The Flint River and the EPA and Poo
Posted by ReactionaryThe Clean Water Act of 1972 Section 305 established biennial reporting to Congress, called the National Water Quality Inventory. The EPA gathers river water quality assessments using 305-(b) Reports (the latest online assessment data for the Flint River is 2004). For lakes, the similar report is the 314 Report. If a river is “impaired” then it goes on a State list called the 303(d) List.
Here’s the EPA calling the Flint River a Success Story:
Runoff from agricultural activities and urbanization contributed to organic enrichment and dissolved oxygen (DO) impairments in the lower mainstem of the Flint River in Alabama. The implementation of best management practices (BMPs) and stakeholder education and outreach enhanced water quality and helped the Flint River meet the water quality standards associated with its designated water use classifications. As a result, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) expects to remove a 28-mile segment of the Flint River from the state’s 2006 303(d) list of impaired waters.
The 20 mile stretch of the Flint River from the Tennessee River to Big Cove Creek 305(b) Report:
Water Quality Attainments
State Designated Use Attainment Status Threatened CONTACT RECREATION NOT SUPPORTING No FISHING NOT SUPPORTING No PROPAGATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE NOT SUPPORTING No INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURE USES NOT SUPPORTING No Causes of Impairment
State Impairment EPA Impairment Classification ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/DO ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/OXYGEN DEPLETION Probable Sources Contributing to Impairment
The sources listed below may contribute to one or more of the above-listed impairments.
State Source EPA Source Classification URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS URBAN-RELATED RUNOFF/STORMWATER AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE
The 7 mile stretch of the Flint River from Big Cove Creek to Hurricane Creek 305(b) Report:
Causes of Impairment
State Impairment EPA Impairment Classification ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/DO ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/OXYGEN DEPLETION Probable Sources Contributing to Impairment
The sources listed below may contribute to one or more of the above-listed impairments.
State Source EPA Source Classification URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS URBAN-RELATED RUNOFF/STORMWATER AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE The 15 mile stretch of the Flint River from Alabama Highway 72 to Mountain Fork 305(b) Report:
Causes of Impairment
State Impairment EPA Impairment Classification PATHOGENS PATHOGENS Probable Sources Contributing to Impairment
State Source EPA Source Classification PASTURE GRAZING AGRICULTURE
After reading these summary reports, my first thought is: eww, I know what “organic enrichment” and “pathogens” are and I might have gotten some on me. It’s Cow Poo. And probably some People Poo, too, from failing septic tanks.
I called the local hero of the EPA Success Story mentioned above, our Flint River Watershed Coordinator, to learn more (important facts like he’s an Auburn grad).
Organic Enrichment means excessive nutrients such as fertilizer, manure (Poo!), and organic matter; the nutrients cause algae to bloom which suck all the air out of the river (oxygen depletion). Urban runoff is pretty much what you’d expect, and then some: dirt, gas / oil, fertilizers, pesticides, road grime, and whatever else that makes it into the gutters. Pathogens are high counts of harmful bacteria, like fecal coliforms / enterococcus (Poo!).
I’ll do a follow-up post to describe the horrors of the State 303(d) List, which includes DDT, Mercury, and Arsenic in Huntsville Spring Branch (the big creek next to the soccer fields at the old airport).
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