Fountain Creek Watershed Water Quality Overview. Fountain Creek Watershed Citizen Advisory Committee June 12, 2015

Transcription

1 Fountain Creek Watershed Water Quality Overview Fountain Creek Watershed Citizen Advisory Committee June 12, 2015

2 Outline Fountain Creek Watershed Strategic Plan Regulatory standards and classifications Reports and studies Monitoring Issues and concerns Next Steps

3 Strategic Plan for the Fountain Creek Watershed Water Quality and Sedimentation Goals 1. Assess potential water quality problems in the watershed. 2. Mitigate adverse stream impacts. 3. Reduce selenium to levels that are at or below State water quality standards and/or background conditions or recommend that the CWQCC establish appropriate sitespecific standards. 4. Reduce E. Coli to levels that are at or below State water quality standards or recommend that the CWQCC establish appropriate site-specific standards. 5. Improve watershed function to manage sediment transport patterns and reduce erosion and sedimentation. 6. Improve stormwater runoff conditions at the source to improve water quality.

4 Strategic Plan for the Fountain Creek Watershed Water Quality and Sedimentation Strategies 7. Better understand water quality baseline conditions in Fountain Creek Watershed. 8. Determine potential factors, such as permitted discharges and non-point sources, that have a significant negative influence on water quality in the Fountain Creek watershed and implement strategies to mitigate negative influences. 9. Develop and implement watershed-wide regulations and policies, as applicable in each jurisdiction, related to stormwater management, water quality, development and overall land use. 10. Develop and implement applicable strategies to address water-quality impacted stream segments. 11. Comply with municipal Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS).

5 Water Quality Regulatory Overview Colorado Water Quality Control Commission establishes water quality regulations in rulemaking hearings that occur every 5 years. Regulation #31: Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water. June 2016 Colorado streams are divided into individual stream segments for use and classifications and identification purposes. Standards are identified for each stream segment. Regulation #32: Classification and Numeric Standards for Arkansas River Basin. June 2018

