_____________________________________________________________________ WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2012-2013 Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division _____________________________________________________________________ WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2012-2013 Preface This report was prepared by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division GAEPD, Department of Natural Resources, as required by Section 305(b) of Public Law 92-500 (the Clean Water Act) and as a public information document. It represents a synoptic extraction of the EPD files and, in certain cases, information has been presented in summary form from those files. The reader is therefore advised to use this condensed information with the knowledge that it is a summary document and more detailed information is available in the EPD files. This report covers a two-year period, January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Comments or questions related to the content of this report are invited and should be addressed to: Environmental Protection Division Georgia Department of Natural Resources Watershed Protection Branch 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Suite 1152 East Atlanta, Georgia 30334 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE Purpose....................................................................................... 1-1 Watershed Protection In Georgia.............................................................. 1-1 Watershed Protection Programs............................................................... 1-2 Background....................................... ................................ 1-2 Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning................ 1-2 Watershed Projects................................................................. 1-2 Monitoring and Assessment..................................................... 1-2 Water Quality Modeling/Wasteload Allocation/TMDL Development.. 1-2 TMDL Implementation........................................................... 1-3 Clean Water Revolving and Georgia Fund Loan Programs.................. 1-3 Metro District Planning .......................................................... 1-3 NPDES Permitting and Enforcement.......................................... 1-3 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations................................... 1-3 Zero Tolerance...................................................................... 1-4 Nonpoint Source Management Program..................................... 1-4 Stormwater Management......................................................... 1-4 Erosion and Sediment Control.................................................. 1-5 Major Issues and Challenges............................................................ 1-5 CHAPTER 2 COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WATER MANAGMENT PLANNING Legislation ................................................................................... 2-1 State Water Plan Development .. ...................................................... 2-1 Statewide Water Plan Implementation................................................. 2-1 Introduction......................................................................... 2-1 Regional Water Planning Councils ................................................. 2-2 Forecasts of Water and Wastewater Demands ............................... 2-2 Water Resource Assessments ....... ........................................... 2-2 Regional Water Plan Development.................................................... 2-3 Regional Water Plan Implementation................................................. 2-3 CHAPTER 3 WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT Background................................................................................... Water Resources Atlas............................................................ Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards ................ Water Quality Monitoring.................................................................. Goals.................................................................................. Long-Term Trend Monitoring.................................................. Targeted Monitoring............................................................. Intensive Surveys.................................................................. Biological Monitoring .............................................................. Lake Monitoring..................................................................... Fish Tissue Monitoring ......................................................... Toxic Substance Stream Monitoring.......................................... Aquatic Toxicity Testing.......................................................... Coastal Monitoring................................................................. Facility Compliance Sampling................................................... 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-2 3-2 3-9 3-9 3-37 3-37 3-38 3-39 3-39 3-39 3-40 3-40 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA Probabilistic Monitoring......................................................... Surface Water Quality Summary........................................................ Data Assessment.................................................................. Evaluation of Use Support .................................................... Assessment of Causes of Nonsupport of Designated Uses............ Assessment of Potential Sources of Nonsupport of Designated Uses.. Priorities for Action................................................................. 3-40 3-44 3-44 3-44 3-44 3-45 3-46 CHAPTER 4 WETLAND PROGRAMS Extent of Wetland Resources............................................................ 4-1 Wetland Trends in Georgia ........ ...................................................... 4-2 Integrity of Wetland Resources.......................................................... 4-3 Wetland Functions and Uses......................................................... 4-3 Wetland Monitoring................................................................ 4-5 Additional Wetlands Protection Activities.................................................. 4-6 Land Conservation.................................................................... 4-6 Education and Public Outreach................................................ 4-6 State Wildlife Action Plan .................................................................... 4-7 Protection and Maintenance of Healthy Vegetated Stream Buffers...... 4-7 Protection of Isolated Wetlands.............................................. 4-7 Protection of Headwater Streams............................................ 4-8 Control of Invasive Species................................................... 4.8 Protection of Caves and Other Karst Environments........................... 4-8 Reducing Impacts from Development and Other Activities.................. 4-8 M.A.R.S.H. Projects........................................................................ 4-9 CHAPTER 5 ESTUARY AND COASTAL PROGRAMS Background................................................................................... 5-1 Georgia Coastal Management Program .............................................. 5-1 Public Health Water Quality Monitoring Program.................................... 5-1 Shellfish Sanitation Program............................................................. 5-1 Beach Monitoring Program............................................................... 5-2 Nutrient Monitoring Program............................................................. 5-2 Coastal Streams, Harbors, and Sounds............................................... 5-3 Coastal Beaches............................................................................ 5-3 Data Not Included in Assessment...................................................... 5-3 Commercial and Recreational Fisheries Programs................................. 5-3 CHAPTER 6 PUBLIC HEALTH & AQUATIC LIFE ISSUES Risk-Based Assessment for Fish Consumption............................................. 6-1 Fish Consumption Guidelines......................................................... 6-1 Mercury in Fish Trend Project ................................................. 6-1 Evaluation of Fish Consumption Guidance for Use Support............ 6-2 General Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks................................ 6-2 Specific Waterbody Consumption Guidelines.............................. 6-3 Special Notice for Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers, and Children......................................................................... 6-3 Recreational Public Beach Monitoring................................................... 6-3 Shellfish Area Closures....................................................................... 6-4 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Blooms............................................. 6-4 CHAPTER 7 WATESHED PROTECTION PROGRAMS Program Perspective....................................................................... Comprehensive Statewide Water Planning........................................... Watershed Projects......................................................................... Water Quality Monitoring.................................................................. Water Quality Modeling/Wasteload Allocations/TMDL Development.......... TMDL Implementation................ ......................................... Clean Water State Revolving Loan and Georgia Fund Loan Programs ............ Metro District Planning...... ............................................................. Georgia's Land Conservation Program................................................ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program.. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations............................................... Combined Sewer Overflows.............................................................. Compliance and Enforcement........................................................... Zero Tolerance.............................................................................. Storm Water Management................................................................. Erosion and Sedimentation Control.................................................... Nonpoint Source Management Program............................................. Agriculture........................................................................... Silviculture ........................................................................... Urban Runoff........................................................................ Outreach Unit................................................................................ Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Program............... Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program..................................................... Rivers Alive................................................................................... Emergency Response Network......................................................... Environmental Radiation.................................................................. 7-1 7-2 7-2 7-2 7-2 7-2 7-3 7-3 7-3 7-4 7-4 7-4 7-4 7-5 7-5 7-6 7-8 7-9 7-10 7-11 7-13 7-13 7-14 7-15 7-15 7-16 CHAPTER 8 GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER SUPPLIES Groundwater................................................................................. Groundwater Monitoring Network...................................................... Salt Water Intrusion........................................................................ Groundwater Under the Influence...................................................... Protecting Groundwater .................................................................. Ground and Surface Water Withdrawals............................................. Ground and Surface Drinking Water Supplies....................................... LT2 And Stage 2 Issues ................................................................. Public Water Supervision Program ................................................... CHAPTER 9 MAJOR ISSUES AND CHALLENGES Comprehensive State and Regional Water Planning............................... Nonpoint Source Pollution................................................................ Toxic Substances........................................................................... Nutrients........................................................................................ Public Involvement.......................................................................... 8-1 8-2 8-9 8-13 8-15 8-17 8-20 8-21 8-22 9-1 9-1 9-1 9-2 9-2 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA TABLE 3-1 TABLE 3-2 TABLE 3-3 TABLE 3-4 TABLE 3-5 TABLE 3-6 TABLE 3-7 TABLE 3-8 TABLE 3-9 TABLE 3-10 TABLE 3-11 TABLE 3-12 TABLE 3-13 TABLE 3-14 TABLE 3-15 TABLE 3-16 TABLE 5-1 TABLE 6-1 TABLE 6-2 TABLE 6-3 TABLE 6-4 TABLE 6-5 TABLE 8-1 TABLE 8-2 TABLE 8-3A TABLE 8-3B TABLE 8-4 TABLE 8-5 LIST OF TABLES PAGE Water Resources Atlas.................................................. 3-1 Water Use Classifications and Instream Water Quality Standards for Each Use...................................... 3-2 Georgia Instream Water Quality Standards For All Waters: Toxic Substances.............................................. 3-3 Water Quality Standards For Major Lakes.......................... 3-7 USGS Stream Gages Funded by GAEPD.......................... 3-10 Statewide Trend Monitoring Network (Core): Rivers/Streams 3-13 Lakes/Reservoirs Standard Tributary Stations Georgia Trend Monitoring Network 2012........................... 3-16 Georgia Trend Monitoring Network 2013........................... 3-27 Major Lakes Ranked by Sum of Trophic State Index Values...... 3-38 Mercury in Fish Trend Monitoring Stations..................... 3-39 Beaches Monitored by CRD in 2012-2013..................... 3-41 Stations Monitored by CRD Under the Shellfish Sanitation and Nutrient Monitoring Programs in 2012-2013.................. 3-42 Contributors of Water Quality Data For Assessment of Georgia Waters............................................................ 3-45 Evaluation of Use Support by Waterbody Type and Assessment Category 2012-2013................................. 3-46 Causes of Nonsupport of Designated Uses By Waterbody Type 2012-2013........................................................... 3-46 Potential Sources of Nonsupport of Designated Uses by Waterbody Type 2012-2013............................................ 3-48 Location and Size of Areas Approved for Shellfish Harvest... 5-2 Parameters for Fish Tissue Testing.................................. 6-1 No Consumption Restrictions 2012................................ 6-5 Fish Consumption Guidance for Lakes 2012.................... 6-6 Fish Consumption Guidance for Freshwater Rivers and ... 6-8 Creeks 2012 Fish Consumption Guidance for Estuarine Systems - 2012 6-11 Major Sources of Ground Water Contamination.................. 8-3 Summary of State Ground Water Protection Programs......... 8-4 Summary of Ground-Water Monitoring Results CY2012......... 8-7 Summary of Ground-Water Monitoring Results CY2013........ 8-7 Ground-Water Monitoring Data For CY2012..................... 8-8 Ground-Water Monitoring Data For CY2013...................... 8-8 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 3-1 Georgia Monitoring Network Station Locations 2012-2013.......... 3-12 FIGURE 8-1 Hydrologic Provinces of Georgia....................................... 8-5 FIGURE 8-2 Groundwater Monitoring Network, 2010-2013................. 8-6 FIGURE 8-3 Insecticide/Herbicide Use in Georgia, 1980 ........................... 8-10 FIGURE 8-4 Areas Susceptible to Natural High Dissolved Solids and 24 County Area Covered by the Interim Coastal Management Strategy.................................................. 8-11 FIGURE 8-5 Areas Susceptible to Natural and Human Induced Radiation........................................................ 8-14 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA FIGURE 8-6 Generalized Map of Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas of Georgia......................................................... 8-18 APPENDICES APPENDIX A WATERS ASSESSED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH DESIGNATED USES WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA CHAPTER 1 Executive Summary Purpose This report, Water Quality in Georgia, 20122013, was prepared by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission also contributed portions of the report. In addition, water quality data was provided by a number of governmental agencies, environmental groups and universities. This report is often referred to as the Georgia 305(b) Report as portions of the report are prepared to comply with this section of the Federal Clean Water Act. The report describes water quality conditions of navigable waters across the State. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) uses the individual State reports to develop a national water quality inventory report, which is transmitted to the Congress of the United States. This report provides an assessment of the water quality conditions of surface and groundwater in Georgia and includes a description of the nature, extent, and causes of documented water quality problems. This assessment of water quality problem areas serves as the basis for lists required by Sections 303(d), 314, and 319 of the Clean Water Act. The report also includes a review and summary of ongoing statewide water planning efforts; wetland, estuary, and coastal public health/aquatic life issues; and water protection, groundwater, and drinking water program summaries. In addition to complying with the Federal Clean Water Act, the major objective of this report is to provide Georgians a broad summary of information on water quality and the programs being implemented by the GAEPD and its partners to protect water resources across the State. Watershed Protection In Georgia The GAEPD is a comprehensive environmental agency responsible for environmental protection, management, regulation, permitting, and enforcement in Georgia. The GAEPD has for many years aggressively sought most available program delegations from the USEPA in order to achieve and maintain a coordinated, integrated approach to environmental management. Today the GAEPD administers programs for planning, water pollution control, water supply and groundwater management, surface water allocation, hazardous waste management, air quality control, solid waste management, strip mining, soil erosion control, geologic survey activities, radiation control, underground storage tanks, and safe dams. The Watershed Protection Branch of the GAEPD, in cooperation with many local, state, and federal agencies, coordinates programs to address most aspects of drinking water supply and water pollution control including: comprehensive statewide water planning; monitoring; water quality modeling to develop wasteload allocations and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs); TMDL implementation; the continuing planning process; water quality standards; local watershed assessment and watershed protection plans; nonpoint source management; erosion and sedimentation control; stormwater management; Clean Water State Revolving and Georgia Fund Loan programs; the NPDES permit and enforcement program for municipal and industrial point sources; water withdrawal and drinking water permits; water conservation; source water protection; industrial pretreatment; land application of treated wastewater; regulation of concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFOs); and public outreach including Georgia Project Wet and Adopt-A-Stream programs. The GAEPD has designated the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission as the lead agency for dealing with water quality problems caused by agriculture. The Georgia WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-1 Forestry Commission has been designated by the GAEPD as the lead agency to deal with water quality problems due to commercial forestry operations. Watershed Protection Programs Background. Georgia is rich in water resources. The State has approximately 44,056 miles of perennial streams, 23,906 miles of intermittent streams, and 603 miles of ditches and canals for a total of 70,150 stream miles. The State also has 4.8 million acres of wetlands (9% tidally affected), 425,582 acres of public lakes and reservoirs, 854 square miles of estuaries, and 100 miles of coastline. This rich water heritage is often taken for granted. However, unusual events such as the flood in the summer of 1994 and drought conditions experienced throughout Georgia in 1986, 1988, 1999-2002, and 2007-2008 serve as reminders that water resources cannot be taken for granted and sound regulatory programs are necessary to protect these resources. In 2012-2013, the GAEPD placed emphasis on comprehensive statewide water management planning, monitoring and assessment, water quality modeling and TMDLs, TMDL implementation, State revolving and Georgia Fund loan programs, NPDES permitting and enforcement, nonpoint source pollution abatement, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control and public participation projects. Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning. In 2004 the Georgia General Assembly passed new water planning legislation to take the place of river basin planning. The 2004 Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act called for the preparation of a comprehensive statewide water plan and provided fundamental goals and guiding principles for the development of the plan. The Statewide Water Plan was completed in 2008 and the Regional Water Councils completed plans in 2011. This work is discussed in Chapter 2. Watershed Projects. The GAEPD is working with USEPA and South Carolina on several Savannah River projects; with the USEPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) on water quality issues in the Coosa River and Lake Weiss; and with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Suwannee River Water Management District to coordinate water protection efforts in the Suwannee River Basin. Georgia is also working with Alabama and Florida, in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers, to develop agreements regarding the use of waters in the ACF and ACT River systems. This work is discussed in Chapter 7. Monitoring and Assessment. Georgia's waters are currently designated as one of the following water use classifications: drinking water, recreation, fishing, coastal fishing, wild river, or scenic river. Specific water quality standards are assigned to support each water use classification. The quality of Georgia's waters is judged by the extent to which the waters support the uses (comply with standards set for the water use classification or designations) for which they have been designated. Water quality standards, monitoring programs, and information on assessments of Georgia's waters are discussed in Chapter 3. GAEPD's wetland monitoring program is discussed in Chapter 4 and estuary and coastal programs are discussed in Chapter 5. Water Quality Modeling/Wasteload Allocation/TMDL Development. The GAEPD conducted a significant amount of modeling in 2012-2013 in support of the development of wasteload allocations and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). In 2011, TMDLs were developed for segments on the Georgia 2010 303(d) list for the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, and Oconee River Basins and these TMDLs were finalized and submitted to EPA and approved in early 2012. In 2012, TMDLs were developed for segments on the Georgia 2012 303(d) list for the Chattahoochee and Flint River Basins. These TMDLs were finalized and submitted to EPA and approved in early 2013. In 2013, TMDLs were developed for segments on the 2012 303(d) list for the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tennessee River Basins. Over the 2012-2013 period, 33 TMDLs were developed. To date more than WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-2 1480 TMDLs have been developed for 303(d) listed waters in Georgia. This work is discussed in Chapter 7. TMDL Implementation. As TMDLs are developed, plans are needed to guide implementation of pollution reduction strategies. TMDLs are implemented through changes in NPDES permits to address needed point source improvements and/or implementation of best management practices to address nonpoint sources of pollution. TMDL implementation is discussed in Chapter 7. Compliance and enforcement activities continued to receive significant attention in 2012-2013. By the end of 2013, of 205 major municipal discharges, 201 facilities were in general compliance with limitations. The remaining facilities are under compliance schedules to resolve the noncompliance or implementing infiltration/ inflow strategies. Enforcement action has been taken by the GAEPD to insure problems are alleviated. Of 39 major industrial discharges, all facilities were achieving permit compliance at the end of 2013. Clean Water Revolving and Georgia Fund Loan Programs. In 2012-2013 more than 139 million dollars were obligated to communities for a variety of wastewater infrastructure and pollution prevention projects through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) in the form of low-interest, SRF and Georgia Fund loans. The loan programs are discussed in Chapter 7. Metro District Planning. The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (District) updated the comprehensive regional and watershed-specific plans to be implemented by local governments in the District in 2009. The EPD is charged with the enforcement of the District plans. State law prohibits the Director from approving any application by a local government in the District to issue, modify, or renew a permit, if such permit would allow an increase in the permitted water withdrawal, public water system capacity, or waste-water treatment system capacity of such local government, or any NPDES Phase I or Phase II General Stormwater permit; unless such local government is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the plan, or the Director certifies that such local government is making good faith efforts to come into compliance. This work is discussed in Chapter 7. NPDES Permitting and Enforcement. Significant resources were allocated to wastewater discharge permit reissuance activities in 2012-2013. NPDES permits were modified or reissued to 105 municipal/private dischargers and to 44 industrial dischargers. The GAEPD utilizes all reasonable means to attain compliance, including technical assistance, noncompliance notification letters, conferences, consent orders, and civil penalities. Emphasis is placed on achieving compliance through cooperative action. However, compliance cannot always be achieved in a cooperative manner. The Director of the GAEPD has the authority to negotiate consent orders or issue administrative orders. In 2012-2013, 206 Orders were issued and a total of $988,606 in negotiated settlements was collected. This includes enforcement actions for all aspects of the water protection program including violations of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act, the Federal Clean Water Act and NPDES permits, with the exception of stormwater violations. In 2012-2013 a total of 168 stormwater Orders were issued and a total of $954,616 in negotiated settlements was collected. Permitting, compliance and enforcement work is discussed in Chapter 7. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Georgia adopted rules for swine feeding operations in 1999. Rules were adopted for animal (non-swine) feeding operations in 2001. During 2002 and 2003, rules were developed and implemented for large chicken feeding operations. Revisions of those rules, designed to reflect changes in the federal regulations and recent court decisions, are planned. Work was continued in 2012-2013 to implement this program. This process is discussed in Chapter 7. