155 generally occurred below concentrated. Nitrates are largest use of this resource major municipalities. also frequently elevated in in Michigan. the karst areas of south- Certain aquifers have Surface Water eastern Minnesota, as well become contaminated by Quality Ground-Water as in the shallow surficial toxic materials leaking from Quality unconsolidated sandplain waste disposal sites, busi- Control of point source aquifers which supply water nesses, or government facil- discharges has been vastly At least 75 percent of all in the central areas along the ities. Actual or potential improved in Minnesota. How- Minnesotans rely on ground Mississippi River Basin. ground-water contamination ever, as land use increases water for their drinking Other recent ground-water has been identified at 1,778 and intensifies, the adverse water supply. Water use monitoring programs of sites in Michigan. At this impact of nonpoint source within the State was divided interest are the cooperative time, 69 of these sites are pollution and toxic contain- into five major categories: pesticide surveys conducted A-17 Appendix by the Minnesota Depart- siltation, and to a lesser High fecal coliform levels excessive color are noted. ments of Agriculture and extent pesticides, priority along the Mississippi Gulf Localized ground-water Health. The wells tested in organics, metals, chlorine, Coast are a serious concern contamination problems the surveys were generally organic enrichment/dissolved in the State. This problem have been found near a located in places where local oxygen, and salinity. The has been caused by rapid number of RCRA-regulated hydrogeology indicates major source of these pollut- development on the Gulf surface impoundments. susceptibility to pesticide ants is agricultural runoff. Coast and the inability of Ground-water contamination contamination. Approx- With implementation of Best existing sewage collection has also been found near imately 500 samples were Management Practices, all and treatment systems to several wood preserving collected; about 38 percent streams classified for Fish keep up with population facilities and chemical of all samples had detectable and Wildlife or higher uses growth. Significant improve- companies. All of these levels of one or more could potentially attain ment is anticipated with the contamination incidences pesticides. support of the fishable/ implementation of regional involve shallow aquifers. The The State is working to swimmable goal. sewage treatment plants for U.S. Geological Survey, in control and abate ground- Over 96 percent of the the three-county area. cooperation with the Missis- water pollution through its State's 500,000 acres of lakes Another area of concern sippi Department of Natural ground-water protection fully support designated is the Mississippi Delta. This Resources, has completed a strategy and development uses, with the remainder fertile farmland has been study of ground-water and of municipal ground-water partially supporting uses. All subjected to intense tillage surface-water contamination standards. lakes were determined to be and use of agricultural in five areas of southern supporting the fishable/ chemicals over many years; Mississippi. The study swimmable goal of the Clean lakes and streams in the area indicated that brine contam- Water Act. Lakes rated as have been affected. Although ination in shallow aquifers Mississippi partially supporting their use serious problems with DDT, has occurred in parts of the classification are affected by its derivatives, and toxa- Pickens, Tinsley, Brook- To obtain a copy of the nonpoint sources, primarily phene have declined signif- haven, Little Creek, and Mississippi 1988 305(b) agricultural runoff. icantly since 1976, use of Ryan oil fields. A number of report, contact: As in rivers and lakes, toxaphene as a herbicide is areas in southwestern Missis- nonpoint sources are the increasing. Improvements in sippi were also found to be Mississippi Department of primary reason for use the Delta should be gradually contaminated by brine. The Natural Resources impairment in Mississippi's noted as less persistent study also indicates that Bureau of Pollution Control estuaries and coastal waters. chemicals are used at parts of deeper aquifers may Water Quality Management Approximately 133 square optimum spraying times. In be contaminated in Tinsley Section miles of estuaries were addition, educational efforts and Brookhaven oil fields. P.O. Box 10385 assessed for this report. Of through the 208 Program and The Mississippi State Jackson, MS 39209 these, 126 square miles fully other agricultural programs Department of Health is support designated uses, are resulting in use of Best responsible for administering Surface Water 6 square miles partially sup- Management Practices such the Federal Safe Drinking port uses, and only 1 square as minimum tillage, filter Water Act for the State. Quality mile does not support desig- strips, crop residue use, and Approximately 96 wells nated uses. Of 81 coastal safe pesticide container serving 32 water supplies Of Mississippi's 15,600 miles, 40 miles fully support disposal. have been sampled for miles of rivers, about 89 designated uses but are volatile organic chemicals percent fully support threatened. Another 30 miles (VOCs) in addition to primary designated uses. Over 97 are partially supporting and drinking water parameters. percent of these miles were 11 miles are nonsupporting. Quality Four of these public water rated as meeting the fishable Except for periodic excur- supplies sampled contained goal of the Clean Water Act sions of the bacteria standard Ground water in Missis- VOCs. Two of these contam- and 95 percent were rated as for recreation, all of these sippi is of good quality; ination instances were meeting the swimmable goal. coastal waters were found to however, in some areas directly related to leaking The most significant impacts support the fishable/swim- natural problems such as low underground storge tanks on impaired streams arose mable goal of the Clean pH, excessive iron, excessive and the other two are primarily from nutrients, Water Act. dissolved solids, and unresolved. When contam- A-18 Appendix ination of an underground efforts, however, have lagged taminants are a problem seriously threatened by source of drinking water behind. A State-funded statewide. surface impoundments used occurs, the Department of program to address soil Missouri discusses its to store liquid waste, these Natural Resources works erosion is under way on a ground-water contamination have probably been the with the Department of watershed basis, and some sources as follows: largest source of hazardous Health to define a potential improvements are expected waste in ground waters by contaminant source, from the reclamation of � Public supplies at Repub- volume. abandoned coal mines. lic and Liberty, Missouri, Impacts from abandoned have been contaminated and ~~Missouri ~ lead-zinc mining areas are long-term water use may be a M issou ri not being addressed, and health risk from abandoned Montana programs to abate agricul- hazardous waste sites. 'Lb obtain a copy of the tural erosion are of small Although unconfirmed, this Th obtain a copy of the Missouri 1988 305(b) report, so are o s oure is Montana 1988 305(b) report, scope compared to the size source is probably also contact: cnat of the problem. responsible for contamina- Another leading concern tion and potential health risk Missouri Department of otn ae uly Mouri Resurtcen in the State is the continuing with long-term water use for a Natural Resources Bra DiRsinofvrncent channelization (e.g., realign- public supplies at Kirkwood Bureau Division of Environmental Dprmn fHat n Qun Ei mal ity~ ~ment, straightening) of and Valley Park, Missouri. Erment al n Quality streams, which reduces the EvrnetlSine Quality ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Environmental Sciences P.O. Box 176 streams, which reduces thelding quantity and quality of � Present documentation el M592 Jefferson, MO 65102 HlnM 92 aquatic habitat, increases of Federal and State incident water temperature, and files established under- ~~Surface Waterincreases erosion and sedi- ground storage tanks as the Surface Waer mentation. Also of concern is most common sources of Quality the presence of chlordane in contamination requiring Quality fish tissue, which has resulted remediation. Industry aware- During 1986-1987, Missouri in fish consumption adviso- ness and new regulations Natural waters in Montana assessed 19,630 miles of ries in 683 stream miles and should have a very strong range in quality from the rivers and 288,012 acres of 700 lake acres. Chlordane input within 5 years. almost distilled waters of lakes. Of the State's rivers was used in termite control some headwater lakes and and streams, 52 percent were and is believed to enter � Septic tanks are respon- streams in the west, to fully supporting uses and all waterways as a result of sible for bacterial, viral, and waters exceeding the salinity but 0.2 percent of the storm sewers/runoff. nitrate contamination of of seawater in parts of remainder were partially many improperly cased or eastern Montana. supporting their uses. Most uncased private wells About 80 percent of impaired waters are affected through the State. Montana's stream miles have by extensive land uses, espe- Ground-Water been evaluated for water cially row crop agriculture. Quality � Fertilizer and pesticides quality conditions and about Of the State's lakes and are causing localized ground- 15 percent are monitored on reservoirs, 99 percent were The State has identified 17 water contamination in a regular basis. Of the stream fully supporting their desig- areas of known ground-water agricultural areas. The extent miles that have been eval- nated uses. contamination. These areas and degree of the problem uated and monitored, 63 The number of stream have been contaminated by a are still being assessed. Of percent fully support desig- miles affected by point variety of compounds such greatest concern are areas nated uses, 34 percent par- sources in Missouri has been as organic chemicals, pesti- where bulk quantities of tially support designated dropping since 1982 as the cides, heavy metals, and these chemicals are routinely uses, and 3 percent do not result of sewage treatment nitrates. Public and private stored or mixed and areas support designated uses. plant construction and a wells are at risk or have been where spills have occurred. The major causes of use statewide assessment affected at a number of these impairment in Montana's program that has targeted sites. In addition, nitrates � Although no public water streams are siltation, projects of greatest need. and bacteria from septic supplies have been contam- nutrients, salinity, flow Nonpoint source control tanks and local surface con- inated or are believed to be alteration, thermal modifica- A-19 Appendix tion, habitat alteration, and Sciences. Potential sources sources, industrial discharges, Ground-Water metals. Major sources include of ground-water pollution, habitat modification and agriculture, resource extrac- including those regulated by hydrologic modifications, and Quality tion, hydromodification, industry-specific programs, natural conditions. All of natural and unknown must satisfy the MGWPCS these sources have impacts It is estimated that about sources, forest practices, nondegradation policy and on the biotic integrity of 1,875,000,000 acre-feet of and construction. meet ground-water quality affected streams. ground water lie in storage About 70 percent of standards. The Department About 59 percent of all under Nebraska's surface. Montana's lake acres have has agreements with several publicly owned lake surface Ground water is an extremely been evaluated for water State agencies to assist in the acres in Nebraska were important resource to quality conditions and about review of permit applications assessed for support of Nebraska, supplying about 17 percent are monitored on and to ensure that water designated uses. Of those 67 percent of the water used a regular basis. Of the lake quality concerns are thor- lake acres assessed, 96 for irrigation and about 77 acres that have been eval- oughly addressed. Pollution percent fully supported all percent of the public water uated and monitored, 52 sources that are not per- assigned uses. Aquatic life supplies. percent fully support desig- mitted by other federally uses were impaired in those Although Nebraska's nated uses, 46 percent mandated or State permit- lakes not fully supporting natural ground-water quality partially support designated ting systems are required to their uses. Agricultural is good, many areas have uses, and 2 percent do not obtain a MGWPCS permit. runoff and the inherent experienced degradation support designated uses. characteristics of the lakes from human activities. The major causes of use appear to be responsible for Hundreds of cases of ground- impairment in Montana lakes the high producitivty and water contamination have are habitat alteration, salin- Nebraska low dissolved oxygen levels been