6 1a 1b 2a 2b Fountain Creek Watershed Stream Classifications and Water Quality Standards Stream Segment Description Des Class Physical & Inorganic (mg/l) Metals (ug/l). Biological Mainstem of Fountain Creek, including Aq Life Cold 1 all tributaries, lakes, and reservoirs, from Recreation E the source to a point immediately above Water Supply the confluence with Monument Creek, Agriculture except for specific listings in segment 1b. Severy Creek and all tributaries from the OW Aq Life Cold 1 source to a point just upstream of where Recreation E US Forest Service Road 330 crosses Water Supply the stream. Agriculture Mainstem of Fountain Creek from a Aq Life Warm 2 point immediately above the confluence Recreation E with Monument Creek to a point Water Supply immediately above the State Highway Agriculture 47 bridge. Mainstem of Fountain Creek from a Aq Life Warm 2 point immediately above the State Recreation E Highway 47 bridge to the confluence Water Supply with the Arkansas River. Agriculture T-TVS (CS-II) D.O. = 6.0 mg/l NH 3 (ac/ch )=TVS B= 0.75 NO 2 = As(ac)=340 As(ch)=0.02 Fe(ch)=WS(dis) Fe(ch)=1000 Hg(ch)=0.01 (tot) D.O.(sp)= 7.0 mg/l CL 2 (ac)= (Trec) (trec) Ni(ac/ch)=TVS ph = NO 3 = 10 Cd(ac)=TVS(tr) Pb(ac/ch)=TVS Se(ac/ch)=TVS E.Coli= 126/100ml CL 2 (ch)=0 CI= 250 Cd(ch)=TVS Mn(ac/ch)=TVS Ag(ac)=TVS.011 SO 4 = WS Crlll(ac)=50(Trec Mn(ch)=WS(dis) Ag(ch)=TVS(tr) Chla -= 150 CN=0.005 mg/ / m 2 P= ) Zn(ac/ch)=TVS S= ug/l CrVl(ac/ch)=TVS Cu(ac/ch)=TVS T-TVS (CS-I) D.O. = 6.0 mg/l NH 3 (ac/ch )=TVS B= 0.75 NO 2 = As(ac)=340 As(ch)=0.02 Fe(ch)=WS(dis) Fe(ch)=1000 Hg(ch)=0.01 (tot) D.O.(sp)= 7.0 mg/l CL 2 (ac)= (Trec) (trec) Ni(ac/ch)=TVS ph = NO 3 = 10 Cd(ac)=TVS(tr) Pb(ac/ch)=TVS Se(ac/ch)=TVS E.Coli= 126/100ml CL 2 (ch)=0 CI= 250 Cd(ch)=TVS Mn(ac/ch)=TVS Ag(ac)=TVS.011 SO 4 = WS Crlll(ac)=50(Trec Mn(ch)=WS(dis) Ag(ch)=TVS(tr) Chla -= 150 CN=0.005 mg/ / m 2 P=110ug/ ) Zn(ac/ch)=TVS S=0.002 l CrVl(ac/ch)=TVS Cu(ac/ch)=TVS T-TVS (WS-II) D.O. = 5.0 mg/l ph = NH 3 (ac/ch )=TVS CL 2 (ac)=0 B= 0.75 NO 2 = 1.0 NO 3 = 10 As(ac)=340 As(ch)= (Trec) Fe(ch)=WS(dis) Fe(ch)=1000 (trec) Hg(ch)=0.01 (tot) Ni(ac/ch)=TVS E.Coli= 126/100ml.019 CI= 250 Cd(ac/ch)=TVS Pb(ac/ch)=TVS Se(ac)=TVS CL 2 (ch)=0.011 SO 4 = 330 Crlll(ac)=50(Trec ) Mn(ac/ch)=TVS Mn(ch)=WS(dis) Se(ch)=4.8 Ag(ac/ch)=TVS CN=0.005 S=0.002 CrVl(ac/ch)=TVS ** Cu(ac/ch)=TVS Zn(ac/ch)=TVS T-TVS (WS-II) D.O. = 5.0 mg/l ph = NH 3 (ac/ch )=TVS CL 2 (ac)=0 B= 0.75 NO 2 = 1.0 NO 3 = 10 As(ac)=340 As(ch)= (Trec) Fe(ch)=WS(dis) Fe(ch)=5280 (trec) Hg(ch)=0.01 (tot) Ni(ac/ch)=TVS E.Coli= 126/100ml.019 CI= 250 Cd(ac/ch)=TVS Pb(ac/ch)=TVS Se(ac)=42.3 CL 2 (ch)=0 SO 4 = 485 Crlll(ac)=50(Trec Mn(ac/ch)=TVS Se(ch)= CN=0.005 S=0.002 ) CrVl(ac/ch)=TVS Cu(ac/ch)=TVS Mn(ch)=WS(dis) Ag(ac/ch)=TVS Zn(ac/ch)=TVS

7 Water quality studies in the Fountain Creek Watershed 1. Urban-Related Environmental Variables and Their Relation with Patterns in Biological Community Structure in the Fountain Creek Basin, Colorado, (USGS, 2007) 2. Characterization and Analysis of Temporal and Spatial Variations in Habitat and Macroinvertebrate Community Structure, Fountain Creek Basin, Colorado Springs and Vicinity, Colorado. (USGS, 2014) 3. Evaluation of Water Quality, Suspended Sediment, and Stream Morphology with an emphasis on Effects of Stormwater on Fountain and Monument Creek Basins, Colorado Springs and vicinity, Colorado, (USGS, 2007)

