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A STATEWIDE APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING,
QUANTIFYING AND MITIGATING DIFFUSE POLLUTION-
RELATED PROBLEMS
BM Evans
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA,
E-mail: bme1@psu.edu
SUMMARY
The State of Pennsylvania has implemented a number of strategies and programs
to mitigate surface water quality problems throughout the state. To address these
problems, the state has developed an integrated approach to identify and quantify
water quality problems using rapid bio-assessment and simulation modeling
protocols, respectively. In the latter case, watershed and/or ‘in-stream’ computer
models are used to estimate loads as part of ‘total maximum daily load’ assessments
required by the Clean Water Act. The results of such assessments are used to
prioritize areas for future restoration activities. These restoration activities, which are
normally co-ordinated by local watershed groups, are funded by the State’s ‘Growing
Greener’ programme that combines money from both federal and state sources.
INTRODUCTION
Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, all states within the United States
are required to conduct Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) assessments for all
water bodies within their jurisdiction that are not attaining water quality standards
for their designated use. To address this requirement, the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) has developed a multi-tiered approach to
identifying, quantifying and rectifying water quality problems within the state. This
paper describes PaDEP’s integrated approach to addressing those problems
primarily related to diffuse or non-point source pollution impacts on streams.
This integrated approach incorporates the following components: (1) identification
of water quality impacts via the use of assorted protocols, (2) inclusion of identified
problem areas on a statewide ‘impaired waters’ list, (3) quantification of specific
pollutant loads via the use of in-stream water quality data or simulation modelling,
(4) development and implementation of mitigation plans, (5) evaluation of results
through future assessment activities, and (6) development and implementation of
new mitigation strategies as needed.
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
PaDEP’s assessment and listing methodology constitutes the ‘decision rules’ that
the Department uses when assessing the quality of waters and identifying water
bodies that do not meet designated and existing uses. The primary ‘uses’ for water
bodies include aquatic life use, human health use and recreational use. Problems
associated with impacts to aquatic life use are identified primarily through stream
biological community assessments. The Department identifies impacts to human
health using fish tissue analyses and evaluations of raw (intake) water monitored by
water purveyors. Recreational use impairments are identified using bacteriological
data.
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