documented, with ity, siltation, and nutrients. obtain a copy of th in these lakes. numbers increasing each Major sources in lakes Nebraska 1988 305(b) report, Data from 1978 through year. Major sources include include hydromodification, 1987 were available to agricultural activities; and agriculture. determine water quality industrial facilities; leaking trends for 15 lakes repre- underground storage tanks; GrouNebraska Denvronmenta l Crol senting 69,884 surface acres. oil or hazardous substance Ground-water Environmental Control Water quality showed no spills; solid waste landfills; Quality Box 94877 significaint changes in seven wastewater lagoons; brine NState House Sta6on lakes covering 66,839 acres. disposal pits; septic systems; The principal sources of Lincoln, NE 68509 These trends indicate that and other sources. Most ground-water contamination less than 1 percent improved, commonly detected contam- in Montana are underground Surface Water almost 96 percent main- inants in Nebraska's ground storage tanks, spills, mineral tained their water quality, water include nitrates; processing, abandoned haz- Quality and 4 percent showed pesticides such as atrazine, ardous waste sites, septic degrading trends. alachlor, and dieldrin; and tanks, and agricultural activ- Very few significant water Nebraska notes a number chlorides. ities. Principal substances quality trends have been of water quality related The Nebraska Ground- contaminating ground water detected in Nebraska's issues that are of concern. Water Quality Protection are petroleum products, streams over the past 10 These include recreational Strategy was recently metals, cyanide, organic years. Of Nebraska's 5,690 use support, nonpoint source updated. It puts forward chemicals, nitrates, and assessed stream miles, 57 pollution, the lack of infor- a plan for ground-water pesticides. percent fully supported mation regarding toxic pol- quality protection that Montana has a number of designated uses, 21 percent lutants, the need to fund and emhasizes the prevention of industry-specific ground- partially supported uses, and implement pollution control contamination. Many of the water pollution control 22 percent did not support programs, the impact of elements of this plan have programs as well as the designated uses. agricultural chemicals on been implemented. umbrella Montana Ground- Agricultural runoff is ground water, unlicensed Water Pollution Control the principal source of use landfills, and hazardous System (MGWPCS) adminis- impairment in Nebraska. waste sites. tered by the Department of Other sources of use impair- Health and Environmental ment include domestic point A-20 Appendix maximum tolerable tempera- ing records show significant protection effort by complet- Nevada ture of cold water fishery. reduction in both total ing the "Ground Water Previous problems with phosphorus and total nitro- Protection Strategy for To~ obtain a copy of the Nevda98 oi repyofrt turbidity and siltation appear gen. Lower stream flows in Nevada" in August of 1987. Nevada 1988 305(b) report, c0 onrtact,:~ ~to have been resolved. These 1986 and 1987 have led to a The Strategy delineated contact: problems, along with the trend of increasing salinity. Nevada's short- and long- Nevada Division of temperature problem, are The Humboldt River term goals, recognizing both Nevada Division of traceable to gravel opera- continues to have problems the priorities and limited Environmental Protection Environmental Protection tions, channelization, urban with violations of phos- resources available. Capitol Complex, Room 221 projects within the river, phorus, nitrate, turbidity, Major sources of ground- Carson City, NV 89710 Carson City, NV 89710 watershed erosion, low flows and total dissolved solids water contamination in the and streambank vegetation standards. State include mining, under- Surface Water removal. Lake 'Ihoe's pristine water ground storage tanks, injec- QSurfaeliatey Historically, the Carson quality continues to degrade. tion wells, septic tanks, and Quality River water quality stand- Primary productivity at the landfills. Substances contam- ards for nutrients were Tahoe Index Station has inating ground water include For its 1988 Section 305(b) frequently exceeded for most increased more than 140 volatile organic chemicals, report, Nevada assessed the reaches. The greatest viola- percent since 1968. Annual nitrates, petroleum products, quality of the Colorado, tions of standards occurred algal productivity in 1986 radioactive material, fluo- Truckee, Carson, Walker, and during the summer months was the highest on record. rides, arsenic, and brine/ Humboldt River Systems, as at low flow in the lower Recent data indicate a salinity. well as Lake Tahoe. Agricul- reaches of the river Carson continuation of this increas- tural and rangeland runoff City Sewage Treatment Plant ing trend. Clarity also were found to contribute ceased discharging to the continues to degrade, with large sediment and nutrient Carson River in September annual mean Secchi depths New Hampshire loads to waters of the State. 1987. Although it is too soon decreasing at a rate of 0.40 Urban drainage systems to observe the effects of meter per year since 1967. btain a copy of the New contribute nutrients, heavy removing this significant While these parameters Hampshire 1988 305(b) metals, and organic loads. point source from the river, indicate decreasing water report, contact: Las Vegas Bay/Lake Mead it is anticipated to aid in quality, they have not continues to experience reversing the trend of dete- interfered with the lake's Water Supply and Pollution water quality problems. Both rioration which has been ability to support fish and trlDivision/DES the City of Las Vegas Waste- occurring over the past 17 wildlife and recreational Wter Quality Section water Treatment Plant and years. However, as point uses.6 Hazen Drive Clark County Sanitation sources have been removed, P.O. Box 95 District discharge into nonpoint sources in Carson Concord, NH 03301 effluent dominated Las Valley have now become a Ground-Water Vegas Wash about 11 miles significant nutrient source. G~~~~Srface=Water upstream from Las Vegas As a result of a special Quality ual Bay. A large blue-green alga mercury study completed by Quality bloom occurred in Las Vegas Division of Environmental Approximately 50 percent Bay in the summer of 1986. Protection staff in 1985, a of Nevada's total population The water quality of New Ammonia now enters Las fish consumption health relies on ground water Since Hampshire's rivers and Vegas Bay untreated and advisory was issued. Selen- surface waters are either streams remains excellent threatens this important fish ium pollution has recently fully allocated or over-allo- overall. During 1986 and nursery area. been shown to be a potential cated, Nevada's future 1987, designated uses were The Truckee River cont- problem in the Stillwater growth must rely heavily on fully supported in 71 percent inues to show improvement Marsh area. untapped ground-water of the 1,330 assessed miles. in aquatic life below Reno/ Elevated phosphates and aquifers. Thus, protecting Sixteen percent partially Sparks Wastewater Treat- nitrates have been consistent present and potential (i.e., supported designated uses ment Plant. However, problems in the lower reaches presently untapped) ground- and 13 percent did not temperature values at of the East Fork and main- water aquifers is a high support uses. control points downstream stem of the Walker River. priority of the State. Point sources remain the of Wadsworth approach the However, 1986/1987 monitor- Nevada initiated this major factor affecting uses in A-21 Appendix New Hampshire's mainstem these concerns, a special tanks, and municipal land- nutrients, reduced dissolved waterbodies. Predominant Shellfish Committee was fills. Areas of significant oxygen levels, siltation, road problems include inade- formed in March of 1988. contamination from these salts, and oil and grease. quately treated municipal sources exist throughout the Point sources affect every wastes from primary waste- State. major waterway in the State. water treatment facilities Ground-Water In the long term, the key to Nonpoint sources are also a and existing untreated protecting the State's ground- major contributor to water- sources. However, nonpoint Quality water resources is to prevent quality degradation, but very sources including bacterial contamination by focusing little monitoring data exist contamination from indi- Approximately 60 percent limited State and local to quantify their extent. vidual septic system failures of New Hampshire's popula- resources on the most sensi- Impacts are suspected from in rural areas are becoming tion depends in whole or in tive or valuable geographic stormwater outfalls, con- more evident: as wastewater part on ground water for areas. This focus is difficult struction, urban and agricul- treatment facility upgrading water supply. The growing because of a lack of funding tural runoff, land disposal and construction in the last 2 number of incidents of for the Wellhead Protection practices, and hydrologic/ years have removed organic ground-water contamination, Program. habitat modification. loadings to receiving waters, as well as competing demands previously masked nonpoint for this renewable but finite source impacts have been resource, have made ground- found. water protection a priority New Jersey Quality Of the nearly 150,000 acres issue in the 1980s and into of lakes assessed, approxi- the 1990s. To obtain a copy of the New Currently, about half of the mately 87 percent fully In general, the quality of Jersey 1988 305(b) report, State's population relies on support their designated New Hampshire's ground contact: ground water for drinking uses. However, due to non- water is excellent. Because it water. Of the 622 community point pollution, about 13 is such a valuable resource, New Jersey Department of public water systems in the percent of these waters only the State has designated all Environmental Protection State, 558 obtain all or part partially support designated ground water as potentially Bureau of Water Resources of their supplies from ground- uses and 0.5 percent do not drinkable. A comprehensive Management Planning water sources. There are also support uses. Acidification permit process was devel- P.O. Box CN-029 approximately 16,000 non- and nutrient impacts are oped for any proposed Trenton, NJ 08625 community wells and cited as the primary causes discharge to ground water. 400,000 private potable wells of nonattainment. An extensive inventory of in the State. With only 18 miles of potential point and nonpoint Surface Water Ambient ground-water coastline, New Hampshire source pollution sources has Quality quality is considered places high recreation value been completed. Local com- naturally good in the State on every frontage foot. Only munities are being encour- Approximately 31 percent although in many areas, iron a small portion of the coast- aged to further protect of New Jersey's monitored removal is necessary for line does not fully support fragile ground-water supplies river and stream miles meet potability. There are ground- designated uses. through zoning, land use both the fishable and swim- water problems, however: The protection of New control and other aquifer mable goals of the Clean during the past 3 years, Hampshire's valuable shell- protection strategies. The Water Act. 218 wells were sealed due to fish populations (clams, development of a statewide In New Jersey's estuaries, ground-water pollution prob- oysters, and mussels) in Great ground-water protection 77 percent were fully sup- lems and the New Jersey Bay/Little Bay, Hampton strategy will be completed porting uses, 20 percent were Department of Environ- Harbor, and Rye Harbor during FY 1989. partially supporting uses, and mental Protection (NJDEP) remains a priority. Given the The main issue that has 3 percent were not support- responded to 960 ground- tremendous investment in concerned State and local ing uses. The State identifies water pollution cases. wastewater treatment facil- officials is ground-water ocean water quality and From May 24, 1985 to ities in the seacoast region, contamination from hazard- ocean litter as a special December 1, 1987, well the lack of a significant ous waste sites, leaking concern. samples throughout the State reduction in coliform bacte- underground storage tanks, Pollutants commonly were analyzed for volatile ria levels in certain areas is of unregulated releases of found in State waters include organic chemicals. The major concern. As a result of hazardous wastes to septic fecal coliform bacteria, sampling results indicated A-22 Appendix that 76 public wells and 139 nonpoint sources. both regulatory and solvents, and pesticides. private wells had unaccept- Available data indicate that nonregulatory approaches Similarly, nitrate contain- able levels of volatile organic New Mexico has been largely are being considered. ination, anoxic conditions chemicals. It should be noted successful in reducing point and cases of contamination that the sampling did not