Water Pollution Problems

I. General Background Information on Water Pollution• Non-biodegradable Ex: plastics, synthetic chemicals• Persistence: How long will pollution stick around?

PCB’s and Eskimos and Polar Bears?• Organic Waste

(Carbon-based) such as human or animal waste or other organic material produced by living things.

• Primary problem with organic waste is Eutrophication that leads to a high B.O.D. Biological oxygen demand is O2

that is consumed by decomposing bacteria!

• Inorganic Pollutants (Non-carbon based)Ex: Heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, NickelEx: Road SaltsEx: Acid Rain (Nitric and Sulfuric Acid)

• Organic Chemical Wastes (Carbon-based)Ex: Petroleum products such as oil and gas.Ex: Toxic solvents such as PCB’s, TCE, etc.Ex: Oil-based pesticides.

•Biological Magnification (See Handout)The buildup in concentration of a pollutant to dangerous levelsas it moves up a food chain.Why? The pollutant cannot be digested and, therefore, builds up in the fatty tissues of an organism.

• Point Sources of Pollution: Easily identified sources of pollution such as: outflow pipes from industry and wastewater treatment plants. What are some point sources in our area? (See handout)

• Non-point sources of pollution:Smaller sources that are not easily identified but can add up to have a serious impact.ex: homes, farms, golf courses, roads, parking lots, rainfall, etc.

•The primary vehicle that carries non-point pollution into a waterway is stormwater runoff!

Public Laws Protecting Water Quality•The 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)•Federal regulations on point sources of pollution: Industry•Provided $$ to local towns and cities to improve Sewage Treatment Plants (STP’s)

•The 1987 Water Quality Act (WQA)• More $ for STP upgrades.• Introduced the idea of watershed-based management of water resources. Now being adopted by the Pa. DEP.• The first steps were taken to study the control of “non-point source”pollution.

Water Quality Conditions in Lakes• Oligotrophic: Very low in Nutrients. Low amounts of algal growth.Typically, are younger lakes

• Mesotrophic: Moderate nutrient levels, Moderate Algae and Plant Growth. Typically, middle-aged lakes.

• Eutrophic: Over-fertilized by nutrients. Large amounts of Algal Growth. Typically, older lakes.

• Hyper-eutrophic: Extremely high in nutrients.Extreme AlgalGrowth. Typically, very old lakes.

Water Quality Designations of Waterways in Pa. as determined by the Pa. DEP

Two Pa. DEP Waterway Classifications

•Unimpaired: Biological and Chemical assessment determines that the stream, river or lake is in decent to good biological health.• Impaired: Biologically stressed aquatic ecosystems.

What happens if a waterway is rated as impaired?

• Impaired streams/lakes become subject to Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) regulations and remedial action. • Total Maximum Daily Load is the amount of pollution that can enter a waterway without bringing it’s quality below safe standards.• Watersheds surrounding impaired streams must work to reduce pollutant loads below the TMDL. • Most of the streams in the UP Watershed are rated as Unimpaired.

The Green Lane Reservoir and TMDLs

•The latest evaluations recognize that problems do exist in the Green Lane Reservoir and that it is in Impaired condition.

• Therefore, the Pa DEP has placed the GLR under TMDL Standards.

• The Pa DEP and local officials are currently investigating ways to reduce both Point and Non-point Pollution entering into the GLR.

Pa. DEP Stream Classifications• CWF: Cold Water Fishery• MF: Migratory Fishery• TSF: Trout Stocking Fishery• WWF: Warm Water Fishery

(See Map of our Area)• *HQ: High Quality Waters - Excellent water quality and deservesadditional protection.•**EV: Exceptional Water Quality - Outstanding water quality and special ecosystem features. Deserves the highest protection.

*The Unami Creek has been awarded this status.

* *Recommendation for the Main Branch of the Perk, North of Rt. 100 and the Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen.

Water Pollution In the UP Watershed

• Opinion Survey: The 2000 River Conservation Plan for the UPWatershed prepared by the Upper Perk Watershed Coalition, The Natural Lands Trust and funded by the Pa. DEP.

• What are the major sources of water pollution in our area?1. Water fowl and geese2. Litter and Trash3. Home Stormwater Runoff4. Agricultural Runoff5. Sewage Treatment Plants6. Home Septic Systems7. Local Industry

What are our real water pollution problems in the UP Watershed?

Non-point source pollution carried by stormwater runoff is the #1 problem in our watershed and the entire USA!

I. The First Problem: Pathogens• Disease causing microbes.• Sources: Malfunctioning Home Septic Systems, Livestock Manureand a high geese population.• See Handouts.

II. The Second Problem: Nutrient Pollution that leads to Eutrophication!• Primarily Nitrates and Phosphorus which are normally limiting factors.• GLR: 55% reduction in P to reverse hyper-eutrophicationand a 73% reduction to reach mesotrophic state.• Sources:

Animal waste from livestock and other animals.Malfunctioning Home Septic Systems

Soil ErosionFertilizers used on farms, lawns and golf coursesAuto exhaust and Fossil Fuel Consumption: Primarily Nitrogen carried into waterways by Rainfall.

Local Industry: A minor source!

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

IV. The Fourth Problem: What else is picked up and carried intoour waterways by stormwater runoff?• Road Salt, Litter, Household Hazardous Waste such as motor oil,detergents, pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Health Care Products, etc.?

• Ecological Problems: Boulder Creek ColoradoFemale Suckers to Male Suckers Ratio:

“5 to 1”Why? Many of the chemicals that we release into our waterways mimic Reproductive hormones.

• Other Stuff going down the drain? Think about it:Tylenol, Prozac, Sudafed, Caffiene, Birth Control Pills, FireRetardants, Birth Control Pills

• Can this affect humans?Lower Sperm Counts? Testicular Cancer? Breast Cancer? Learning Disorders?

V. The Fifth Problem: Toxic Pollution

• Fortunately, this is not a widespread problem in the UP Watershed.

• Ex: The EPA Superfund Cleanup Site at Blackhead Hill in Hereford.

T.C.E. contamination of the groundwater aquifer.

• Ex: The Hosensack Pesticide Spill

• Ex: The Bally Chlorine Spill into the West Branch

VI. The Sixth Problem: Loss of Biodiversity in Freshwater Ecosystems

Fortunately, this is a minor problem in the streams in watershed, however, it is a major problem in the GLR!

• Endangered or Threatened in the USA

66% of all freshwater clams and mussels

50 % of all crayfish species

40% of all freshwater fish species