Transcript 1998 303(d) and 305(b) WATER QUALITY REPORTS

VIRGINIA’S
TMDL
PROCESS
Water Quality Standards
• Standards are regulations based on federal
and state law that set:
– numeric and narrative limits on pollutants.
• Purpose of standards:
– protection of 5 designated uses: aquatic life,
fishing, shellfish, swimming, & drinking water
– restoration of state waters - TMDLs
• Listing of impaired waters and TMDL
development are based on WQ standards.
Identifying
Impaired
Waters
305(b) and 303(d)
WATER QUALITY
REPORTS
THUMB RUN IMPAIRMENT
• 1998 303(d) List: 7 violations -15 samples
• 2000 Assessment: 6 violations -15 samples
• Preliminary results for 2002 Assessment:
4 violations -16 samples
FECAL COLIFORM
BACTERIA STANDARD
• Fecal Coliform
• bacteria is an Indicator of
human or animal waste - not a
pathogen
• But there is a higher
probability of pathogens
existing in waters that violate
the standard
FECAL COLIFORM
STANDARD
• 1000 count per 100
• Geometric mean milliliters of water
200 count per 100
milliliters
• Applicable for data
sets - monthly samples • Applicable for data
sets with 2 or more
• Listed as impaired if
samples in 30 days
violation rate is greater
than 10%
• TMDLs expressed in
terms of geometric
• TMDL requires 0%
mean
violation rate
1998 Impairment Causes in Miles
Total Impaired Miles = 2166
1400
1165
1200
1000
River
Miles
800
600
455
400
362
132
7
9
pH
DO
COMB
VDH
BENTHIC
FECAL
0
36
TOXIC
200
1998 Impairment Sources
Nonpoint Source, Point Source, and
Unknown
1534
1600
1200
800
528
400
104
0
ALL NPS
POINT/CSO
UNKNOWN
ALL NPS
POINT/CSO
UNKNOWN
What is a TMDL ?
A Special Study to:
– Identify all sources of pollution
contributing to violation of water
quality standards.
– Calculate the amount of pollutants
entering the stream from each
source.
– Calculate the reductions in
pollutants, by source, needed
to attain/maintain water
quality standards.
–(Must include MOS)
8 Required Elements of a TMDL
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Be developed for critical stream conditions;
Be developed to meet water quality standards;
Consider seasonal variations;
Include wasteload and load allocations;
Include a margin of safety;
Consider impacts of background contributions;
Be subjected to public participation.
Reasonable assurance.
TMDL Public Participation
Process
• Public Notices and
Public Meetings
during TMDL
development
• Submit to EPA for
approval.
• SWCB adoption of
TMDL as regulation.
• Include TMDL in
WQMPs
TMDL Implementation
• DEQ is required by state legislation to develop
implementation plans
• DCR has lead for NPS TMDL implementation plans
•
DEQ, DCR, VDH, and other state agencies will
coordinate IP development with LOCAL
STAKEHOLDERS!
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!!
• We can make nonpoint BMPs Work without
regulation!
• Funding available for implementation!
• Local shareholder help make the choices OR
• “the hard way”
• TMDLs may impact Point Source Permits
FUTURE OF TMDL
PROGRAM
• Expect Changes - EPA Regulation Changes
• Resource needs at all levels
-2000 Study for General Assembly &
up-coming budget cycle
-Federal Funds
• Anticipate changes in WQS
Standards Technical Issues:
Issues Related to 305/303/TMDL/ Permit Concerns:
Bacterial Indicators
Wildlife Background Bacteria
Recreational Uses
Dissolved Oxygen
Shellfish Prohibitions
Process for Changing Current
Water Quality Standards
• Tri-annual Review
• The public participation process for changes
in Virginia’s water quality standards has
begin.
• DEQ is exploring “reasonable” changes for
application of bacteria standard that will not
compromise human health.
IMPACTS:
• UAA-wildlife issue
• Adopted TMDLs may be re-opened!
• Revised Stds. may impact Implementation
Plans! - STAGED APPROACH
Control Meas.
Mgmt. Strat.
EPA
Water Quality
Monitoring
Assessments
(Point, NPS)
Water
Quality
Watershed Plans
Standards
Public
Participation
305 (b) Report
(Point, NPS)
303(e), etc.
EPA
303(d)
Waters
Public
Participation
TMDLs
EPA
CONTINUING
PLANNING PROCESS
Public
Participation