source impacts on the State's from leaking underground focus on private wells, and rivers. Nonpoint sources now Ground-Water storage tanks have occurred the number of contaminated predominate. Habitat altera- in the rapidly developing private wells only represent tion, siltation, toxic metals, Quality Espanola area. those that were brought to and flow alteration are the The Ogallala Formation, in the NJDEP's attention. predominant causes of use Ground-water contamina- Lea County, is the principal Common sources of impairment in New Mexico's tion most frequently occurs freshwater aquifer in the ground-water pollution in rivers and streams. in vulnerable aquifer areas region. Numerous instances New Jersey include land In the State's lakes, dis- where the water table is of contamination by oil-field disposal sites, accidental solved oxygen deficiencies, shallow. Since the mid-1970s activities have been identi- spills and leaks, underground plant nutrients, siltation and the State has been inventory- fled since the early 1950s. storage tanks, and unknown habitat alterations are major ing incidents, causes, and Nitrate contamination from sources. To protect regional causes of use impairment. sources of ground-water septic tanks has also ground-water supplies, the Agriculture and recreation contamination around the occurred in several areas NJDEP has established two are the major sources of State. At least 883 incidents of the county. water supply critical areas. these impacts, silviculture, of ground-water contamina- The Grants Mineral Belt in construction activities and tion have been documented. Cibola and McKinley Coun- miscellaneous activities have Slightly more than half of all ties has been a major lesser impacts. cases have been caused by uranium-producing region of New M exico New Mexico notes three nonpoint source pollution, the United States. Seepage issues of special concern: principally household septic from active and inactive mill x obtain a copy of the New rnonpoint source pollution, tanks and cesspools. tailings ponds, plus the long- Mexico 1988 305(b) report, toxic substances, and Other sources of contam- term impacts of previously ~~contact: ~protection of mountain ination include oil field unregulated discharges and streams. As mentioned sources such as pipelines, potential contamination New Mexico Environmental above, nonpoint sources of leaking well-casings and from abandoned spoils piles, Information pollution are quantitatively waste disposal pits, leaking constitute a continuing Division Water Quality the largest known cause of underground storage tanks, ground-water quality Planning Section surface water quality impair- ore-refining mills and mill problem. P.O. Box 968 ment in New Mexico. In addi- tailings disposal sites, sewage The San Juan Basin is Santa Fe, NM 87504-0968 tion a need exists for further treatment plants, dairies, second only to southeastern investigation of surface slaughterhouses, industrial New Mexico as a petroleum ~Surface Water water quality impacts of facilities, and public landfills. producing region and Surface Water toxic substances. Many population centers produces most of the State's Quality In mountain streams, home and mineral resource devel- natural gas. Ground-water and recreational develop- opment areas have been quality in the Basin has been During the reporting ment, mining and milling, established in vulnerable impacted by oil and gas period, New Mexico assessed overgrazing, and community aquifer areas, with resultant production activities and by 1,151 miles of rivers. Forty- wastewater discharges have ground-water quality prob- landfills. eight percent of assessed resulted in standards viola- lems. For example, two In Dona Ana County, two rivers were determined to be tions and in fishery and common types of ground- sources-ponds used for the partially supporting their habitat degradation. Known water contamination in the disposal of dairy wastes uses, and 2 percent were not and potential water quality Albuquerque metropolitan and septage disposal-are of supporting uses. impairment has been docu- area are (1) anoxic conditions concern. The septage A total of 119,666 acres mented on 37 mountain or elevated salinity and disposal problem has become of lakes were assessed. Of stream reaches. The Environ- hardness and (2) localized especially complex due to these, 40 percent are not mental Improvement Divi- contamination cases involv- the closing of landfills to fully supporting fishery uses. sion is exploring manage- ing constituents of health septage dumping. At present, Water quality impairment of ment approaches to better concern such as nitrate, there are no acceptable this acreage is the result of protect mountain streams; gasoline, chlorinated permanent septage disposal A-23 Appendix sites in Dona Ana County. impairment; together with trichloroethane, trichloro-rth Carolina Federal, State, and local nonpoint sources, they ethylene, and tetrachloro- North Carolina officials are working to find constitute the major sources ethylene;lb obtain a copy of the No rth a solution. of water use impairment in o obtain a copy of the North a solution, of water use impairment in the State. Industrial and � gasoline and other Carolina 1988 305(b) report, municipal point sources are petroleum products that relatively minor contributors contain the compounds ben- New York to use impairment. zene, toluene, and xylene; North Carolina Department of Natural Resources New York lists eight special and & C omm unity Development To obtain a copy of the New concerns: hazardous sub- & Community Development York 1988 305(b) report, stance control; toxic sedi- * agricultural pesticides and Special Projects Group contact: ments; PCB cleanup of the herbicides, primarily aldicarb Division of Environment al Hudson River; ground-water and carbofuran. Management New York State Department management; emergence of P.O. Box 27687 of Environmental nonpoint source problems; The primary sources of Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 Conservation effects of acid rain; Great ground-water contamination Bureau of Monitoring Lakes water purity; and by organic chemicals are & Assessment marine water purity, partic- spills, leaks and improper Division of Water ularly in the Long Island handling at industrial and Quality 50 Wolf Road Sound. commercial facilities. Albany, NY 12233-3503 Pesticide contamination, Of North Carolina's 33,275 primarily by aldicarb, is a assessed miles of freshwater Surface Water Ground-Water particular problem on Long streams and rivers, 67 per- Surface Water Ground-Water Island, where it is used on cent support their uses, 28 Quality Quality potato fields. It has also been percent partially support detected in ground water in uses, and 5 percent do not During Water Years 1986- Approximately six million upstate New York. A sam- support designated uses. 1987, New York assessed people in New York State use pling survey of 330 wells in River basins located in the 70,000 miles of streams, ground water as a source of eastern Long Island detected mountains tend to have the 750,000 acres of lakes, 1,564 water. Half of these people aldicarb in concentrations highest percentage of high square miles of estuaries, 577 are on Long Island and the exceeding the Department quality streams, while more Great Lake shore and 130 remainder are in upstate of Health's recommended heavily developed Piedmont ocean coastal miles. Approx- New York. The Department guideline in 23 percent of or Coastal Plain basins have imately 76 percent of its of Health has reported 130 the wells. more stream mileage with rivers and streams were public water supplies Nitrate contamination has use impairment. found to fully support their affected by toxic organic been noted in two upstate Nonpoint sources account designated use, along with 61 contamination of ground public water supply wells. It for use impairment in 92 percent of lake, pond, and water. Of these, 33 water is a more serious problem on percent of degraded streams. reservoir acres, 74 percent of supplies on Long Island and Long Island, where nitrate Major sources include agri- estuary square miles, 17 20 in upstate New York concentrations are increasing culture, unknown nonpoint percent of Great Lake shore- remain closed or abandoned. in the major public water sources, municipal waste- line miles, and 46 percent of Contamination by syn- supply aquifers for most of water treatment plants ocean coastal miles. thetic organic chemicals the developed and agricul- (WWTPs), and urban runoff. Approximately 345 river is the most significant threat tural areas. Primary sources Sediments are the leading miles, 131,000 lake acres, and to ground-water quality of nitrate are agricultural causes of stream impact. 154 square miles of estuary statewide. The three major and domestic use of fertilizer, In the past the State has are affected by toxic pollut- categories of organic contam- subsurface disposal of sew- emphasized control of point ants. An estimated 70 miles inants that are detected most age, and leaking sewer lines. sources; while this emphasis of ocean coastline and 492 frequently in ground water has had great positive bene- miles of Great Lakes shore- are: fit, effective nonpoint source line are affected by toxics control is more difficult as well. Contaminated sedi- � industrial/commercial to implement and continued ments are responsible for synthetic organic solvents progress in pollution control virtually all of this use and degreasers, primarily will probably be slower. A-24 Appendix Overall, 96 percent of the control of stormwater runoff pollution response proce- fully supporting their desig- surface area of lakes and to shellfish areas, nutrient dures and a consolidated nated uses, and 31 percent reservoirs in North Carolina control measures in several inventory of contaminated were partially supporting support their designated coastal watersheds, and sites. uses. The major source of use uses, 3 percent partially protection of primary As a part of its ground- impairment is nutrient and support uses, and 1 percent nursery areas. water planning effort, the sediment transport from dry do not support their uses. Ground-Water Section is crop farmland. Runoff from The largest cause of use Ground-Water preparing an updated draft range/pasture land and nonsupport has been coal- of its State Ground-Water feedlots are moderate to fired power plant discharges Quality Protection Strategy. Within minor sources of nonpoint to two lakes (Hyco and the continuing ground-water pollution. These sources Belews), which have resulted About half of the people in management effort, the cause high nutrient, fecal in excessive selenium levels North Carolina use ground resource is monitored, trends coliform, and suspended in these lakes. Belews Lake water as their primary water documented, resource pro- solid concentrations and no longer receives coal ash supply. Ground-water quality tection plans developed, and, increase siltation. Discharges basin effluent, and Hyco is generally good statewide. where necessary, regulations from municipal waste treat- Lake will no longer be receiv- The major source of ground- imposed upon ground-water ment facilities are considered ing effluent in the near water contamination is leak- use. Ground-water data man- a moderate to minor source future. These actions should ing underground storage agement is also an important of use impairment and restore biota in both lakes. In tanks; spills, lagoons, and element in the State's overall periodically cause increased addition, extensive efforts septic tanks are also impor- resource management ammonia and fecal coliform are underway to control tant sources. Comprehensive program. concentrations. eutrophication in two rela- programs are underway to Of the 619,333 lake acres tively new lakes, Falls and (1) assess potential contam- assessed, 571,208 acres were Jordan. The major source of ination sites and (2) develop a fully supporting uses, and use impairment in lakes is comprehensive ground-water North Dakota 48,125 acres were partially in-place contaminants, indus- protection strategy for the supporting designated uses. trial WWTP, and agriculture. State. o obtain a copy of the North Partial support was largely Major causes of lake prob- ~ ~Dakota 1988 305(b) report, mnfse sfs il n Major causes of lake prob- To prevent ground-water otat manifested as fish kills and lems are metals (primarily pollution, the State has contact: nuisance occurrences of selenium) and aquatic macro- classified ground waters, North Dakota Department of blue-green algae impairing phytes. ~~~~~~~~~~~North Dakota Department of phytes. established ground-water Health and Consolidated recreational activities such Health and Consolidated Of the State's acreage of quality standards, and imple- as swimming. Nutrients, estuaries and sounds, 93 mented a permit system. All Laboratores siltation, and organic enrich- percent fully support their relevant State environmental Division of Water Supply ment-mainly due to erosion relev~~~~~~ant Staltenironmna ment--anydet rosin designated use while 7 permit applications are and Pollution Control