Presented by Mary Gentry PG January 2015 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality The Problem Federal Clean Water Act all states must identify water bodies not meeting designated water quality standards ID: 930741
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Bayou Lafourche Fecal Coliform Project
Presented by Mary Gentry, P.G. January 2015
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Slide2The ProblemFederal Clean Water Act – all states must identify water bodies not meeting designated water quality standards (Primary Contact Recreation, Secondary Contact Recreation, Drinking Water Supply, Oyster Propagation, Fish & Wildlife Propagation)Must develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) – the maximum amount of pollutant that a water body can absorb without exceeding the water quality standard for that pollutant
Bayou Lafourche not meeting PCR, SCR and DWS standards for fecal coliform
Slide3What is Fecal Coliform?Bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals (including humans), excreted in feces
Used as an indicator organism - generally not harmful but presence suggests pathogenic microorganisms may be presentDoes not identify sources of fecal contamination – only its presencePotential sources include humans (sewage), wildlife, waterfowl, agriculture (manure), livestock, pet waste
Slide4Bayou Lafourche Fecal Coliform IssueDrinking water source for ~300,000 peopleDonaldsonville to Larose (intakes for 10 PWS)Consistently not meeting PCR (swimming) standard for fecal coliform of 400 colonies/100
mlSpikes in data over SCR (boating/fishing) standard and the drinking water supply standard (both 2000 colonies/100 ml)
Total maximum daily pollutant load requires 45% reduction in fecal
coliform loading to meet standards
Data from Mississippi River (headwaters) doesn’t show the same fecal coliform levels (i.e. not likely the source)
Slide5Fecal Coliform IssueWhat do the numbers mean?Can indicate of the presence of sewageHealth effects
Wide variety of illnesses including diarrhea and infections from pathogens ( bacteria, parasites, and viruses) and from algal bloomsPharmaceuticalsMostly short-term with no lasting effects, but can be violent and unpleasantSome long-term illnesses and deaths (especially children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems), example: cryptosporidium – diarrhea, immunocompromised
Slide6Fecal Coliform IssueWhat do the numbers mean? (cont.)Potable water supplyAdditional treatment required
Disinfection by-productsIncreased cost**Note - Water is treated by the public water systems and potable water is
tested to assure it is safe for consumption
Slide7Fecal Coliform Issue – Human FactorsMany areas without community wastewater treatment systems – use onsite wastewater treatment systemsPopulation growth in these areas = greater pollutant loading
Slide8Onsite Wastewater TreatmentInstallation must be permitted by LDHHMust be inspected, maintained and operated properly to be effectiveFailing systems are major contributors to water pollution, often leading to closure of waterways to recreationHigh density = greater pollutant loading
Slide9Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Permitted On-Site Sewage Systems
Slide10Determine if onsite wastewater systems are a significant contributing source of fecal coliform to the bayouMicrobial source tracking - combine fecal coliform sampling with optical brightener (OB) fluorometry to identify “hot spots” OBs are compounds in laundry detergent that emit light when exposed to UV light , “brightening” the appearance of fabric (laundry detergent = human source)
Nicholls State University/LDEQ Fecal Coliform Studies
Slide11Nicholls State University/LDEQ Fecal Coliform Studies
Identified areas that drain to the bayou within two study areasMonitored conduits of this drainage in addition to sampling directly in the bayou for fecal coliform and optical brighteners on a rotating scheduleHigh fecal coliform and high optical brighteners = human origin
Slide12Phase 1 Fecal Coliform Study
Completed in September 2009 Study area = Labadieville to Valentine, LA (below Lockport)
54 sample locations
11
sample sites identified as “hot spots” (red)
that contribute sewage to the bayou
Slide13Phase 2 Fecal Coliform Study
Completed in January 2013 Study area = Donaldsonville/Miss. River to Labadieville, LA
34 sample locations
12 hot spots, two in areas with community wastewater treatment systems
Included enhanced microbial tracking
Slide14Phase 2 Fecal Coliform Study – Enhanced Microbial Tracking
Human Molecular Markers
Human
Polyoma
Virus-BK
Archaeon
Methanobrevibacter
smithii
Human
Bacteroides
HF-183
Eubacterium
Absence of any marker means no human input or source was too diluted for methods to detect
Confirmed phase 1 “hot spots” with these markers
Dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH
Slide15Example Hotspot ASSU-1 Culvert at 7436 Hw
y 1 in Belle Rose, LA All 16 samples exceeded drinking water fecal coliform standard of 2,000 colonies/100 ml (5,455 to 950,000 FC/100 ml) All 16 samples were positive for optical brighteners
10 of 14 samples were positive for at least one human molecular markerStrong sewage odor and toilet
paper observed
Slide16Example Hotspot ASSU-1 (continued) Drainage from trailers on Hwy 1 drains through culvert under Hwy 1 to bayou.
