An Introduction to NCs Water Quality Program and Nonpoint Source Pollution

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An Introduction to NCsWater Quality Programand
Nonpoint Source Pollution

• Division of Water Quality
• WQ Planning Branch
• NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Also known as Runoff Pollution
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Overview of Presentation

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

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North Carolinas water resources are abundant and
diverse
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But the face of NC is changing
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NC Population Growth (1670-2000)
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7
6
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Population (Millions)
4
3
2
1
0
1
6
7
0
1
7
0
0
1
7
5
0
1
8
0
0
1
8
5
0
1
9
0
0
1
9
5
0
2
0
0
0
Year
NCs population has been doubling every 50 years
for the past 200 years! What will be the impact
of 8 million more people by 2050?
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NC Land Cover Changes 1982-97 (acres x 1000)
Changes Agric. -13.4 Forest -6.9 Urban
88.1
Source USDA NRCS National Resources Inventory
(1997)
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The NC Division of Water Quality plays an
important role in protecting water qualityDWQ
is
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Known primarily as a regulatory agency, but

• DWQ Permitting Programs
• Discharge permits
• Nondischarge permits
• Wetlands permits
• Riparian buffer protection
• Others

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We also do biological investigations,
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Predictive Computer Modeling,
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Water quality monitoring and chemistry lab
analyses,
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Planning,

• Basinwide Planning
• Stream classifications
• Rule development

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And enforcement of water quality laws
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Primary Goal of NCs Water Quality Program
Protect and Restore uses of North Carolinas
surface waters.
Uses include
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Fishing and
Swimming
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Water Supply and...
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High Quality Waters (HQW) and Outstanding
Resource Waters (ORW)
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Major Sources of Pollution
Point Sources and
Nonpoint Sources
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Point Sources of Pollution

• Comes from a pipe, discrete point or ditch.
  Generally associated with a wastewater discharge
  but includes urban or industrial stormwater
  discharges

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Nonpoint Sources of Pollution (NPS)
Pollution reaching waterways from rainfall
runoff, atmospheric deposition and groundwater
flow. Impacts result from cumulative effects of
many small activities. (Also known as Runoff
Pollution)
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Land Development
If not done properly, this can result in

• Increased Imperviousness
• Increased Pollutants
• Increased Runoff
• Impacts to Stream Banks
• Erosion/Sedimentation