and runoff from dry crop percent partially support reviewed by the lead State 1200 Missouri Avenue farmland-are the primary P.O. Box 5520 uses (because of closed ground-water agency to assure causes of lake use shellfish areas or areas of compliance with ground- Bismarck, ND 58502-5520 impairment. excessive algae growth) and water standards. Work was The most critical water 0.1 percent do not support begun during 1987 to review Surface Watequality issue in North Dakota their designated uses. Major ground-water standards to is nonpoint source pollution sources of impairment in incorporate State ground- Quality and, in particular, agricultural estuarine waters are agri- water quality permitting runoff. Wetland protection is culture, municipal WWTPs, experience gained from the Of the 9,850 miles of another issue of growing septic tanks, and urban past several years. assessed rivers and streams concern to the State. runoff. Major causes of The State responds to in North Dakota, 1,350 miles impacts in estuaries are ground-water pollution were moderately to slightly chlorophyll a and nutrients, incidents via an inter- impaired by point source Ground- ate multiple causes, and bac- agency emergency response pollution and all assessed Ground-Water teria. Several new or program. This ground-water miles were impacted to some Quality expanded efforts are under- incident management degree by nonpoint source way to protect estuarine program provides the mech- pollution. Of the assessed Ground water is one of waters including expanded anism for standardized river miles, 69 percent were North Dakota's most precious A-25 Appendix resources. Nearly the entire the use of reference sites to uses. The remaining 28 per- rural population and most Ohio set biocriteria have resulted cent was considered to be municipalities obtain their in more sensitive aquatic life attaining, but threatened. water from ground-water To obtain a copy of the Ohio criteria for Ohio's waters. Nonpoint sources, point supplies. Sixty percent of the 1988 305(b) report, contact: Municipal (including sources, and habitat modi- State's population relies on combined sewers) and indus- fication were major sources ground water for its drinking Ohio Environmental trial point source discharges of use impairment in lakes. water source. is primarily Protection Agency accounted for impacts in 56 Leading causes were iden- North Dakota is primarily Division of Water Quality percent of stream miles. tified as algal/nutrients, an agricultural State with Monitoring and Assessment Nonpoint sources were con- organic enrichment/low limited industrial develop- P.O. Box 1049 tributors in 20 percent, dissolved oxygen, metals/ ment. As a result, it has Columbus, OH 43266-1049 habitat/flow modification in inorganics, and pathogens. experienced relatively minor 17 percent, natural condi- All 23 of Ohio's Lake Erie ground-water contamination tions in 2 percent, in-place shoreline miles were eval- problems in comparison to Surface Water pollutants in 2 percent, and uated for aquatic life support heavily industrialized States. Quality other or unknown in the and were considered partially Leading sources of ground- remainder. Most waterbody supporting due to a lakewide water contamination include Of the total 7,045 assessed segments were affected by fishing advisory for carp and agricultural chemicals (e.g., stream miles in Ohio, 32 multiple sources. Leading channel catfish, and to cri- pesticides and fertilizers), percent are attaining their causes of nonattainment teria exceedances for copper storage tanks and pipelines, aquatic life use designations, include low dissolved and cadmium. wastewater impoundments, 21 percent are partially oxygen/organic enrichment, solid waste disposal sites, oil attaining those uses, and toxics, and habitat modifica- and gas exploration activity, 47 percent are not attaining tion/flow alteration. and septic systems. aquatic like uses. Since the Trend analyses of data Ground-Water North Dakota's ground- State's sampling program is from 11 Ohio rivers indicate Quality water protection stragety is necessarily biased toward a sharp improvement where the core of its ground-water stream segments in problem the biota had been affected Protecting ground water is program. The strategy areas, the actual percentage by municipal discharges and essential in safeguarding the reviews current State and of total stream miles attain- less improvement where health of Ohioans. More than Federal ground-water protec- ing their aquatic life uses toxic discharges or urban four million people depend tion programs and addresses in Ohio is probably higher. runoff have been affecting on ground water as their issues such as standards, Because of extensive cover- the biological community. primary source of drinking ground-water classification, age of larger streams and Overall, Ohio has made water in the State. Ground monitoring, and data rivers, however, this assess- dramatic improvements in water supplies some 1,200 management. ment is probably a fair reflec- rivers that were grossly of Ohio's 1,600 community Other programs that tion of conditions in these polluted by municipal sewage water systems, including provide ground-water protec- waterbodies. plants 20 to 30 years ago. systems serving three of its tion include the point and The proportion of stream Many miles are still not fully ten largest cities. nonpoint source pollution and river miles not fully attaining aquatic life uses, Ohio's large population and control programs, the public supporting aquatic life uses but it is estimated that their diverse economy generate a water supply program, the is less than reported in impairment is not nearly as wide range of potential underground injection 1986, but not because of severe as in the past. This ground-water contaminants, control program, the con- reductions in water quality. progress should not be over- ranging from bacteria to struction grants program, In fact, continued reductions rated in light of the high toxic chemicals. The most the solid waste management are evident in point source percentage of monitored serious sources or potential program, and the hazardous loadings. Changes in use miles with impaired aquatic sources of contamination waste management program. support are largely the result life uses. include hazardous waste of the adoption of ecoregional In Ohio's inland lakes and generation, solid waste land- biological criteria in Ohio, reservoirs, 6 percent of fills, leaks and spills, agri- and a reassessment of all assessed acres fully sup- culture, septic tanks, mineral stream segments for which ported uses, 56 percent extraction, and improperly biological data were avail- partially supported uses, and constructed or maintained able. Two new indices and 10 percent did not support wells. A-26 Appendix To manage its ground pollution control efforts of is vulnerable to contamina- water properly, Ohio Ohio River the Commission and its tion due to extensive indus- developed a Ground-Water member States on the Ohio trial development along the Protection and Management To obtai r pot River in the coming years. Ohio River. This issue will be ~~~~~~~~River 1988h 305(b) report, Strategy in 1986. An impor- River 1988 305(b) report, In addition, the following addressed as part of the tant initiative of this strategy contact: special concerns must be Commission's Toxic Substance was the creation of an Inter- addressed: Control Program. Agency Ground-Water Advi- Ohio River Valley Water sory Council to monitor State Sanitation Commission U In establishing permit ground-water related 49 East Fourth Street levels for dischargers, the Suite 815 programs and to comment in Suite 815 limits that must be met by all rulemaking processes. Cincinnati, OH 45202 downstream water supply Oklahoma This group was established utilities must be considered. during 1987 and will be 'lbTo obtain a copy of the Surface Water Oklahoma 1988 305(b) important in assisting the Surface Water Spills and accidental Oklahoma 1988 305(b) State with the implementa- Quality discharges will continue to report, contact: tion of its Ground-Water be a potential problem given Strategy. The Ohio River Valley the number of facilities treat- Oklahoma Department of The State's ground-water Water Sanitation Commission ing, storing, and handling Pollution Control strategy implementation (ORSANCO) coordinates various chemicals along the P.O. Box 53504 plan addresses priorities for water pollution control Ohio River. Oklahoma City, OK 73152 identifying and remediating efforts for the 981 river miles sources of ground-water of the Ohio River. All river U Wastewater treatment Surface Water contamination. Sources of miles were assessed, and all facility operation must con- contamination from hazard- were partially supporting tinue to receive attention to Quality ous waste and material, their designated uses. assure that facilities achieve treatment, storage and The fishable goal of the the degree of water quality The overall quality of Okla- disposal activities pose the Federal Clean Water Act was improvement for which they homa's waters remains good; greatest potential threat to met in 941 miles and not met were designed. designated uses and the human health, although in 40; the swimmable goal Clean Water Act are being other sources may be more was met in 819 miles and not U Hydroelectric power met in a majority of waters. numerous. The strategy is met in 162. Compared to the development at Ohio River Oklahoma assessed 9,248 directed at controlling all previous reporting period, navigation dams could reduce miles of streams. Of these, 36 sources of ground-water exceedances of stream cri- the degree of aeration at the percent fully supported their contamination using a teria increased for heavy dams, thereby lowering dis- designated uses, 38 percent variety of Federal, State, metals, especially lead and solved oxygen levels. partially supported uses, and and local authorities. mercury. This is primarily 26 percent did not support due to the adoption of more their designated uses. Major stringent water quality Ground-Water causes contributing to non- criteria in 1982. support include; siltation, Major causes of designated Quality nutrients, pesticides, sus- use impairment include pended solids, pathogens, major municipal discharges, The Commission's major and salinity. Major sources of industrial discharges, non- concern is protecting and nonsupport include agricul- point sources, and tributary improving surface waters in ture, resource extraction, contributions. Municipal the Ohio River Basin. As part and hydrological/habitat discharges, privately owned of this effort, the Commis- modifications. sewage treatment facilities, sion will be assessing the Currently, Oklahoma is and combined sewers con- impact of ground-water concerned about the extent tributed impairment of contamination as a nonpoint of animal waste contribu- recreational uses. source of pollution to the tions to streams in northeast The water quality prob- Ohio River The alluvial Oklahoma. In combination lems cited above will provide aquifer associated with the with inadequately treated the major emphasis for water main stem of the Ohio River municipal wastewater, A-27 Appendix animal wastes have caused are monitored for 22 param- enrichment (low oxygen). Oregon during 1980. Of this serious degradation of the eters. The results of the Major sources of impairment amount, 75 percent was for Illinois River Basin in initial monitoring are being for lakes include agriculture, irrigation use, 12 percent for Oklahoma and Arkansas. evaluated and summarized land disposal, and storm rural domestic and livestock This problem does not into an assessment report. sewers/runoff. use, 7 percent for industrial appear to be correctable The State is in the process use, and 6 percent for public without improved coordina- of establishing To'btal Maxi- water use. Ground-water use tion of point and nonpoint mum Daily Loads (TMDLs) is expected to increase in the source management actions. Oregon for eleven "water quality future because the State's Further, this management limited" stream segments population is growing and must be interstate in nature lb obtain a copy of the where water quality stand- because summertime flow in to ensure that effective Oregon 1988 305(b) report, ards are not being met. This many streams is inadequate controls will result. In other contact: process reflects a major to meet present and future words, an integrated manage- program change from tech- demand. ment approach involving Oregon Department of nology-based to water qual- The number of known both States appears to be the Environmental Quality ity-based permitting with a ground-water contamination only course of action that is Water Quality Division greater emphasis on the sites in the State has increased likely to succeed. This 811 Southwest Sixth Avenue receiving waterbody. to over 200, and is rising problem and water quality Portland, OR 97204 The cultivation of nursery steadily, in part due to issues raised by a proposed stock in containers is a grow- increased assessment activ- reservoir on Lee Creek, high- ing