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-3 Zero Tolerance. In response to a resolution adopted in 1998 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources that directed EPD to provide the "best quality of effort possible enforcing Georgia's environmental laws", a "zero tolerance" strategy was adopted for certain high growth areas of the state requiring enforcement action on any and all noncompliance issues. Significant work was conducted in 2012-2013 to implement this strategy. This process is discussed in Chapter 7. Nonpoint Source Management Program. Nonpoint source management programs have allowed the GAEPD to place increasing emphasis on the prevention, control and abatement of nonpoint sources of pollution. The GAEPD is responsible for administering and enforcing laws to protect the waters of the State, defined to include surface and ground water and has been designated as the lead agency for implementing the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. This program combines regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, in cooperation with other State and Federal agencies, local and regional governments, State colleges and universities, businesses and industries, non-governmental organizations and individual citizens. Georgia's nonpoint source goals and implementation strategies are delineated in the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. The Program is an inventory of the full breadth of current nonpoint source management activities (regulatory and nonregulatory) in Georgia. The State's Nonpoint Source Management Program focuses on the comprehensive categories of nonpoint sources of pollution identified by the USEPA: Agriculture, Silviculture, Construction, Urban Runoff, Hydrologic/Habitat Modification, Land Disposal, Resource Extraction and Other Nonpoint Sources. Management Program. Section 319(h) Grant funds for the prevention, control and/or abatement of nonpoint sources of pollution of are made available annually to public agencies in Georgia. In FY12 FY14, Georgia's Section 319(h) grant project funded 37 new projects for over $9 million. The nonpoint source programs are described in Chapter 7. Stormwater Management. The GAEPD developed its Phase 1 Storm Water Permitting Strategy in February 1991. In 1994-1995 a total of 58 NPDES permits were issued to large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). The 45 NPDES permits covering the Atlanta metro area were reissued in 1999, 2004, and 2009. EPD plans to reissued them again in 2014. The 13 NPDES permits for medium MS4s were reissued in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2012. Georgia's Phase II Storm Water Permitting Strategy was approved by USEPA in May 2000, and Phase II designation criteria was developed by GAEPD in July 2002 and 2013, corresponding to the 2000 and 2010 US Census population figures and urban area mapping. In December 2012, GAEPD reissued the NPDES General Permit for Phase II MS4s. This permit currently regulates 86 municapalities. Georgia expects to expand Phase II MS4 coverage based on the 2010 Census to 99 MS4s in 2014, with another 8 MS4s being designated but given the opportunity to evaluate their waiver potential under Federal waiver criteria. In 2009, a Phase II MS4 General NPDES Permit was issued to seven Department of Defense (DOD) facilities. Two of the bases closed in 2011, reducing the number of permitted DOD facilities to five. The NPDES Permit for these facilities will be reissued in 2014. In 2011, GAEPD issued a Phase II MS4 General Stormwater Permit to the Georgia Department of Transportation, which is applicable to postconstruction runoff in jurisdictions with MS4 permits. Under Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act, the USEPA awards a Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant to the GAEPD to fund eligible projects, which support the implementation of the State's Nonpoint Source In 1993, a general NPDES permit for storm water associated with industrial activity was issued. This permit was most recently reissued in 2012, with approximately 2675 facilities retaining coverage. In addition, approximately WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-4 375 facilities have submitted an Industrial No Exposure Exclusion Certification Form. Stormwater management is discussed in Chapter 7. Erosion and Sediment Control. The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act was signed into law in 1975, and has been amended several times. The intent of the Act was to establish a comprehensive and statewide soil, erosion and sedimentation control to protect and conserve air, land and water resources through the adoption and implementation of local ordinances and programs which regulate certain land disturbing activities. EPD implements the program where there is no local ordinance. Erosion and sediment control work is discussed in Chapter 7. Major Issues and Challenges Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Between 2000 and 2010, Georgia gained 1.5 million new residents, ranking 4th nationally. The increasing population places considerable demands on Georgia's ground and surface water resources in terms of water supply, water quality, and assimilative capacity. In 2004 the Georgia General Assembly passed the "Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act", O.C.G.A. 12-5522, which called for the development of a statewide water management plan. Work was completed on the Statewide Water Plan and the plan was approved by the General Assembly and Governor Perdue in February 2008. Regional Water Councils and the Metro District were charged with the responsibility of developing water plans to provide a roadmap for sustainable use of Georgia's water resources. The Councils submitted initial recommended plans to the GAEPD in May 2011. The plans were publicly noticed and comments received were thoroughly reviewed. Appropriate revisions were made to the initial plans and final recommended regional water plans were submitted to the GAEPD in September 2011. On November 15, 2011, by action of Director Barnes, the GAEPD officially adopted all ten Regional Water Plans. The regional water plans are not themselves an end. The plans present solutions identified by a cross-section of regional leaders, drawing on regional knowledge and priorities. The plans are based on consistent, statewide forecasts of needs and reflect the best available information on the capacities of Georgia's waters. The tools used to assess the capacities have been tested and refined, and will be further refined as the information for planning and management is improved. The process and results of regional planning, taken together, provide solid footing for plan implementation and the five-year review and revision required by the State Water Plan. Water users, water providers, local governments, state agencies, and elected leaders all have an important role in actions to ensure that Georgia's waters are sustainably managed to support the state's economy, protect public health and natural systems, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens. Nonpoint Source Pollution. The pollution impact on Georgia streams has radically shifted over the last several decades. Streams are no longer dominated by untreated or partially treated sewage discharges which resulted in little or no oxygen and little or no aquatic life. The sewage is now treated, oxygen levels have returned and fish have followed. However, another source of pollution is now affecting Georgia streams. That source is referred to as nonpoint and consists of mud, litter, bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, metals, oils, detergents and a variety of other pollutants being washed into rivers and lakes by stormwater. Even stormwater runoff itself, if rate and volume is unmitigated, can be extremely detrimental to aquatic habitat and hydrologic systems. Nonpoint source pollution, although somewhat less dramatic than raw sewage, must be reduced and controlled to fully protect Georgia's streams. Structural and nonstructural techniques such as green infrastructure, pollution prevention and best management practices must be significantly expanded to minimize nonpoint source pollution. These include both watershed protection through planning, zoning, buffer zones, and appropriate building densities as well as increased use of stormwater structural practices, low impact development, street WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-5 cleaning and perhaps eventual limitations on pesticide and fertilizer usage. Toxic Substances. Another issue of importance, the reduction of toxic substances in rivers, lakes, sediment and fish tissue. This is extremely important in protecting both human health and aquatic life. The sources are widespread. The most effective method to reduce releases of toxic substances into rivers is pollution prevention, which consists primarily of eliminating or reducing the use of toxic materials or at least reducing the exposure of toxic materials to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. It is very expensive and difficult to reduce low concentrations of toxic substances in wastewaters by treatment technologies. It is virtually impossible to treat large quantities of stormwater and reduce toxic substances. Therefore, toxic substances must be controlled at the source. challenges of toxic substances and nonpoint source pollution control. Citizens must individually and collectively be part of the solution to these challenges. The main focus is to achieve full public acceptance of the fact that what we do on the land has a direct impact on water quality. Adding more pavement and other impervious surfaces, littering, driving cars which drip oils and antifreeze, applying fertilizers and other activities and behaviors all contribute to toxic and nonpoint source pollution. If streams and lakes are to be pollutant free, then some of the everyday human practices must be modified. The GAEPD will be emphasizing public involvement; not only in decision-making but also in direct programs of stream improvement. The first steps are education and adopt-a-stream programs. Nutrients. Nutrients serve a very important role in our environment. They provide the essential building blocks necessary for growth and development of healthy aquatic ecosystems. However, if not properly managed, nutrients in excessive amounts can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment, creating such water quality problems as excessive growth of macrophytes and phytoplankton, harmful algal blooms, dissolved oxygen depletion, and an imbalance of flora and fauna. In Georgia, site specific nutrient criteria have been adopted for several major lakes and their tributaries. Some of these lakes are currently listed for chlorophyll a, which is the primary biological indicator in lakes for nutrient overenrichment. TMDLs, based on watershed modeling, have been completed or are in development to address the nutrient issues for these lakes. Currently, the GAEPD is in the process of collecting the necessary data and information for use in developing nutrient standards for rivers, streams and other waterbodies in Georgia. Determining the relationship of nutrient levels and biological response is necessary in order to develop appropriate nutrient criteria. Public Involvement. It is clear that local governments and industries, even with wellfunded efforts, cannot fully address the WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1-6 CHAPTER 2 Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Legislation Georgia's future relies on the protection and sustainable management of the state's water resources. In 2004 the Georgia General Assembly passed the "Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning Act", O.C.G.A. 12-5-522, which called for the development of a statewide water management plan. The legislation assigned the responsibility for developing the draft plan to the Georgia Environmental Protection (GAEPD) and established a planning oversight committee, the Georgia Water Council, composed of legislators, legislative appointees, and state agency heads with water related responsibilities. The legislation called for the GAEPD to submit an initial draft plan to the Water Council for review no later than July 1, 2007 and for the Water Council to provide input and modify the draft plan as necessary and approve and recommend a final draft plan no later than the first day of the regular session of the 2008 General Assembly. State Water Plan Development The process used to develop the draft statewide water plan provided for meaningful stakeholder participation. A Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) was convened to provide statewide perspectives on water policy options. Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) provided early input, when needed by answering specific technical questions needed to inform water policy options. Seven Basin Advisory Committees (BACs) were appointed to provide a regional perspective on proposed policy options and management practices. The initial draft of the statewide water plan, "Georgia's Water Resources: A Blueprint for The Future" was submitted to the Water Council by the EPD on June 28, 2007. The Water Council approved the release of the initial draft and established a portal for public input at its website. The Council discussed and approved a number of revisions to the initial draft plan and a second draft of the plan was prepared and noticed for public input on September 13, 2007. The Water Council hosted thirteen public meetings across Georgia in November 2007 and received significant public comment on the draft plan. The input was thoroughly reviewed and each change approved by the Council was made in the draft plan. A third draft of the plan was completed and noticed for public comment on December 5, 2007. The Water Council hosted six public meetings to discuss the revised water plan. Public input was reviewed and changes approved by the Water Council were made and a final draft of the plan was approved by the Water Council. This proposed plan, "Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan", was transmitted to the Georgia General Assembly for consideration on January 14, the first day of the 2008 regular session. The Georgia General Assembly debated the provisions of the draft water plan and both chambers approved the plan. Governor Perdue signed HR1022, the Statewide Water Plan, on February 6, 2008. A copy of the plan is available at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. State Water Plan Implementation Introduction. The State Water Plan ushered in a new era of comprehensive regional water planning for Georgia. Isolated regional water planning efforts aimed at addressing localized water challenges had been attempted in WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2-1 several regions in Georgia since the early 1970s, but not until the 2004 directive from the Governor and Legislature had Georgia embarked upon statewide comprehensive regional water planning. The State Plan included several innovative concepts. One concept was the idea of appointing regional water planning councils whose responsibility would be to develop regional water plans. A second concept was the development of regional forecasts of water supply and assimilative capacity demands based on forecasts of population and employment for a region. A third concept was the development of water resource assessments to provide information to each Council on available water supply and assimilative capacity. Regional Water Planning Councils. The regional water planning councils (Councils) represent regions in Georgia as designated in the State Water Plan and adjusted by approved petition. Each Council consists of individuals appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House. The Metropolitan North Georgia Regional Water Planning District, a separate water planning entity created by the legislature in 2001 will participate in the planning process consistent with the State Water Plan and its enabling legislation. A map of the water planning regions is shown below. The role of the Councils is to prepare recommended Water Development and Conservation Plans (Regional Water Plans). These long-term regional water resource management plans will include resource assessments, estimates of current and future water needs, and those management practices necessary to meet the region's needs within the capabilities of the resources. More detailed information on each individual regional water planning council can be found at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. Forecasts of Water and Wastewater Demands. In order for the Councils to produce regional water plans, forecasts of regional water and wastewater needs were required. Long-range population and employment projections were necessary inputs in order to forecast demand for regional municipal and industrial water and wastewater. Population and employment projections were provided to the regional water councils by the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (OPB). Local governments and Councils were provided an opportunity to comment on the forecasts and the methodologies, assumptions, and data sources used to produce the projections. This input was considered prior to the use of the projections in the planning process. The information was then used in the preparation of water and wastewater demand forecasts for the following water use sectors: Municipal, Industrial, Agricultural, and Energy. The Councils received draft forecasts developed in10 year increments through 2050 for consideration and use in management practice selection. More detailed information on the population and employment projections and on the water and wastewater demand forecasts can be found at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. Water Resource Assessments. Water resource assessments are also one of the foundational building blocks for regional water planning. The assessments included the compilation and analysis of data and modeling WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2-2 to evaluate the capacity of water resources to meet current and future demands for water supply and wastewater discharge without unreasonable impacts. submitted to the GAEPD in September 2011. On November 15, 2011, by action of Director Barnes, the GAEPD officially adopted all ten Regional Water Plans. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, with the assistance of other state agencies, the University System of Georgia and other research institutions, the U.S. Geological Survey and contractors conducted water resource assessments to determine Surface Water Availability, Groundwater Availability, and Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity). In January and February 2010, assessments using current conditions for water use and wastewater discharge were provided to the regional water planning councils as a starting point for the development of recommended Regional Water Plans. More detailed information on the water resource assessments can be found at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. Regional Water Planning Highlights 20092011 The following paragraphs are excerpted from the December 2011 report, "Georgia's Water Future in Focus: Highlights of Regional Water Planning 2009-2011" compiled by the GAEPD; full text available at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. Introduction. In the three years since the adoption of the State Water Plan, more than 30.000 volunteer hours have been contributed and the State has invested $30 million in technical work and activities to support regional water planning. The Councils and the District have developed regional water plans that together provide a roadmap for sustainable use of Georgia's water resources. The Councils submitted initial recommended plans to the EPD in May 2011. The plans were publicly noticed and comments received were thoroughly reviewed. Appropriate revisions were made to the initial plans and final recommended regional water plans were Local governments, utilities, industries, and other water users in each region will implement the plans, and plan contents will help guide state agency decisions on water permits and loans for water-related projects. The following paragraphs provide highlights from the eleven regional water plans. The full plans contain more in-depth information and can be reviewed at www.georgiawaterplanning.org. Improving Information and Understanding Issues. Homes, schools, businesses, and farms all require water, and the wastewater generated by some water uses has to be safely discharged. Understanding the demands on our water resources is a critical first step in managing Georgia's waters for the future. Forecasts of water and wastewater demand were prepared to support regional water planning, providing this information on a consistent. Statewide basis for the first time. Understanding the capacities of water resources to meet the demands placed on them is also critical to managing water for the future. Over the past three years, the GAEPD led the development of groundwater sustainability models for the most-heavily used aquifers in the state, surface water availability models for the State's major river basins, and water quality models for many streams and most of the large lakes in the state. Building on prior investments in monitoring and assessment of Georgia's waters, this technical work filled critical information gaps. Results were tested against the knowledge of the Council members who live and work in each region, providing feedback used to refine the tools. The Councils and other participants also identified additional improvements to enhance the models for future use. Results of these assessments show that, in most regions, additional groundwater is available to meet current and future groundwater needs. Two areas do face WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2-3 limitations on the availability of groundwater, the first is Southwest Georgia, where demand for groundwater exceeds the amount that can be sustainably withdrawn from the region's principal aquifer. The second area lies along the coast, where groundwater availability is limited by movement of saltwater into the principal aquifer. In these areas, additional demand for water will have to be met from surface water or from other aquifers. For surface waters, results indicate that much of the state has sufficient water to meet future demands. In river basins with large reservoirs, existing surface water storage would help meet future needs if agreements allowing that use can be made with reservoir owners (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and power companies). In some other river basins, however, there may not be enough water during dry periods to meet demands for water and have stream flows above minimum thresholds. These results provide a warning that water consumption may impact uses that rely on water within the banks of streams, rivers, and lakes, such as boating and recreation. Actions to increase water conservation and water supply will be particularly important in these areas. protection of recreational uses on lakes, wastewater discharges in waters shared with neighboring states, and water quality issues associated with low levels of dissolved oxygen. Where applicable, the plans recognize the complementary activities that are underway to address these issues. The regional water plans identify a range of actions or management practices to help meet the state's water challenges. In regions facing challenges with availability of surface water and groundwater, the plans recommend actions such as increasing water conservation and efficiency of use, master planning for local water systems, expanding or optimizing use of existing reservoirs, construction of new reservoirs where need and feasible, and shifting to alternate sources of water. To address water quality challenges, some or all of the plans call for higher levels of wastewater treatment, master planning for local wastewater systems, improved floodplain management, and stream buffer protection, among other actions. The plans also identify strategies to address water quality problems that result from stormwater carrying pollutants into water bodies, including a funded nonpoint source management project in each region. Most of the surface waters studied will be able to handle additional discharges of treated wastewater. Some discharges, however, may have to provide higher levels of wastewater treatment in order to protect water quality. In all water planning regions, assessments identified water bodies that currently have poor water quality, often due to the pollutants carried by stormwater. Results also identify areas where pollutants carried in stormwater runoff may cause water quality problems in the future. Actions are needed to protect or restore water quality in these streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Meeting Georgia's Water Resource Challenges. The regional water plans highlight issues specific to individual regions. Examples include operation of federal reservoirs, Implementing these plans is critical to meeting Georgia's water resource challenges. Local governments and others who develop water infrastructure and apply for permits, grants, and loans have a central role in plan implementation. State government also has an important role in supporting implementation, and, as emphasized in the plans, the success of implementation will rest, in large part, upon funding at state and local levels. Continuing to improve data and information will also be important in meeting our water resource challenges. Over the past few years, the State made substantial investments in modeling tools and monitoring networks. However, information gaps and uncertainties still affected the Councils' ability to plan. The regional water plans all include specific actions WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2-4 necessary to improve the tools and information used in water planning and management. An on-going regional voice in water planning will be another key to meeting Georgia's water resource challenges. Given the progress and needs identified to date, all plans recommend State actions to support on-going activity by the Water Planning Councils. Finally, the regional water plans recognize the activities underway to promote water conservation, improve operations of federal reservoirs, address water quality in waters shared with other states, resolve interstate disputes over water supply, and meet a number of other region-specific challenges. The strategies in the plans reflect these complimentary activities and will be implemented in concert with them. In summary, the regional water plans are not themselves an end. The plans represent solutions identified by a cross-section of regional leaders, drawing on regional knowledge and priorities. They are based on consistent, statewide forecasts of needs and reflect the best available information on the capacities of Georgia's waters. The tools used to assess the capacities have been tested and refined, and will be further refined as the information for planning and management continues to improve. The process and results of regional planning, taken together, provide solid footing for plan implementation and the five-year review and revision required by the State Water Plan. The investment in these assets will continue to pay off over time, advancing management of Georgia's water to support the state's economy, protect public health and natural systems, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens. . WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 2-5 CHAPTER 3 Water Quality Monitoring And Assessment Background Water Resources Atlas The river miles and lake acreage estimates are based on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 1:100,000 Digital Line Graph (DLG), which provides a national database of hydrologic traces. The DLG in coordination with the USEPA River Reach File provides a consistent computerized methodology for summing river miles and lake acreage. The 1:100,000 scale map series is the most detailed scale available nationally in digital form and includes 75 to 90 percent of the hydrologic features on the USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic map series. Included in river mile estimates are perennial streams (streams that flow all year), intermittent streams (streams that stop flowing during dry weather), and ditches and canals (waterways constructed by man). The estimates for Georgia are 44,056 miles of perennial streams, 23,906 miles of intermittent streams, and 603 miles of ditches and canals for a total of 70,150 geological stream miles. The estimates for the number of lakes in Georgia are 11,813 with a total acreage of 425,382. This information is summarized in Table 3-1. Georgia has 14 major river basins. These are the Altamaha, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Flint, Ochlockonee, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, St. Marys, Satilla, Savannah, Suwannee, Tallapoosa, and the Tennessee. The rivers in Georgia provide the water needed by aquatic life, animals and humans to sustain life. Water also provides significant recreational opportunities, is used for industrial purposes, drives turbines to provide electricity, and assimilates our wastes. Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards The Board of Natural Resources is authorized through the Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control to establish water use classifications and water quality standards for the waters of the State. For each water use classification, water quality standards or criteria have been developed, which establish the framework used by the Environmental Protection Division to make water use regulatory decisions. All of Georgia's waters are currently classified as fishing, recreation, drinking water, wild river, scenic river, or coastal fishing. Table 3-2 provides a summary of water use classifications and criteria for each use. Georgia's rules and regulations protect all waters for the use of primary contact recreation by having a fecal coliform bacteria standard of a geometric mean of 200 per 100 ml for all waters with the use designations of fishing or drinking water to apply during the months of May - October (the recreational season). TABLE 3-1. WATER RESOURCES ATLAS State Population (2006 Estimate) 9,383,941 State Surface Area 57,906 sq.mi. Number of Major River Basins 14 Number of Perennial River Miles 44,056 miles Number of Intermittent River Miles 23,906 miles Number of Ditches and Canals 603 miles Total River Miles 70,150 miles Number of Lakes Over 500 Acres 48 Acres of Lakes Over 500 Acres 265,365 acres Number of Lakes Under 500 Acres 11,765 Acres of Lakes Under 500 Acres 160,017 acres Total Number of Lakes & Reservoirs, Ponds 11,813 Total Acreage of Lakes, Reservoirs, Ponds 425,382 acres Square Miles of Estuaries 854 sq.mi. Miles of Coastline 100 Acres of Freshwater Wetlands 4,500,000 acres Acres of Tidal Wetlands 384,000 acres Georgia has also adopted 31 numeric standards for protection of aquatic life and 92 numeric standards for the protection of human health. Table 3-3 provides a summary of toxic substance standards that apply to all waters in Georgia. Georgia has six large publicly owned lakes that have specific water quality standards. These lakes are West Point, Jackson, Walter F. George, Lanier, Allatoona, and Carter's. Standards were adopted for chlorophyll-a, WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-1 TABLE 3-2. WATER USE CLASSIFICATIONS AND INSTREAM WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EACH USE Bacteria (fecal coliform) Dissolved Oxygen1 pH (other than trout streams),2 Temperature (other than trout streams)2 Use Classification Drinking Water requiring treatment Recreation Coastal Fishing4 Fishing Wild River 30-Day Geometric Mean3 (no./100 mL) 1,000 (Nov-April) 200 (May-Oct) 200 (Freshwater) 100 (Coastal) 1,000 (Nov-Apr) 200 (May-Oct) 1,000 (Nov-April) 200 (May-Oct) Maximum (no./100mL) 4,000 (NovApril) Daily Average (mg/L) 5.0 Minimum (mg/L) 4.0 -- 5.0 4.0 5.0 4.0 4,000 (Nov-Apr) 4,000 (NovApril) If it is determined that the "natural condition" in the waterbody is less than the values stated above, then the criteria will revert to the "natural condition" and the water quality standard will allow for a 0.1 mg/L deficit from the "natural" dissolved oxygen value. Up to a 10% deficit will be allowed if it is demonstrated that resident aquatic species shall not be adversely affected. 5.0 4.0 No alteration of natural water quality Std. Units 6.0-8.5 6.0-8.5 6.0-8.5 6.0-8.5 Maximum Maximum Rise (F) (F) 5 90 5 90 5 90 5 90 Scenic River No alteration of natural water quality 1The dissolved oxygen criteria as specified in individual water use classifications shall be applicable at a depth of one meter below the water surface; in those instances where depth is less than two meters, the dissolved oxygen criterion shall be applied at a mid-depth. On a case specific basis, alternative depths may be specified. 2Standards for Trout Streams for dissolved oxygen are a daily average of 6.0 mg/L and a minimum of 5.0 mg/L. No temperature alteration is allowed in Primary Trout Streams and a temperature change of 2F is allowed in Secondary Trout Streams. 3Geometric means should be "based on at least four samples collected from a given sampling site over a 30-day period at Intervals not less than 24 hours." The geometric mean of a series of N terms is the Nth root of their product. Example: the geometric mean of 2 and 18 is the square root of 36. 