8 Water quality studies in the Fountain Creek Watershed (continue) 4. Methods to Identify Changes in Background Water- Quality Conditions Using Dissolved-Solids Concentrations and Loads as Indicators, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, in the Vicinity of Pueblo, Colorado (USGS) 5. Impervious Study Area Analysis (PPACG, 2010) 6. Fountain Creek Watershed Strategic Plan (2009) 7. Arkansas Fountain Coalition for Urban River Evaluation (AF CURE) Water Quality White Paper (AF CURE, 2010) 8. Waldo Canyon Fire Assessment (2014)

9 Wastewater Treatment Plant Dischargers Fountain Creek Watershed Waste Water Treatment Plant Permit No. Discharge Location Mgmt. Area Colorado Springs Utilities Las Vegas Facility Colorado Springs Utilities J.D. Phillips Facility Academy Water and Sanitation District Upper Monument Creek Regional WWTF (Donala Water and Sanitation District, Forest Lakes and Triview Metropolitan Districts) Monument, Palmer Lake and Woodmoor Water and/or Sanitation District CO Fountain Creek Segment 2a-via Fountain Mutual irrigation channel CO Monument Creek south of Pikeview Reservoir COG- Smith Creek at southern edge of treatment facility CO Monument Creek at southwest corner of service area CO Monument Creek at southern edge of Tri-Lakes service area MM Design Capacity (mgd) 65.0 (Jan and Feb) /75.0 (Remainder of year) Existing Load (as of Aug 2009) (mgd) 36.6 MM UM UM UM United States Air Force Academy CO Academy s effluent recycle system UM Cherokee Metropolitan District CO East fork of Sand Creek west of LF north entrance to PAFB Tri-Lakes WWTF (Cheyenne Mountain Estates-Broadmoor Park) CO Intermittent tributary of Fountain Creek about 0.5 miles upstream of LF Hwy 115. Fort Carson CO Clover Ditch about 1 mile upstream from Fountain Creek confluence Fountain Sanitation District CO Fountain Creek, southern edge of treatment facility Security Sanitation District CO Fountain Creek, upstream from Carson Blvd. bridge Widefield Water and Sanitation District CO Fountain Creek, 0.25 miles downstream from Colorado Hwy 16. bridge Lower Fountain MSDD Pending Trib. of Fountain Creek; 1.8 miles from mainstem; Will begin in 2011 LF 3.0 (application to 1.2 re-rate to 4.0) LF LF LF LF 2.5 0

10 AFCURE White Paper Overview Lead Agency: Arkansas Fountain Coalition for Urban River Evaluation (AF CURE) Purpose - serves to document, inform, and guide water qualityrelated activities based on a comprehensive, and agreed upon understanding of the critical issues. Project Study Area - Includes the mainstems of, and tributaries to, Fountain Creek, Monument Creek and Chico Creek, and the mainstem of, and tributaries to, the Arkansas River from Pueblo Reservoir to John Martin Reservoir.

11 Water Quality White Paper Seven issues identified: 1) arsenic, 2) copper, 3) E. coli, 4) nutrients, 5) selenium, 6) temperature, and 7) stream resegmentation. Information provided for issue area: a) description of the issue and scope b) summary data, c) sampling locations and segments included in characterizing the issue, d) potential interested agencies that would be most affected by that issue, e) timeframe for when the issue needs to be addressed, f) budget required to address the issue, g) why it is important to address the issue, and h) estimated range of cost of treatment a) Available on AFCURE web page :

12 Water Quality Monitoring Determine monitoring sites Baseline monitoring sites Nutrient monitoring sites Determine frequency of sampling Review of existing data to determine data gaps Develop partnerships to help share costs

13 Water Quality Monitoring Parameters (Continued) What is being monitored Biological: E. coli, Fish, Habitat, Macroinvertebrates Inorganics: Hardness, Chloride, Sulfate Metals (both Dissolved and Total): Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, and Zinc Nutrients: Ammonia (Total, Dissolved), Phosphorus (Total), Ortho Phosphorus, Nitrite + Nitrate (Dissolved), Nitrogen (Total) Physical: Conductance, DO, ph, Sediment, Turbidity, Temperature Flow

14 E. coli Overview- There are five stream segments listed as impaired for E. coli. TMDL s have not been developed yet for these segments.