industry in Oregon. ities. To date, ground-water light inconsistencies on the Surface Water Certain container industry contamination resulting from part of EPA in the arbitration Quality practices can create water industrial activities has been of quality standards issues quality problems. These discovered at approximately between States. During the reporting include application of 75 sites in Oregon. The types period, Oregon assessed fertilizers and pesticides; of industries that have been 27,738 miles of streams, and construction of dams to found to be causing ground- ~Ground-Water 504,928 acres of lakes. Of the capture and reuse irrigation water pollution include assessed river miles, 45 per- return water; poor construc- chemical manufacturing, Quality cent fully supported desig- tion of irrigation ponds; and metals plating, wood treat- nated beneficial uses, 31 the setting of containers on ment, oil/gas storage and In December of 1983, the percent partially supported gravel over packed earth or refueling areas, electronics, Oklahoma agencies with uses, and 24 percent did not plastic with drainage to food processing, aluminum ground-water responsibilities support their designated surface waters. The State is plants, and pulp and paper joined in a cooperative effort uses. Of the assessed lake currently reviewing these mills. Among the contami- to establish a program devel- acres, 74 percent fully practices to develop best nants from these industries opment strategy for ground- supported uses, 12 percent management practices and to are organic chemicals, water protection. From this partially supported uses, and determine if permits should dissolved metals, nitrates, effort a framework agree- 14 percent did not support be used to regulate runoff. cyanide, and total dissolved ment was developed. Under their designated uses. solids. Other sources of the provisions of this agree- Major causes of nonsupport ground-water contamination ment, the Corporation Com- in rivers include habitat in Oregon include landfills, mission, the Department of modifications, flow altera- Ground-Water on-site sewage disposal, Agriculture, the Department tions, thermal modifications, Quality municipal sewage treatment of Health, and the Water and siltation. Major sources facilities, and agricultural Resources Board adopted of impairment in rivers In Oregon an estimated activities. goals and principles for include agriculture, silvicul- 1.6 million persons (about The Oregon Environmental program development. ture, resource extraction, 60 percent of Oregon's Quality Commission adopted Oklahoma has also adopted combined sewers, construc- population) depend on a statewide Ground-Water statewide ground-water tion, municipal discharges, ground water for all or part Quality Protection Policy in standards that identify bacteria and excessive of their daily water needs. August 1981. Since that time, beneficial uses for 21 aqui- nutrients. In lakes, major An average of 1.1 billion the State has worked with a fers. Under its ground-water causes of nonsupport include gallons per day of ground citizen's advisory committee sampling program, 506 wells nutrients, pH, and organic water were withdrawn in to assist in the development A-28 Appendix of proposed amendments to imately 73 percent of the considered to have impaired industrial landfills, septic the policy including point miles assessed fully sup- uses, and 11 were classified tanks, and abandoned haz- source control rules, non- ported designated stream as threatened. ardous waste sites. The major point source control proce- uses, 13 percent were partially pollutant cause statewide is dures, a classification system, supporting, and 14 percent petroleum and/or its by- and ground-water quality were not supporting uses. Ground-Water products. Other causes standards. Three new The most extensive causes include organic and inor- programs were approved by of water quality degradation Quality ganic chemicals, metals, and the Oregon Legislature in in Pennsylvania streams are pesticides. 1987 to clean up hazardous acidity and metals from On a statewide basis, Since 1963, Pennsylvania's waste sites; establish permit- abandoned coal mine drain- ground water contributes Ground-Water Quality Man- ting, monitoring, and cleanup age. While some funding is approximately 70 percent agement Program has requirements for under- available for abatement of of all stream flow under included review of permit ground storage tanks; and abandoned mine drainage, average conditions and up applications, pollution inves- prepare interagency manage- the immensity of the prob- to 100 percent during low tigations, enforcement ment plans for the Ontario lem and difficulties asso- flow periods. More than two- actions, and advisory activ- and Boring aquifers. The ciated with control have thirds of public water ities which affect ground- Department of Environ- severely hampered abate- supplies and almost all water quality. New initiatives mental Quality is working ment and treatment projects. private supplies in the State being implemented include a with other State agencies to These difficulties are come from ground water. ground-water quality protec- develop a comprehensive expected to continue. Other Shallow ground-water condi- tion strategy, a ground-water statewide plan for ground- major causes of use impair- tions normally prevail quality monitoring strategy, water management. ment are siltation, nutrients, throughout Pennsylvania; an underground storage organic enrichment, path- consequently, the entire tanks program, and imple- ogens, and pesticides. These State is vulnerable to man's mentation of soil-dependent pollutants are primarily the activities, treatment systems for on-lot Pennsyl vanlia result of agricultural runoff, Ground-water quality is disposal of sewage. municipal and industrial believed to be generally rib obtain a copy of the Pennsylania 1988 oftdischarges, individual septic acceptable for drinking with Pennsylvania 1988 305(b) reportycontac 1discharges, and oil and gas only minor treatment. How- report, contact: extraction activities. Oil and ever, in portions of western Puerto Rico Pennsylvania Department of gas production is takes place Pennsylvania, excessively obtain a copy of the Pennsylvania Department of in over 30 counties in T ihion slae rds, o btain a copy of the Environmentalin o ve r 30 counties in high iron, sulfate, hardness, Puerto Rico 1988 305(b) Evroenal Waesr QualPennsylvania. total dissolved solids, and Bureau of Water Quality rprcnat BueanWageer it The environmental impacts manganese concentrations Management P.O. B ox 2063of this industry have been limit ground-water use in P.O. Box 2063 Puerto Rico Environmental significant, particularly in varying degrees. Extensive Harrisburg, PA 17120 ult or western Pennsylvania: about mining and oil and gas Quality a 2,000 unpermitted discharges production activities are Water Quality Area Surface Water of brine and produced fluids contributing to major1488 have been inventoried by ground-water quality prob- aturce, PR 00910-1488 Quality EPA in the State's western lems in western counties, counties. These discharges and nitrate-nitrogen prob- A total of about 13,242 are to be permitted or lems are present in south- urface Water miles out of approximately eliminated as required by central and southeastern Quality 50,000 total miles of rivers Federal law. counties. Leaking under- and streams were assessed Pennsylvania assessed ground storage tanks and less Puerto Rico has approx- for this report, based on trophic status in 37 signif- extensive mining have imately 5,373 stream miles. monitoring or evaluations icant publicly owned lakes. contributed to local ground- Of these, 46 percent were conducted between July Of these, 29 were classified water problems statewide. fully supporting designated 1970 and December 1987. as mesotrophic, 7 as eutro- Major sources of ground- uses during the reporting This represents an increase phic, and 1 as oligotrophic. water contamination include period. Pathogens, nutrients, of about 7,016 miles assessed Out of the State's total 340 underground storage tanks, and suspended solids were over the 1986 report. Approx- significant lakes, 28 were surface impoundments, the leading causes of use A-29 Appendix impairment in streams; lead- Ground-Water Rhode Island surcessuch asurbanrunoff, impairment in streams; lead- failed septic systems, while ing sources included agricul- Quality To obtain a copy of the Rhode lakes/ponds are affected by tural activities (feedlots and Island 1988 305(b) report, nonpoint sources, primarily crops), land disposal (land- The principal uses of contact: septic systems. fills and wastewaters from ground water in Puerto Rico Ground water is clearly an communities), and urban include potable water supply, important source of drinking Rhode Island Department runoff. industrial processing, and Rhode water in Rhode Island. of Environmental Thirty-four percent of agricultural activities. of Environmental Twenty-four percent of the Management Puerto Rico's 11,146 acres of Ground water is extensively Division of Water Resources State's population is depend- lakes and lagoons were found used and provides about 24 291 Promenade Street ent on ground water for its 291 Promenade Street to support designated uses. percent of the total water water supply. This includes Providence, RI 02908-5767 Principal causes of nonsup- used islandwide. However , 151,620 people served by port in lakes included organic dependence on ground water public water systems. In enrichment/reduced dis- varies throughout the island; Surface Water addition, private wells solved oxygen levels, sus- a number of municipalities provide water for another pended solids, and patho- draw 50 percent or more of Quality 84,000 people, or 8.7 percent gens, primarily from their public water supply of the total population. nonpoint sources. from ground-water sources. During the reporting Rhode Island's principal Of 434 coastal shoreline During 1986-1987, ground- period, Rhode Island assessed aquifers are extremely vul- miles, 58 percent fully water quality was assessed at 581 river miles, 16,089 lake nerable to contamination supported designated uses. 75 wells in the northeastern acres, and 192 estuary square from a wide variety of pollu- Major causes of impairment region of Puerto Rico. Vola- miles. An assessment of tion sources. Over 75 con- included nutrients, sus- tile organic compounds such overall surface water quality taminants have been detected pended solids, and unknown as methylene chloride and in Rhode Island indicates in Rhode Island's ground toxicity. Sources of impair- chloroform have been identi- that 84 percent of the State's water, the most common ment in coastal waters fled in at least five wells, rivers and streams, 91 per- being organic solvents, the included land disposal and based upon preliminary cent of lakes, and 80 percent pesticide aldicarb (Temik), municipal and industrial evaluations. This study is of estuaries/oceans support and petroleum products. dischargers. as yet incomplete. Major designated uses. Most ground-water Only 17 percent of 173 sources of ground-water Of those waters assessed contamination problems estuarine miles were contamination included for support of Clean Water occur on a localized basis. reported to be fully support- injection wells, abandoned Act goals, 80 percent of river Significant pollution sources ing designated uses. Habitat hazardous waste sites, and and stream miles are fishable/ include landfills, hazardous alterations from natural underground storage tanks. swimmable, as are 90 percent and industrial waste disposal sources, such as mangrove of lakes and 93 percent of sites, leaking underground areas, were cited as the estuaries/oceans. fuel storage tanks, chemical principal cause of use The most significant causes and oil spills, septic systems, impairment. Urban runoff of nonsupport in rivers and road salt storage and applica- and municipal point source streams are heavy metals, tion practices, fertilizer and dischargers were also cited. coliforms, low dissolved pesticide applications, and Lakes, lagoons, estuaries, oxygen, and nutrients. In surface impoundments. and wetlands were identified lakes and ponds, the major Resulting ground-water as special concerns because causes of nonsupport are pollution has caused closure of their value as critical coliforms, nutrients, and of at least 15 public wells and habitats. In order to more siltation. In estuaries and an estimated 300 private accurately assess their coastal waters, the major wells. problems and water quality causes of nonsupport are In 1985, the Rhode Island status, a need for better coliforms, heavy metals, General Assembly passed the monitoring strategies for nutrients, and low dissolved Ground-Water Protection Act these waters was noted. oxygen. In rivers and estu- of 1985, which established aries, major sources include broad protection policies for industrial and municipal the ground waters of the point sources and nonpoint State. In turn, the Depart- A-30 Appendix ment of Environmental Man- and 663 square miles of tidal ground-water