On-site treatment systems on 5 properties inspected by DHH3 working order1 aerator found inoperable – was replaced
1 system needs replacement - eligible for BTENP grant funds
Culvert at 7436 Hw
y
1 in Belle Rose, LA
Slide17Example Hotspot ASSU-7 Culvert at corner of College Point Ln & Hwy 308,
Plattenville, LA All 13 samples exceeded drinking water fecal coliform standard of 2,000 colonies/100 ml (2,216 to 970,000 FC/100 ml) 12 of 13 samples were positive for optical brighteners
6 of 13 samples were positive for at least one human molecular markerStrong sewage odor
Slide18Example Hotspot ASSU-7 (continued) Drainage from trailers on College Point Ln drains through culvert under Hwy 308 to bayou.
On-site treatment systems on 18 properties inspected by DHH1 working order3 properties vacant
14 systems malfunctioning, 2 with NO system (raw sewage discharge) - additional BTENP grant
funds needed!
Collection culvert
Culvert at corner of College Point Ln & Hwy 308,
Plattenville
, LA
Slide19Actions TakenLouisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulatory inspectionsMultimedia inspections of 780 facilities, including wastewater treatment systems (anything other than a home)
Follow up to assure compliance
Slide20DEQ Regulatory Inspections
Slide21Actions Taken (continued)Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) cost share grants to repair/replace malfunctioning systems – coordinated with DHH & DEQ (2 hot spots – Belle Rose and Plattenville).Creation of new community wastewater treatment plants funded through Community Development Block Grants (2 hot spots – Belle Rose and
Bertrandville)Cities of Donaldsonville & Napoleonville conducting dye and smoke tests to identify leaks (2 hot spots)
Slide22Future Actions/Possible SolutionsProjects to repair/replace malfunctioning individual onsite wastewater treatment systemsU.S. EPA Section 319 grant funded projectsBarataria
Terrebonne National Estuary Program projectLocal OrdinancesInspections/enforcement on a local level (Calcasieu Parish)Must have personnel available
Slide23Future Actions/Possible Solutions (cont.)Community Wastewater Treatment SystemsConnect unsewered communities to existing community systems or create new community systems for these areas
Sample Location
Slide24Future Actions/Possible Solutions (cont.)Public EducationProper maintenance of individual onsite wastewater treatment systemsCombination of all solutions, depending on location, layout, income level, local buy-in
Need funding sourcesCommunity development block grantsBTNEP grantsU.S. EPA 319 nonpoint source pollution prevention grantsNeed local government acceptance
Slide25Benefits of ActionCleaner environment benefitting both fish and wildlife, and human healthDrinking Water - decreased treatment requirements, associated costs, and disinfection by-products
Increase property values and quality of life by removal of sewage from ditches and bayouFor homes and businesses that tie on to a community wastewater treatment system:Property owner no longer responsible for maintenanceEasier target for complianceProvide disinfection
Remove nutrients from bayou and add to wetlandsLong term solution
Slide26Restore Our Way of Life
Slide27Contact InformationLouisiana Department of Environmental QualityDrinking Water Protection Program
P. O. Box 4301Baton Rouge, LA 70821(225) 219-3510Mary.Gentry@LA.Gov
Project Reports available at http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/aeps