15 E. coli Activities 319 Grant to conduct a study to prioritize the areas needing evaluation and assess the potential effectiveness of BMPs to remediate segments. Continuing to collect data at several stations in project study area. Evaluating areas of high E. coli contamination. Assess current data Develop a Watershed Based Plan

16 Jan-Feb 40 Mar-Apr May-Jun 74 Jul-Aug Sept-Oct 442 Nov-Dec Year Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun 74 Jul-Aug 579 Sept-Oct Nov-Dec Year Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sept-Oct Nov-Dec Year

17 Jan-Feb 118 Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sept-Oct 681 Nov-Dec Year Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sept-Oct Nov-Dec Year

18 Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun 278 Jul-Aug 1382 Sept-Oct Nov-Dec Year Jan-Feb 51 Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sept-Oct Nov-Dec Year

19 Nutrients Overview- Colorado s nutrient standards, especially nitrogen, are extremely low and it is currently technologically infeasible for most dischargers to meet these standards without going to drinking water levels of treatment (reverse osmosis). Phased nutrient stream values have been adopted. All AF CURE members will be required to meet implementation of Regulation #85 in their next permit cycle. In 2022 the low phosphorous, nitrogen and chlorophyll a limits of Regulation 31 will go into effect Activities: Need to collect data to determine aquatic life impacts by nutrients. Use data to determine if site specific standards are appropriate.

20 Selenium Overview- Naturally occurring levels of selenium exceed the current standard and lower standards are expected in the near future. Primarily a concern in COARFOO2a and COARFOO2b. Activities: Need to collect additional data to determine specific areas of high selenium and if a separate ambient based value should be established for that area.

21 Temperature Overview- Need to determine areas where potential impairments exist. Temperature standards could cause dischargers to install effluent cooling, such as chillers or cooling towers. Activities Pueblo, Colorado Springs Utilities, Fountain Sanitation District, and others are collecting stream temperature data. Other AF CURE members will also collect data Need to determine: If state wide standards are appropriate. Or if site specific standards are more appropriate. How to deal with natural warming in shallow plains streams

22 Waldo Quality Analysis Waldo Canyon and Black Forest Fires Background June 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire burned 18,000 acres June 2013 Black Forest Fire burned 14,000 acres Fires can result in significant burned debris being transported through the watershed following rainfall events. Water quality effects from wildfire vary substantially depending on several factors including the proportion of watershed burned, steepness of watershed slopes, geology, soil types and post-fire timing and intensity of storms

23 Study Objectives Evaluate if water quality conditions have been impacted in Fountain and Monument Creeks as a result of the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires. Sampled six sites one time for selected water-quality constituents during storm events; four sites on Fountain Creek and two sites on Monument Creek. Sampled for: Biological, Inorganics, Nutrients, Organics, Metals (both dissolved and total), Flow, Physical parameters Try to sample as many sites as possible during a single storm event. Samples taken over three storms: 08/09/2013 sampled 1 site 09/12/2013 sampled 2 sites 10/09/2014 sampled 3 sites

24 Next Steps Look at additional water quality data available from sites. Separate pre and post fire water quality data Graph based on stormflow and non stormflow events Look at data available from other USGS gauging stations for water quality parameter identified as a concern. Determine if there is any additional sampling that needs to be done.

25 AFCURE ACTIVITIES 1. Develop a Water Quality Monitoring Network Gathering existing data, characterizing the data, identifying gaps and data needs. Identifying sampling locations and frequency Identifying agency responsibility 1. Determine additional post fire sampling locations and evaluate data 2. E. coli Analysis 319 Grant - analysis of stream segments that are impaired 3. Upload data to the Data Sharing Network to make it available to anyone that wants to use it.

26 questions