quality have South Dakota agement created a Ground- saltwaters. Of the assessed been recently established. Water Section in FY 1985 to river miles, 75 percent fully Other available data sources To obtain a copy of the South coordinate departmental supported their designated are being used such as Dakota 1988 305(b) report, activities related to ground- uses, 10 percent partially testing at public water contact: water protection and to supported uses, and 15 supply systems, monitoring develop and implement a percent did not support their wells at sites where ground- South Dakota Department comprehensive program to designated uses. Of the water contamination has of Water and Natural protect the ground-water assessed lake acres, almost all been confirmed or is sus- Resources resources of the State. The fully supported their desig- pected, and private wells. Joe Foss Building Ground Water Section's nated uses. Of the assessed Data reported from these 523 East Capitol responsibilities include Oil estuary square miles, 89 per- sources confirm the general Pierre, SD 57501 Spill Emergency Response cent fully supported uses, high quality of ground water activities, the Underground 2 percent partially supported throughout the State. Storage �hnk (UST) and uses, and 9 percent did not Nevertheless, the State Surface Water Leaking UST programs, and support their designated cites approximately 390 the Underground Injection uses. instances of localized Quality Control (UIC) program, as Nonpoint sources were the ground-water contamination. well as the development of a leading contributors to use Sources of contamination are South Dakota has a total of ground-water classification impairment in South Caro- diverse and include leaking 9,937 miles of rivers and system and ground-water lina's rivers and tidal salt- underground petroleum stor- streams. Of these, 3,750 miles standards in accordance with waters. In lakes, sources age tanks, industrial waste- have been assessed for water the Ground-Water Protection of pollution were largely water disposal, municipal quality. Currently, 37 percent Act. unknown. Fecal coliform and industrial landfills, and of these assessed waters are contamination was the most accidental spills and leaks. fully supporting their assigned frequent cause of use impair- These lagoons (including beneficial uses, 34 percent ~t~ Carolina ment. Of the State's coastal industrial pits and ponds), are partially supporting their South Carolina waters classified for shellfish landfills (industrial and uses, and 29 percent are not growing, about 86 percent municipal), and underground supporting their uses. Non- Carobtina 1988 of(b report, are unconditionally approved storage tanks that are limited support of designated uses is Carolina 1988 305(b) report, caolntac1ot:, for harvesting. to ground-water contamina- primarily caused by agricul- contact: The State notes that indus- tion are not restricted to any tural nonpoint sources intro- trial waste pretreatment particular areas of the State, ducing suspended solids and South Carolina Department programs have improved but are more concentrated in pathogens (fecal coliforms). of Health and Environ- of Health and Environ- water quality by reducing the three major urban/indus- Other pollutant sources mental Control mental Control toxic discharges. Most point trial centers: Greenville/ include inadequate munici- Bureau of Water Pollution Bureau of Water Polution source agricultural waste Spartanburg, Columbia, and pal wastewater treatment, Control ~Control ~discharges have been elim- Charleston. An additional industrial discharges, and Division of Water Quality inated through the issuance concentration of ground- natural causes. Water quality 2600 Bull Street 2600 Bull Street of State construction permits water contamination prob- trends in rivers were gener- Columbia, SC 29201 that require alternate non- lems has been associated ally maintained. discharging treatment with high water-table South Dakota has 799 lakes Surface Water systems. recharge areas in Beaufort and reservoirs (including County. Missouri River mainstem Quality reservoirs) totalling Ground-W\ater 1,598,285 acres. Approx- South Carolina has approx- imately 98 percent of use imately 9,900 miles of rivers, Quality nonsupport for lakes can 525,000 acres of lakes, and be attributed to nonpoint 2,155 square miles of tidal The overall quality of sources. Roughly 86 percent saltwaters. Physical, chem- ground water in South Caro- of the total lake acres ical, and biological data were lina is excellent. Portions of assessed are considered to available for 3,825 miles of a statewide network of mon- support their designated rivers, 397,231 acres of lakes, itoring wells for ambient uses; almost all of these acres A-31 Appendix are threatened. Only 3 per- Generally, over the past Of the 538,657 publicly drinking water supplies. cent of total lakes partially ten years there has been an owned lake acres in the Ground-water comprises 21 support uses, and 12 percent increase in reported inci- State, 84 percent are fully percent of the water with- do not support uses. dents of potential ground- supporting designated uses, drawn in the State (exclusive Most lakes in the State are water contamination. This is 7 percent are not supporting of water withdrawn for characterized as eutrophic to primarily the result of designated uses, and 9 per- thermoelectric use). In West hypereutrophic. Runoff carry- increased public awareness cent are partially supporting Tennessee, nearly all public ing sediments and nutrients and new reporting require- designated uses. supplies, industries, and rural from agricultural land is the ments under the under- During the reporting residents use ground water; major nonpoint pollution ground storage tank (UST) period, Tennessee assessed Memphis, the largest city in source. Smaller lakes are regulation. 11,081 river miles, and Tennessee, is completely more severely affected by South Dakota is aggres- 538,657 lake acres for the supplied by ground water. nonpoint sources than are sively addressing ground- fishable/swimmable goal of Many pollutants are known larger lakes. water pollution. Ongoing the Clean Water Act. Of the or thought to be contam- State ground-water projects assessed river miles, 98 inating ground water. These Ground-Water include the Oakwood/Poin- percent met the fishable goal pollutants include metals, sett Rural Clean Water and 94 percent met the swim- petroleum products, pesti- Quality Project; assumption of the mable goal. Of the assessed cides and other agricultural Underground Injection lake acres, 92 percent met chemicals, and radioactive Approximately 453 million Control, RCRA, and UST the fishable goal and 97 per- materials. In addition, vola- gallons of water are used programs; and cleanup activ- cent met the swimmable tile or synthetic organic daily by South Dakotans; of ities from hazardous mate- goal. materials, plus inorganic this, nearly 50 percent is rials spills. The largest causes of chemicals such as nitrates, from ground-water sources. nonsupport in streams are have been detected in some Ground-water quality is siltation and suspended samples. highly variable in South _ solids, fecal coliforms, low Leading sources of ground- Dakota but is generally *ennessee dissolved oxygen, nutrients, water contamination include suitable for domestic, indus- T obtain a copy of the and flow alteration. Major septic/sewage and water trial, and agricultural uses. sources of these causes are treatment plant sludge, However, numerous localized e agriculture, upstream illegal dumps, septic tanks, incidents of ground-water impoundment, hydrologic wastewater pits, ponds and degradation have occurred. modification (channeliza- lagoons, sanitary landfills, Documented or suspected Tennessee Department of tion), municipal discharges, underground storage tanks sources of ground-water ment mining activities, urban and pipelines, and aban- contamination include leak- TfER aterldanagement runoff, industrial discharges, doned hazardous waste sites. T.E.R.R.A. Building ing artesian wells; fertilizers and construction activities. Ground-water protection in and pesticides; wastewater Nashville T N 37219-5404 In lakes, the largest causes Tennessee has become a treatment lagoons; landfills; of nonsupport are nutrients, major concern. In an effort septic systems; inadequate low dissolved oxygen, silta- to define and protect this well design, construction, Surface Water tion and priority organics. finite resource, the Tennes- and placement; feedlots; and Major sources of these causes see Department of Health petroleum and other chem- Quality of use impairment are agri- and Environment has devel- ical spills or leaks. These cultural activities, upstream oped a Ground-Water Man- pollution problems have Of the 11,081 stream miles impoundments, municipal agement Strategy that would remained consistent through in Tennessee, 9,408 were discharges, hydromodifica- assemble the many pieces of the years, although reported assessed for this report. tion, and mining activity. relevant information into a spills or leaks of petroleum Sixty-three percent of the comprehensive whole. Some and other chemicals have assessed miles were fully of the recommendations increased. Many of these supporting designated uses, Ground-Water contained in this Strategy contamination problems 10 percent were not support- Quality will require legislative action result from improperly locat- ing designated uses, and 26 by the General Assembly, ing or constructing wells, percent were partially sup- More than one-half of the while others can be accom- septic systems, treatment porting designated uses. population of Tennessee plished by coordination of lagoons, and other sources. relies on ground water for existing programs through A-32 Appendix the establishment of the coliform counts; the sources contamination in some areas. Ground Water Management of this pollution include trib- Improvements in brine dis- Utah Council. utaries transporting treated posal, well-plugging, and 'l obtain a copy of the Utah domestic wastewater and underground injection 1988 305(b) report, contact: urban runoff. All lake acres procedures have reduced support their designated these problems in recent Bureau of Water Pollution Texas aquatic life habitat use. petroleum operations. Control Division of Tb obtain a copy of the Texs Of Texas' 1,990 square Nevertheless, expanded Environmental Health 1988 305(b) report, contact: miles of bays and estuaries, development of the State's P.O. Box 16700 458 are closed to shellfish water resources and pres- Salt Lake City, UT 84145 harvesting due to fecal coli- sures to meet supply needs Texas Water Commission form bacteria contamination. have created local, regional, Water Quality Standards Contact recreation and and statewide problems of and Evaluation Section varying intensity. While andEvaiP.O. B ox 13087 aquatic habitat uses are met varying intensity. While throughout the State's estua- surface water quality Quality Capitol StationX 787113087 rine area. continues to be a major Austin, TX 78711-3087 Eutrophication in reser- concern, ground-water over- Data analyzed from October voirs and estuaries may draft and quality degradation 1985 through September Surface-Water cause problems not specif- are particularly troublesome 1987 generally indicate that Surface-Water ically addressed by the desig- because of expanding total phosphate levels are Quality nated uses and numerical economic activities that are moderately exceeding the criteria of the State's surface ground-water dependent. criteria for assigned bene- Of the State's 13,998 water quality standards. Several State agencies are ficial uses statewide. Total assessed stream miles, 155 Estuaries exhibiting the involved in the protection of phosphates come from are not currently meeting highest degree of eutrophica- ground-water resources. An natural, agricultural, con- fishable uses and 1,382 miles tion are Clear Creek Tidal, interagency committee, struction, recreation, mining, are presently not swimmable. Armand Bayou Tidal, and the funded by the EPA Ground- and municipal sources. Approximately 1,829 stream Arroyo Colorado Tidal. The Water Grant, was established Point sources of pollution miles are currently not majority of bay segments in 1985 to improve coordina- can present water quality achieving individual desig- experiencing eutrophication tion of ground-water protec- problems anywhere they are nated water uses. The major- are located in the Galveston tion activities and develop a located, but are usually more ity of impaired stream miles Bay system. comprehensive ground-water significant in highly popu- are affected by dissolved protection strategy. A ground- lated areas. Wastewater oxygen depletion and ele- water protection strategy treatment facilities are often vated fecal coliform levels round-Water was developed in 1987 and concentrated in certain caused by discharges of implementation began in drainages to meet the needs treated domestic wastewater. Quality 1988. The strategy addresses of increasing populations, Approximately 65 percent of interagency coordination, and