1996 Nonpoint Source Literature Review

Water Quality of First Flush Runoff from 20 Industrial Sites

Faced with issuing thousands of storm water discharge permits to industrial facilities in the next few years, the states and U.S. EPA need more information on storm water contaminants from industrial sites. Results of this study will provide some of the background data needed in issuing permits for industrial storm water discharges. These data may also serve as a comparison with sampling results submitted by industries as part of their storm water permit requirements.

In this study, a sampling program was conducted to assess the quality of first flush storm water runoff from 10 industrial groups typical of many businesses located in North Carolina. Analysis of samples collected during the first 30 minutes of runoff (first flush) indicated that zinc and copper were the most common of the eight metals measured in runoff from the 20 industrial sites monitored. Ten volatile organic, semivolatile organic, or pesticide compounds were found at eight different sites, with the most common being methylene chloride (three sites). Conventional pollutants such as nutrients and solids were measured at varying levels at every site, but were generally the highest where a significant amount of biological waste or exposed soil was present.

U.S. EPA. 1997. Linear Regression for Nonpoint Source Pollution Analyses. U.S. EPA Office of Water, EPA-841-B-97-007, 8p.

In nonpoint source analyses, linear regression is often used to determine the extent to which the value of a water quality variable (y) is influenced by land use or hydrologic factors (x) such as crop type, soil type, percentage of land treatment, rainfall, or stream flow, or by another water quality variable. Practical applications of these regression results include the ability to predict the water quality impacts due to changes in the x variables.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to demonstrate an approach for describing the relationship between variables using regression. The fact sheet is targeted toward persons in state water quality monitoring agencies who are responsible for nonpoint source assessments and implementation of watershed management.

Edited by: Nick Haycock, Quest Environmental, UK; Professor Tim Burt, University of Durham, UK; Keith Goulding, IACR-Rothamsted, UK; and Professor Gilles Pinay, CNRS, Universite de Rennes, France.

A portable model stream has been developed by the Missouri Department of Conservation in order to create a better understanding of how sediment, vegetation, and flowing water interact to form stream channels. The model contains moveable sediment that responds to flowing water much like sediment in a real stream. It accurately portrays stream processes like bank erosion and headcutting.

The model stream is a rectangular water-tight box set at a desired slope and filled with a specific mix of granulated plastic. A stream channel is formed in the plastic substrate and water is circulated to the head of the model stream. Fluvial processes like bank erosion and point bar formation take place rapidly, so these processes can be observed in a short period of time. Observers can understand fairly complex concepts demonstrated by the model that would otherwise be difficult to comprehend. This aids in convincing audiences of the importance in protecting or restoring stream corridor vegetation in order to protect property and fish and wildlife values. This model has proven to be effective with people from many disciplines, age groups, and educational backgrounds. It has been an invaluable instructional tool in understanding critical issues such as channelization, instream gravel mining, and riparian corridor protection.

The brochure provides a general guide for building and using a model stream to educate both lay and professional audiences. The brochure is free from the Stream Unit of the Missouri Department of Conservation: 573-751-4115.

This new International Association on Water Quality (IAWQ) video has been produced to introduce a range of BMPs and stimulate interest in control approaches to diffuse pollution. The video illustrates the principles developed from research and seeks to encourage techniques of source control and treatment approaches. The video is designed for a wide audience including water agencies, land users, developers, urban/agricultural engineers and regulators.

It is widely accepted that diffuse pollution is a major and growing concern for dischargers and regulators alike and must be tackled cost-effectively if strategic national surface water quality improvements are to be realized. A variety of BMPs have been developed, implemented, tested, and refined in a range of geographical and climatic conditions. However, knowledge of the BMPs in terms of design, efficiency, operational/maintenance requirements, as well as cost, is still relatively restricted. Many people involved in surface water management and the impact of land use/development on water have limited experience with these BMPs and continue to use more traditional methods, which may often have higher potential pollution impacts. The video sets out to introduce new BMP concepts and illustrate how they can contribute substantially to the appearance of the landscape, providing a harmonious connection between the runoff area and the water treatment process. Particular attention is given to grass swales and buffer zones/strips, infiltration systems, wet ponds, and storm water wetlands.