TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD
What are the pollutants?
|
Most common
- ammonia (NH4+) - nitrite/nitrate (No2-/NO3-) - Total phosphorus (tp) - Total suspended solids (tss) - Total dissolved solids (TDS) - e. Coli |
less common
- Total aluminum - Benzo(a) pyrene - Dieldrin - Strontium |
Most Common
Ammonia (NH4+): Ammonia is a key component in the nitrogen cycle in streams, where it can be dissolved in the water column or stored in the sediments. Excess amounts of ammonia can cause fish deformities, fish kills and excess plant and algae growth. Sources can include: Organic material decomposition, Wastewater treatment plant outfalls, septic seepage, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban fertilizer runoff, manure application, Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s), landfill leachate, and vegetation degradation and removal along stream banks.
Ammonia (NH4+): Ammonia is a key component in the nitrogen cycle in streams, where it can be dissolved in the water column or stored in the sediments. Excess amounts of ammonia can cause fish deformities, fish kills and excess plant and algae growth. Sources can include: Organic material decomposition, Wastewater treatment plant outfalls, septic seepage, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban fertilizer runoff, manure application, Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s), landfill leachate, and vegetation degradation and removal along stream banks.
Nitrite/nitrate (No2-/no3-): Nitrate is a chemical compound that is formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone, and is essential for all living things. Since they are very soluble and do not bind to soils, nitrates have a high potential to migrate to ground water. Because they do not evaporate, nitrates/nitrites are likely to remain in water until consumed by plants or other organisms.
Excess nitrogen can cause serious health issues to humans and other organisms. Sources can include: Organic material decomposition, Wastewater treatment plant outfalls, septic seepage, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban fertilizer runoff, manure application, Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s), landfill leachate, and vegetation degradation and removal along stream banks.
Excess nitrogen can cause serious health issues to humans and other organisms. Sources can include: Organic material decomposition, Wastewater treatment plant outfalls, septic seepage, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban fertilizer runoff, manure application, Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s), landfill leachate, and vegetation degradation and removal along stream banks.
Total phosphorus (TP): Total Phosphorus is a nutrient that is naturally occurring in aquatic systems which supports the growth of algae and aquatic plants that provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish and smaller organisms that live in water. When there are too much many nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, the algae can grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Large growths of algae are called algal blooms and they can severely reduce or eliminate oxygen in the water, leading to illnesses in fish and the death of large numbers of fish. Some algal blooms are harmful to humans because they produce elevated toxins and bacterial growth that can make people sick if they come into contact with polluted water, consume tainted fish or shellfish, or drink contaminated water. Sources can include: Organic material decomposition, Wastewater treatment plant outfalls, septic seepage, industrial point sources, agricultural and urban fertilizer runoff, manure application, Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s), landfill leachate, and vegetation degradation and removal along stream banks.
Excess Total phosphorus (TP), nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-), & ammonia (NH4+) are all drivers of the harmful algal blooms (HABs) we experience in the western Lake Erie basin
Total Suspended Solids (TSS): Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solids in water that can be trapped by a filter. TSS can include a wide variety of material, such as silt, decaying plant and animal matter, industrial wastes, and sewage. High concentrations of suspended solids can cause many problems for stream health and aquatic life - limits sunlight for plant growth, limiting the dissolved oxygen, causing fish kills, general limited fish visibility, and higher TSS can often mean higher concentrations of bacteria, nutrients, pesticides, and metals in the water. These pollutants may attach to sediment particles on the land and be carried into water bodies with storm water. In the water, the pollutants may be released from the sediment or travel farther downstream. Sources can include: Higher flow rates, soil erosion, urban and agriculture run off, wastewater and septic system effluent, invasive organisms that are bottom feeders, and decaying plants and animals.
Total dissolved Solids (TdS): Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are solids in water that cannot be trapped by a filter. This material can include carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, organic ions, and other ions. A certain level of these ions in water is necessary for aquatic life. TDS is used to estimate the quality of drinking water, because it represents the amount of ions in the water. Sources can include: Higher flow rates, geology and soil composition, soil erosion, urban and agriculture run off, wastewater and septic system effluent, invasive organisms that are bottom feeders, and decaying plants and animals.
e. Coli: Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacteria found in the digestive systems of mammals and birds. The presence of E. coli in surface water can be used as an indicator of pollution by feces. E. coli can be dangerous, but it also indicates the potential for other pathogens that can make people sick, such as giardia and cholera. E. coli, and associated pathogens, can make you sick if ingested and can also infect wounds during skin contact. Sources can include: Wastewater treatment plant
outfalls, Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSOs), septic seepage or failures, industrial point sources, manure application, and Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s).
outfalls, Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSOs), septic seepage or failures, industrial point sources, manure application, and Combined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s).