can seriously affect the 1,537 stream miles not Approximately 61 percent improvement of existing receiving streams. An exam- suitable for fishing and of the total water used by programs, development of ple in Utah is the Jordan swimming are affected by Texans for domestic, munic- new program areas, and River in Salt Lake Valley. major metropolitan areas: ipal, industrial, and agricul- needs for funding and new Regionalization of waste- Fort Worth-Dallas, San tural purposes is supplied by legislation. water treatment facilities Antonio, Houston, and citi s ground-water sources. A will provide high levels of in the Lower Rio Grande major form of ground-water treatment to maintain and Valley. contamination is saltwater improve downstream water All of the State's 1,410,240 intrusion from natural quality in the Jordan River. acres of reservoirs currently sources. Saline conditions are Many of the remaining meet the fishable goal. In less sometimes aggravated by water quality problems in than i percent of lake ground-water withdrawals. Utah result from nonpoint acres, the swimmable goal is In the past, oil and natural sources rather than point not supported. The cause of gas extraction activities were source discharges. Nonpoint nonsupport is elevated fecal suspected of causing saline sources of pollutants include A-33 Appendix natural geologic formations, thermal stratifications and The public's comments will utors to use impairment. The failing individual wastewater subsequent dissolved oxygen be used in the development four most common water disposal systems, urban (DO) depletion in the hypo- of this ground-water quality impairments due to sources, hydrologic modifica- limnion. Several lakes protection effort. nonpoint sources in rivers tions, agriculture, mining, experience partial or com- are siltation/turbidity, recreation, construction, and plete fish kills each year due habitat alterations, nutrient silviculture. to DO depletion as a result of enrichment, and flow altera- Most of the water allocated excessive algal production. Vermont tions. Other common prob- in Utah is for agricultural Many lakes/reservoirs also lems include thermal use. Diversion of waters for have aesthetics and recrea- Ve obtain a copy of the modifications and pathogens. irrigation tends to concen- tional use impairment Vermont 1988 305(b) report, The highest ranked sources trate salts and solids in because of severe annual contact: of these impairments are original stream channels. drawdown which leaves agricultural runoff, hydro- Return flow discharges add expanses of exposed mud Vermont Department modifications below hydro- salts, nutrients, and sedi- flats and insufficient waters of Environmental power dams, and erosion ments from croplands into to overwinter fish Conservation from construction sites. stream channels. Overland populations. Water Resources Planning Point source discharges runoff contributes salts, 103 S. Main Street were responsible for sediments, and nutrients Waterbu VT 0567 repeated beach closures on from nonirrigated croplands Lake Champlain. Public and coliform bacteria from Ground-Water beaches in the Burlington pasture land. Minimum-till Quality area were closed frequently and no-till conservation Surface Water during the summer of 1987, measures, implemented and Ground water is one of the Quality primarily as the result of supported by Utah agricul- State's most valuable and combined sewer overflows tural agencies, reduce runoff necessary resources. It fur- The water quality of Ver- which are now being and runoff-associated chem- nishes drinking water for mont's rivers and lakes is corrected. icals. Major nonpoint source two-thirds of the State's generally excellent. Con- On other lakes, most of the control efforts are currently residents and comprises tinued progress is noted in water quality impairments under way as Utah develops about 20 percent of the total the cleanup or elimination are caused by nonpoint its nonpoint source assess- water used in Utah. In rural of point source discharges, sources and excessive plant ment and management plan. areas of the State, it is com- particularly from wastewater growth. Very few lakes General ambient water monly the only source of treatment plants. Of the receive point source dis- quality conditions on Utah's water for man and livestock. 5,162 miles of rivers and charges. The major impair- lakes and reservoirs vary Because of this depend- streams in Vermont 88 per- ments are nuisance aquatic greatly. Nutrient concentra- ence, a more diligent effort cent fully supported the uses plants such as Eurasion tions and trophic states range is required to protect Utah's for which they are desig- milfoil and algae; nutrient from the oligotrophic condi- ground-water resources. nated; uses are threatened in enrichment from nonpoint tions of many high mountain The Ground-Water Quality 20 percent of these river sources; pathogens; and lakes to highly eutrophic Protection Strategy for the miles. Of the 229,146 acres of siltation/turbidity. Threats to downstream lakes and State of Utah reviews facts lakes and ponds in Vermont, lake water quality include impoundments such as Utah about ground water, des- 78 percent fully supported erosion from development, Lake, Cutler Reservoir, cribes government programs designated uses; 86 percent acid precipitation, and, in Gunnison Bend Reservoir, that affect ground water, and of these lake acres are the case of Lake Champlain, and Minersville Reservoir. discusses potential sources of threatened. The largest a preliminary indication of Other water chemistry char- ground-water pollution. The portion of this threat to lake the contamination of fish acteristics vary from strategy also provides use is associated with Lake tissue by toxic substances. extremely soft water condi- management proposals for Champlain, where toxic tions of the high Uinta lakes public consideration and substances have been found to high total dissolved solids comment. The purpose of in the tissue of a species of levels in reservoirs on the these proposals is to generate fish. lower Sevier drainage, discussion and provide a Vermont reports that Many lakes/reservoirs framework for a carefully nonpoint sources are the experience problems with derived protection program. most widespread contrib- A-34 Appendix Ground-Water Virginia domestic sewage is located the major sources of ground- in southwestern Virginia, water contamination. Vola- Quality To obtain a copy of the where it is suspected that tile and synthetic organic Virginia 1988 305(b) report, many individual homes chemicals, pesticides, Ground-water contact: discharge directly to streams. nitrates, fluorides, brine/ contamination in Vermont is In lakes, the major causes salinity, and metals are the a comparatively minor Virginia State Water Control of nonsupport were nutrients, contaminants of concern. problem. However, from time Board Office of Water organic enrichment, pH, Specific ground-water to time, well interference Resources Management siltation, and metals. Major program activities in Virginia problems do occur in more 2111 North Hamilton Street sources of use impairment in include formation of an developed areas, although Richmond, VA 23230 lakes include agriculture and interagency Ground-Water there is no evidence that storm sewers/runoff. Protection Steering Commit- ground-water withdrawals In estuaries, pathogens, tee, a Data Management Task are exceeding recharge. The Surface Water organic enrichment, and pH Force, and an Antidegrada- State relies on ground water are leading causes of use tion Advisory Group; imple- to supply more than half of Quality impairment; sources include mentation of an under- its drinking water needs; this municipal discharges, agri- ground storage tank program; is expected to continue, as Water in Virginia is culture, and storm ground-water monitoring; there is no evidence of generally of good quality sewers/runoff. and investigations of widespread water degrada- except in relatively few pollution complaints and tion or depletion. areas. During the reporting proposed landfill sites. The major sources of period, Virginia assessed Ground-Water ground-water contamination 3,532 miles of streams, in Vermont include petroleum 161,089 lake acres, 1,800 Quality pollution from leaking under- estuary square miles, and 112 Virgi n Islands ground storage tanks and ocean coastal miles. Of the Ground water accounts for To obtain a copy of the Virgin accidental spills; leachate assessed river miles, 34 approximately 22 percent of la oti rpot Islands 1988 305(b) report, from landfills; leachate from percent fully supported uses, the water used in Virginia for c nt on-site sewage systems; road 40 percent partially sup- purposes other than hydro-ct: application and storage of ported uses, and 26 percent electric and thermoelectric Virgin Islands Department of salt and salted sand; and did not support their desig- uses. Eighty percent of Vir- Conservation and Cultural Conservation and Cultural agricultural practices. nated uses. Of the State's ginians used ground water Affairs The ground-water protec- assessed lake acres, 91 per- either as their only water far tion program has made many cent fully supported desig- supply or as part of their Management Management significant accomplishments nated uses, and 9 percent supply. P.O. Box 4340 over the past 2 years. partially supported uses. Of Contamination of major o. om Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Current efforts to manage the assessed estuary square aquifers in Virginia is not V irgin Islands 00801 Virgin Islands 00801 ground-water quality include miles, 89 percent fully a serious problem. Most coordinating various State supported designated uses, ground-water pollution agencies that participate in 6 percent partially supported incidents contaminate finite Surface Water ground-water management uses, and 5 percent did not areas near the spill or acci- programs, and completing support their designated dent. More than 800 cases of Quality the State's Ground-Water uses. Lastly, all of the State's contamination have been Protection Rule and Strategy. assessed ocean coastal miles documented; approximately Water quality in the Virgin Other activities include a fully supported their desig- 12 new cases are added per Islands is generally good but study of nitrate contamina- nated uses. month. Most of these are due is worsening due to an tion, well driller licensing, The major causes of to leaking underground increase in nonpoint source and reviews, under the nonsupport in Virginia's tanks and associated piping. runoff such as vessel washes State's Act 250, of the rivers include fecal coliform The State lists underground and uncontrolled runoff. impacts of proposed develop- bacteria; major sources of storage tanks, landfills During the reporting ment on ground-water these pollutants include (municipal, on-site indus- period, the Virgin Islands resources. agriculture and municipal trial, and others), surface assessed 29 square miles of point source discharges. Most impoundments, septic tanks, estuary and 7 ocean coastal of the mileage affected by and agricultural activities as miles. Of the assessed A-35 Appendix estuary square miles, 86 brought about stress to the water supply and quality as supported their designated percent fully supported Territory's natural resources. part of the implementation uses. designated uses, 3 percent Without the concomitant of the 1983 ground-water The primary causes of partially supported uses, and increase in environmental management plan. These impaired surface waters in 20 percent did not support programs and planning, some actions are geared toward the State are fecal coliform their designated uses. Of the of the Virgin Island's most short- and long-term bacteria, temperature prob- assessed ocean coastal miles, valuable resources will be management for more lems, suspended solids, 71 percent fully supported irreversibly damaged. efficient use and protection organic enrichment and dis- designated uses, 14 percent of this precious resource. solved oxygen problems, partially supported uses, and nutrients, and habitat/flow 14 percent did not support Ground-Water alterations. Contamination uses. Major sources of use Ground-Water by metals, priority organics, impairment include munic- Quality Washington and pesticides are serious ipal/domestic discharges, obtain a co of the problems in certain water- To obtain a copy of the construction, and boating Some ground-water bodies. The primary sources Washington 1988 305(t)) activities. contamination occurs in the rpton of water quality impairment report, contact: Lack of enforcement Virgin Islands, primarily in in Washington are runoff of permitting laws and the form of elevated chloride from pasture land and irri- Washington Department unplanned development and concentrations caused by o Ec gated agricultural lands, of Ecology growth are special State saltwater intrusion. Nitrate o lo municipal and industrial Water Quality Program concerns. Without an effec- contaminants are also present PV11 point sources , storm sewers, tive management program, in some areas as a result