Water Protection Activities in Washtenaw County

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Challenge # 12 Pathogens and Bacteria The source of pathogens and bacteria can be traced to animal waste, failing septic systems, illicit sewer connections and sewage treatment overflows. Increased pathogen levels can pose health risks and close or restrict the use of recreational areas. Samples taken from the County waterways and storm drains after rainstorms have demonstrated that concentrations of pathogens routinely exceed federal water quality standards for full body contact. Pathogen levels in excess of total body contact limits have also been found in the Huron's tributary waterways. Problems are predominantly wet weather related. What protection activities address the challenge of pathogens and bacteria? Clean Water Act Time of Sale Program Michigan Drain Code Illicit Discharge Elimination Pet Waste Ordinances Beach Monitoring Pathogens and Bacteria Response Objective: Maintain or attain Water Quality Standards and minimize the exposure to and consumption of water with elevated levels of pathogens and bacteria in Washtenaw County. Pathogens and Bacteria Response Assessment: Total Maximum Daily Loads for pathogens, bacteria, and/or E. coli have been established and are under implementation for stretches of Allen’s Creek, the Huron River, and the Saline River. Similar TMDLs are scheduled to be developed for Honey Creek and Paint Creek. 52 An Illicit Discharge Elimination Program is in place and ongoing. Results of limited DNA testing suggest that contamination is largely from urban wildlife and pet waste rather than human sources. The DNA-typing information demonstrates that attaining total body contact levels in urban areas may not be possible, as such sources cannot be controlled. E. coli and pathogen TMDLs are in full implementation with Storm Water Permit activities as the strategies for pathogen and bacteria reduction in urban areas. However, because the Federal Storm Water Permit is only required in areas that meet the U.S. Census Bureau definition of “urban areas”, fragmentation of program implementation occurs and undermines the effectiveness of the activities; it is not an ecosystem based approach. Further, because water quality monitoring is sporadic and limited, it is difficult to track overall progress outside of the stormwater permit area. The Time of Sale program requires that all residences served by well water be tested for excess pathogens and bacteria prior to property transfers. The County Drain Commissioner’s Rules (design standards) set buffers around waters designated as County Drains, including many streams and storm water ponds. Natural buffers and landscaping can be utilized to reduce nuisance geese populations around these features. The Illicit Discharge Elimination Program aims to find and eliminate illegal and/or unknown point source discharges into stormwater systems. In 2005, 150 drains were inspected and 17 illicit discharge connections were identified and corrected.
Most, if not all, of the local units of government in Washtenaw County have pet waste ordinances. These ordinances require pet owners to properly cleanup and dispose of waste produced by their pets. Enforcement of these ordinances may go a long way to addressing this challenge. In addition, public education efforts are being stepped-up. The Humane Society of Huron Valley estimates some 60,000 feral cats in Washtenaw County. Spay and neutering programs are ongoing. Beach monitoring makes sure that all public swimming beaches reporting elevated levels of pathogens or bacteria, including E. coli, are closed until in attainment with water quality standards. Next Steps: Through DNA testing the County has identified pets and urban wildlife, like raccoons, skunks, and cats, as a major contributor to the E. coli challenge. Education is key to mitigating this problem, focusing on pet waste cleanup/reduction, monitoring and controlling pets and/or securing them indoors, removal/securing of outdoor trash and food waste storage and compost. Continue the ongoing efforts of the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program. Work to incorporate the results of DNA testing into planned strategies for the reduction of pathogen and bacteria contaminants in the water system. Work toward developing an ecosystem based as opposed to an urban area based approach to confront this challenge. 53 Figure 13: E. coli Source: http://www.organicovertune.com/pathogens.html, Oct. 2006
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Water Protection Activities in Wash
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Acknowledgements Water Protection A
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Executive Summary Introduction The
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Local Water Quality Information The
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page # Se
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MAPS, FIGURES, AND TABLES Map # Tit
Page 13 and 14: 1.0 Introduction Background In Sept
Page 15 and 16: 2.0 Groundwater Groundwater is a vi
Page 17 and 18: 2.1 Conditions and Trends The prima
Page 19 and 20: 2.2 Groundwater Protection Activiti
Page 21 and 22: Activity #5 Wellhead Protection Cle
Page 23 and 24: Activity #8 Groundwater Withdrawal
Page 25 and 26: 2.3 Groundwater Challenges and Resp
Page 27 and 28: Map 5: Groundwater Arsenic Distribu
Page 29 and 30: Map 6: Groundwater Nitrate Distribu
Page 31 and 32: Challenge # 4: Part 201 Sites Part
Page 33 and 34: Challenge # 5: Landfills The rules
Page 35 and 36: Challenge # 6: Leaking Underground
Page 37 and 38: Gelman Sciences Inc. 1,4-dioxane Re
Page 39 and 40: 2.4 Groundwater Organizations Leade
Page 41 and 42: 3.0 Surface Water Surface water is
Page 43 and 44: Table 2: Michigan’s Designated Us
Page 45 and 46: Table 3: Total Maximum Daily Load S
Page 47 and 48: ● CWA Section 319 Grants - Sectio
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Page 51 and 52: Activity #13 Inland Lake Level Act
Page 53 and 54: Table 4: BMP Examples (Continued) P
Page 55 and 56: Public Beaches Tested in Washtenaw
Page 57 and 58: 3.3 Challenges and Responses Surfac
Page 59 and 60: The Rules of the Washtenaw County D
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Page 63: The Community Partners for Clean St
Page 67 and 68: Watershed Management Plans outline
Page 69 and 70: Challenge # 15 Point Source Dischar
Page 71 and 72: Challenge # 16 Community Wastewater
Page 73 and 74: ● Home Toxics Reduction Program
Page 75 and 76: 3.5 Local Tools There are many ordi
Page 77 and 78: APPENDIX A: Local Unit of Governmen
Page 79 and 80: NPDES Poi int Source Disccharge Per
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Page 83 and 84: CCR Table continued 71
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Page 94: A6: Lima Township Obtaining adequat
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APPENDIX B: Watershed Plans and Bes
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B2 - Plan 2: Huron Chain of Lakes W
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B3 Map: 133 B4 Map:
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B5 - Plan 5: Middle One Rouge River
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B6 - Plan 6: Lower One Rouge River
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B8 - Plan 8: Stony Creek Watershed
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B9: Comprehensive Best Management P
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Watershed Plan BMP Title BMP Descri
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APPENDIX C: Acronyms and Abbreviati
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printed on recycled paper July 2008
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Water Protection Activities in Washtenaw County

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