Less common:
**The pollutants listed below are considered legacy contaminants and could be remnant from past processes previously unregulated**
dieldrin: “Aldrin and dieldrin, related synthetic organic compounds (SOCs), are insecticides that were discontinued for most agricultural uses in 1974 and all uses in 1987. They were used primarily on corn and citrus products, as well as for general crops and timber preservation. In addition, aldrin and dieldrin were used for termite-proofing plywood, building boards, and the plastic and rubber coverings of electrical and telecommunication cables. Aldrin is considered moderately persistent in the environment, with a half-life of approximately 110 days. Dieldrin is among the common degradants of aldrin. Dieldrin is considered extremely persistent, with a half-life of up to seven years. Dieldrin sorbs easily to sediments and biotic tissues and may persist in surface water environments for many years after applications have ceased.” - EPA Contaminant Candidate List Regulatory Determination Support Document for Aldrin and Dieldrin
Benzo(a)Pyrene: Benzo(a)pyrene is considered a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) which is a group of over 100 difference chemicals that are formed during incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances such as tobacco or meat. PAHs can also be manufactured and found in coal tar, crude oil, creosote and roofing tar. If released to water, Benzo(a)pyrene will adsorb very strongly to sediments and particulate matter. In most waters and in sediments it will resist breakdown by microbes or reactive chemicals, but it may evaporate or be degraded by sunlight.
Benzo(a)pyrene is expected to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms that can not metabolize it, including plankton, oysters and some fish.
total aluminum: Like nitrogen and phosphorus, Aluminum is naturally occurring in silicates, hydroxides, and aluminum oxide, and may be combined with other elements, like fluoride and sodium. Unlike other metals, aluminum is non-essential to humans and is considered toxic. The most common way that aluminum gets into water is through surface runoff, soil seepage and used by some public drinking water treatment facilities.
strontium: Strontium is a natural and commonly occurring element. Strontium is found nearly everywhere in small amounts, and you can be exposed to low levels of strontium by breathing air, eating food, drinking water, or accidentally eating soil or dust that contains strontium. Food and drinking water are the largest sources of exposure to strontium. Strontium replaces calcium in bones, affecting skeletal development and although strontium can affect all life stages, infants, children and adolescents are of particular concern as their bones are developing, continued the release. Strontium has been detected in 99 percent of public water systems and at levels of concern in seven percent of public water systems in the country.
**The pollutants listed below are considered legacy contaminants and could be remnant from past processes previously unregulated**
dieldrin: “Aldrin and dieldrin, related synthetic organic compounds (SOCs), are insecticides that were discontinued for most agricultural uses in 1974 and all uses in 1987. They were used primarily on corn and citrus products, as well as for general crops and timber preservation. In addition, aldrin and dieldrin were used for termite-proofing plywood, building boards, and the plastic and rubber coverings of electrical and telecommunication cables. Aldrin is considered moderately persistent in the environment, with a half-life of approximately 110 days. Dieldrin is among the common degradants of aldrin. Dieldrin is considered extremely persistent, with a half-life of up to seven years. Dieldrin sorbs easily to sediments and biotic tissues and may persist in surface water environments for many years after applications have ceased.” - EPA Contaminant Candidate List Regulatory Determination Support Document for Aldrin and Dieldrin
Benzo(a)Pyrene: Benzo(a)pyrene is considered a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) which is a group of over 100 difference chemicals that are formed during incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances such as tobacco or meat. PAHs can also be manufactured and found in coal tar, crude oil, creosote and roofing tar. If released to water, Benzo(a)pyrene will adsorb very strongly to sediments and particulate matter. In most waters and in sediments it will resist breakdown by microbes or reactive chemicals, but it may evaporate or be degraded by sunlight.
Benzo(a)pyrene is expected to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms that can not metabolize it, including plankton, oysters and some fish.
total aluminum: Like nitrogen and phosphorus, Aluminum is naturally occurring in silicates, hydroxides, and aluminum oxide, and may be combined with other elements, like fluoride and sodium. Unlike other metals, aluminum is non-essential to humans and is considered toxic. The most common way that aluminum gets into water is through surface runoff, soil seepage and used by some public drinking water treatment facilities.
strontium: Strontium is a natural and commonly occurring element. Strontium is found nearly everywhere in small amounts, and you can be exposed to low levels of strontium by breathing air, eating food, drinking water, or accidentally eating soil or dust that contains strontium. Food and drinking water are the largest sources of exposure to strontium. Strontium replaces calcium in bones, affecting skeletal development and although strontium can affect all life stages, infants, children and adolescents are of particular concern as their bones are developing, continued the release. Strontium has been detected in 99 percent of public water systems and at levels of concern in seven percent of public water systems in the country.