of Olympia, WA 98504 on-site wastewater disposal, Olympia, WA 98504 water pollution problems are sewage treatment plant urban runoff, and natural sure to become worse. malfunctions. causes. Natural causes There are little data avail- Other areas have been Surface Water include such things as glacial able on toxic pollutants in identified as being impacted runoff, poor circulation in the Virgin Islands marine by sewage pollution. There is Quality estuaries, and low stream- environment. A survey com- also evidence of a new kind flow during summer months. pleted in1986 examined of contamination which During the reporting water, sediments, and biota previously was unknown in period, Washington assessed and concluded that there the Territory-organic pollu- 4,621 river miles, 156,518 Ground-Water were few or no toxic organics tion. Chlorinated solvents lake acres, 2,114 estuary in water or sediments in the and petroleum products square miles, and 163 ocean Quality Territory, although some appear to be the main coastal miles. Of the assessed trace metals were found at elements of this new contain- river miles, 50 percent fully Washington lacks a con- elevated levels. ination. At present, the supported designated uses, prehensive ground-water Violations of water quality extent and severity of the 35 percent partially sup- monitoring program, so it is standards for fecal coliform problem is not known, but ported uses, and 15 percent difficult to assess the extent bacteria have occurred in efforts are being made to did not support their desig- of existing contamination. harbor areas where there are investigate the areas which nated uses. Of the assessed Available data, however, large numbers of boats and have been identified. lake acres, 78 percent fully suggest that contamination low natural flushing rates. The Government of the supported designated uses, may be more widespread Several Federal and Terri- U.S. Virgin Islands has 21 percent partially sup- than previously believed. torial laws prohibit sewage requested technical and legal ported uses, and less than This is of concern because and waste discharge from assistance from the U.S. 1 percent did not support more than half of the State's vessels, but enforcement is Environmental Protection their designated uses. Of the population relies on ground limited. Land-based storm Agency to investigate the State's assessed estuary water for drinking water; runoff and sewage leakage/ matter, including a survey of square miles, 92 percent fully among rural residents, that infiltration have also been water quality in island wells. supported designated uses, figure is over 90 percent. In identified as sources of The government is also 4 percent partially supported some counties, virtually all bacterial contamination. exploring the possibility of uses, and 4 percent did not of the population relies on The Virgin Islands is the U.S. Geological Survey support their designated ground water for domestic currently experiencing a participation in a joint uses. All of the ocean use. building boom. This has investigation of ground- assessed coastal miles fully A-36 Appendix While exist ing data are West Virginia Concern over industrial oxygen problems (mainly limited, they do indicate the discharges is confined, for from sewage) were noted in kinds of contamination prob- To obtain a copy of the West the most part, to parts of the 3,575 stream miles. Siltation lems the State faces. Con- Virginia 1988 305(b) report, Ohio, Kanawha, and Monon- and mine drainage (metals cerns based on available data contact: gahela watersheds where and pH) were the major include: an increasing industry has tended to causes of impact on lakes. incidence of nitrates in West Virginia Department concentrate. ground water, especially in of Natural Resources West Virginia reports that Ground-Water the irrigated regions of the Water Resources Division only 9 percent of its 14,301 Columbia Basin and in areas 694 Winfield Road assessed stream miles did not Quality with high densities of resi- St. Albans, WV 25177 support their designated uses dential on-site sewage during the reporting period. Although ground water in systems; a potential for the Seventy-one percent partially West Virginia is generally of presence of leachable pesti- Surface-Water supported their uses and 20 good quality, in most parts of cides in ground water, partic- Srface-Water percent fully supported their the State it was found to be ularly in areas with irrigated Quality uses. About 14,060 stream naturally hard and to contain agriculture; the possibility miles were not assessed. elevated levels of iron and of transport of radioactivity Well over half of West Vir- Of the 19,171 lake acres manganese. Major contanm- from materials stored at ginia's population is rural. assessed, only 9 percent did ination problems in the Hanford Nuclear Reservation Because of the State's steeply not support designated uses. central and western parts of into ground water within and dissected topography, a large The remaining 91 percent of the State include acid mine outside the reservation; portion of this rural popula- assessed lakes were partially drainage and saltwater intru- leachate from landfills and tion resides in small localized supporting beneficial uses. sion caused by oil and gas other sites containing munic- concentrations in narrow Comparison of current data well drilling operations. In ipal and hazardous waste; valleys. Along with localized with that in earlier reports the karst areas of the east, leaks from underground stor- unfavorable economic condi- showed very little overall contamination from petro- age tanks, both industrial tions and a limited amount of change in water quality leum products and nonpoint and domestic; contamination land available for residential during the reporting period. sources such as animal from chemical spills; contam- development, this too often Elevated levels of toxics feedlots, domestic septic ination by industrial waste results in direct discharge of were noted in 3,710 miles of tanks, pesticides, etc., are through land disposal or sewage and/or improperly total assessed streams. Mine the principal concerns. discharge to ground water; installed and maintained on- drainage contributed to the A ground-water protection saltwater intrusion in some lot sewage disposal systems. problem in 2,427 of these strategy has recently been coastal areas; arsenic Mining, oil and gas explora- stream miles. Elevated levels initiated and is currently in contamination from appar- tion, and timbering opera- of toxics were also noted in the development stage. The ently natural sources along tions are also of major 4,655 lake acres. Many of top priorities of this strategy the western foothills of the concern in the State due to these reported elevated toxic are to establish legislation Cascade Mountains; and nonpoint contributions to levels are due to exceedances and regulation needed to transport of pollutants by many streams. These prob- of the State water quality protect and improve the stormwater discharges to lems are particularly acute standard for iron. State's ground water. ground water via dry wells in the Big Sandy/Tug Fork, Acid mine drainage from and other recharge devices. Guyandotte, Coal, Kanawha, abandoned sources continues Elk, Pocatalico, and Little to present a major problem in Kanawha watersheds. the State's waters. Metals Agriculture waste handling from mining activities were and runoff are of concern found to affect 2,852 of the mainly in the Potomac water- assessed stream miles, while shed (in particular, the 1,897 miles were affected by extreme eastern portion) due a pH (acid) problem. Siltation primarily to the area's large from various nonpoint amount of agricultural opera- sources impaired 5,251 miles tions and its limestone of stream, while organic geology. enrichment and dissolved A-37 Appendix Wisconsin Many surface water quality quality enforcement 93 percent fully supported problems are localized, so standards. designated uses and 7 To obtain a copy of the nonsupport of designated In addition to VOCs, percent partially supported Wisconsin 1988 305(b) uses may vary from region to improper handling and uses. report, contact: region. The southwest corner storage of pesticides are The major causes of use of the State appears to have sources of ground-water impairment in Wyoming's Wisconsin Department problems due to nonpoint contamination. To date, 22 rivers include suspended of Natural Resources source impacts, while the Fox sites have been identified in sediments, salinity, and Water Quality Evaluation Valley has both point and the State where the improper habitat modifications. Major Section nonpoint source problems. storage or handling of pesti- sources of these pollutants P.O. Box 7921 Milwaukee and other Great cides has caused ground- include agriculture (range- Madison, WI 53707 Lakes harbor areas have water contamination. land, riparian grazing, and large areas of contaminated irrigated agriculture), sediments. construction, hydrological/ habitat modifications, and Surface Water Wyoming resource extraction. ~Quality Ground-Water The major causes of use Quality To obtain a copy of the impairment in lakes include While sig~ic~ty Qualinty ~Wyoming 1988 305(b) report, nutrients, suspended sedi- While siginificant point source impacts to Wisconsin's Sixty-seven percent of contact: ments, and flow alterations. surface waters have been Wisconsin's residents use Sources of these pollutants minimized, other water ground water for drinking Department of Environ- include agriculture, hydro- mental Quality logical/habitat modifications, pollution problems remain. water supplies. Many of the mental Quality logical/habitat modifications, Toxic contamination of ~~Water Quality Division cntutorsuc 'lbxic contamination of State's industrial and agricul- Water Quality Division construction, resource sediments and fish, ground- tural activities also depend erschler Building, 4th Floor extraction, phosphate soils, 122 West 25th and municipal discharges. nonpoint source runoff into The five leading sources of yenne, WY 82002 surface waters are contin- ground-water contamination uing water pollution in Wisconsin are agricultural Ground-Water concerns. activities, solid waste land- Surface Water G oda Nonpoint sources are the fills, abandoned waste sites, Quality predominant cause of water underground storage tanks, Quality quality degradation in lakes and spills. The application, Ground water has been, and streams in Wisconsin. storage, and handling of Generally, Wyoming's and will continue to be, very Of point source impacts in nitrogen-based chemical water is of good to excellent important in Wyoming. streams, less than half are fertilizers and animal wastes quality. Significant improve- Ground-water use in the due to industrial discharges, has resulted in extensive ments have been made in State is estimated to be and slightly over half are due nitrate contamination. reducing impacts from around 500,000 acre-feet per to municipal discharges. Nitrate is the contaminant municipal sources and most year. Domestic uses account Approximately 9 percent of most often found to exceed industries. Nonpoint sources, for about 15 percent of the water quality degradation in ground-water quality however, continue to have water withdrawn; agricul- lakes is due to natural causes. standards. major impacts on water tural uses account for about About 1 percent of the use Volatile organic compounds quality in the State. During 51 percent; and the petro- impairment in lakes is due to (VOCs) are the most signif- the reporting period, leum industry accounts for point sources, primarily icant contaminating sub- Wyoming assessed all river most of the remaining municipal wastewater treat- stances associated with miles and lake acres with the ground-water use. ment facility discharges. municipal landfills, under- exception of those on the Extensive ground-water Nutrients, biochemical ground storage tanks, aban- Wind River Indian Reserva- contamination has been oxygen demand, and sedi- doned hazardous waste tion. A total of 83 percent of identified at refinery sites, ments primarily from non- disposal sites, and spills. river miles fully supported mines, and leaking under- point sources continue to Trichloroethylene is the VOC designated uses, and 17 ground storage tanks. Many adversely affect the State's most often detected at levels percent partially supported cleanup and restoration surface waters. exceeding ground-water uses. Of the State's lake acres, activities are currently A-38 Appendix under way. The regulation of underground injection, the underground storage tanks program, and State permit- ting of facilities that have the potential to impact ground waters are under way to protect existing and potential uses of ground water. Despite these efforts, new problems continue to appear. At present, there are over 500 sites in Wyoming where ground-water monitoring, investigation, or remediation efforts are under way. The most common contaminants in ground water are petro- leum products. U.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1990 - 270-871 A-39