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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Construction and GradingThe major runoff
pollution pollutant is sedimentation. Sediment
control measures need to be properly designed,
installed and maintained until the site is
stabilized. Problems can also result fro
improperly handling fuel and chemicals at
construction sites.
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Urban stormwaterA major impact is runoff from
impervious surfaces which erodes streams and
destroys aquatic habitat is the major impact from
urban stormwater. Urban runoff also carries high
fecal coliform levels from pet and wildlife
wastes, fertilizer and pesticides from yards and
landscaped areas, auto-related pollutants such as
oil, grease, and abraded tire material, and
pollutants contained in atmospheric deposition.
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Agriculture Impacts come from cropland and
animal operations. Common pollutants are
sediment, nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria
(animal operations). Agriculture is the leading
source of nonpoint source pollution in NC
although it should be noted that this impact is
shrinking as ag land is converted to development
and as sediment control measures such as no-till
farming become more widespread.
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Land disposal of wastewaterThis includes onsite
wastewater systems (e.g., septic systems), spray
irrigation, sludge disposal and landfills.
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Silviculture (Forestry)Forest cover is generally
excellent for protection of water quality.
However, water quality problems can occur from
improper harvesting techniques such as clearing
next to streams and not using adequate BMPs for
sediment control . In eastern NC, ditching,
which changes the nature hydrology, also
adversely impacts water quality by increasing the
rate of runoff
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Atmospheric DepositionThe atmosphere is a
significant source of water pollution. This
includes acid rain, nitrogen compounds (which
come from cars, industry and animal operations
and contribute to nutrient overenrichment and
algal blooms) and mercury (which has resulted in
fish consumption advisories across NC ,
particularly in the Coastal Plain).
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Marinas and Recreational BoatingRunoff
pollution comes primarily from paved areas and
service yards, oil and gas leakage, and improper
disposal of human wastes.
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NPS/Runoff Pollution
Mining
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What are the Impacts of Nonpoint Source
Pollution on Water Quality?
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Algae Blooms and Aquatic WeedsComes from an
excess of nutrients such as nitrogen and
phosphorus from both point and nonpoint sources
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Fish kills (most often resulting from low
dissolved oxygen associated with algal blooms
and/or hot weather)
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Habitat degradationMostly a nonpoint source
problem resulting from improperly performed land
disturbing activities (such as construction,
farming and forestry which allow excessive
sediment runoff) and post development stormwater
runoff in urban areas (which increases the flow
of stormwater and erodes stream channels)
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Closed shellfish waters Caused by pathogen
contamination as indicated by high levels of
fecal coliform bacteria. The bacteria come
mostly from runoff in developed areas containing
wildlife and pet wastes. Can also come from
leaking sewer systems and pump stations, improper
sewage treatment, failing septic systems and
improperly handled farm animal wastes.
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Unsafe swimming conditionsResults from pathogen
contamination as evidenced by elevated levels of
fecal coliform bacteria. Can come from a variety
of sources including wildlife and pet wastes,
leaking sewer systems and pump stations, improper
sewage treatment, failing septic systems and
improperly handled farm animal wastes.
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How Do We Measure Water Quality?
Biological and chemical water quality testing is
done by DWQ as shown in the following slides to
determine whether waters are supporting the
intended uses
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Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling
This technique utilizes the varying pollutant
sensitivities among different aquatic organisms,
such as aquatic insect larvae, as a water
quality indicator. Assessing the types and
numbers of species gives an indication of water
quality.
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Fish community and tissue sampling
Assessing the numbers, diversity and health of
fish communities is another way to assess water
quality. Tissues of fish are also sampled to
determine whether they are safe to eat.
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Ambient Water Quality Monitoring
Chemical water quality sampling is performed
monthly at almost 400 stations around the state
in streams, lakes and salt waters. Many
parameters are studied such as pH, metals,
bacteria, dissolved oxygen and others. This
sampling helps DWQ determine water trends and
problem areas.
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WaterChemistry
DWQs lab analyzes ambient and other
water quality samples.
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Oxygen demand from bottom sediments
Wastewater treatment plants discharge pollutants
known as oxygen-consuming wastes. This includes
organic matter that decomposes in the water
column and takes up dissolved oxygen needed by
other aquatic life. Divers place devices on the
bottom of selected waterways to measure the
amount of dissolved oxygen removed from the
water column by bottom- dwelling bacteria and
through chemical processes. This information is
used by computer modelers to determine the level
of treatment required at waste- water treatment
plants to protect the waters and aquatic life.
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How is the water quality in North Carolina?
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Most streams are in good shape ...but 16.4
are impaired, or not supporting their uses
16.4

• Major Causes of Imp.
• Habitat Degradation
• (stream erosion and
• sedimentation)
• Fecal Coliforms
• Low dissolved Oxygen
• Turbidity

83.6
Includes approximately 2000 miles of impaired
streams that need to be restored
Based on monitored streams
Source 1998-99 305(b) Report
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Impaired Stream Miles by Source(Top five sources)
Runoff Pollution
Point Source
Source 1998-99 305(b) report
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Saltwater Use Support Ratings

• Only 4 of all 1,997,375 acres of coastal waters
  in NC are impaired. Sources of impairment
• by
• 41 Fecal Col. Bacteria (Shellfish Closures)
• 9 Dissolved oxygen
• 51 Chlorophyl a (nutrient problem)
• (Note because of overlap,
• s do not add to 100)

Source 1998-99 305(b) Report
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For further information contact Alan Clark NC
Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service
Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 919-733-5083
x570 alan.clark_at_ncmail.net