4Standards are same as fishing with the exception of dissolved oxygen, which is site specific. pH, total nitrogen, phosphorus, fecal coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Standards for major tributary phosphorus loading were also established. The standards for the six lakes are summarized in Table 3-4. Water Quality Monitoring Goals The goal of the watershed protection program in Georgia is to effectively manage, regulate, and allocate the water resources of Georgia. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to monitor the water resources of the State to establish baseline and trend data, document existing conditions, study impacts of specific discharges, determine improvements resulting from upgraded water pollution control plants and other restoration activities, support enforcement actions, establish wasteload allocations for new and existing facilities, develop TMDLs, verify water pollution control plant compliance, collect data for criteria development, and document water use impairment and reasons for problems causing less than full support of designated water uses. Trend monitoring, targeted monitoring, probabilistic monitoring, intensive surveys, lake, estuary, biological, toxic substance monitoring, aquatic toxicity testing, and facility compliance sampling are some of the monitoring tools used by the GAEPD. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-2 TABLE 3-3. GEORGIA INSTREAM WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ALL WATERS: TOXIC SUBSTANCES (Excerpt from Georgia's Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control Chapter 391-3-6-.03 - Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards) (i) Instream concentrations of the following chemical constituents which are considered to be other toxic pollutants of concern in the State of Georgia shall not exceed the criteria indicated below under 7-day, 10-year minimum flow (7Q10) or higher stream flow conditions except within established mixing zones: 1. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 2. Methoxychlor 3. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy propionic acid (TP Silvex) 70 g/L 0.03 g/L* 50 g/L (ii) Instream concentrations of the following chemical constituents listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as toxic priority pollutants pursuant to Section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act (as amended) shall not exceed the acute criteria indicated below under 1-day, 10-year minimum flow (1Q10) or higher stream flow conditions and shall not exceed the chronic criteria indicated below under 7-day, 10-year minimum flow (7Q10) or higher stream flow conditions except within established mixing zones or in accordance with site specific effluent limitations developed in accordance with procedures presented in 391-3-6-.06. Unless otherwise specified, the criteria below are listed in their total recoverable form. Because most of the numeric criteria for the metals below are listed as the dissolved form, total recoverable concentrations of metals that are measured instream will need to be translated to the dissolved form in order to compare the instream data with the numeric criteria. This translation will be performed using guidance found in "Guidance Document of Dynamic Modeling and Translators August 1993" found in Appendix J of EPA's Water Quality Standards Handbook: Second Edition, EPA-823-B-94-005a or by using other appropriate guidance from EPA. Acute Chronic 1. Arsenic (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 340 g/L 1 69 g/L 1 150 g/L 1 36 g/L 1 2. Cadmium (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 1.0 g/L 1, 3 40 g/L 1 0.15 g/L 1, 3 8.8 g/L 1 3. Chromium III (a) Freshwater 320 g/L 1,3 42 g/L 1,3 (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters -- -- 4. Chromium VI (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 16 g/L 1 1,100 g/L 1 11 g/L 1 50 g/L 1 5. Copper (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 7.0 g/L 1,2*,3 4.8 g/L 1,2 5.0 g/L 1,2*,3 3.1 g/L 1,2 6. Lead (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 30 g/L 1,3 210 g/L 1 1.2 g/L 1,2*,3 8.1 g/L 1 7. Mercury (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 1.4 g/L 1.8 g/L 0.012 g/L 2 0.025 g/L 2 8. Nickel (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 260 g/L 1,3 74 g/L 1 29 g/L 1,3 8.2 g/L 1 9. Selenium (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 10. Silver -290 g/L 1 -- 4 5.0 g/L 71 g/L 1 -- 4 11. Zinc (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 65 g/L 1,3 90 g/L 1 65 g/L 1,3 81 g/L 1 12. Lindane [Hexachlorocyclohexane (g-BHC-Gamma)] (a) Freshwater 0.95 g/L (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 0.16 g/L 1 The in-stream criterion is expressed in terms of the dissolved fraction in the water column. Conversion factors used to calculate dissolved criteria are found in the EPA document National Recommended Water Quality Criteria EPA 2006. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-3 2 The in-stream criterion is lower than the EPD laboratory detection limits (A "*" indicates that the criterion may be higher than or lower than EPD laboratory detection limits depending upon the hardness of the water). 3 The aquatic life criteria for these metals are expressed as a function of total hardness (mg/L) in a water body. Values in the table above assume a hardness of 50 mg/L CaCO3. For other hardness values, the following equations from the EPA document National Recommended Water Quality Criteria EPA 2006 should be used. Cadmium acute criteria = (e ( 1.0166[ln(hardness)] -3.924) )(1.136672-[(ln hardness)(0.041838)] g/L chronic criteria = (e ( 0.7409[ln(hardness)] -4.719) )(1.101672-[(ln hardness)(0.041838)] g/L Chromium III acute criteria = (e (0.8190[ln(hardness)] + 3.7256) (0.316) g/L chronic criteria = (e (0.8190[ln(hardness)] + 0.6848) )(0.860) g/L Copper acute criteria = (e (0.9422[ln(hardness)] - 1.700) )(0.96) g/L chronic criteria = (e (0.8545[ln(hardness)] - 1.702) )(0.96) g/L Lead acute criteria = (e (1.273[ln(hardness) - 1.460) )(1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)]) g/L chronic criteria = (e (1.273[ln(hardness) - 4.705) )(1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)]) g/L Nickel acute criteria = (e (0.8460[ln(hardness)] + 2.255) )(.998) g/L chronic criteria = (e (0.8460[ln(hardness)] + 0.0584) )(.997) g/L Zinc acute criteria = (e (0.8473[ln(hardness)] + 0.884) )(0.978) g/L chronic criteria = (e (0.8473[ln(hardness)] + 0.884) )(0.986) g/L 4 This pollutant is addressed in 391-3-6-.06. (iii) Instream concentrations of the following chemical constituents listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as toxic priority pollutants pursuant to Section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act (as amended) shall not exceed criteria indicated below under 7-day, 10-year minimum flow (7Q10) or higher stream flow conditions except within established mixing zones or in accordance with site specific effluent limitations developed in accordance with procedures presented in 391-3-6-.06. 1. Chlordane (CAS RN1 57749) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 2. Cyanide (CAS RN1 57125) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 3. Dieldrin (CAS RN1 60571) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 4. 4,4'-DDT (CAS RN1 50293) 5. a-Endosulfan (CAS RN1 959988) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 6. b-Endosulfan (CAS RN1 33213659) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 7. Endrin (CAS RN1 72208) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 8. Heptachlor (CAS RN1 76448) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 9. Heptachlor Epoxide (CAS RN1 1024573) (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 10 Pentachlorophenol (CAS RN1 87865) (a) Freshwater2 (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 0.0043 g/L* 0.004 g/L* 5.2 g/L* 1.0 g/L* 0.056 g/L* 0.0019 g/L* 0.001 g/L* 0.056 g/L* 0.0087 g/L* 0.056 g/L* 0.0087 g/L* 0.036 g/L* 0.0023 g/L* 0.0038 g/L* 0.0036 g/L* 0.0038 g/L* 0.0036 g/L* 15 g/L*2 7.9 g/L* WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-4 11. PCBs (a) Freshwater (b) Coastal and Marine Estuarine Waters 12. Phenol (CAS RN1 108952) 13. Toxaphene (CAS RN1 8001352) 0.014 g/L* 0.03 g/L* 300 g/L 0.0002 g/L* 1"CAS RN" or the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each chemical and some chemical mixtures. 2The instream freshwater criterion for pentachlorophenol is a function of pH, determined by the formula (e ). (1.005(pH)-5.134) At a pH equal to 7.8 standard units the criterion is 15 g/L. *The in-stream criterion is lower than the EPD laboratory detection limits. (iv) Instream concentrations of the following chemical constituents listed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency as toxic priority pollutants pursuant to Section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act (as amended) shall not exceed criteria indicated below under annual average or higher stream flow conditions: 1. Acenaphthene (CAS RN1 83329) 2. Acenaphthylene (CAS RN1 208968) 3. Acrolein (CAS RN1 107028) 4. Acrylonitrile (CAS RN1 107131) 5. Aldrin (CAS RN1 309002) 6. Anthracene (CAS RN1 120127) 7. Antimony 8. Arsenic (Total) (a) Drinking Water Supplies (b) All Other Classifications 9. Benzidine (CAS RN1 92875) 10. Benzo(a)Anthracene (CAS RN1 56553) 11. Benzo(a)Pyrene (CAS RN1 ) 12. 3,4-Benzofluoranthene (CAS RN1 205992) 13. Benzene (CAS RN1 71432) 14. Benzo(ghi)Perylene (CAS RN1 191242) 15. Benzo(k)Fluoranthene (CAS RN1 207089) 16. Beryllium 17. a-BHC-Alpha (CAS RN1 319846) 18. b-BHC-Beta (CAS RN1 319857) 19. Bis(2-Chloroethyl)Ether (CAS RN1 111444) 20. Bis(2-Chloroisopropyl)Ether (CAS RN1 108601) 21. Bis(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (CAS RN1 117817) 22. Bromoform (Tribromomethane) (CAS RN1 75252) 23. Butylbenzyl Phthalate (CAS RN1 85687) 24. Carbon Tetrachloride (CAS RN1 56235) 25. Chlorobenzene (CAS RN1 108907) 26. Chlorodibromomethane (CAS RN1 124481) 27. 2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether (CAS RN1 110758) 28. Chlordane (CAS RN1 57749) 29. Chloroform (Trichloromethane) (CAS RN1 67663) 30. 2-Chloronaphthalene (CAS RN1 91587) 31. 2-Chlorophenol (CAS RN1 95578) 32. Chrysene (CAS RN1 218019) 33. Dibenzo(a,h)Anthracene (CAS RN1 53703) 34. Dichlorobromomethane (CAS RN1 75274) 35. 1,2-Dichloroethane (CAS RN1 107062) 36. 1,1-Dichloroethylene (CAS RN1 75354) 37 1,2 Dichloropropane (CAS RN1 78875) 38. 1,3-Dichloropropylene (CAS RN1 542756) 39. 2,4-Dichlorophenol (CAS RN1 120832) 40. 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (CAS RN1 95501) 41. 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (CAS RN1 541731) 42. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (CAS RN1 106467) 43. 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (CAS RN1 ) 44. 4,4'-DDT (CAS RN1 50293) 45. 4,4'-DDD (CAS RN1 72548) 46. 4,4'-DDE (CAS RN1 72559) 47. Dieldrin (CAS RN1 60571) 990 g/L ** 9.3 g/L 0.25 g/L 0.000050 g/L 40000 g/L 640 g/L 10 g/L 50 g/L 0.0002 g/L 0.018 g/L 0.018 g/L 0.018 g/L 51 g/L ** 0.018 g/L ** 0.0049 g/L 0.017 g/L 0.53 g/L 65000 g/L 2.2 g/L 140 g/L 1900 g/L 1.6 g/L 1600 g/L 13 g/L ** 0.00081 g/L 470 g/L 1600 g/L 150 g/L 0.018 g/L 0.018 g/L 17 g/L 37 g/L 7100 g/L 15 g/L 21 g/L 290 g/L 1300 g/L 960 g/L 190 g/L 0.028 g/L 0.00022 g/L 0.00031 g/L 0.00022 g/L 0.000054 g/L WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-5 48. Diethyl Phthalate (CAS RN1 84662) 49. Dimethyl Phthalate(CAS RN1 131113) 50. 2,4-Dimethylphenol (CAS RN1 105679) 51. 2,4-Dinitrophenol (CAS RN1 51285) 52. Di-n-Butyl Phthalate (CAS RN1 84742) 53. 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (CAS RN1 121142) 54. 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine (CAS RN1 122667) 55. Endrin (CAS RN1 72208) 56. Endrin Aldehyde (CAS RN1 7421934) 57. alpha Endosulfan (CAS RN1 959988) 58. beta Endosulfan (CAS RN1 33213659) 59. Endosulfan Sulfate (CAS RN1 1031078) 60. Ethylbenzene (CAS RN1 100414) 61. Fluoranthene (CAS RN1 206440) 62. Fluorene (CAS RN1 86737) 63. Heptachlor (CAS RN1 76448) 64. Heptachlor Epoxide (CAS RN1 1024573) 65. Hexachlorobenzene (CAS RN1 118741) 66. Hexachlorobutadiene (CAS RN1 87683) 67. Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (CAS RN1 77474) 68. Hexachloroethane (CAS RN1 67721) 69. Indeno(1,2,3-cd)Pyrene (CAS RN1 193395) 70. Isophorone (CAS RN1 78591) 71. Lindane [Hexachlorocyclohexane (g-BHC-Gamma)](CAS RN1 58899) 72. Methyl Bromide (Bromomethane) (CAS RN1 74839) 73. Methyl Chloride (Chloromethane) (CAS RN1 74873) 74. Methylene Chloride (CAS RN1 75092) 75. 2-Methyl-4,6-Dinitrophenol (CAS RN1 534521) 76. 3-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol (CAS RN1 59507) 77. Nitrobenzene (CAS RN1 98953) 78. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (CAS RN1 62759) 79. N-Nitrosodi-n-Propylamine (CAS RN1 621647) 80. N-Nitrosodiphenylamine (CAS RN1 86306) 81. PCBs 82. Pentachlorophenol (CAS RN1 87865) 83. Phenanthrene (CAS RN1 85018) 84. Phenol (CAS RN1 108952) 85. Pyrene (CAS RN1 129000) 86. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (CAS RN1 79345) 87. Tetrachloroethylene (CAS RN1 127184) 88. Thallium 89. Toluene (CAS RN1 108883) 90. Toxaphene (CAS RN1 8001352) 91. 1,2-Trans-Dichloroethylene (CAS RN1 156605) 92. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane (CAS RN1 79005) 93. Trichloroethylene (CAS RN1 79016) 94. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (CAS RN1 88062) 95. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (CAS RN1 120821) 96. Vinyl Chloride (CAS RN1 75014) 44000 g/L 1100000 g/L 850 g/L 5300 g/L 4500 g/L 3.4 g/L 0.20 g/L 0.060 g/L 0.30 g/L 89 g/L 89 g/L 89 g/L 2100 g/L 140 g/L 5300 g/L 0.000079 g/L 0.000039 g/L 0.00029 g/L 18 g/L 1100 g/L 3.3 g/L 0.018 g/L 960 g/L 1.8 g/L 1500 g/L ** 590 g/L 280 g/L ** 690 g/L 3.0 g/L 0.51 g/L 6.0 g/L 0.000064 g/L 3.0 g/L ** 857000 g/L 4000 g/L 4.0 g/L 3.3 g/L 0.47 g/L 5980 g/L 0.00028 g/L 10000 g/L 16 g/L 30 g/L 2.4 g/L 70 g/L 2.4 g/L 1"CAS RN" or the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each chemical and some chemical mixtures. **These pollutants are addressed in 391-3-6-.06. (v) Site specific criteria for the following chemical constituents will be developed on an as-needed basis through toxic pollutant monitoring efforts at new or existing discharges that are suspected to be a source of the pollutant at levels sufficient to interfere with designated uses: 1. Asbestos (vi) instream concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) must not exceed 0.0000000051 g/L under long-term average stream flow conditions. (vii) Mercury: For the protection of human health, total mercury concentrations bioaccumulating in a waterbody, in a representative population of fish, shellfish and/or other seafood representing different trophic levels, shall not exceed a total mercury concentration in edible tissues of 0.3 mg/kg wet weight. This standard is in accord with WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-6 the USEPA Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury, (January 2001, EPA823-R-01-001), and because nearly 100% of the mercury in fish tissue is methylmercury, adoption of the standard as total mercury is an additional conservative measure. The representative fish tissue total mercury concentration for a waterbody is determined by calculating a Trophic-Weighted Residue Value, as described by the Georgia EPD Protocol (October 19, 2001). (f) Applicable State and Federal requirements and regulations for the discharge of radioactive substances shall be met at all times. TABLE 3-4. WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR MAJOR LAKES (17) Specific Criteria for Lakes and Major Lake Tributaries. In addition to the general criteria, the following lake specific criteria are deemed necessary and shall be required for the specific water usage as shown: (a) West Point Lake: Those waters impounded by West Point Dam and downstream of U.S. 27 at Franklin. (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly photic zone composite samples shall not exceed 27 g/L at the LaGrange Water Intake more than once in a five-year period. (ii) pH: Within the range of 6.0 - 9.5. (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed 4.0 mg/L as Nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorus: Total lake loading shall not exceed 2.4 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform Bacteria: 1. U.S. 27 at Franklin to New River: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Fishing criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(c). 2. New River to West Point Dam: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3-6- .03(5)(f). (vii) Temperature: Not to exceed 90F. At no time is the temperature of the receiving waters to be increased more than 5F above intake temperature. (viii) Major Lake Tributaries: For the following tributaries, the annual total phosphorus loading to West Point Lake shall not exceed the following: 1. Yellow Jacket Creek at Hammet Road: 11,000 pounds. 2. New River at Hwy 100: 14,000 pounds. 3. Chattahoochee River at U.S. 27: 1,400,000 pounds. (b) Lake Walter F. George: Those waters impounded by Walter F. George Dam and upstream to Georgia Highway 39 near Omaha. (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly photic zone composite samples shall not exceed 18 g/L at mid-river at U.S. Highway 82 or 15 g/L at mid-river in the dam forebay more than once in a fiveyear period. (ii) pH: Within the range of 6.0-9.5 standard units. (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed 3.0 mg/L as nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorous: Total lake loading shall not exceed 2.4 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform: 1. Georgia Highway 39 to Cowikee Creek: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Fishing criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(c)(iii). 2. Cowikee Creek to Walter F. George Dam: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(I). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of no less than 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3-6-.03(5)(f). (vii) Temperature: Water temperature shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). (viii) Major Lake Tributary: The annual total phosphorous loading to Lake Walter F. George, monitored at the Chattahoochee River at Georgia Highway 39, shall not exceed 2,000,000 pounds. (c) Lake Jackson: Those waters impounded by Lloyd Shoals Dam and upstream to Georgia Highway 36 on the South and Yellow Rivers, upstream to Newton Factory Bridge Road on the Alcovy River and upstream to Georgia Highway 36 on Tussahaw Creek. (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly mid-channel photic zone composite samples shall not exceed 20 g/L at a location approximately 2 miles downstream of the confluence of the South and Yellow Rivers at the junction of Butts, Newton and Jasper Counties more than once in a five-year period. (ii) pH: Within the range of 6.0-9.5 standard units. (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed 4.0 mg/L as nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorous: Total lake loading shall not exceed 5.5 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(I). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3-6.03(5)(f). (vii) Temperature: Water temperature shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-7 (viii) Major Lake Tributaries: For the following major tributaries, the annual total phosphorous loading to Lake Jackson shall not exceed the following: 1. South River at Island Shoals: 179,000 pounds 2. Yellow River at Georgia Highway 212: 116,000 pounds 3. Alcovy River at Newton Factory Bridge Road: 55,000 pounds 4. Tussahaw Creek at Fincherville Road: 7,000 pounds (d) Lake Allatoona: Those waters impounded by Allatoona Dam and upstream to State Highway 5 on the Etowah River, State Highway 5 on Little River, the Lake Acworth dam, and the confluence of Little Allatoona Creek and Allatoona Creek. Other impounded tributaries to an elevation of 840 feet mean sea level corresponding to the normal pool elevation of Lake Allatoona. (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly mid-channel photic zone composite samples shall not exceed the chlorophyll a concentrations at the locations listed below more than once in a five-year period: 1. Upstream from the Dam 10 g/L 2. Allatoona creek upstream from I-75 12 g/L 3. Mid-Lake downstream from Kellogg Creek 10 g/L 4. Little River upstream from Highway 205 15 g/L 5. Etowah River upstream from Sweetwater Creek 14 g/L (ii) pH: within the range of 6.0-9.5 standard units (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed a growing season average of 4 mg/L as nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorous: Total lake loading shall not exceed 1.3 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform: 1. Etowah River, State Highway 5 to State Highway 20: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Fishing Criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(c)(iii). 2. Etowah River, State Highway 20 to Allatoona Dam; Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criteria as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(i). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3-6- .03(5)(g). (vii)Temperature: 1. Etowah River, State Highway 5 to State Highway 20: Water temperature shall not exceed the Fishing criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). 2. Etowah River State Highway 20 to Allatoona Dam: Water temperature shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). (viii) Major Lake Tributaries: For the following major tributaries, the annual total phosphorous loading to Lake Allatoona shall not exceed the following: 1. Etowah River at State Highway 5 spur and 140, at the USGS gage 340,000 lbs/yr 2. Little River at State Highway 5 (Highway 754) 42,000 lbs/yr 3. Noonday Creek at North Rope Mill Road 38,000 lbs/yr 4. Shoal Creek at State Highway 108 (Fincher Road) 12,500 lbs/yr (e) Lake Sidney Lanier: Those waters impounded by Buford Dam and upstream to Belton Bridge Road on the Chattahoochee River, 0.6 miles downstream from State Road 400 on the Chestatee River, as well as other impounded tributaries to an elevation of 1070 feet mean sea level corresponding to the normal pool elevation of Lake Sidney Lanier. (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly mid-channel photic zone composite samples shall not exceed the chlorophyll a concentrations at the locations listed below more than once in a five-year period: 1. Upstream from the Buford Dam forebay 5 g/L 2. Upstream from the Flowery Branch confluence 5 g/L 3. At Browns Bridge Road (State Road 369) 5 g/L 4. At Bolling Bridge (State Road 53) on Chestatee River 10 g/L 5. At Lanier Bridge (State Road 53) on Chattahoochee River 10 g/L (ii) pH: Within the range of 6.0-9.5 standard units. (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed 4 mg/L as nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorous: Total lake loading shall not exceed 0.25 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(l). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3--6- .03(5)(g). (vii) Temperature: Water temperature shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). (viii) Major Lake Tributaries: For the following major tributaries, the annual total phosphorous loading to Lake Sidney Lanier shall not exceed the following: 1. Chattahoochee River at Belton Bridge Road 178,000 pounds 2. Chestatee River at Georgia Highway 400 118,000 pounds 3. Flat Creek at McEver Road 14,400 pounds (f) Carters Lake: Those waters impounded by Carters Dam and upstream on the Coosawattee River as well as other impounded tributaries to an elevation of 1072 feet mean sea level corresponding to the normal pool elevation of Carters Lake. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-8 (i) Chlorophyll a: For the months of April through October, the average of monthly mid-channel photic zone composite samples shall not exceed the chlorophyll a concentrations at the locations listed below more than once in a five-year period: 1. Carters Lake upstream from Woodring Branch 5 g/L 2. Carters Lake at Coosawattee River embayment mouth 10 g/L (ii) pH: within the range of 6.0 9.5 standard units. (iii) Total Nitrogen: Not to exceed 4.0 mg/L as nitrogen in the photic zone. (iv) Phosphorous: Total lake loading shall not exceed 172,500 pounds or 0.46 pounds per acre-foot of lake volume per year. (v) Fecal Coliform: Fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(i). (vi) Dissolved Oxygen: A daily average of 5.0 mg/L and no less than 4.0 mg/L at all times at the depth specified in 391-3-6- .03(5)(g). (vii) Temperature: Water temperature shall not exceed the Recreation criterion as presented in 391-3-6-.03(6)(b)(iv). (viii) Major Lake Tributaries: For the following major tributaries, the annual total phosphorous loading at the compliance monitoring location shall not exceed the following: 1. Coosawattee River at Old Highway 5 151,500 pounds 2. Mountaintown Creek at U.S. Highway 76 8,000 pounds Long-Term Trend Monitoring Long term monitoring of streams at strategic locations throughout Georgia, trend or ambient monitoring, was initiated by the GAEPD during the late 1960s. This work has been conducted by EPD associates and through cooperative agreements with federal, state, and local agencies that collect samples from groups of stations at specific, fixed locations throughout the year. The cooperating agencies conduct certain tests in the field and ship stream samples to the GAEPD or UGA laboratories for additional laboratory analyses. Although there have been a number of changes over the years, much of the trend monitoring is still accomplished through similar cooperative agreements. Today the GAEPD contracts with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the statewide trend sampling work, and with the Columbus Water Works for sample collection on the Chattahoochee River below Columbus. In 2010, GAEPD added 41 flow gages to its monitoring network as part of the State Water Plan. Table 3-5 provides a list of the USGS stream gages funded by GAEPD. GAEPD also funds three continuous water quality monitors operated by the USGS on the Coosa River at the Georgia/Alabama Stateline, Chattahoochee River at HWY 92, and the Savannah Harbor at the Corps Dock. In addition, GAEPD continues to operate the continuous water quality monitor at Capps Ferry on the Chattahoochee River south of Metro Atlanta, which records dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and specific conductance data every 15 minutes. The data are collected in real-time and updated daily on the GAEPD's website. Targeted Monitoring In addition to trend monitoring done through cooperative agreements, GAEPD associates collect monthly samples from a number of locations across the state in a targeted monitoring effort. In targeted monitoring, sites are monitored at least once a month for a year. A different set of targeted sites are then selected for monitoring the next year. Figure 1 shows the monitoring network stations for the sample collection period 20122013. This figure includes the State-wide trend monitoring network stations (that are sampled every year), the targeted monitoring stations, probabilistic stations, as well as stations sampled by Georgia's Coastal Resources Division for 2012 and 2013. A list of all of these stations and a list of the parameters sampled is presented in Table 3-6, Tables 3-7, Table 3-8, Table 3-11 and Table 312. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-9 TABLE 3-5. USGS STREAM GAGES FUNDED BY GAEPD USGS Number 02177000 02191300 02192000 02193340 02193500 02197598 021964832 02197830 02198375 02198840 02198950 21989792 02198980 02197000 02201000 02202190 02203518 02202680 02203536 02200120 02215000 02215100 02215500 02216180 02214075 02214590 02215900 02208000 02209000 02212735 02211800 02204520 02223360 02223190 02223110 02225270 02314495 02314500 02318000 02318700 02315920 02226362 02227270 02228070 02231254 02327500 02327355 Station Name and Location Savannah River Basin Chattooga River near Clayton, GA Broad River above Carlton, GA Broad River near Bell, GA Kettle Creek near Washington, GA Little River near Washington, GA Brushy Creek at Campground Road near Wrens, GA Savannah River above Augusta Canal, near Bonair, GA Brier Creek near Waynesboro, GA Savannah River near Estill, GA Savannah River at Port Wentworth, GA Middle River at GA 25, at Port Wentworth, GA Little Back River at GA 25, at Port Wentworth, GA Savannah River at Fort Pulaski Savannah River at Augusta, GA Ogeechee River Basin Williamson Swamp Creek at Davisboro, GA Ogeechee River At GA 24, near Oliver, GA Canoochee River at Bridge 38, at Fort Stewart Ogeechee River at GA 204, near Ellabell, GA Ogeechee River at US 17, near Richmond Hill, GA Ogeechee River GA 88, near Grange GA Altamaha River Basin Ocmulgee River at US 341, near Hawkinsville, GA Tucsawhatchee Creek near Hawkinsville, GA Ocmulgee River at Lumber City, GA Turnpike Creek near McRae, GA Echecommee Creek at Houston Road, near Byron, GA Big Indian Creek at US 341, near Clinchfield, GA Little Ocmulgee River at GA 149, at Scotland, GA Yellow River at Rocky Plains Road, near Rocky Plains, GA Alcovy River below Covington, GA Ocmulgee River at GA 18, at Dames Ferry, GA Towaliga River at GA 83, near Juliette, GA South River at GA 81, at Snapping Shoal, GA Big Sandy Creek at US 441, near Irwinton, GA Commissioner Creek at US 441, at McIntyre, GA Buffalo Creek at GA 272, near Oconee, GA Ohoopee River at GA 297, near Swainsboro, GA Suwannee River Basin Suwannee River above Fargo, GA+ Suwannee River at US 441, at Fargo, GA Little River near Adel, GA* Okapilco Creek at GA 33, near Quitman, GA Alapaha River at GA 125/32, near Irwinville, GA Satilla River Basin Satilla River at GA 158, near Waycross, GA Alabaha River at GA 203, nea Blackshear, GA Satilla River at US 17, at Woodbine, GA St Mary's River Basin St. Mary's River at I-95, near Kingsland, GA Ochlockonee River Basin Ochlockonee River near Thomasville, GA Ochlockonee River at GA 188 near Coolidge, GA WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-10 02336300 02337500 02338660 02343940 02342850 02343225 23432415 02343805 02338840 02342881 02331000 02344700 02349900 02351500 02353265 02353400 02353500 02355350 02355665 02357000 02350600 02354410 02354475 02354800 02354800 02381090 02381600 02384540 02385800 02398000 02395000 03568933 03550500 03567340 02413000 Chattahoochee River Basin Peachtree Creek at Atlanta, GA Snake Creek near Whitesburg, GA New River near Corinth, GA Sawhatchee Creek at Cedar Springs, GA Hanahatchee Creek at Union Road, near Union GA Pataula Creek ar US 82, near Georgetown, GA Chattahoochee River 0.36 miles Downstream of WFG Dam, near Gaines, GA Chattahoochee River at Mile 46, near Columbia, AL Yellow Jacket Creek at Hammett Road, below Hogansville, GA Chattahoochee River at Spur 39, near Omaha, GA Chattahoochee River near Leaf, GA Flint River Basin Line Creek near Senoia, GA Turkey Creek at Byromville,GA Muckalee Creek near Americus, GA Ichawaynochaway Creek at GA 37, near Morgan, GA Pachitla Creek near Edison, GA Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford, GA Ichawaynochaway Creek below Newton, GA Flint River at Riverview Plantation, near Hopeful, GA Spring Creek near Iron City, GA* Kinchafoonee Creek at Preston. GA Chickasawhatchee Creek near Leary, GA Spring Creek near Leary, GA Chickasawhatchee Creek at Elmodel, GA Ichawaynochaway Creek near Elmodel, GA Coosa River Basin Mountaintown Creek At Ga 76, Near Ellijay, Ga Fausett Creek near Talking Rock, GA Mill Creek near Crandall, GA Holly Creek near Chatsworth, GA Chattooga River at Summerville, GA Etowah River near Kingston, GA Tennessee River Basin Lookout Creek near New England, GA Nottely River near Blairsville, GA West Chickamauga Creek at GA 146, near Lakeview, GA Tallapoosa River Basin Little Tallapoosa at GA 27, at Carrolton, GA WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-11 FIGURE 1 GEORGIA MONITORING NETWORK STATION LOCATIONS 2012-2013 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-12 TABLE 3-6. STATEWIDE TREND MONITORING NETWORK (CORE): RIVERS/STREAMS; LAKE/RESERVOIR STANDARD TRIBUTARY STATIONS Rivers and streams stations are sampled monthly for field and chemical parameters every year. Four fecal coliform bacterial samples are collected each calendar quarter to calculate four geometric means. Lakes and reservoir stations are sampled monthly during the "growing season" from April through October. Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Chattooga River at US Hwy. 76 near 0102060101 Clayton, GA Savannah River at 0.5 mile 0106050209 downstream from Spirit Creek Savannah River at Seaboard Coast 0109020701 Line Railway, north of Clyo, GA Savannah River at US Hwy. 17 0109060602 (Houlihan Bridge) Ogeechee River at Georgia Hwy. 24 0202030701 near Oliver, GA Oconee River at Barnett Shoals Road 0301060102 near Athens, GA Oconee River at Interstate Hwy. 16 0302090102 near Dublin, GA 0403030501 South River at Island Shoals near Snapping Shoals, Ga. Road River Basin Savannah Savannah Savannah Savannah Ogeechee Oconee Oconee Upper Ocmulgee 0403060301 Yellow River Stewart, Ga. at Georgia Hwy. 212 near Upper Ocmulgee 0403080201 Alcovy River at Newton Factory Bridge Road near Stewart, Ga. Upper Ocmulgee 0403090301 Tussahaw Creek at Fincherville near Jackson, Ga. Road Ocmulgee River at New Macon Water 0503160201 Intake Upper Ocmulgee Ocmulgee 0504030101 Ocmulgee River at Hawkinsville, GA Ocmulgee River at US Hwy. 341 at 0504080601 Lumber City, GA Altamaha River 6.0 miles downstream 0606040104 from Doctortown, GA Satilla River at Georgia Hwy.15 and 0701070405 Hwy.121 Suwannee River at US Hwy. 441 near 0901010508 Fargo, GA Withlacoochee River at Clyattsville- 0903080302 Nankin Road near Clyattsville, GA 1003010102 Ochlockonee River at Hadley Ferry Road near Calvary, Ga. Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Altamaha Satilla St. Marys Suwannee Ochlockonee 1105010601 Flint River at SR 92 near Griffin, GA Flint Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization Project USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring Trend USGS Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring USGS Trend Monitoring Latitude 34.8140 33.3306 32.5250 32.1658 32.4948 33.8562 32.4804 33.4527 33.4543 33.4494 33.3789 32.8992 32.2818 31.9199 31.6233 31.2167 30.6806 30.6747 30.7317 33.3089 Longitude -83.3064 -81.9153 -81.2640 -81.1539 -81.5558 -83.3265 -82.8582 -83.9271 -83.8813 -83.8283 -83.9634 -83.6641 -83.4628 -82.6743 -81.7653 -82.1625 -82.5606 -83.3947 -84.2355 -84.3931 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-13 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Waterbody Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization Project 1106010701 Flint River at SR 26 near Montezuma Flint USGS Trend Monitoring 1108010102 Flint River at SR 234 near Albany, GA Flint USGS Trend Monitoring 1108040101 Flint River at SR 37 at Newton, GA Trend Flint USGS Monitoring Flint River at US Hwy. 27-B near 1108070302 Bainbridge, GA Trend Flint USGS Monitoring 1201030401 Chattahoochee River Road near Lula, Ga. at Belton Bridge Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) Dicks Creek at Forest Service Road 1201050101 144-1 near Neels Gap, GA Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 1201060401 Chestatee River at Dahlonega, Ga. SR 400 near Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 1201080302 Flat Creek at McEver Road Gainesville, Ga. near Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) Yellow Jacket Creek at Hammet Road 1202070301 near Hogansville, GA Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 1202050501 New River at SR 100 near Corinth, Ga. Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring 1202060101 Chattahoochee River near Franklin, Ga. at US Hwy. 27 Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) Lake Harding - Dam Forebay (aka 1202110104 Chatt. River US Bartletts Ferry Dam) Chattahoochee CWW Trend Monitoring Lake Oliver - Chattahochee River at Columbus Water Intake near 1202130502 Columbus, GA Chattahoochee CWW Trend Monitoring Chattahoochee River downstream from Columbus Water Treatment 1203010104 Facility Chattahoochee CWW Trend Monitoring Chattahoochee River downstream Trend 1203060101 Oswichee Creek Chattahoochee CWW Monitoring Chattahoochee River at Hichitee 1203060601 Creek (River Mile 127.6) Chattahoochee CWW Trend Monitoring Chattahoochee River at Spur 39 near 1203060602 Omaha, GA (Seaboard Railroad) Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) Chattahoochee River at SR 91 near 1204080101 Steam Mill, GA Chattahoochee USGS Trend Monitoring 1308020601 Tallapoosa River at Georgia near Tallapoosa, Ga. Hwy. 8 Tallapoosa USGS Trend Monitoring Little Tallapoosa River at Georgia 1308090601 Hwy. 100 near Bowden, GA Tallapoosa USGS Trend Monitoring Conasauga River at US Hwy. 76 near 1401020703 Dalton, GA Coosa USGS Trend Monitoring Latitude 32.2929 31.5524 31.3094 30.9109 34.4451 34.6797 34.4667 34.2658 33.1392 33.2353 33.2792 32.6633 32.5214 32.4089 32.3000 32.2308 32.1436 30.9775 33.7408 33.4928 34.7830 Longitude -84.0440 -84.1463 -84.3350 -84.5805 -83.6842 -83.9372 -83.9689 -83.8850 -84.9753 -84.9878 -85.1000 -85.09028 -84.9983 -84.9803 -84.9369 -84.9232 -85.0453 -85.0053 -85.3364 -85.2792 -84.8730 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-14 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Conasauga River at Tilton Bridge near 1401050106 Tilton, GA 1402030502 Mountaintown Creek at SR Hwy. 76) near Ellijay, Ga. 282 (US 1402040103 Coosawattee River near Ellijay, Ga. at Georgia Hwy. 5 Oostanaula River at Rome Water 1403060401 Intake near Rome, GA 1404060301 Etowah River at SR 5 spur near Canton, Ga. 1404070401 Shoal Creek at SR near Waleska, Ga. 108 (Fincher Road) 1404080802 Noonday Creek at Georgia near Woodstock, Ga. Hwy. 92 1404080904 Little River at Georgia Hwy. Woodstock, Ga. 5 near 1404150101 Etowah River at Hardin Bridge 829) near Euharlee, GA (FAS 1405010601 Coosa River - GA/Alabama State Line Monitor near Cave Springs Chattooga River at Holland1405050401 Chattoogaville Road (FAS1363) near Lyerly, Ga. 1501080101 West Chickamauga Creek - Georgia Highway 146 near Ringgold, Ga. River Basin Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization Project Latitude Longitude USGS Trend Monitoring 34.6667 -84.9283 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.7034 -84.5398 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.6717 -84.5002 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.2703 -85.1733 USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 34.2397 -84.4944 USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 34.2608 -84.5956 USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 34.0861 -84.5306 USGS Trend Monitoring (Lake Trib) 34.1222 -84.5043 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.18886 -84.9251 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.1983 -85.4439 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.3356 -85.4453 USGS Trend Monitoring 34.9572 -85.2056 Routine field parameters include: gage height, air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity. Routine chemical parameters include: BOD5, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrite+nitrate nitrogen, phosphorus, TOC and fecal coliform bacteria. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-15 TABLE 3-7. GEORGIA TARGETED MONITORING NETWORK 2012 Rivers and stream stations are sampled monthly for field and chemical parameters for one calendar year. For stations where fecal coliform bacteria is collected, four fecal coliform bacterial samples are collected each calendar quarter during the year. Basin lakes and reservoirs are sampled monthly during the growing season during the calendar year. Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site River Basin 0104060201 Wilmington River at Marker # 19 Savannah 0109030202 Runs Branch (Sistes Ferry @ Effingham Rd) nr Clyo Co Rd 63 0109030303 Ebenezer Creek at Long Bridge (CR 307) near Stillwell, Ga. Road 0109030503 Sweigoffer Creek near Rincon, GA at Lake Cherie Road Savannah Savannah Ogeechee 0202040201 Mill Creek at Lakeview Rd. Ogeechee 0202040301 Mill Old Creek at Bulloch River Road near County Road Brooklet, Ga. 386 0202050302 Ash Branch Loop) at CR 2021 (Kangeter 0202050402 Upper Rd.) Black Creek at CR 582 (Arcola 0202050801 Black Creek at Blichton, Ga. State Road 30 near 0202060501 Ogeechee River at Morgans near Bloomingdale, GA Bridge Rd. Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee 0202060601 Ogeechee River at U.S. Hwy 17 Ogeechee 0202060603 Sterling Creek Richmond Hill, at Harris GA Trail Road near 0202060604 Ogeechee Park River at Fort McAllister State 0203010701 Canoochee Metter, GA. River at SR 121 near 0203020501 Fifteenmile Creek at Candler Road 28 near Metter, Ga. County 0203030401 Tenmile Creek at Road S2242 (Adabelle Road) near Excelsior, Ga. 0203030701 Cedar Creek Claxton, Ga. at State Road 129 at 0203031102 Canoochee near Daisy, River Ga. - Daisy Nevils Rd. 0203040601 Lotts Creek at Daisy Rd)near State Road Nevils, Ga. 250 (Nevils- 0203040701 Little Lotts Stateboro, Creek GA at SR46 near 0203041001 Thick Hwy.) Creek at CR197 near Daisy, Ga (Daisy Nevils Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Sampling Organization1 Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Waterbody Type/ Project Latitude Estuary Monitoring 31.93242 Stream Targeted 32.45997 Stream Targeted 32.36458 Stream Targeted 32.288 Stream Targeted 32.49264 Stream Targeted 32.43836 Stream Targeted 32.23254 Stream Targeted 32.27574 Stream Targeted 32.16704 Stream Targeted 32.08038 Stream Targeted 31.97824 Stream Targeted 31.91797 Estuary Monitoring 31.89565 Stream Targeted 32.35591 Stream Targeted 32.34734 Stream Targeted 32.27965 Stream Targeted 32.17425 Stream Targeted 32.17861 Stream Targeted 32.26442 Stream Targeted 32.32603 Stream Targeted 32.2167 Longitude -80.9771 X X -81.2919 X X -81.2308 X X X X -81.191 X X -81.7782 X X -81.5786 X X X X X X -81.5702 X X X -81.6283 X X -81.4869 X X X -81.3851 X X X -81.2887 X X X -81.3072 X X X -81.1979 X X -82.0899 X X -82.0434 X X -81.9616 X X -81.9223 X X -81.8289 X X -81.8084 X X X -81.8024 X X X X X X -81.8252 X X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-16 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 0203050601 Taylors Creek Hinesville, GA at SR119/144 near 0203050702 Canoochee Creek Hinesville, GA at SR 129 near River Basin Ogeechee Ogeechee 0203060601 Canoochee River - Georgia Highway 67 Ogeechee 0204010101 Little near Ogeechee Savannah, River GA at Osteen Road 0204010103 Little Ogeechee River at 17 near Burroughs, Ga. U.S. Highway 0204020104 St Catherines near Midway, Sound GA at Medway River 0204030102 Peacock Creek nr Midway, Ga. at Lewis Fraser Road Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee 0204030402 Little Ogeechee River @ Green Island Ogeechee 0204040101 South Newport River 17 at South Newport, at U.S. Ga. Highway 0204040103 Sapelo Sound at South Newport near Barbour Island, GA River 0301100102 Lake River Oconee Arm At Highway 44, Oconee 0301100602 Lake Oconee Wallace Dam 300 Meters Upstream (Dam Forebay) Ogeechee Ogeechee Oconee Oconee 0301110502 Lake Oconee - Richland Creek Arm Oconee 0301170701 Lake Sinclair - Little River Creek Arm, U/S U.S. Hwy & Murder 441 0301170702 Lake Dam Sinclair - 300 Meters (Dam Forebay) Upstream 0301180104 Lake Arm Sinclair - Midlake, Oconee River 0302050501 Commissioner McIntyre, GA Creek at US 441 near 0302140102 Peterson Creek Glenwood, GA - CR 58 near 0403010201 Doless Creek Decatur, GA at Flat Shoals Road near 0403010501 South River - Georgia near Lithonia, Ga. Highway 155 0403010601 Honey Creek Conyers, Ga. at State Road 212 near 0403050104 Yellow River Lithonia ,GA at Pleasant Hill Road near 0403050204 Dried Indian Creek at near Porterdale GA Flat Shoals Road 0403050401 Little near Haynes Creek Conyers, Ga. at State Road 138 0403070602 Big Flat Creek at Youth near Loganville, Ga. Monroe Road Oconee Oconee Oconee Oconee Oconee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Sampling Organization1 Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Waterbody Type/ Project Latitude Longitude Stream Targeted 31.89354 -81.6324 X X X Stream Targeted 31.94893 -81.633 X X Stream Targeted 31.98306 -81.3853 X X X Stream Targeted 32.12034 -81.3326 X X X Stream Targeted 32.00732 -81.2368 X X X Estuary Monitoring 31.70659 -81.1587 X X Stream Targeted 31.78775 -81.4905 X X Estuary Monitoring 31.88823 -81.088 X X Stream Targeted 31.64296 -81.3936 X X X X Estuary Monitoring 31.55411 -81.2004 X X Lake Monitoring 33.43139 -83.2657 X X Lake Monitoring 33.35167 -83.1608 X X Lake Monitoring 33.3947 -83.1767 X X Lake Monitoring 33.189 -83.2953 X X Lake Monitoring 33.14282 -83.2026 X X Lake Monitoring 33.1968 -83.2742 X X Stream Targeted 32.84972 -83.1931 X X Stream Targeted 32.16236 -82.6457 X X X Stream Targeted 33.705898 -84.27743 X Stream Targeted 33.65389 -84.1867 X Stream Targeted 33.57972 -84.0642 X X X Stream Targeted 33.73382 -84.0616 X X X Stream Targeted 33.539 -83.872 X X Stream Targeted 33.72167 -83.9183 X X X Stream Targeted 33.79508 -83.8419 X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-17 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 0403090302 Lake River Jackson at confluence of Alcovy and Yellow/South River Branch Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.36823 -83.8633 X X 0403090306 Lake Jackson - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.322 -83.8409 X X 0503100503 Big Sandy Creek Sandy, Ga. at State Road 87 near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.19528 -83.8506 X X 0503110405 Cabin Creek Jackson, GA at Water Works Road near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.22609 -84.063 XXX XX 0503110501 Buck Creek at Chappell Barnsville, Ga. Mill Road near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.179 -84.098 X X X X 0503110502 Brushy Creek at SR 36 near Patillo GA Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.202 -84.065 X X 0503110602 Towaliga River at Kinards near Jackson, Ga. Mill Road Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.2473 -84.0613 X X X 0503110606 High Falls Lake - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.1973 -84.031 X X 0503110608 High Falls Lake - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.1799 -84.0209 X X 0503120201 Little near Towaliga River Forsyth, Ga at High Falls Rd. Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.129 -83.972 X X X 0503120404 Towaliga River - Georgia Highway 83 Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.11472 -83.8706 X X X X 0503130301 Allison Creek nr nr Hillsboro, GA Round Oak-Juliette Rd Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.10760 -83.71405 X 0503130501 Falling Juliet Creek - FAS 1640 Near East Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.09972 -83.7236 X X Hurricane Creek nr Hitchiti 0503130502 Experimental Forest Rd nr Juliette, GA Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.03645 -83.70655 X Caney Creek nr Caney Creek Rd nr 0503130503 Hillsboro, GA Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.05569 -83.70073 X 0503130701 Rum Creek at Blue Store Road 193) near Forsyth, Road (County Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.06877 -83.8847 X X X 0503130702 Chambliss Creek at Road (County Road Maynard 13) near Chuch Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.05 -83.88 X X 0503130703 Lake Juliette - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.0464 -83.8106 X X 0503130704 Lake Juliette - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.0338 -83.7572 X X 0503140203 Tobesofkee Creek near Forsyth, Ga. at Mountpelier Road Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.98 -83.93 X X 0503140501 Tobesofkee Creek near Macon, GA - U.S. Highway 80 Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.799 -83.757 X 0503140503 Lake Tobesofkee - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.8346 -83.8161 X X 0503140505 Lake Tobesofkee - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.8215 -83.7706 X X 0503140505 Tobesofkee Macon, GA Creek at SR 74 near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.866 -83.839 X 0503150303 Little Echeconne Creek at Road near Musella, Ga. Smith Chapel Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.80993 -83.9205 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-18 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 0503150604 Echeconnee near Warner Creek at Houston Robins, GA Road 0503160403 Walnut Macon, Creek Ga. at Jeffersonville Road at 0504060202 Little near House Creek Abbeville, GA at Bethelehem Rd 0504070301 Big Horse Creek at State near Lumber City, Ga. Road 117 0606050204 Altamaha River off Wolf Island - channel marker #201 0607050601 Ohoopee River Glennville, Ga. at State Road 178 near 0701120304 St. Andrews Sound at Satilla Riv near 0703020101 Turtle River off Hermitage Island 0703020106 Turtle River - Georgia Highway 303 0703020110 Brunswick River - U.S. Highway 17 0703040208 Cumberland Sound St Marys, GA at St. Marys Riv nr 0902010201 Alapaha River Rochelle, Ga. at State Road 112 near 0902060201 Reedy Creek at County (Firecracker Road) near Road 57 Ocilla, Ga. 0902100101 Banks Lake - Near Lakeland, Ga. 0902110201 Mud Creek Road) near at County Valdosta, Road Ga 112 (Vann 0903010401 Withlacoochee River at State Road (Adel Rd.) near Nashville, Ga 76 0903020102 New River Tifton - U.S. Highway 82 Near 0903030202 Beatty Branch Barretts, GA at Beatty Road near 0903040104 Giddens Mill Creek At N. Elm Street Withlacoochee River - SR133 nr 0903040405 Valdosta, Ga. (formerly called Ga. Hwy 94) 0903040406 Sugar Creek Okapilco Creek at County Road 182 0903050101 (James Buckner Road) near Moultrie, Ga. 0903070201 Piscola Creek Dixie, Ga. at State Road 38 near 0903080101 Withlacoochee River - U.S. Highway 84 0904010101 Little River at Ashburn, Ga. State Road 112 near River Basin Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Altamaha Altamaha Satilla Satilla Satilla Satilla Satilla Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Suwannee Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.692 -83.701 X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.85215 -83.5931 X Tifton WP Stream Prob 31.83847 -83.262 X X Tifton WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Brunswick WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Stream Targeted Estuary Monitoring Stream Targeted Estuary Monitoring Estuary Monitoring Estuary Monitoring Estuary Monitoring Estuary Monitoring Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Lake Monitoring Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 31.85194 31.32006 31.92028 31.00609 31.22028 31.18694 31.1164 30.72807 31.89639 31.51565 31.02667 30.77778 31.19833 31.4425 -82.8269 X X -81.3103 X X -82.1128 X -81.4292 X X X -81.5642 X X -81.5314 X X -81.4858 X X X X -81.4898 X X X -83.4886 X -83.261 X -83.1056 X X -83.18 X X X -83.2725 X X -83.4758 X X X Tifton WP Stream Prob 30.98622 -83.2204 X X Tifton WP Stream Prob 31.14873 -83.4336 X X Tifton WP Stream Targeted 30.85 -83.3397 X X Tifton WP Stream Prob 30.83825 -83.3144 X X Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.25472 -83.7939 X Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Stream Targeted 30.79306 -83.7064 X X Stream Targeted 30.79306 -83.4536 X X Stream Targeted 31.67444 -83.6906 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-19 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 0904030201 Town Creek at Sylvester, Ga. County Road 169 near 1002010501 Ochlockonee River at Zion Church Rd. near Coolidge, Grove GA 1002010601 Little Creek at County Road 480 Meigs Rd.) near Moultrie, GA (Lower 1002030301 Big Creek Coolidge, at State GA Road 35 near 1002040301 Lost Creek Meigs, GA at State Road 111 near 1002050301 East Branch Barnetts Creek 159 nr Ochlockonee, GA @ Co Rd 1002060201 Oquina Creek at County Road 138 (Old Cassidy Rd.) near Thomasville, GA 1002080302 Tired Creek Cairo, GA at State Road 111 near 1003020301 Little near Attapulgus Attapulgus, Creek GA at State Rd 241 1003020501 Swamp Creek at Attapulgus, GA US Hwy 27 near Camp Creek 319(h) nr Walker Rd, 1105010203 Creekview Cir, Riverdale, GA 1105020301 Flat Creek Peachtree at Georgia City, GA Highway 74 near 1105020302 Line Creek At Near Senoia Georgia Highway 85 1105060201 Powder Creek Springs, GA at SR 109 near Lifesy 1105060401 Elkins Creek Molena, GA at Dripping Rock Rd near 1105060402 Spring Creek near Molena, at Thundering GA Springs Rd 1105070201 Cane Creek at Woodbury, GA Cove Road near 1105070401 Pigeon Creek at Pigeon near Manchester, GA Creek Road 1105070502 Flint near Riv at Sprewell Bluff State Park 1105090401 Potato Creek at Piedmont, Ga. Alabama Road near 1105090701 Potato Creek at State Thomaston, Ga. Road 74 near 1105120601 Ulcohatchee Creek at Charlie Road near Roberta, Ga. Reeves 1106010201 Beaver Creek Marshallville - Winchester Road Near 1106010601 Sweetwater Creek at Old Stage Road 1106020901 Buck Creek Ideal, Ga. at State Road 240 near River Basin Suwannee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Ochlockonee Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Sampling Organization1 Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Waterbody Type/ Project Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Latitude 31.48667 31.0565 31.11246 Tifton WP Stream Prob 30.97528 Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 31.10556 30.94694 30.86917 Tifton WP Stream Prob 30.83611 Tifton WP Tifton WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 30.71806 30.71944 33.57508 33.34111 33.31944 33.037 32.9703 32.9672 32.959 32.86874 32.85599 33.01419 32.90417 32.70892 32.41 32.19128 32.30917 Longitude -83.8061 X X -83.8995 X X X -83.8803 X -83.8878 X -84.0086 X X -84.0717 X X X -83.9836 X X X -84.2406 X X X -84.49 X X X X X -84.4114 X X X -84.4337 X -84.5389 X X -84.5236 X X -84.358 X X -84.5161 X X -84.4972 X X X -84.545 X -84.6122 X X -84.4768 X X X X X X -84.2607 X X X -84.3625 X -84.1878 X X X -83.9794 X X X -84.0862 X X -84.1619 X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-20 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Waterbody Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Lime Creek nr Vienna, GA at Middle 1106040401 River Road Flint Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.06931 1106040701 Lime Creek at Peggy east of Americus, GA Shepherd Road Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.035 1106050201 Turkey Creek Byromville - Georgia Highway 90 At Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.19556 1106060110 Lake Blackshear - Midlake Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.9665 1106060801 Swift Creek at Warwick, Ga. Jamestown Road near Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.83889 1106061001 Lake Blackshear - Dam Forebay Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.8479 1106070701 Flint Riv at SR 32 nr Albany, GA Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.72525 1106090501 Flint River River Arm Reservoir - Midlake, Flint Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6085 1106090502 Flint Dam River Reservoir Forebay (Lake Worth) - Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6033 1107020301 Lanahassee Preston, Ga. Creek at US 280 near Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.0498 1107030101 Trib Kinchafoonee Road Creek@Spanns Mill Flint Tifton WP Stream Prob 32.00177 1107050201 Mossy Creek nr Smithville, GA Flint Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 31.88518 1107090301 Muckaloochee Creek near Starksville, Ga. at Smithville Road Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.8132 Lake Worth (original) - Above Hwy 91 1107100301 Bridge / Diversion Dam (aka Lake Flint Chehaw) Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6109 1108080405 Lake Seminole Spring Creek - Flint River Arm @ Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7627 1109020201 Little Ichawaynochaway Shellman, GA Crk at CR 3 nr Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.80353 1109040401 Carters Crk at CR 22 nr Cuthbert, GA Flint Tifton WP Stream Prob 31.63582 1109090201 Chickasawhatchee Creek 37 near Elmodel, Ga. at State Road Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.3525 1110020101 Dry Creek at Blakely, Ga Five Bridge Rd. near Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.34571 1110050101 Spring Creek Colquitt, Ga. at State Road 91 near Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.17056 1110070101 Spring Creek At U.S. Highway 84 Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 30.97528 1110080301 Fishpond Road Drain @ Town and County Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.0237 1201040404 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Little Betw M1WC River & 3LR Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.355 Yahoola Creek nr Captain McDonald 1201060203 Rd nr Dahlonega, GA Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.53206 Cane Creek at Radio Rd. nr Dahlonega, 1201060301 GA Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.52077 Longitude -84.10647 X -83.9925 X X X X X X -83.9008 X X -83.9342 X X -83.8547 X X X -83.9394 -84.0182 X X -84.119 X X -84.1365 X X -84.5069 X X X -84.5055 X -84.35880 X -84.1721 X X -84.15 X X -84.8171 X X -84.64 X X X X X X -84.7201 X X -84.4861 X X -84.8641 X X X X -84.7428 X X -84.7456 X X -84.8923 X X -83.8427 X X -83.96400 X -84.00728 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-21 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1201070501 Lake Sidney (State Road Lanier 53) on at Boling Bridge Chestatee River Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.31235 -83.9501 X X Lake Sidney Lanier at Lanier Bridge 1201080103 (State Road 53) on Chattahoochee River Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.32195 -83.8802 X X 1201080203 Lake Sidney Road (State Lanier at Browns Road 369) Bridge Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.26167 -83.9507 X X 1201080304 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Flat Creek 100' U/S M7FC Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2587 -83.9198 X X 1201080307 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier 0.34m - Balus Creek SE M6FC Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2504 -83.9244 X X 1201080401 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Mud Betw Marina Crk & Ramp Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2333 -83.9373 X X 1201080403 Lake Lanier upstream from Flowery Branch Confluence (Midlake) Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.20028 -83.9829 X X 1201080603 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier 300' E - Six Mile M9SM Creek Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2335 -84.0287 X X 1201080902 Lake Dam Sidney Lanier Forebay upstream of Buford Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.16278 -84.0671 X X 1201090205 Chattahoochee Road River at McGinnis Ferry Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 34.05056 -84.0977 X X 1201090705 Chattahoochee Water Intake River - DeKalb County Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.9731 -84.2631 X X X 1201110101 Big Creek at Roswell, Ga. Roswell Water Intake near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 34.01785 -84.3525 X X X 1201110107 March Creek At Brandon Mill Road Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.9475 -84.38722 X 1201110109 Chattahoochee River at Cobb County Water Intake near Roswell, Ga. Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.9443 -84.405 X X 1201110609 Chattahoochee Intake River - Atlanta Water Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.8278 -84.455 X X X 1201120403 Peachtree Creek near Atlanta, Ga. at Northside Drive Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.8194 -84.4078 X X X X X 1202010104 Chattahoochee Highway River at Bankhead Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.79528 -84.5078 X X X X 1202010301 Utoy Creek Parkway At Great Southwest Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.743506 -84.56832 X 1202020802 Sweetwater Highway 20 Creek at Interstate Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.7728 -84.6147 X X X 1202030102 Chattahoochee Highway 92 River - Georgia Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.6567 -84.6736 X X X 1202031202 Chattahoochee River Road near Rico, Ga. at Capps Ferry Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream AWW 33.5778 -84.8086 X X 1202040201 Cedar Creek Roscoe, Ga. at Brimer Road near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.48083 -84.8381 X X 1202040701 Centralhatchee Creek 27 near Franklin, Ga. at U.S. Highway Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.31111 -85.1044 X X West Point Lake at LaGrange Water 1202060802 Intake near LaGrange, Ga. (aka Chatt. Chattahoochee Atlanta WP River at Lagrange Intake) Lake Monitoring 33.0783 -85.1108 X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-22 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1202070201 Blue Creek at County Hogansville, GA Line Rd near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.1832 -84.8626 X X X X X X 1202080208 West Point Lake - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.9208 -85.1834 X X 1202090501 Long Road Cane Near Crk at New Hutchinson Lagrange, GA Mill Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.966 -85.072 X 1202091204 Long West Cane Point, Crk GA at Old West Point Rd nr Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.86577 -85.1593 X X 1202091302 Chattahoochee Point, Ga. River at Hwy 29 at West Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.8777 -85.1806 X X 1202100702 Flat Shoals Point, Ga. Crk at SR 103 nr West Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.83685 -85.1158 X 1202110102 Lake Harding - Midlake, Main Body Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.7379 -85.1125 X X 1202110104 Lake Harding - Dam Forebay (aka Chatt. River US Bartletts Ferry Dam) Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.6633 -85.0903 X X 1202130501 Goat Rock Lake - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.6112 -85.0794 X X 1202130503 Lake Oliver - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.516 -85.0009 X X 1203070101 Hannahatchee Rd Creek at Moores Store Chattahoochee Tifton WP Stream Prob 32.14166 -84.7532 X X 1203130102 Lake Walter F. George 82 (aka Chatt. River at at U.S. Highway Hwy 82) Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.89194 -85.1208 X X 1203160102 Lake Walter Forebay F. George at Dam Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.62917 -85.0725 X X 1204010101 Chattahoochee River at near Fort Gaines, Ga. State Road 37 Chattahoochee Tifton WP Stream Targeted 31.60417 -85.0553 X 1204070101 Lake Andrews - Dam Forbay Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.2632 -85.113 X X 1204080104 Lake Seminole Lower - Chattahoochee Arm, Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7662 -84.9201 X X 1204080106 Lake Seminole - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7115 -84.8647 X X 1308010501 Little River Buchanan, at East Ga. Church Road near Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.85323 -85.1695 X 1308010601 Tallapoosa River near Felton, Ga. at U.S. Highway 27 Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.86333 -85.2136 X X 1308010602 Cochran Creek Buchanan, GA at Bennett Street near Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.85746 -85.1969 X 1308080601 Buck Creek at State Carrollton, Ga. Road 16 near Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.59238 -85.1293 X 1308090202 Buffalo Creek At U.S. Highway 27 Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.561667 -85.07306 X 1401010202 Jacks River at Tennga, Ga. Old Highway 2 near Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.9881 -84.6344 X 1401020801 Mill Creek nr FS 630, Crandall, GA Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.87267 -84.7242 X 1401040101 Holly Creek Chatsworth, at Old GA CCC Camp Rd nr Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.81209 -84.65405 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-23 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Swamp Creek 319(h) nr Nance Springs 1401050301 Dr and Old Tilton Rd nr Dalton, GA 1401050401 Polecat Creek at near Nickelsville, County GA Line Road 1401090203 Trib E. Chickamauga Cr 1401100101 Mud Creek LaFayette at Captain Wood Road near 1402010401 Royston Creek at Big Creek Road 1402010601 Cartecay River at State Road Connector near Ellijay, Ga. 2 1402020502 Ellijay River near Ellijay, at SR Ga. 52 (River Street) 1402040401 Carters Lake Coosawattee (CR1) Arm - Upper Lake, 1402040402 Carters Lake - Midlake Woodring Branch) (upstream from 1402060501 Salacoa Creek at Lovebridge near Redbud, Ga. Road NE 1402080201 Sugar Creek Carters. GA at Coniston Road near 1402080401 Dry Creek at Redbud, GA Pleasant Hill Road near 1402080402 Dry Creek Calhoun at Jim Tom Road near 1402080701 Crane Eater Creek at Pine Road near Calhoun, GA Chapel 1403010401 Oostanaula River at Georgia 156 near Calhoun, Ga. Highway 1403010402 Bow Creek at Old Rome NW near Sugar Vally Dalton Road 1403030301 Johns Creek at Curryville, Ga. State Road 156 near 1403040101 Little Armuchee Creek at Road near Summerville Farmersville 1403040202 Storey Mill Creek near Armuchee @ Ben Mosley Circle 1403040301 Heath Creek at Texas near Rome, Ga. Valley Road NW 1403040402 Trib to Little Armuchee Creek @ Farmersville Road near Summerville 1403050201 Trib to Ruff Cr 1403050702 Trib to Armuchee Mountain Road Creek @ Turkey 1403060301 Dozier Rome, Creek GA at Bells Ferry Road near 1404010303 Nimblewill Creek at nr Dahlonega, GA Nimblewill Gap Rd, River Basin Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude Stream Atlanta WP Targeted 34.66853 -84.94585 X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.61583 -84.87306 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.875 -85.091 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.70679 -85.41737 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.67517 -84.3374 X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.6858 -84.4744 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.6927 -84.4791 X X X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.62087 -84.6212 X X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.6076 -84.638 X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.51667 -84.7972 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.63667 -84.74222 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.55194 -84.7792 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.55753 -84.7551 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.53111 -84.87222 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.4919 -85.0136 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.53859 -85.02672 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.4412 -85.0953 X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.50795 -85.21793 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.42465 -85.25967 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.38241 -85.2304 X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.47814 -85.23422 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.577 -85.203 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.3846 -85.14463 X X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.32083 -85.11028 X X X Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.574970 -84.176488 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-24 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 1404080101 Little River Arnold Mill at Batesville Road near 1404080201 Chicken Creek Arnold Mill at Batesville Road near 1404080902 Lake from Allatoona at Little Highway 205 River upstream 1404080903 Rose Creek At Towne Lake Parkway 1404090401 Lake Allatoona Upstream from Dam 1404090404 Lake Allatoona Upstream from at Allatoona Creek Interstate 75 Lake Allatoona at Etowah River 1404100104 upstream from Sweetwater Creek (Marker 44E/45E) 1404100201 Stamp Creek at State Cartersville, Ga. Road 20 near 1404100409 Lake Allatoona Kellogg Creek downstream from ( Markers 18/19E) Little Pumpkinvine Creek (North) at 1404110401 Seven Hills Blvd near Acworth, GA 1404120301 Racoon Creek Stilesboro, GA at Picklesville Road near 1404130102 Etowah River at Cartersville, Ga. U.S. Highway 41 near 1404150501 Connesena Creek near Kingston, GA at Old Rome Road 1404160402 Dykes GA Crk at Dykes Crk Xing nr Rome, 1404160601 Silver Creek Rome, Ga. at Crescent Avenue near 1404160702 Etowah River at Boulevard (Hwy Turner Mccall 27) near Rome, Ga. 1405010101 Horeseleg Creek at Rome, GA at South Hanks Street 1405010106 Coosa Rome, River Ga. at Blacks Bluff Road near 1405020401 Lake Creek Spring at Chubb Road near Cave 1405040101 Chattooga Creek Of Lafayette - County Road 56, S 1405040201 Duck Post, Creek GA at SR 337 near Center 1405040301 Spring Creek Trion, Ga. at State Road 337 near 1405040601 Cane Creek at Halls Trion/Lafayette Valley Road near 1405040701 Cane Ga. Creek at Club Drive near Trion, 1405050102 Chattooga River Summerville at U.S. Hwy 27 near River Basin Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.136925 -84.36112 X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.130573 -84.35324 X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.15861 -84.5772 X X Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.13278 -84.5725 X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.16083 -84.7258 X X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.08583 -84.7114 X X Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.19 -84.5778 X Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Atlanta WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Stream Targeted Lake Monitoring Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 34.21632 34.13861 34.02293 34.12444 34.1533 34.2357 34.26357 34.23278 34.25416 34.26028 34.206 34.08834 34.67833 34.619 34.58444 34.62209 34.56083 34.46717 -84.686 -84.6392 -84.78697 -84.89194 -84.771 -84.9725 -85.0855 -85.17806 -85.164 -85.2025 -85.2804 -85.28473 -85.2933 -85.347 -85.3653 -85.24822 -85.3104 -85.3352 X X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-25 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 1405050301 Clarks Creek at Talliaferro Road near Lyerly Springs 1405080101 East near Fork Little River Cloudland, Ga. at State Road 48 1501090101 East Chickamauga Gordon Springs Rd Crk at Lower nr Dalton, GA 1501090303 Trib. Tiger Ringgold Creek off SR 2 near 1501100401 West Road Chickamauga Creek at Glass near Chickamauga, Ga. Mill 1501110101 Chattanooga Creek at State Road near Chattanooga, Tennessee 341 1501130101 Higdon Creek at SR 136 near Gass, GA 1502010501 Lake Chatuge LMP 12 (aka Hiawassee River) at State Line 1502080301 Nottely River Blairsville, GA Morgan Bridge near 1502080302 West Road Fork near Wolf Creek Choestoe, at W. GA Wolf Creek 1502080601 Lake Nottely (LMP15A) at Reece Creek Lake Nottely - Dam Forebay (aka 1502080602 Nottely River - Upstream From Nottley Dam) 1503010201 Cooper Creek Suches, Ga. at State Road 60 near 1503010302 Rock From Creek Mouth - Bridge 1.5 Mile Upstream 1503010501 Noontootla Dial Creek - Newport Road Near 1503010701 Lake Blue Upstream Ridge (LMP18) Of Dam - 300 Meter 1503010702 Lake Blue Ridge upsteam Dam (LMP18A) - 4 miles 1505060201 Panther Creek @ logging Rd off CR 56 River Basin Coosa Coosa Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Latitude Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.37825 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.52268 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.74692 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.9048 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.85313 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.92284 Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.86551 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.98333 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.84111 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.79178 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.91152 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.95778 Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Lake Monitoring Lake Monitoring Stream Targeted 34.74324 34.72861 34.74722 34.88167 34.84017 34.3427 Longitude -85.39428 X X X X -85.5049 X X -85.1236 X X X X X X -85.06788 X X X X -85.2737 X X -85.3457 X X X -85.5754 X -83.7886 X X -83.9361 X -83.9122 X X -84.0506 X X -84.0922 X X -84.1246 X X X X -84.1558 X X -84.2264 X X -84.28 X X -84.2731 X X -85.4909 X X X X 1 Sampling Organization: Atlanta WP = GAEPD Atlanta office; Brunswick WP = GAEPD Brunswick Regional office, Cartersville WP = GAEPD Cartersville Regional Office Tifton WP = GAEPD Tifton Regional office. 2 Routine field parameters include: gage height / tape down or discharge measurement, air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivtance. 2 Routine chemical parameters include: turbidity, specific conductance, 5-day BOD, pH, alkalinity, hardness, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and fecal coliform. Basin lakes field, chemical and biological parameters include: water depth, secchi disk transparency, photic zone depth, air temperature, depth profiles for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and specific conductance, and chemical analyses for turbidity, specific conductance, 5-day BOD, pH, alkalinity, hardness, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and chlorophyll a. 3 Biomonitoring: conducted for invertebrates and periphyton using Georgia EPD protocols. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-26 TABLE 3-8. GEORGIA TARGETED MONITORING NETWORK 2013 Rivers and streams stations are sampled monthly for field and chemical parameters for one calendar year. For stations where fecal coliform bacteria is collected,four fecal coliform bacterial samples are collected each calendar quarter during the year. Basin lakes and reservoirs are sampled monthly during the growing season for the calendar year. Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 0102010101 North Fork Chattooga River Rd. 28 nr Pine Mountain at State Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.91877 -83.16922 X X 0102060102 Lake (aka Tugalo - u/s Tugalo Bull Sluice Rd.) Lake Rd Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.737805 -83.340555 X X 0102060103 Lake Tugalo Tugaloo Dam Upstream From Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.715 -83.351694 X X 0102060301 Warwoman Creek at near Pine Mtn., GA Earls Ford Road Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.88458 -83.22883 X X 0102060501 Stekoa Creek Chechero, Ga. FAS 881 Near Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.83528 -83.34694 X X X 0102070101 Coleman River Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.95203 -83.5166 X X XX 0102070102 Charlies Creek Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.95895 -83.57158 X X X X 0102070302 Tallulah River Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.91069 -83.54007 X X X 0102070303 Popcorn Creek Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.88128 -83.55913 X X X X 0102070501 Lake Burton - 1/4 mile South Island (aka Tallulah River) of Burton Savannah Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.835233 -83.553817 X X 0102070502 Lake River Burton - Dampool (aka u/s Lake Burton Dam) Tallulah Savannah Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.795317 -83.5401 X X 0102070801 Lake Rabun (Mid Lake) - Approx. 4.5 mi u/s Dam Savannah Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.763533 -83.455817 X X 0102070802 Lake River Rabun - Dampool - Upstream From (aka Tallulah Mathis Dam) Savannah Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.764722 -83.417778 X X 0102130101 Lake Hartwell @ Interstate 85 Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.484167 -83.029833 X X 0103020103 Lake Hartwell - Dam Forebay Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.358733 -82.824417 X X 0103030702 Lake Russell Between 44 (Mid Lake) Markers 42 and Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.127778 -82.673611 X X 0103030704 Lake Richard Forebay B. Russell - Dam Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.026333 -82.594167 X X 0103100103 Clarks Hill Lake- Savannah U.S. Highway 378 River At Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.857861 -82.399583 X X 0103100301 Clarks Hill LakeDordon Crk. Savannah River At Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.765861 -82.271778 X X 0103100302 Clarks Hill Lake - Dam Forebay Savannah Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.662694 -82.198528 X X 0104010801 North Fork Broad River at 51 near Carnesville, Ga. State Road Savannah Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.322891 -83.186876 X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-27 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 0104010901 Stephans Creek Carnesville, GA at Hubbard Rd. near 0104010902 Middle Fork Broad River at State Road 51 near Franklin Springs, GA 0104021001 Nails Creek Lamar, Ga. at State Road 106 at Fort 0104021101 Hudson River at Fort Lamar, Ga. State Road 106 at 0104060201 Mouth of Wilmington #19 Wassaw Sound River - Marker River Basin Savannah Savannah Savannah Savannah Savannah 0104060501 Broad River - Georgia Highway 17 Savannah 0105040301 Clarks Hill Lake Highway 47 - Little River At 0106010402 Long Branch at SR 104 Savannah Savannah 0106030301 Kiokee Creek at SR 104 near Evans Savannah 0106030501 Uchee Evans, Creek Ga. at State Road 104 near Savannah 0106050206 Butler Creek - Near the Levee Savannah 0106050301 Butler Creek Augusta, GA at State Road 4 near 0108010302 Whites Creek Thomson at Wire Road near 0202010102 Ogeechee River at nr Rocky Ford, Ga. Rocky Ford Road 0202020501 Ogeechee Oliver, Ga. Creek at State Road 17 at 0202020502 Ogeechee Creek at Old near Newington, Ga. Creek Rd. 0202030701 Ogeechee River 24 nr Oliver, Ga. - Georgia Highway Mill Creek at Bulloch County Road 0202040301 386 Old River Road near Brooklet, Ga. 0202060601 Ogeechee River at U.S. Hwy 17 0202060604 Ogeechee State Park River at Fort McAllister 0204020101 Medway Dickson River Creek - near mouth of 0204020104 St Catherines near Midway, Sound GA at Medway River Savannah Savannah Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee Ogeechee 0204030402 Little Ogeechee River @ Green Island Ogeechee 0204040101 South Newport River 17 at South Newport, at U.S. Ga. Highway 0204040103 Sapelo Sound at South Newport near Barbour Island, GA River Ogeechee Ogeechee Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.349 -83.23 X X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.292 -83.181 X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.276 -83.267 X X X Atlanta WP Stream Prob 34.24866 -83.271042 X X X X Brunswick Estuary Monitoring 31.932416 -80.977111 X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.972531 -82.770874 X X Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.692722 -82.338805 X X Atlanta WP Stream Prob 33.5704 -82.1905 X X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.600583 -82.232666 X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.566944 -82.183388 X X Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.373056 -81.948333 X X X Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.413417 -82.087283 X X X Stream Targeted 33.436 -82.509 X X X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 32.64942 -81.8409 X X X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 32.524444 -81.539722 X X X Brunswick WP Brunswick WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 32.587 -81.518 X X X 32.49475 -81.555833 X X X X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted -81.5786 32.43836 X X X X X X Brunswick WP Stream Prob 31.97824 -81.28871 X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.890611 -81.200778 X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.758139 -81.272166 X Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.715469 -81.156798 X X Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.88823 -81.08798 X Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.642958 -81.393565 X Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.554108 -81.200361 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-28 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 0204040107 North Newport Landing River - Halfmoon Ogeechee Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.698867 -81.278283 X 0204050201 Sapelo River - Mouth of Broro 1.4 miles South of Shellman's River Bluff - Ogeechee Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.544861 -81.316027 X 0209030201 Ogeechee River Guyton, GA ar SR119 near Ogeechee Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 32.29742 -81.450278 X X X 0301030501 Barber Creek at Daniels near Athens, Ga. Bridge Road Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.89935 -83.443383 X X X 0301030710 Tributary to Athens, GA Middle Oconee River near Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.908 -83.386 X X X 0301050508 North Oconee River near Whitehall, Ga. at Whitehall Road Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 33.906944 -83.36 X X X X 0301100102 Lake River Oconee Arm At Highway 44, Oconee Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.431394 -83.265734 X 0301100602 Lake Oconee Wallace Dam 300 Meters Upstream (Dam Forebay) Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.351667 -83.160833 X 0301110502 Lake Oconee - Richland Creek Arm Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.3947 -83.1767 X 0301170701 Lake Sinclair - Little River Creek Arm, U/S U.S. Hwy & Murder 441 Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.189 -83.2953 X 0301170702 Lake Dam Sinclair - 300 Meters (Dam Forebay) Upstream Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.142817 -83.202617 X 0301180104 Lake Arm Sinclair - Midlake, Oconee River Oconee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.1968 -83.2742 X 0302040602 Mikes Mill Creek Oconee, GA @ Hazard Road near Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 32.8776 -82.9121 X X X 0302040701 Buffalo Creek near Oconee, at Georgia Ga. Highway 272 Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.89162 -82.96093 X X 0302050301 Commissioner Creek at Shepard Bridge Rd. near McIntyre, GA Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.881 -83.233 X X 0302050501 Commissioner McIntyre, GA Creek at US 441 near Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.84972 -83.193056 X X 0302050601 Commissioner Creek at Georgia Highway 112 near Toomsboro, Ga. Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.830817 -83.079117 X X 0302060302 Big Sandy Creek Jeffersonville, GA at SR 18 near Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.7696 -83.33421 X X 0302070102 Big Sandy Creek Irwinton, GA at US 441 near Oconee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.76654 -83.16793 X X 0403010102 South River Atlanta, GA at Macon Drive near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.694 -84.391 X X X 0403060202 Walnut Creek at Elliot McDonough, GA Road near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.4823 -84.1188 X X X X 0403090302 Lake River Jackson at confluence of Alcovy and Yellow/South River Branch Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.368229 -83.863339 X 0403090306 Lake Jackson - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.322 -83.8409 X 0503100604 Ocmulgee River Juliette, GA at Hwy 83 near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 33.1591 -83.8241 X X X 0503110405 Cabin Creek Jackson, GA at Calwell Rd near Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.23518 -84.07057 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-29 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 0503110602 Towaliga River at Kinards near Jackson, Ga. Mill Road Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.2473 -84.0613 X 0503110606 High Falls Lake - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.1973 -84.031 X 0503110608 High Falls Lake - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.1799 -84.0209 X 0503120404 Towaliga River - Georgia Highway 83 Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.114722 -83.870556 X 0503130703 Lake Juliette - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.0464 -83.8106 X 0503130704 Lake Juliette - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 33.0338 -83.7572 X 0503140503 Lake Tobesofkee - Midlake Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.8346 -83.8161 X 0503140505 Lake Tobesofkee - Dam Forebay Ocmulgee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.8215 -83.7706 X 0505020302 Little 280 Ocmulgee River @ U.S. Hwy Ocmulgee Tifton WP Stream Targeted 82.888138 32.080859 X X 0604050101 Darien River - near Darien Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.367222 -81.436111 X X 0606030701 Goose Creek at Woods Road Road 30) near Jesup, Ga. (County Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.676389 -81.908333 X 0606040102 Altamaha River Doctortown, Ga.. U.S. Hwy 301 near Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Prob 31.666389 -81.838611 X X 0606040301 Penholoway Jesup, Ga. Creek at U.S. 341 near Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.566667 -81.838333 X X X 0606040501 Jones Creek at Ludowici, Ga. U.S. Highway 25 near Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.705278 -81.760556 X X X 0606050102 Altamaha Everett River - Seaboard Railway at Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.426944 -81.605556 X X X 0606050203 South 17 Altamaha River - U.S. Highway Altamaha Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 31.319722 -81.448056 X 0606050204 Altamaha River off Wolf Island - channel marker #201 Altamaha Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.319166 -81.325 X 0701120101 Satilla River at U.S. Woodbine, Ga. Highway 17 at Satilla Brunswick WP Stream Targeted 30.974444 -81.725833 X 0701120302 Satilla River - at marker south of Brunswick A15 - 13 miles Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 30.964444 -81.485833 X X X 0701120304 St. Andrews Sound at Satilla Riv near Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 30.983162 -81.453238 X 0703020101 Turtle River off Hermitage Island Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.220278 -81.564167 X 0703020106 Turtle River - Georgia Highway 303 Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.186944 -81.531389 X 0703020110 Brunswick River - U.S. Highway 17 Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.1164 -81.4858 X 0703030205 St. Andrew Creek Sound At Mouth Of Jointer Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 31.034722 -81.455556 X X 0703040208 Cumberland Sound St Marys, GA at St. Marys Riv nr Satilla Brunswick WP Estuary Monitoring 30.728073 -81.489794 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-30 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 0901030201 Suwannoochee Highway 84 Creek @ U.S. 0901050301 Toms Creek @ Toms Creek Rd 0902050101 Willacoochee Rd. River @ Perry House 0902050303 Willacoochee Rd. River @ Frank Church 0902050403 Willacoochee River @ Hwy 158 River Basin Suwanee Suwanee Suwanee Suwanee Suwanee 0902100101 Banks Lake - Near Lakeland, Ga. Suwanee 0902110302 Alapahoochee River @ SR 135 Suwanee 0903040101 Withlacoochee Ferry Rd) River @ CR31 (Futch's Suwanee 0903080304 Trib to Withlacoochee Clyattville Nankin Rd River @ Suwanee 0903090102 Jumping Gully Rd Gully Creek @ Jumping Suwanee 1002050301 East Branch Barnetts Creek 159 nr Ochlockonee, GA @ Co Rd Ochlockonee 1002080401 Tired Creek @ Midway-Stephens Rd Ochlocknee 1003010102 Ochlockonee Rd. River @ Hadley Ferry Ochlocknee 1003020201 Attapulgus Creek @ U.S. Hwy 27 Ochlocknee 1003020301 Little Attapulgus Creek @ SR 241 Ochlocknee 1003020501 Swamp Creek @ U.S. Hwy 27 Ochlocknee Camp Creek 319(h) nr Walker Rd, 1105010203 Creekview Cir, Riverdale, GA Flint 1105060402 Spring Creek at Thundering Rd near Molena, GA Springs Flint 1105070401 Pigeon Creek at Pigeon near Manchester, GA Creek Road Flint 1105070502 Flint near Riv at Sprewell Bluff State Park Flint 1105090501 Trib Rd. to Potato Creek at Rocky near Thomaston, GA Bottom Flint 1106010104 Beaver Creek @ East RailRoad Street Flint 1106010601 Sweetwater Creek at Old Stage Road Flint 1106030301 Horsehead Rd Creek @ Fieds Crossing Flint 1106040701 Lime Creek @ Springhill Church Rd Flint Sampling Organization1 Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Waterbody Type/ Project Latitude Stream - Targeted 82.880556 Stream Targeted -82.75636 Stream - Targeted 83.262252 Stream Targeted -83.22877 Stream Targeted -83.1462 Lake Monitoring 31.026667 Stream - Targeted 83.087778 Longitude 30.985833 30.65378 31.660538 31.635132 31.4718 -83.105555 30.628333 Tifton WP Stream Prob -83.3174 31.0956 Tifton WP Stream Prob -83.3799 30.68099 Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 83.265833 -84.0717 -84.2295 - 84.235533 - 84.453611 -84.49 - 84.411389 -84.4337 -84.4972 -84.6122 32.855988 30.634167 30.94694 30.76388 30.731717 30.732778 30.718056 30.719444 33.57508 32.9672 32.86874 -84.476812 Atlanta WP Stream Prob 32.93523 -84.28026 Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Tifton WP Stream Prob -84.00945 Stream Targeted -84.0862 Stream - Targeted 83.945992 Stream Targeted -83.9925 32.314 32.19128 32.2761172 32.035 X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X XXX X XX X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-31 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Waterbody Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1106040801 Flint River @ SR 27 Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted -83.9775 32.0586 X X 1106060110 Lake Blackshear - Midlake Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.9665 -83.9342 X 1106061001 Lake Blackshear - Dam Forebay Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.8479 -83.9394 X 1106090501 Flint River River Arm Reservoir - Midlake, Flint Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6085 -84.119 X 1106090502 Flint Dam River Reservoir Forebay (Lake Worth) - Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6033 -84.1365 X 1107020101 Clear Creek @ CR79 Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.613247 32.083889 X X X X 1107040401 Bear Creek Trib @ Ivy Mill Rd (CR 63) Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.441237 31.916283 X X X X 1107070403 Parker's Mill Creek (Northside) Dr @ Northshore Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.252338 32.127686 X X X 1107080102 Town Creek @ N Lee Street Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.231251 32.079413 X X X X Lake Worth (original) - Above Hwy 91 1107100301 Bridge / Diversion Dam (aka Lake Flint Chehaw) Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.6109 -84.15 X 1108080405 Lake Seminole Spring Creek - Flint River Arm @ Flint Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7627 -84.8171 X 1109020201 Little Ichawaynochaway Creek @ CR3 Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.640013 31.803532 X X X X X X 1110050101 Spring Creek @ SR 91 Flint Tifton WP Stream Targeted 84.742778 31.170556 X Chatahoochee River nr 1201010101 Chattahcoochee River Rd, near Helen, GA Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.733893 -83.7775503 X X X X 1201010302 Dukes Scenic Creeknr Hwy SR Richard B Russell 348 nr Helen, GA Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.69374 -83.7776433 X X X X 1201030404 Flat Creek at Hub Head Rd. near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 34.4958 -83.7426 X X X 1201040404 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Little Betw M1WC River & 3LR Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.355 -83.8427 X 1201050502 Testnatee Creek at near Cleveland, GA Gene Nix Road Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 34.568484 -83.835822 X X X 1201070501 Lake Sidney (State Road Lanier 53) on at Boling Bridge Chestatee River Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.31235 -83.950103 X Lake Sidney Lanier at Lanier Bridge 1201080103 (State Road 53) on Chattahoochee River Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.32195 -83.880171 X 1201080203 Lake Sidney Road (State Lanier at Browns Road 369) Bridge Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.261666 -83.950662 X 1201080209 Flat Creek at Dorsey Street near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.28144 -83.83244 X 1201080304 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Flat Creek 100' U/S M7FC Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2587 -83.9198 X 1201080307 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier 0.34m - Balus Creek SE M6FC Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 34.2504 -83.9244 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-32 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Sampling River Basin Organization1 1201080309 Balus Road Creek At Old Flowery Branch Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201080401 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier - Mud Betw Marina Crk & Ramp Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201080402 Mud Creek at McEver Flowery Branch, GA Road near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201080403 Lake Lanier upstream from Flowery Branch Confluence (Midlake) Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201080603 Lake Sidney Embayment, Lanier 300' E - Six Mile M9SM Creek Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201080902 Lake Sidney Buford Dam Lanier upstream Forebay of Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201090205 Chattahoochee Ferry Road River at McGinnis Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201090705 Chattahoochee Water Intake River - DeKalb County Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201110101 Big Creek at Roswell near Roswell, Ga. Water Intake Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201110109 Chattahoochee River at Cobb County Water Intake near Roswell, Ga. Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201110609 Chattahoochee Intake River - Atlanta Water Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1201120403 Peachtree Creek near Atlanta, Ga. at Northside Drive Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202010104 Chattahoochee Highway River at Bankhead Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202020102 Town Rica, Branch GA at Brewer Rd. near Villa Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202020201 Lick Log Creek at Laird Powder Springs, GA Rd. near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202020802 Sweetwater Highway 20 Creek at Interstate Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202030102 Chattahoochee Highway 92 River - Georgia Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202031202 Chattahoochee River Road near Rico, Ga. at Capps Ferry Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202040102 Acorn Creek At Highway 5 Chattahoochee Atlanta WP 1202040401 Whooping Creek At Highway 5 Chattahoochee 1202040502 Milligan Creek Roopville, GA at Star Point Rd. near Chattahoochee 1202060105 Hillabahatchee Frolona, GA Creek at CR 210 near Chattahoochee West Point Lake at LaGrange Water 1202060802 Intake near LaGrange, Ga. (aka Chatt. Chattahoochee River at Lagrange Intake) 1202080208 West Point Lake - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Atlanta WP Waterbody Type/ Project Latitude Stream Targeted 34.2475 Lake Monitoring 34.2333 Stream Targeted 34.205944 Lake Monitoring 34.200278 Lake Monitoring 34.2335 Lake Monitoring 34.162778 Stream AWW 34.050556 Stream AWW 33.9731 Stream AWW 34.017851 Stream AWW 33.9443 Stream AWW 33.8278 Stream AWW 33.8194 Stream AWW 33.795278 Stream Targeted 33.754 Stream Targeted 33.853 Stream AWW 33.7728 Stream AWW 33.6567 Stream AWW 33.5778 Stream Targeted 33.468056 Stream Targeted 33.461389 Stream Targeted 33.440331 Stream Targeted 33.311218 Lake Monitoring 33.0783 Lake Monitoring 32.9208 Longitude -83.890833 -83.9373 -83.914777 -83.982869 -84.0287 -84.067108 -84.097701 -84.2631 -84.352492 -84.405 -84.455 -84.407778 -84.507778 -84.862 -84.767 -84.614722 -84.673611 -84.808611 -84.959444 -84.997222 -85.083574 -85.187675 -85.110833 -85.1834 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-33 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1202091302 Chattahoochee River West Point, Ga. at Hwy 29 at Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.8777 -85.18063 X 1202110102 Lake Harding - Midlake, Main Body Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.7379 -85.1125 X 1202110104 Lake Harding - Dam Forebay (aka Chatt. River US Bartletts Ferry Dam) Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.6633 -85.090278 X 1202120401 Palmetto Creek at Fortune near Hamilton, GA Hole Rd. Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 32.73504 -84.85072 X 1202120502 Mulberry Creek Hamilton, GA at US 27 near Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Stream Prob 32.7085 -84.8698 X X X 1202130501 Goat Rock Lake - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.6112 -85.0794 X 1202130503 Lake Oliver - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Atlanta WP Lake Monitoring 32.516 -85.0009 X 1203070101 Hannahatchee Rd Creek at Moores Store Chattahoochee Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.14166 -84.7532 X 1203090101 Talipahoga Rum Creek @ Wall Rd Chattahoochee Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.116831 -85.01159 X X X X Lake Walter F. George at U.S. 1203130102 Highway 82 (aka Chatt. River at Hwy Chattahoochee 82) Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.891944 -85.120833 X 1203150102 Pataula Creek @ James Holder Rd Chattahoochee Tifton WP Stream Targeted 32.029467 -84.70593 X X X 1203160102 Lake Walter Forebay F. George at Dam Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.629167 -85.0725 X 1204070101 Lake Andrews - Dam Forbay Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 31.2632 -85.113 X 1204080104 Lake Seminole Lower - Chattahoochee Arm, Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7662 -84.9201 X 1204080106 Lake Seminole - Dam Forebay Chattahoochee Tifton WP Lake Monitoring 30.7115 -84.8647 X 1308020601 Tallapoosa River below Tallapoosa, Georgia Ga. Highway 8 Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Prob 33.740833 -85.336389 X X X 1308030301 Walker Creek at Providence Road near Tallapoosa, Ga. Church Tallapoosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 33.724788 -85.319515 X 1401010201 Jacks River Higdon, Ga. at County Road 187 near Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.90467 -84.5221 X 1401010202 Jacks River at Tennga, Ga. Old Highway 2 near Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.9881 -84.6344 X X X X 1401020801 Mill Creek Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.87267 -84.7242 X X XX 1401040101 Holly Creek Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.81209 -84.65405 X X X X 1401040102 Shanty Creek Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.8011 -84.62978 X X X X 1401040501 Rock Creek Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.74241 -84.67341 X X X X 1402010402 Tickanetly Creek at Macedonia Road Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.66946 -84.33365 X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-34 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site Waterbody Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1402010404 Cartecay Road River at Lower Cartecay Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.638611 -84.408889 X 1402010405 Clear Creek at Clear Creek Rd Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.6325 -84.4032 X 1402010502 Clear Road Creek at Blackberry Mountain Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.61959 -84.43696 X X 1402020202 Rock Creek at Rock Creek Road Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.7785 -84.39 X 1402020501 Kells Creek at Kells Ridge Drive Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.73064 -84.47409 X X 1402030301 Conasauga Road Creek at Mountaintown Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.73055 -84.56439 X X 1402030501 Mountaintown Road Creek at Craigtown Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.73225 -84.56183 X X 1402040202 Flat Creek at SR 382 Coosa Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.63985 -84.57445 X X 1402040401 Carters Lake Coosawattee (CR1) Arm - Upper Lake, Coosa Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.62087 -84.6212 X X 1402040402 Carters Lake - Midlake Woodring Branch) (upstream from Coosa Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.6076 -84.638 X X 1403010301 Snake Valley, Creek GA at Pocket Road at Sugar Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.55722 -85.0164 X X 1403010501 Oostanaula River at Road near Calhoun, Reeves GA Station Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.45111 -85.0283 X 1403020101 Oothkalooga Creek at Lacey Road Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.35519 -84.9355 X 1403020201 Oothkalooga Creek at Woody Road Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.38425 -84.9435 X 1403020303 Blackwood Creek at U.S. Hwy 41 Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.4595 -84.9345 X X 1404010102 West Fork Hightower Montgomery Church Rd at nr Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.624449 -84.12517 X 1404010203 Jones Creek at Jones Creek Rd Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.60201 -84.15124 X 1404010303 Nimblewill Creek at Nimblewill Rd, nr Dahlonega, GA Gap Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.57497 -84.1764878 X X 1404020201 Amicalola Creek From Falls - 0.3 Miles Upstream Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.571389 -84.241389 X 1404040401 Long Swamp Creek at Conns Rd near Ball Ground, Ga. Creek Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.3267 -84.344837 X X X 1404050601 Sharp 5 near Mountain Creek at Ball Ground, Ga. State Road Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.31083 -84.403801 X X 1404070101 Shoal Creek Waleska @ little Refuge rd near Coosa Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.2937 -84.5697 X X 1404080902 Lake Allatoona upstream from at Little River Highway 205 Coosa Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.158611 -84.577222 X 1404090401 Lake Allatoona Upstream from Dam Coosa Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.160833 -84.725845 X 1404090404 Lake Allatoona Upstream from at Allatoona Creek Interstate 75 Coosa Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.085833 -84.711389 X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-35 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Station Number Sampling Site 1404100102 Downing Creek At Highway 205 Lake Allatoona at Etowah River 1404100104 upstream from Sweetwater Creek (Marker 44E/45E) 1404100201 Stamp Creek at Cartersville, Ga. State Road 20 near 1404100409 Lake Allatoona Kellogg Creek downstream from ( Markers 18/19E) 1404130103 Etowah GA River at SR293 at Cartersville, 1404150401 Two Run Kingston, Creek GA at SR293 near 1404160201 Toms Creek at Kingston, GA Norton Road near 1404160401 Dykes Creek at SR Hwy near Kingston, 293 GA / Kingston 1404160402 Dykes Rome, Crk GA at Dykes Crk Xing nr 1501080502 Peavine Creek at Old near Graysville, Ga. Dixie Highway 1501090101 East Chickamauga Gordon Springs Rd Crk at Lower nr Dalton, GA 1501090201 East Chickamauga Creek Road near Ringgold, Ga. at Bandy 1501090202 Dry Creek at Houston near Ringgold, Ga. Valley Road 1501090301 Tiger Creek at Ringgold, Ga. State Road 3 near 1501090501 Little Chickamauga Creek at Hackett Mill Road near Ringgold, Ga. 1501110301 Dry Creek at Maple Street Chattanooga, Tennessee near 1502010207 Darrell Creek 1502010501 Lake (aka Chatuge LMP 12 Hiawassee River) at State Line 1502040201 Brasstown Creek at State near Young Harris, Ga. Road 66 1502060103 Butler Creek @ Hawks Claw Rd 1502060104 Moccasin Creek @ Murphy Hwy 1502080501 Coosa Creek at Blairsville, GA Blue Ridge Hwy near 1502080601 Lake Nottely Creek (LMP15A) at Reece Lake Nottely - Dam Forebay (aka 1502080602 Nottely River - Upstream From Nottley Dam) River Basin Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Coosa Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Waterbody Sampling Type/ Organization1 Project Cartersville WP Stream Targeted Latitude 34.1975 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.19 Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Stream Targeted Lake Monitoring Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 34.216323 34.138611 34.146389 34.242778 34.264722 34.25392 34.26357 34.96424 34.74692 Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.867 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.85857 Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.9055 Cartersville WP Cartersville WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 34.90699 34.97839 Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.95947 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.983333 Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.97303 Cartersville WP Stream Prob 34.9773 Cartersville WP Atlanta WP Stream Targeted Stream Targeted 34.978 34.85159 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.91152 Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.957778 Longitude -84.530278 -84.577778 -84.686017 -84.639167 -84.771389 -84.889722 -84.993611 -85.0798 -85.0855 -85.176 -85.1236 -85.08211 -85.0883 -85.0774 -85.1217 -85.3029 -83.36154 -83.788611 -83.88188 -84.12623 -84.066 -83.99388 -84.0506 -84.092222 X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-36 Routine 2 Fecal coliform Metals Pesticides OrthoPhosporus Biomonitoring3 Georgia Waterbody Station Number Sampling Site Sampling Type/ River Basin Organization1 Project Latitude Longitude 1502080702 Young Cane Creek Tennessee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.83574 -84.08393 X X X 1502080801 Ivylog Creek at Blairsville, GA Ivylog Road near Tennessee Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.935442 -83.9802098 X X 1502090102 Nottely River Ivylog, Ga. at John Smith Road near Tennessee Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.98064 -84.0893 X 1502090104 South Fork Rapier Mill Creek Tennessee Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.984264 -84.1996528 X 1503010701 Lake Blue Upstream Ridge (LMP18) Of Dam - 300 Meter Tennessee Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.881667 -84.28 X 1503010702 Lake Blue Ridge upsteam Dam (LMP18A) - 4 miles Tennessee Cartersville WP Lake Monitoring 34.84017 -84.2731 X 1503020201 Bryan Creek Tennessee Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.898848 -84.1757514 X 1503020301 Hemptown Creek at State near Mineral Bluff, Ga. Road 245 Tennessee Atlanta WP Stream Targeted 34.91571 -84.27938 X X 1503020401 Houthouse Creek near Mineral Bluff at Humphrey Mill Rd Tennessee Cartersville WP Stream Targeted 34.955776 -84.2943572 X 1 Sampling Organization: Atlanta WP = GAEPD Atlanta office; Brunswick WP = GAEPD Brunswick Regional office, Cartersville WP = GAEPD Cartersville Regional Office Tifton WP = GAEPD Tifton Regional office. 2 Routine field parameters include: gage height / tape down or discharge measurement, air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivtance. 2 Routine chemical parameters include: turbidity, specific conductance, 5-day BOD, pH, alkalinity, hardness, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and fecal coliform. Basin lakes field, chemical and biological parameters include: water depth, secchi disk transparency, photic zone depth, air temperature, depth profiles for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and specific conductance, and chemical analyses for turbidity, specific conductance, 5-day BOD, pH, alkalinity, hardness, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and chlorophyll a. 3 Biomonitoring: conducted for invertebrates and periphyton using Georgia EPD protocols. Intensive Surveys Intensive surveys complement long term fixed station monitoring as these studies focus intensive monitoring on a particular issue or problem over a shorter period of time. Several basic types of intensive surveys are conducted including model calibration surveys and impact studies. The purpose of a model calibration survey is to collect data to calibrate a mathematical water quality model. Models are used for wasteload allocations and/or TMDLs and as tools for use in making regulatory decisions. Impact studies are conducted where information on the cause and effect relationships between pollutant sources and receiving waters is needed. In many cases biological information is collected along with chemical data for use in assessing environmental impacts. Biological Monitoring Biological monitoring is performed in order to assess the biological integrity of the States waters. The Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resource Division has been conducting bioassessments using fish as the indicator species since the early 1990's. The primary technique for determining the quality of fish communities is called the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). This index utilizes the numbers and types of fish species present in WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-37 a stream to produce a stream score or rating for comparison across streams within a particular ecoregion or to the same stream over time. Biological monitoring is useful in detecting intermittent sources of pollution that may not be caught in trend or targeted monitoring of water quality parameters. The Tennessee Valley Authority has also collected fish IBI data in Georgia. In 2007, the GAEPD began utilizing macroinvertebrate biological data in addition to fish data for assessing the biotic integrity of wadeable streams in Georgia. Lake Monitoring The GAEPD has maintained monitoring programs for Georgia's public lakes since the late 1960's. Currently, Georgia has six major lakes that have standard criteria approved by legislature, which include: Sydney Lanier, Allatoona, West Point, Walter F. George, Jackson and Carters. These lakes are sampled every year from April to October when primary productivity is highest. In addition to the six lakes with criteria, Georgia has 21 other major lakes (lakes over 500 acres). Prior to 2008, these lakes were monitored quarterly on a basin rotation cycle, so each lake was sampled once every 5 years. Beginning in 2008, EPD began to monitor these lakes monthly from April to October instead of quarterly. In addition, in 2008, EPD began to transition from monitoring these lakes on a basin rotation cycle to monitoring them each year. This transition was done over a period of time by adding a set of lakes (by basin) to the annual monitoring program each year. By 2012, EPD was monitoring all major lakes annually (except for those in the Savannah River Basin). Major lakes in the Savannah River Basin were added to the annual monitoring program in 2014. The data collected in the annual monitoring of lakes includes depth profiles for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and specific conductance, Secchi disk transparency, and chemical analyses for chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, nitrogen compounds, and turbidity. The monitoring of major lakes (> 500 acres) since 1984 has continued to use Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI) as a tool to mark trophic state trends. Currently, all major lakes are monitored monthly April through October. Three measurements (secchi depth, chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus) are used to calculate TSIs each month and are combined into a total trophic state index (TTSI). A growing-season average TTSI for the dampool location for each lake is then used to assess the trophic status. Other field data and observations are also used to assess the trophic condition of each lake and to establish categories of lakes relative to need for restoration and/or protection. The major lakes listed in Table 3-9 are ranked according to the average seasonal TSI. TABLE 3-9. MAJOR LAKES RANKED BY SUM OF TOTAL TROPHIC STATE INDEX VALUES (2013) Major Lake TTSI Ranking Major Lake TTSI Ranking Major Lake TTSI Ranking High Falls 180 Banks 148 Juliette 139 Blackshear 170 Oliver 148 Chatuge 137 Jackson 164 Harding 150 Clarks Hill 134 Tobesofkee 163 Walter F. George 151 Blue Ridge 133 Oconee 162 Allatoona 144 Lanier 132 West Point 155 Nottely 144 Russell 131 Sinclair 154 Goat Rock 143 Rabun 128 Seminole 151 Carters* 141 Burton 125 Worth 150 Tugalo 139 Hartwell 117 *Carters Lake does not have a dam pool site due to the pump-back activity from the re-regulation reservoir. Data listed is from the mid-lake station. Sample for Lake Chatuge taken at State line. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-38 Fish Tissue Monitoring This general contaminants assessment project is focused on fish tissue sampling and analyses, riskbased data assessment, and annual publication of consumption guidance in Georgia's Freshwater & Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations and in Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters. Fish tissue samples are typically collected in the fall from Georgia lakes and rivers, and analyzed in the winter and spring. Site-specific sampling in Georgia estuaries occurs between the spring and fall on a case specific basis. The sampling is conducted by either the GADNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), or the Coastal Resources Division (CRD), depending on whether the site is freshwater (WRD), or estuarine/marine waters (CRD). Samples are catalogued and transported to GAEPD or University of Georgia laboratories and results are reported to the GAEPD the following late summer or early fall. The data from the annual collections are utilized in reassessments that are incorporated annually into the Guidelines for Eating Fish for Georgia Waters and Georgia's Freshwater and Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations. The first risk-based consumption guidance was published in 1995. As part of the implementation of the Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), it was recognized that a more rigorous monitoring program of mercury in fish tissue would be required to support trend analysis and the efficacy of future reductions in air mercury emissions. A subproject was designed and implemented in 2006 consisting of 22 fish mercury trend stations, which will be monitored annually. Nineteen stations are fresh water and 3 are estuarine. The mercury in fish trend monitoring sites are provided in Table 3-10. TABLE 3-10. MERCURY IN FISH TREND MONITORING STATIONS Antioch Lake at Rocky Mtn. PFA Oostanaula River at Georgia Hwy. 140 Lake Acworth Lake Tugalo Bear Creek Reservoir Randy Pointer Lake (Black Shoals Reservoir) Chattahoochee River below Morgan Falls Chattahoochee River Below Franklin Lake Tobesofkee Ocmulgee River below Macon at Ga. Hwy. 96 Lake Andrews Toxic Substance Stream Monitoring The GAEPD has focused resources on the management and control of toxic substances in the State's waters for many years. Toxic substance analyses have been conducted on samples from selected trend monitoring stations since 1973. Wherever discharges were found to have toxic impacts or to include toxic pollutants, the GAEPD has incorporated specific limitations on toxic pollutants in NPDES discharge permits. In 1983 the GAEPD intensified toxic substance stream monitoring efforts. This expanded toxic substance stream monitoring project included facility effluent, stream, sediment, and fish sampling at specific sites downstream of selected industrial and municipal discharges. From 1983 through Flint River below Ichawaynochaway Creek Lake Kolomoki at Kolomoki State Park Satilla River below U.S. Hwy. 82 Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Savannah River at U.S. Hwy. 301 Savannah River at I-95 Ogeechee River at Ga. Hwy. 204 Wassaw Sound Altamaha Delta and Sound St. Andrews Sound 1991, ten to twenty sites per year were sampled as part of this project. Continued work is performed on a site-specific basis and as part of the targeted monitoring program. Aquatic Toxicity Testing Biomonitoring requirements are currently addressed in all municipal and industrial NPDES permits. In January 1995, the GAEPD issued approved NPDES Reasonable Potential Procedures that further delineate required conditions for conducting whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing for municipal and industrial discharges. The Reasonable Potential Procedures were updated in 2001 and the GAEPD additionally developed a WET Strategy that provided more detail as to how the State would determine which facilities WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-39 needed a WET limit in their permit. This strategy outlined minimum data requirements for different types of facilities. The GAEPD conducted aquatic toxicity tests on municipal and industrial water pollution control plant effluents from 1985 through 1997. Funding for GAEPD's aquatic toxicity testing laboratory was redirected to TMDL monitoring and the toxicity testing requirements were turned over to the individual permittees. Coastal Monitoring The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) conducts the majority of coastal monitoring in the State. CRD conducts water quality monitoring in estuarine and near-shore coastal waters through its Public Health Water Quality Monitoring Program. This Program has three distinct parts. The Shellfish Sanitation and Beach Water Quality Monitoring Programs are concerned with public health, while the Nutrient Sampling Program is designed to generate baseline-monitoring data for trends. A list of the beaches monitored in 2012 and 2013 can be found in Table 3-11. A list of the stations monitored under the Shellfish Sanitation program can be found in Table 3-12 (these stations are also included in Figure 1). The nutrient sampling that was performed was conducted at a subset of the Shellfish Sanitation monitoring stations. Table 3-12 indicates which stations were monitored for nutrients. More detail regarding the work conducted by CRD can be found in Chapter 5. GAEPD has, over the past few years, intensified its own coastal monitoring program. Currently, GAEPD monitors eight locations throughout Georgia's sounds. The data collected included depth profiles for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and specific conductance, Secchi disk transparency, and chemical analyses for chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, nitrogen compounds, and turbidity. Facility Compliance Sampling In addition to surface water quality monitoring, the GAEPD conducts evaluations and compliance sampling inspections of municipal and industrial water pollution control plants and State-permitted industrial pretreatment facilities. Compliance sampling inspections include collection of 24-hour composite samples, evaluation of the permittee's sampling and flow monitoring provisions and sampling documentation. In excess of 170 sampling inspections were conducted by the GAEPD in Fiscal Years 2012-2013. The results were used to confirm validity of permittee self-monitoring data and as supporting evidence in enforcement actions. Probabilistic Monitoring In order to determine the quality of all the waters in the State, the GAEPD would either have to sample and assess each individual waterbody (which is not possible due to the resources that would be needed) or would have to develop a scientific survey that would be representative of all the State's waters. Probabilistic monitoring provides a scientifically defensible way to sample a subset of all waters and then to use the results of this sampling to provide an estimate of the quality of all waters of the State. GAEPD has participated in various National probabilistic monitoring in the past including USEPA's 2007 National Lakes Assessment Survey; USEPA's 2009, National Rivers and Streams Assessment (wadeable portion); USEPA's 2011 National Wetlands Condition Assessment; USEPA's 2012 National Lake Assessment; and USEPA's 2013 National Rivers and Streams Assessment (wadeable portion). In cooperation with CRD, Georgia sampled 51 wetland sites using EPA's national protocol. GAEPD sampled 13 lakes, and 17 wadeable streams. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-40 Table 3-11 Beaches Monitored by CRD in 2012 & 2013 Station ID Beach Name BIRP BOSS CNBF DALL JICC JIM JIN JIS JISA JISD JIWY KING REIM SEN SES SIF Blythe Island Sandbar Beach Ossabaw Island Bradley Beach Contentment Bluff Sandbar Beach Dallas Bluff Sandar Beach Jekyll Island - Clam Creek Beach Jekyll Island - Middle Beach at Convention Center Jekyll Island - North Beach at Dexter Lane Jekyll Island - South Beach at 4-H Camp Jekyll Island - St. Andrews Beach Jekyll Island - South Dunes Picnic Area Beach Jekyll Island - Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach Kings Ferry County Park Beach Reimolds Pasture Beach Sea Island - North Beach Sea Island - South Beach Saint Simons Island - 5th Street Crossover Beach SIM Saint Simons Island - Middle Beach (aka East Beach Old Coast Guard Station) SIMA SIN SIS SKID Saint Simons Island - Massengale Park Beach Saint Simons Island - North Beach at Goulds Inlet Saint Simons Island - South Beach at Lighthouse Skidaway Narrows County Park Beach (aka Butterbean Beach) SOSS Ossabaw Island South Beach TYM Tybee Island - Middle Beach at Center Terrace TYN Tybee Island - North Beach at Gulick Street TYP Tybee Island - Polk Street Beach TYS Tybee Island - South Beach at Chatham Street TYST Tybee Island - Strand Beach at Pier *Stations sampled monthly are monitored April October. County Glynn Chatham McIntosh McIntosh Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Chatham Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Glynn Chatham Chatham Chatham Chatham Chatham Chatham Chatham Frequency* Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Quarterly Monthly Monthly Monthly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Monthly Monthly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-41 Table 3-12 Stations Monitored by CRD under the Shellfish Sanitation and Nutrient Monitoring Programs in 2012 & 2013 Station ID Latitude Longitude Description Nutrients Nutrients 2012 2013 1049 31.92866 -81.01839 southernmost tributary off Romerly Marsh Creek 1050 31.92503 -81.00860 northern mouth of Habersham Creek 1052 31.94317 -81.00914 northernmost tributary off Romerly Marsh Creek 1152 31.92557 -80.98520 Old Romerly Marsh Creek 1153 31.92993 -80.98919 Romerly Marsh Creek Chatham 1154 31.97741 -80.96789 Halfmoon River at Beard Creek X X 1155 31.95172 -80.98532 Tybee Cut South X X 1159 31.96792 -80.93600 Pa Cooper Creek 1200 31.94600 -80.93000 Mouth of House Creek Chatham X X 1201 31.95500 -80.93300 North of House Creek/Wassaw Sound Chatham 1222 32.01500 -80.92400 Cut Oyster Creek to Bull River Chatham 1223 32.01400 -80.91600 North Fork Oyster Creek Chatham X X 1224 31.99800 -80.91200 North Junction Lazaretto & Oyster Creeks Chatham 1225 31.99500 -80.91000 South Junction Lazaretto & Oyster Creeks Chatham X X 1337 32.02829 -80.94725 Bull River upstream of Betz Creek X X 1338 32.02005 -80.94529 Betz Creek 1352 31.96058 -81.01186 Priest Landing Chatham 3242 31.68500 -81.29600 Medway River Near Sunbury X X 3249 31.68600 -81.27700 Halfmoon East 3255 31.73400 -81.19400 Mouth of Jones Hammock Creek 3273 31.74100 -81.16100 Bear River across from Newell Creek 3275 31.77100 -81.16998 Bear River across from Kilkenny X X 3285 31.75680 -81.27240 Dickinson Creek Mouth X X 3286 31.74765 -81.25410 Jones Creek Mouth 3288 31.72800 -81.22028 Medway River East of Sunbury Creek 3291 31.68940 -81.19400 Van Dyke Creek Mouth X X 3319 31.68713 -81.15633 Walburg Northwest X X 4092 31.51000 -81.27800 Eagle Creek, McIntosh 4100 31.53000 -81.33000 Back River at July Cut X X 4120 31.52777 -81.25732 Mud River at Dog Hammock 4122 31.59343 -81.26117 Little Mud River at Barbour Island River X X 4123 31.53432 -81.22433 Sapelo Sound at Highpoint X X 4175 31.44200 -81.30600 Old Teakettle Creek, McIntosh X X 4177 31.47600 -81.33200 Shellbluff Creek, McIntosh X X 4178 31.48800 -81.32300 Creighton Narrows, McIntosh 4179 31.48500 -81.29500 New Teakettle Creek, McIntosh 4180 31.52300 -81.29100 Front River, McIntosh 4184 31.55400 -81.31400 Juliention River, McIntosh X X 4185 31.56360 -81.25778 Little Mud River, McIntosh 4186 31.55775 -81.23293 South Mouth Barbour Island River, McIntosh X X 4187 31.59300 -81.23600 Middle Barbour Island River, McIntosh 4188 31.61500 -81.21400 Middle Wahoo River, McIntosh 4190 31.63200 -81.22400 South Swain River, McIntosh 4191 31.63400 -81.23700 North Swain River, McIntosh X X 4195 31.56232 -81.21815 Todd River, McIntosh WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-42 Station ID Latitude Longitude Description Nutrients Nutrients 2012 2013 4196 31.50300 -81.33500 Crescent River, McIntosh X X 4197 31.49100 -81.33200 Crescent River, South-end of Creighton, McIntosh 4304 31.55900 -81.27400 Julienton River mouth, McIntosh 4305 31.54800 -81.30800 Julienton River middle, McIntosh 4306 31.53900 -81.30200 Four Mile Island southwest, McIntosh X X 4330 31.55500 -81.29000 Jolly Creek 4333 31.38741 -81.28912 South end of Sapelo Island X X 4400 31.55700 -81.29400 Julienton River, middle, McIntosh 5069 31.05500 -81.46900 Jointer River Mouth, Glynn X X 5105 31.100 -81.516 Jointer River - Mac's Basin 5198 31.08900 -81.47900 Mouth Cedar Creek, Glynn X X 5199 31.08000 -81.50600 Jointer River, Glynn 5200 31.07100 -81.48300 Cobb Creek, Glynn 5322 31.09100 -81.51500 Jointer Island West, Glynn 5357 31.10200 -81.52700 Jointer Creek at Sage Dock, Glynn 5358 31.10600 -81.53300 Jointer Creek upstream of Sage Dock, Glynn X X 5359 31.06400 -81.52600 Little Satilla River at Honey Creek, Glynn 6201 31.03900 -81.49100 Little Satilla River, Camden X X 6210 30.89200 -81.51200 Cabin Bluff, Camden X X 6212 30.90400 -81.46100 North Brickhill River, Camden 6213 30.86300 -81.49700 Delaroche Creek Mouth, Camden 6214 30.85000 -81.47700 South Brickhill River, Camden 6215 30.85800 -81.54100 Mouth Black Point Creek, Camden 6216 30.84900 -81.54200 Crooked River, Camden X X 6217 30.84100 -81.52100 Crooked River South, Camden X X 6218 30.82300 -81.49800 South Crooked River Mouth, Camden X X 6300 30.92700 -81.45200 Cumberland River-Marker #39, Camden X X 6317 30.91100 -81.48500 Cumberland River East Shellbine, Camden 6318 30.86100 -81.50800 Delaroche Creek Headwaters, Camden X X 6323 30.85500 -81.46700 Brickhill River Upstream 6214, Camden X X 6343 30.86800 -81.48500 Brickhill River West Bend, Camden 6344 30.88300 -81.47900 Mumford Creek at Brickhill River, Camden 6360 31.06930 -81.54500 Maiden Creek X X 6361 31.05470 -81.53900 Honey Creek X X 6411 30.88100 -81.51100 Downstream from Cabin Bluff @ marker 51A, Camden 6412 30.87000 -81.49900 Upstream from DeLaroache ck @ marker 55, Camden WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-43 In addition to participating in the National projects, beginning in 2010, GAEPD began to conduct probabilistic monitoring of the State's streams. Between 2010 and 2013 approximately 75 streams were sampled as part of the probabilistic monitoring project. The results of these four years of data predict that approximately 59% of Georgia's streams are supporting their designated uses; that 21% of the streams are impaired due to low dissolved oxygen; that approximately 3% are impaired for pH, 10% are impaired for metals, and 93% are impaired for fecal coliform bacteria. None of the streams monitored as part of the probability survey were impaired for high temperature, so temperature is not predicted to be source of impairment for many waters in the State. It is important to note that accuracy of predictions is highly dependent upon the sample size. The more sites that are sampled under the probabilistic study, the more likely it is that the results seen in the sampled sites will reflect the stream population as a whole. Typically, one would want a sample size of at least 30 to 50 sites. While 75 sites were sampled as part of the probabilistic study, all the parameters reported above were not measured at each site. Dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature data were collected at each of the 75 sites, but metals were only collected at 21 of the 75 sites and only 14 of the sites had fecal coliform bacteria data available. The low sample size for fecal coliform bacteria causes there to be a very wide confidence interval in predicting the number of streams that may be impaired for bacteria in the State (the predicted percentage of impairment ranges from 66% to 100%). Georgia EPD is currently in the process of reevaluating the State's instream criteria for dissolved oxygen. There are places in the State (particularly in South Georgia) where dissolved oxygen concentrations are often naturally lower than the State's current criteria. The percentage of streams assessed as impaired for dissolved oxygen may change once the new criteria are adopted. Surface Water Quality Summary Data Assessment Water quality data are assessed to determine if standards are met and if the water body supports its designated or classified water use. If monitoring data show that standards are not achieved, the water body is said to be "not supporting" the designated use. The data reviewed included GAEPD monitoring data, and data from other State, Federal, local governments, and data from groups with GAEPD approved QA/QC programs. Table 3-13 provides a list of agencies that contributed data used to develop the 2014 report. The data may have been submitted specifically for the 2014 list or for previous listing cycles. Appendix A includes an integrated list of waters for which data have been assessed. This list includes waters that have been assessed as "supporting" their designated uses and those assessed as "not supporting" their designated uses. In addition, some waters were placed in a third category called "assessment pending". Waters were placed in the "assessment pending" group when the data available for a water were insufficient to make an assessment as to whether the water was supporting its designated uses or not. Appendix A also includes Georgia's 2014 Listing Assessment Methodology which provides a description of how Georgia compares different types of water quality data with Georgia's water quality criteria in making assessment decisions. Evaluation of Use Support Table 3-14 provides summary information from Appendix A on the total number of stream miles, lake acres, or square miles of sounds/harbors that fall in each assessment category. Assessment of Causes of Nonsupport of Designated Uses There are many potential pollutants that may interfere with the designated use of rivers, streams, lakes, estuarine, and coastal waters. These can be termed the causes of use nonsupport. Based on information presented in Appendix A, Table 3-15 summarizes the parameters of WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-44 concern or the causes which contributed to nonsupport of water quality standards or designated uses of a particular water body type. Assessment of Potential Sources of Nonsupport of Designated Uses Pollutants that impact water bodies in Georgia may come from point or nonpoint sources. Point sources are discharges into waterways through discrete conveyances, such as pipes or channels. Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities are the most common point sources. Point sources also include overflows of combined storm and sanitary sewers. Nonpoint sources are diffuse sources of pollution primarily associated with run off from the land following a rainfall event. Table 3-16 summarizes information presented in Appendix A concerning the sources of pollutants that prevent achievement of water TABLE 3-13. CONTRIBUTORS OF WATER QUALITY DATA FOR ASSESSMENT OF GEORGIA WATERS DNR-EPD, Watershed Planning & Monitoring Program DNR-EPD, Wastewater Reg. Program (Municipal) DNR-EPD, Wastewater Reg. Program (Industrial) DNR, Wildlife Resources Division DNR, Coastal Resources Division State University of West Georgia Gainesville College Georgia Institute of Technology U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Forest Service Tennessee Valley Authority Cobb County Dekalb County Douglas County Water & Sewer Authority Fulton County Gwinnett County City of Gainesville City of LaGrange Georgia Mountains R.D.C. City of Conyers Lake Allatoona (Kennesaw State University) Lake Blackshear (Lake Blackshear Watershed Association) Lake Lanier (University of Georgia) West Point (LaGrange College/Auburn University) Georgia Power Company Oglethorpe Power Company Alabama DEM City of College Park Kennesaw State University University of Georgia Town of Trion Cherokee County Clayton County Water Authority City of Atlanta Columbus Water Works Columbus Unified Government City of Cartersville Georgia Ports Authority Chattahoochee/Flint RDC Upper Etowah Adopt-A-Stream Middle Flint RDC Central Savannah RDC Chatham County City of Savannah Heart of Georgia RDC City of Augusta Southwire Company DNR-EPD, Brunswick Coastal District DNR-EPD, Hazardous Waste Mgmt. Branch Ellijay High School DNR, Georgia Parks Recreation & Historic Sites Division DNR-EPD, Ambient Monitoring Unit (Macroinvertebrate Team) Forsyth County Tyson Foods, Inc. South Georgia RDC Northeast GA RDC Ogeechee Canoochee Riverkeeper Screven County Coastal GA RDC City of Roswell City of Alpharetta Columbia County Southwest GA RDC Southeast GA RDC Coweta County Middle GA RDC Bartow County Atlanta Regional Commission Soquee River Watershed Partnership Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Henry County WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-45 TABLE 3-14 EVALUATION OF USE SUPPORT BY WATER BODY TYPE AND ASSESSMENT CATEGORY 2012-2013 Degree of Use Support Support Not Support Assessment Pending Total Streams/Rivers (miles) 5,480 8,282 496 14,258 Lakes/Reservoirs (acres) 208,853 123,397 61,185 393,435 Sounds/Harbors (sq. miles) 62 14 9 85 Coastal Streams/Rivers (miles) 283 78 84 445 Coastal Beaches (miles) 31 3 0 34 quality standards and use support in various water bodies in Georgia. Priorities for Action The list of waters in Appendix A includes all waters for which available data was assessed against applicable water quality standards and designated uses were determined to be supported, not fully supported, or it was determined that more data was needed before an assessment was made "assessment pending". This list of waters has become a comprehensive list of waters for Georgia incorporating the information requested by Sections 305(b), 303(d), 314, and 319 of the Federal CWA. Waters listed in Appendix A are active 305(b) waters. Lakes or reservoirs within these categories provide information requested in Section 314 of the CWA. Waters with nonpoint sources identified as a potential cause of a standards violation are considered to provide the information requested in the CWA Section 319 nonpoint assessment. The 303(d) list is made up of all waters within category 5 in Appendix A. The proposed date for development of a TMDL for 303(d) waters is indicated within the priority column on the list of waters. TABLE 3-15 CAUSES OF NONSUPPORT OF DESIGNATED USES BY WATER BODY TYPE 2012-2013 Cause Category Pathogens Fecal Coliform Biologic Integrity (Bioassessments) Maroinvertebrates (Bio M) Fish (Bio F) Bioassays Whole Effluent Toxicity Oxygen Depletion Dissolved Oxygen Thermal Impacts Temperature Toxic Inorganics Arsenic Cadmium Copper Lead Mercury Zinc Toxic Organics 1,1,2-Trichloroethane Tetrachloroethylene PCB in Fish Tissue Rivers/Streams (miles) Contributions to Impairment1 4,626 4,626 2,865 626 2,359 10 10 1,232 1,232 17 17 161 3 21 35 69 2 58 383 1 7 375 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-46 Metals Cadmium Copper Lead Mercury Zinc Mercury in Fish Tissue (TWR) pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions pH Nutrients (Macronutrients/Growth Factors) Objectionable Algae Pesticides Alpha-BHC Beta-BHC Other Commercial Fishing Ban (CFB) Cause Category Pathogens Fecal Coliform Thermal Impacts Temperature Oxygen Depletion Oxygen Dissolved Nutrients (Macornutrients/Growth Factors) Phosphorus Toxic Inorganics Copper Toxic Organics PCB in Fish Tissue Metals Copper Mercury in Fish Tissue (TWR) Pesticides DDD DDE Observed Effects Chlorophyll a pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions pH Cause Category Pathogens Fecal Coliform Oxygen Depletion Dissolved Oxygen Toxic Organics Polychlorinated biphenyls PCB in Fish Tissue Metals/Toxic Inorganics Cadmium Mercury Selenium Pesticides Dieldrin in Fish Tissue Toxaphene in Fish Tissue Other Commercial Fishing Ban (CFB) & Shellfish Ban (SB) Cause Category Pathogens Enterococcus Cause Category Oxygen Depletion Dissolved Oxygen 1,113 21 35 69 2 58 991 194 194 30 30 1 1 1 225 225 Lakes/Reservoirs (acres) Contributions to Impairment1 194 194 650 650 1,540 1,540 2,752 2,752 225 225 91,613 91,613 1,479 225 1,254 20 20 20 7,424 7,424 19,197 19,197 Coastal Streams (miles) Contributions to Impairment1 36 36 35 35 26 4 26 9 2 4 5 8 3 5 30 30 Coastal Beaches (miles) Contributions to Impairment1 3.04 3.04 Sounds/Harbors (sq. miles) Contributions to Impairment1 4 4 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-47 Toxic Inorganics 10 Arsenic 10 1The total mileage/acreage provided for each impairment category (e.g. Pathogens, Toxic Organics, Metals, etc.) is a summation of the mileage/acreage of all the waters impaired by one or more of the pollutants in the category. Since a water may be negatively affected by more than one pollutant in a given impairment category, the total mileage/acreage for the impairment category may be less than the sum of the miles of each of the individual pollutants in that category. TABLE 3-16 POTENTIAL SOURCES OF NONSUPPORT OF DESIGNATED USES BY WATER BODY TYPE 2012-2013 Source Category Hydromodification Dams of Impoundments (Dam) Industrial Sources Industrial Point Source Discharge (I1) Industrial Stormwater Discharge (I2) Municipal Permitted Discharges Combined Sewer Overflows Municipal Point Source Discharges Nonpoint Sources Non-Point Source (NP) Urban Runoff (UR) Source Category Industrial Sources Industrial Point Source Discharge (I1) Industrial Stormwater Discharge (I2) Nonpoint Sources Non-Point Source (NP) Urban Runoff (UR) Source Category Nonpoint Sources Non-Point Source (NP) Rivers/Streams (miles) Contributions to Impairment1 20 20 293 42 285 288 93 195 8,208 6,402 2,238 Lakes/Reservoirs (acres) Contributions to Impairment1 56,600 650 55,950 66,797 66,603 35,639 Coastal Beaches (Miles) Contributions to Impairment1 3.04 3.04 Source Category Industrial Sources Industrial Point Source Discharge (I1) Industrial Stormwater Discharge (I2) Municipal Permitted Discharges Municipal Point Source Discharges Nonpoint Sources Non-Point Source (NP) Urban Runoff (UR) Source Category Nonpoint Sources Urban Runoff (UR) Non-Point Source (NP) Municipal Municipal Point Sources (M) Industrial Sources Industrial Point Source Discharge (I1) Coastal Streams (Miles) Contributions to Impairment1 31 29 10 21 21 50 18 40 Sounds/Harbors (Sq. Miles) Contributions to Impairment1 14 14 10 4 4 4 4 1The total mileage/acreage provided for each source category (e.g. Industrial, Municipal, Nonpoint, etc.) is a summation of the mileage/acreage of all the waters impaired by one or more of the sources in the category. Since a water may be negatively affected by more than one source in a given source category, the total mileage/acreage for the source category may be less than the sum of the miles of each of the individual sources in that category. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 3-48 CHAPTER 4 Wetland Programs Estimates of the total extent of Georgia's wetlands have varied from 4.9 to 7.7 million acres, including more than 600,000 acres of open water habitat found in estuarine, riverine, palustrine, and lacustrine environments. Estimates of wetland losses in the state from colonial times to the present range between 20-25% of the original wetland acreage. Georgia has approximately 100 miles of shoreline along the south Atlantic coast, with extensive tidal marshes separating barrier islands composed of Pleistocene and Holocene sediments from the mainland. Georgia's barrier islands and tidal marshes are well preserved compared to other South Atlantic states. Georgia's coastline and tidal marshes are managed under the Coastal Marshlands Protection and Shore Protection Acts of 1970 and 1979 respectively, and are considered to be well preserved compared to other South Atlantic states. Elevations within Georgia's boundaries range from sea level to 4,788 feet at Brasstown Bald in the Blue Ridge Mountain Province. At the higher elevations, significant, pristine cool water streams originate and flow down steep to moderate gradients until they encounter lower elevations of the Piedmont Province. Many of the major tributaries originating in the mountains and Piedmont have been impounded for hydropower and water supply reservoirs. These man-made lakes constitute significant recreational resources and valuable fishery habitat. At the Fall Line, streams flowing southeasterly to the Atlantic, or southsouthwesterly to the Gulf, have formed large floodplains as each encounters the soft sediments of the upper Coastal Plain. Other significant wetlands found in the state are associated with blackwater streams originating in the Coastal Plain, lime sinkholes, spring heads, Carolina bays, and the Okefenokee Swamp, a vast bog-swamp measuring approximately one-half million acres in south Georgia and north Florida. The swamp drains to the east by the St. Marys River into the Atlantic, and to the west by the Suwannee River into the Gulf. The lower Coastal Plain has frequently been referred to as the Atlantic Coastal Flatwoods region, where seven tidal rivers headwater in the ancient shoreline terraces and sediments of Pleistocene age. Scattered throughout the flatwoods are isolated depressional wetlands and drainageways dominated by needleleaved and broad-leaved tree species adapted to long hydroperiods. Due to considerable variation in the landscape in topography, hydrology, geology, soils, and climatic regime, the state has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the eastern United States. The state provides a diversity of habitats for nearly 4,000 vascular plant species and slightly less that 1,000 vertebrate species. Numerous plant and animal species are endemic to the state. Many of the rarer species are dependent upon wetlands for survival. Extent of Wetland Resources Assessments of wetland resources in Georgia have been conducted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The extent and location of specific tidal marsh types have been reported in numerous scientific papers and reports. Estimates of other specific wetlands types, such as bottomland hardwood swamps, are also reported in studies on a regional scale. Hydric soils as mapped in county soil surveys are useful indicators of the location and extent of wetlands for the majority of Georgia counties with complete surveys. The dates of photography from which the survey maps are derived vary widely across the state. There is an ongoing effort by NRCS to develop digital databases at the soil mapping unit level. Published soil surveys have proven useful in wetland delineation in the field and in the development of wetland inventories. County acreage summaries provide useful information on the distribution of wetlands across the state. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-1 The USFWS National Wetland Inventory (NWI) utilizes soil survey information during photointerpretation in the development of the 7.5 minute, 1:24,000 scale products of this nationwide wetland inventory effort. Wetlands are classified according to a system developed by Cowardin et al. (1979), providing some level of detail as to the characterization of individual wetlands. Draft products are available for the 1,017 7.5-minute quadrangles in the state of Georgia, and many final map products have been produced. All of these quadrangles are available in a digital format, and an effort is underway to combine them into a single, seamless database for Georgia. Although not intended for use in jurisdictional determinations of wetlands, these products are invaluable for site surveys, trends analysis, and landuse planning. A complementary database was completed by Georgia DNR in 1991 and was based on classification of Landsat TM satellite imagery. Due to the limitations of remote sensing technology, the classification scheme was simplified in comparison to the Cowardin system used with NWI. The targeted accuracy level for the overall landcover assessment using Landsat imagery was 85%. However, the classification error was not necessarily distributed equally throughout all classes. Similar Landsat-based landcover databases have been produced with more recent satellite imagery. The Federal government completed mapping in Georgia using imagery from the mid-1990s as part of the National Landcover Database. The Georgia Gap Analysis Program, supported in part by funding from Georgia DNR, completed an 18-class database using imagery from 1997-1999. Both these databases include wetland landcover classes. More recently, the Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory at the University of Georgia completed an updated landcover dataset using 2008 imagery. This dataset is available from the Georgia GIS Clearinghouse. NatureServe classification of habitats within this area. NWI for Georgia's six coastal counties was updated by the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) using 2006 base imagery. This dataset represents an approximately 25-year update considering the inventory was originally mapped in the early 1980s. A summary of wetland acreages derived from this database is as follows: Estuarine: Emergent=351,236, Unconsolidated Shore=10,700, ScrubShrub=4,495, and Forested=2,053; Lacustrine: Aquatic Bed=108, Uncosolidated Shore=32, Emergent=10; Marine: Uncosolidated Shore=3,084; Palustrine: Forested=339,743, Emergent=52,511, Scrub-Shrub=30,899, Unconsolidated Bottom=8,242, Aquatic Bed=832, Unconsolidated Shore=193; Riverine: Unconsolidated Shore=90. A full report can be found on CRD's website and the data from NWI can be found at www.fws.gov. CRD also produced an NWI Plus database, which adds additional descriptors to the updated NWI dataset and provides a functional component to wetlands in the six-county area. Wetlands are rated as having either a High Potential, Moderate Potential, or Low to No Potential to function in a given capacity. Eleven functions are identified for the six coastal counties. In addition, CRD completed an Impacted Wetland Inventory that was initiated to identify, assess, and inventory impacted wetlands in Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties along the coast. The project area includes all estuarine and marine and tidal fresh wetlands, as defined by Cowardin et. al (1979) and delineated by the NWI updates for the six coastal counties (completed in 2009, based on 2006 base imagery). For more information about the dataset, contact CRD. Wetland Trends In Georgia Additional habitats have been mapped through the Georgia Coastal Land Conservation Initiative that may be helpful in identifying wetlands. Mapping was done by botanists with the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) for the 11 coastal county area in 2010 to show the The loss of wetlands has become an issue of increasing concern to the general public because of associated adverse impacts to flood control, water quality, aquatic wildlife habitat, rare and endangered species habitat, aesthetics, and recreation. Historically, WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-2 wetlands were often treated as "wastelands" that needed "improvement". Today, "swamp reclamation" acts are no longer funded or approved by Congress and wetland losses are in part lessened. However, we still lack accurate assessments for current and historic wetland acreages. For this reason, we have varying accounts of wetland losses, which provide some confusion in the public's mind as to trends. The most precise measure of Georgia's wetland acreage has been developed by the USFWS's National Wetland Inventory Status and Trends projects. The Status And Trends in the Conterminous United States, Mid-1970 's to Mid-1980' s report (1991), provides details of a statistically sound study based upon 206 sample plots of four (4) square miles each that were delineated and measured from 1975 and 1982 aerial photography. The total acreage of wetlands for Georgia was estimated at 7,714,285 acres in 1982 as compared to earlier estimates of 5.2 million acres. This estimate is considerably higher than the total shown in a 1984 trend study and is due in part to higher quality photography and an increase in the number of man-made ponds. Georgia's total wetland area covers an estimated 20 percent of the State's landscape. This total includes approximately 367,000 acres of estuarine wetlands and 7.3 million acres of palustrine wetlands (forested wetlands, scrub-shrub, and emergents). A net wetland loss due to conversion of approximately 78,000 acres was estimated for the 7-year period (1975 1982), while 455,000 acres were altered by timber harvesting. These latter estimates are less reliable than the total acreage and are slightly higher than the 1984 study. Regardless of the method used to measure total acreage or wetland losses, Georgia still retains the highest percentage of pre-colonial wetland acreage of any southeastern state. The state lacks the resources to conduct an independent monitoring program on the rate of freshwater wetland loss or degradation. The most recent NWI report, Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States, 2004 to 2009, provides information on a national scale. All dredge and fill activities in freshwater wetlands are regulated in Georgia by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Joint permit procedures between the COE and DNR, including public notices, are carried out in tidally influenced wetlands. Separate permits for alterations to salt marsh and the State's waterbottoms are issued by the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee, a State permitting authority. Enforcement is carried out by the State, COE and EPA in tidal waters, and by the COE and EPA in freshwater systems. Normal agricultural and silvicultural operations are exempted under Section 404 regulations with certain conditions. Integrity of Wetland Resources Wetland Functions and Uses. In Georgia, wetland uses are tied to both the state water quality standards through the definition of "water" or "waters of the state," and to established criteria for wetlands protection (Chap. 391-3-16-.03) associated with the Comprehensive Planning Act of 1989 (O.C.G.A. 12-2-8). The definition of "water" or "waters of the State" (Chap. 391-3-6) means "any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells, wetlands, and all other bodies of surface or subsurface water, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the state which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single individual partnership, or corporation". The waters use classifications and general criteria for all waters are discussed elsewhere in this report. The Comprehensive Planning Act requires all local governments and regional development commissions to recognize or acknowledge the importance of wetlands for the public good in the landuse planning process. All local governments (municipalities and county governments) were required, beginning in 1990 and ending in 1995, to meet minimum criteria for wetland use and protection. Each government is required to map wetlands using DNR or NWI maps, and describe how wetlands will be protected from future development. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-3 The wetlands protection criteria define freshwater "wetlands" as "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. (33 CFR 32.93)." This definition is not intended to include "coastal marshlands" as defined by the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. The minimum area of wetlands to be identified in landuse planning is not to exceed five acres. The categories of freshwater wetlands and aquatic habitats to be identified, defined and mapped by the State and included in landuse planning are open water, non-forested emergent, scrub/shrub, forested and altered wetlands. Landuse plans must address at least the following considerations with regard to wetland classes identified in the database: 1) Whether impacts to an area would adversely affect the public health, safety, welfare, or the property of others. 2) Whether the area is unique or significant in the conservation of flora and fauna including threatened, rare or endangered species. 3) Whether alteration or impacts to wetlands will adversely affect the function, including the flow or quality of water, cause erosion or shoaling, or impact navigation. 4) Whether impacts or modification by a project would adversely affect fishing or recreational use of wetlands. 5) Whether an alteration or impact would be temporary in nature. 6) Whether the project contains significant state historical and archaeological resources, defined as "Properties On or Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places". 7) Whether alteration of wetlands would have measurable adverse impacts on adjacent sensitive natural areas. 8) Where wetlands have been created for mitigation purposes under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, such wetlands shall be considered for protection. The mapping of altered wetlands defined as "areas with hydric soils that have been denuded of natural vegetation and put to other uses, such as pasture, row crops, etc., but that otherwise retain certain wetland functions and values" has not been completed due to a lack of resources. It is unlikely that there will be any significant resources committed at the state or federal levels for monitoring wetland alterations and conversions in the near future. Acceptable uses of wetlands were identified in wetland protection criteria as the following: Timber production and harvesting. The socioeconomic value of wetlands for consumptive uses such as timber and wood products production is extremely high. High quality hardwoods are produced along the major river corridors throughout the state. There are established "best management practices" for harvesting in wetlands; the level of compliance with these voluntary standards is monitored by the Georgia Forestry Commission in cooperation with the DNR-EPD. Wildlife and fisheries management. Wetlands are an invaluable resource, both ecologically and economically. They are among the state's most biologically productive ecosystems and are crucial as habitats for wildlife. Wetlands function as essential breeding, spawning, nursery, nesting, migratory, and/or wintering habitat for much of the migratory and resident fauna. More than 40% of the state threatened and endangered plant and animal species depend heavily on wetlands. Coastal wetlands function as nursery and spawning grounds for 60-90% of commercial fin and shellfish catches. In addition, high levels of plant productivity in coastal wetlands contribute to corresponding levels of invertebrate organisms upon which fish and other animals feed. Plant decomposition in wetlands is also an important process in providing suitable habitat for waterfowl, which contributes to the economy through hunting-related expenditures. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-4 Wastewater treatment. Wetlands help to maintain water quality and improve degraded water by removing, transforming, or retaining nutrients; processing chemical and organic wastes and pollutants; and reducing sediment loads. Wetlands function as sediment, toxic substance, and nutrient traps, performing functions similar to a waste treatment plant. Wetland vegetation filters and retains sediments which otherwise enter lakes, streams, and reservoirs, often necessitating costly maintenance dredging activities. Wetlands may also perform similar purification functions with respect to ground water. Wetlands that are hydrologically connected to ground water can also be a source of aquifer recharge, in which case the natural settling and filtering of pollutants can help protect groundwater quality. As with any filter, wetlands can be damaged, overloaded, or made nonfunctional. Wetlands conservation and careful management of point and nonpoint pollutants can provide good wetland filtration of materials. Recreation. The non-consumptive uses of wetlands may contribute most significantly and positively to quality of life, yet these uses are often undervalued or unrecognized. Wetlands are habitats of great diversity and beauty and provide open space for recreational and visual enjoyment. They support a myriad of recreational activities including boating, swimming, birdwatching, and photography. In addition, tidal, coastal, and inland wetlands provide educational opportunities for nature observation and scientific study. Natural water quality treatment or purification. (See "Wastewater treatment" above). Maintaining the biological and ecological integrity of wetlands is essential to the capitalization of these natural systems for the improvement of water quality and quantity. The polluting, filling, silting, channelizing, draining, dredging, and converting to other uses of wetlands are destructive to the ecological functions of wetlands. Other uses permitted under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Such uses must have an overwhelming public interest. Unacceptable uses of wetlands include: Receiving areas for toxic or hazardous waste or other contaminants; Hazardous or sanitary waste landfills; and Other uses unapproved by local governments. The criteria established by the State for freshwater wetlands are designed to assist in the identification and protection of wetlands, and do not constitute a state or local permit program. The protection of coastal marshlands, seashores, and tidal waterbottoms is described under the Estuary and Coastal Assessment section of this report. LLWW descriptors were added to the updated wetland inventory data (2006 base imagery) to create CRD's NWI Plus database for the six coastal counties. The NWI Plus data will be used to better characterize wetlands in this region and to be able to predict wetland functions at the landscape level. The functions used are: Surface Water Detention Coastal Storm Surge Detention Streamflow Maintenance Nutrient Transformation Carbon Sequestration Retention of Sediment and Other Particulates Bank and Shoreline Stabilization Provision of Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Habitat Provision of Waterfowl and Waterbird Habitat Provision of Other Wildlife Habitat Provision of Habitat for Unique, Uncommon, or Highly Diverse Plant Communities Wetland Monitoring. The state maintains monitoring and enforcement procedures for estuarine marshes under authority of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970. Over-flights are made of the Georgia coastline to locate potential violations. Restoration and penalties are provided for in the Act. In 2011, CRD and EPD conducted field monitoring for the National Wetlands Condition Assessment (NWCA) effort initiated by EPA. The overall goal of the NWCA was to monitor freshwater and estuarine wetlands nationally during 2011 to determine their current WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-5 condition. Pre-existing point locations were used to randomly select wetlands to be evaluated during this project. CRD sampled 32 estuarine wetland sites, and EPD sampled 18 palustrine forested wetland sites. Multiple indicators were used to assess wetland health including vegetation characterization, soil profiles, hydrology and algal community. In addition, a Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) was evaluated across regions and wetland classes to determine the effectiveness of RAMs in wetland management disciplines. Specifically, the RAM identifies stressors to the wetland. Collectively, these parameters provide an indication of overall wetland condition. Also in 2011, EPD initiated a wetland monitoring and assessment program using an ecoregion-level approach. The goal of the program is to develop appropriate wetland assessment protocols. To date, forty-five wetland sites within three ecoregions have been selected and monitored using various protocols, including NWCA protocols. This approach will be continued in other ecoregions in Georgia, and to the extent possible, is being coordinated with wetland monitoring being conducted by other Region 4 states within the same ecoregions. Additional Wetland Protection Activities Georgia is protecting its wetlands through land acquisition, public education, land use planning, regulatory programs, and wetland restoration. Additional protection to wetlands is provided either directly or indirectly by several statutes listed below, but described elsewhere in this report. These state laws are as follows: Coastal Marshlands Protection Act Shore Protection Act Water Quality Control Act Ground Water Use Act Safe Drinking Water Act Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act Metropolitan Rivers Protection Act In 2011, a Wetlands Management Unit was formed within EPD to enhance the capabilities of EPD's regulatory functions (401 water quality certification review/issuance for Section 404 permits, and compensatory mitigation program oversight) and to coordinate and advance EPD's wetlands program. Land Conservation. To date, the Department of Natural Resources has protected in fee over 460,000 acres of conservation land and another 11,374 acres through permanent conservation easements. Between 2012 and September 2014, the Department of Natural Resources acquired 24,531 acres of conservation land. Notable acquisitions protecting stream and wetland habitat included additions to the Paulding Forest WMA, Flat Tub WMA, Sheffield WMA, Penholoway Swamp WMA and Griffins Ridge WMA. Between 2008 and 2010, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program through CRD has assisted in acquiring 11,000 acres at Ft. Barrington and the Murff Tracts along the Altamaha River. These acquisitions, along with others by various partners, bring the protection of properties in the lower Altamaha Delta to just over 100,000 acres. Through its Private Lands Program, Georgia DNR provides technical assistance to private landowners to encourage protection and restoration of natural habitats. Working with other state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, DNR biologists assist private landowners in the development of management plans that will protect important wildlife habitats, including wetlands and streams. An online publication entitled "Landowner's Guide- Conservation Easements for Natural Resource Protection" can be found at the following web address: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2275 Education And Public Outreach. The Wildlife Resources Division is involved in aquatic education, providing training for educators in wetland values and developing and coordinating teaching materials. The Aquatic Education Program consists of three key components: Youth Education, Adult Education, and Kids Fishing Events. Youth Education involves training educators to use Aquatic Project Wild (APW), which consists of instructional workshops and supplementary conservation curriculum materials for teachers of K-12 grade children. Adult Education consists primarily of producing educational WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-6 materials such as the annual Freshwater and Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations, Reservoir and Southeast Rivers Fishing Predictions, Small Georgia Lakes Open to Public Fishing, Introduction to Trout Fishing, news releases, brochures, radio Public Service Announcements, videos, and staff presentations to sportsmen and civic organizations, as well as large events. The purpose of Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) is to introduce youth and their families to the joys of recreational fishing. The Aquatic Education Program touches tens of thousands of youths and adults each year, bringing these people closer to the environment, and teaching them conservation principles that are important to sustaining wetlands and healthy fish populations. The Coastal Resources Division has one position within the Division that assumes the role of coastal educator. The largest coastal education gathering, Coastfest, is hosted by CRD each October. In addition, CRD relies on partners such as the Coastal Adopt-a-Wetland program and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve to carry out messages important to CRD. The Adopt-a-Wetland (AAW) program facilitates volunteer-based monitoring of wetlands in Georgia, and fosters a sense of personal and community responsibility. The program provides training for volunteers to perform monitoring in freshwater and coastal wetlands. To date, over 150 volunteers have conducted chemical and biological monitoring at over 130 coastal sites. State Wildlife Action Plan In 2005, the Wildlife Resources Division of Georgia DNR completed "A Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for Georgia". This document, also known as the State Wildlife Action Plan, identified high priority species and habitats in Georgia, described problems affecting these species and habitats, and outlined specific research, conservation and monitoring needs to maintain the state's wildlife diversity. Protection of wetland and aquatic habitats was identified as a critical wildlife conservation need. The following are some specific conservation challenges that are being addressed by Georgia DNR and its conservation partners: 1. Protection and Maintenance of Healthy Vegetated Stream Buffers Establishment and maintenance of vegetated riparian buffers is one of the most important and cost-effective conservation measures for protection of water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. Many of Georgia's streams suffer from insufficient stream buffers and are thus at risk of water quality impairment resulting from land-disturbing activities, introduction of toxic chemicals or excess nutrients, and thermal impacts from lack of shading. These impacts can greatly influence the aquatic biodiversity within a watershed. Establishment of substantial vegetated buffers is highly recommended for all high priority streams. Strategies to protect and maintain healthy stream buffers include working with state and county road departments to improve placement and design of road turnouts, developing standards for stream corridor protection on public lands, and providing information on high priority streams to mitigation bankers to encourage restoration and enhancement of vegetated buffers. Other strategies include providing financial incentives to private landowners to fence livestock out of streams and working with local governments and developers to ensure protection of stream buffers when development plans are considered. 2. Protection of Isolated Wetlands Isolated wetlands comprise an important group of habitats for wildlife, including more than 45 Georgia species of conservation concern (Comer et al., 2005). Studies of the extent and condition of isolated wetlands indicate a consistent trend toward degradation and loss. A study of Carolina bays in Georgia indicated that the majority of the smaller bays showed evidence of hydrologic alterations or other forms of degradation (VandeGenachte and Cammack, 2002). Other examples of important isolated wetlands include solution pits on granite outcrops, shallow depressions in pine flatwoods, Grady ponds, limesink ponds, and sandhill ponds. Depression wetlands that have direct connections to WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-7 groundwater may be significantly impacted by excessive groundwater withdrawals. Other isolated wetlands have been impacted by introduction of predatory fish, excessive inputs of sediments or nutrients, ditching and draining, or conversion to agricultural uses. Georgia DNR and other organizations are working to protect examples of these wetland habitats through fee-simple acquisition or conservation easements. Programs providing financial and other incentives are being directed to private landowners to encourage the protection, restoration, and management of these important wetlands. Permits for groundwater and surface water withdrawals should be administered with careful consideration of resulting impacts to these and other wetlands. 3. Protection of Headwater Streams Headwater streams are found in the upper reaches of watersheds and may have flowing water for only a portion of the year. Headwater streams account for the majority of stream miles in a given watershed. Like isolated wetlands, these habitats are important for a wide variety of wildlife species, including several rare species of concern. These headwater systems are also important for maintenance of habitat quality in the higherorder perennial streams which they feed (Meyer et al 2003). Intermittent/ephemeral streams and associated seepage wetlands are often overlooked when streams and wetlands are mapped. In areas where development pressures are high or agricultural uses are prevalent, these habitats may be adversely affected by land disturbing activities. Protection of headwater streams and associated wetlands is critical for protection of wildlife diversity and maintenance of water quality. Greater emphasis should be placed on accurate mapping and delineation of headwater streams. The effects of groundwater and surface water withdrawals on headwater streams and associated wetlands should be monitored. 4, Control of Invasive Species The long-term effects of nonnative species on native wildlife species are generally considered to be second only to direct habitat destruction or conversion. Approximately 42% of the species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act are significantly impacted by invasive exotic species. Feral hogs, red shiners, and flathead catfish are examples of nonnative animals that can cause serious impacts to wetland or aquatic communities. A number of nonnative plants such as Nepal grass, Chinese tallow tree, hydrilla, water hyacinth, common reed, and Chinese privet also pose serious threats to Georgia's streams and wetlands. In response to these threats, Georgia DNR coordinated the development of a statewide invasive species strategy, which was completed in 2009. Implementation of this strategy will be coordinated by the Georgia Invasive Species Task Force, which was formally established through a memorandum of understanding between the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia DNR, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the University of Georgia in 2009. The Georgia Invasive Species Strategy can be found at: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/ invasives-pests. 5. Protection of Caves and Other Karst Environments Caves, limesinks, sagponds, and springs represent some of the most sensitive natural habitats in Georgia. These karst environments harbor many of Georgia's rarest and most imperiled species, and are susceptible to impacts from a wide variety of human activities, from residential and commercial development to road and utility construction, excessive groundwater withdrawal, recreational activities, and altered water quality. Protection of karst environments is essential for maintenance of Georgia's biological diversity. Georgia's Cave Protection Act of 1977 (O.C.G.A. 12-4-140) provides for protection of caves, sinkholes, and speleothems (cave formations), prohibits the storage of hazardous materials and dumping of litter, garbage, or other materials in caves, and prohibits the harming, killing or removal of wildlife found within caves except by authorized personnel. 6. Reducing Impacts from Development and Other Activities WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-8 Continued growth of Georgia's human population and associated loss or fragmentation of natural habitats will result in additional impacts to native species found in wetland and aquatic habitats. Of particular concern are habitat specialist species adapted to rare or sensitive habitats. The highest rated conservation actions related to reduction or avoidance of impacts from development and other activities on wetland and aquatic habitats include: Decrease the impact of poorly designed road crossings on fish passage. Work with FEMA, Georgia DOT, and county road departments to improve fish passage with bottomless culverts or free-span bridges. Expand use of WRD biodiversity data for environmental review, public outreach, permitting, and development of site management plans to minimize impacts on rare species and sensitive habitats. Reduce impacts of unpaved roads, parking lots, boat ramps, and camping areas on aquatic habitats. Work with Georgia DOT and federal agencies to minimize impacts from highway construction and facilitate protection and mitigation of high priority habitats. Facilitate training for and compliance with Best Management Practices for erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater runoff, and stream buffer protection. Specific programs and funding mechanisms for protection of natural habitats in Georgia are outlined in the State Wildlife Action Plan, which can be found at the following website: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/wil dlife-action-plan M.A.R.S.H. Projects The Wildlife Resources Division has a cooperative agreement with Ducks Unlimited (DU) for the purpose of acquiring, developing, restoring, or enhancing waterfowl habitat. A major aspect of this agreement is the M.A.R.S.H. program (Matching Aid to Restore States Habitat). Under the M.A.R.S.H. program, 7.5% of the money raised by DU in Georgia is made available as matching funds for work to develop, improve, or restore waterfowl habitat. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 4-9 CHAPTER 5 Estuary and Coastal Programs Background The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Resources Division (CRD) manages Georgia's coastal resources. The CRD's Ecological Services Section administers Georgia's Coastal Management Program and its enforceable authorities, manages Georgia's shellfish harvest program, and conducts water quality monitoring based on specific grants and programmatic requirements. The CRD's Marine Fisheries Section manages Georgia's marine fisheries, balancing the long-term health of fish populations with the needs of those who fish for commercial and recreational purposes. The Section conducts scientific surveys of marine organisms and their habitats; collects harvest and fishing effort information; and assesses, restores and enhances fish habitats; along with other responsibilities. The DNR Wildlife Resources (WRD) and Environmental Protection Divisions (GAEPD) each play additional roles to manage resources in the Georgia coastal environment. Georgia Coastal Management Program Recognizing the economic importance of environmentally sensitive coastal areas, the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 encourages states to balance sustainable development with resource protection in their coastal zone. As an incentive, the federal government awards states financial assistance to develop and implement coastal zone management programs that fulfill the guidelines established by the Act. Georgia entered this national framework in 1998 upon the approval of the Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Financial assistance under the federal grant to the GCMP has been used, in part, to support the Public Health Water Quality Monitoring Program described below. The Coastal Management Program has provided guidance and technical assistance to improve coastal water quality in general, and in the development of a Coastal Non-Point Source Control Program in particular. Under the Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Congress added a section entitled "Protecting Coastal Waters." That section directs states with federally approved coastal management programs to develop a Coastal Non-Point Source Program. To that end, the GAEPD is assisting the GCMP in l) identifying land uses which may cause or contribute to the degradation of coastal waters, 2) identifying critical coastal areas adjacent to affected coastal waters, 3) identification of appropriate measures related to land use impacts to achieve and maintain water quality standards and designated uses, and 4) identifying management boundaries to more effectively manage land use impacts and water uses to protect coastal waters. Public Health Water Quality Monitoring Program The CRD conducts water quality monitoring in estuarine and near-shore coastal waters through its Public Health Water Quality Monitoring Program. This Program has three distinct parts. The Shellfish Sanitation and Beach Water Quality Monitoring Programs are concerned with public health. The Nutrient Sampling Program is designed to generate baseline-monitoring data for trends. Shellfish Sanitation Program CRD's Shellfish Sanitation Program monitors the quality of Georgia's shellfish harvest waters for harmful bacteria that might affect the safety of shellfish for human consumption. Seven (7) harvest areas are designated for recreational picking of oysters and clams by the general public. An additional seventeen (17) harvest areas are designated for the commercial harvest of oysters and clams. The US Food and Drug Administration's National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) establishes national standards to show that shellfish harvest areas are "not subject to contamination from human and/or animal fecal WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 5-1 matter in amounts that in the judgment of the State Shellfish Control Authority may present an actual or potential hazard to public health." Water samples from each approved harvest area are collected by CRD and analyzed regularly to ensure the area is below the established fecal coliform threshold. Waters approved for shellfish harvest must have a geometric mean that does not exceed the threshold set forth by the NSSP. County Chatham Approved 15,351 acres Leased 4,887 acres Public 1,267 acres Bryan/Liberty McIntosh 55,747 acres 50,170 acres 1,706 acres 13,756 acres 936 acres 1,974 acres Glynn/Camden 37,018 acres 4,855 acres 4,355 acres TABLE 5-1. LOCATION AND SIZE OF AREAS APPROVED FOR SHELLFISH HARVEST Water quality sampling occurs every other month at eighty- eight (88) stations in five (5) counties on the coast including Chatham, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties. These stations are located to provide representative coverage of all the approved harvest areas along the coast. Beach Monitoring Program The Beach Monitoring Program was developed in response to the federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. The BEACH Act is an amendment to the Federal Clean Water Act. The Act requires states to: 1) identify and prioritize their coastal recreational beaches; 2) monitor the beaches for the presence of the bacterial indicator Enterococcus; 3) notify the public when the EPA threshold for Enterococcus has been exceeded; and 4) report the location, monitoring, and notification data to EPA. Georgia's recreational beaches have been identified and prioritized into three (3) tiers based on their use and proximity to potential pollution sources. Tier 1 beaches are high-use beaches. Tier 2 beaches are lower-use beaches. Tier 3 beaches are lowest-use or at low probability for potential pollution. Water quality sampling occurs regularly depending upon the tier: Tier 1 beaches are monitored weekly year-round; Tier 2 beaches are monitored monthly from April through October and Tier 3 beaches are not monitored. Beaches that exceed the threshold for Enterococcus are put under a swimming advisory that is not lifted until the levels of bacteria are sufficiently reduced, based on resampling. Beaches under a permanent swimming advisory are monitored quarterly. Nutrient Sampling Program The Nutrient Sampling Program collects nutrient baseline data in coastal sounds and estuaries. High nutrient loads have been linked to outbreaks of harmful algal blooms in other states and can result in large kills of fish and other marine life as well as human sickness. CRD has been collecting nutrients at eighty-four (84) stations along the coast since 2000 to establish baseline trends in nitrite nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus, ortho- phosphate, and silicate. Due to budget reductions in 2010, changes were made to both the coastal river and estuarine sampling regimes. In response to drought conditions between 2011 and 2013, temperature, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH were collected monthly in the Ogeechee, Altamaha, Satilla, and St. Mary's Rivers at seven (7) sites in each river to provide data for the upper estuary/lower salinity environments. Due to continued budget reductions and higher rainfall totals in 2013, river sampling was terminated in 2014. Samples are also collected at thirty-five (35) of the eighty-eight (88) shellfish sample sites to provide nutrient, chlorophyll a and fecal coliform bacteria data from tidal rivers and sounds. Currently, through a memorandum of understanding, Coastal Resources Division has agreed to collect the samples and ship WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 5-2 them to the contract laboratory in Athens, GA and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has agreed to pay for the analysis of the nutrient samples. Coastal Streams, Harbors, and Sounds This 305(b) report contains information on many coastal streams, harbors, and sounds. Several water bodies have been shown to have low dissolved oxygen (DO) readings over discrete periods of time during an annual cycle. EPD has categorized these streams as needing further assessment. A large percentage of the low dissolved oxygen readings occurred in the late summer and early fall of 2003, a period of prolonged, extreme drought. In addition to the dry conditions, water temperatures and salinities during this period were noted to be well above average for all of the water quality monitoring stations in coastal Georgia. To more accurately represent and report on natural dissolved oxygen levels in coastal water bodies, additional directed effort will be required at each location to increase the general state of knowledge for these estuarine systems. 305(b)/303(d) list for coastal streams, harbors, and sounds were collected by CRD for the programs as described earlier in this chapter. Other data are used by CRD to address fisheries management or recreational use in specific areas along the coast, but much of these data do not meet the minimum spatial or temporal (frequency) criteria of the GAEPD 2010 listing methodology guidance document and cannot be used to assess the ability of a water body to support its designated use(s). Data from the Georgia National Coastal Assessment (NCA) Program (2000-2006) were not included for this listing period. NCA data are based on a probabilistic, random sampling design with only one sample per year at each location. For the purposes of 305(b)/303(d), these data may be used in the future to augment existing data sets. The state's list of assessed waters for beaches does not contain all the coastal beaches that have been identified and prioritized by CRD. Tier 3 beaches are not monitored, so no data are available for assessment. Tier 3 beaches have few potential pollution sources. Coastal Beaches This report contains information on twentyseven (27) coastal beaches. Of these, twentythree (23) are considered to be supporting their designated use of coastal recreation. Four (4) beaches are considered as not supporting their designated use. Two (2) are located on Jekyll Island at the St. Andrews picnic area and at Clam Creek These beaches are Tier 1 and are sampled weekly year-round. The other two (2) "not supporting" beaches are Tier 2 beaches, which are sampled less frequently. The Kings Ferry beach is located at a small municipal park on the Ogeechee River in Chatham County. Reimold's Pasture is a small island in Buttermilk sound at the mouth of the Altamaha River. Data Not Included in Assessment Much of the data used to generate the Commercial and Recreational Fisheries CRD has several projects that produce information used to determine the status of commercially and recreationally important fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. The Ecological Monitoring Survey (EMS) conducts monthly assessment trawls (blue crabs, shrimp, and beginning in 2003, finfish) in the Wassaw, Ossabaw, Sapelo, St. Simons, St. Andrew and Cumberland estuaries. Data from this survey are used to describe the abundance, size composition, reproductive status of penaeid shrimp and blue crab. In addition, information collected on finfish and other invertebrate species since 2003 provides a broad ecologically based evaluation of species' abundance, distribution, and diversity in these estuaries. The EMS conducts several other surveys including: a small trawl survey targeting juvenile specimens in the upper creeks monthly in three sound systems, Ossabaw, Altamaha, St. Andrews using similar techniques and protocols (albeit on a smaller WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 5-3 scale) as the assessment survey; and the American Eel young-of-the-year YOY survey used to assess annual recruitment success of glass eels. The Marine Sportfish Population Health Survey uses gill and trammel nets to capture finfish in the Wassaw and Altamaha River Delta estuaries from June to November. These data have been used in coast-wide stock assessments for red drum. The Fisheries Statistics Work Unit collects catch and effort information from the recreational and commercial fisheries in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Total annual commercial landings in Georgia ranged from 6.65 to 11.26 million pounds of product during the period from 2002 to 2012, with an annual average of 8.08 million pounds. Penaeid shrimps are the most valuable catch in Georgia commercial landings, averaging nearly 8.65 million dollars (2.50 million pounds of tails) in unadjusted, ex-vessel value during recent years. Catches are composed primarily of white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) during the fall, winter and spring, and brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) during the summer. These shrimp spawn in oceanic waters, but depend on the salt marsh wetlands to foster their juvenile and sub-adult stages. White shrimp landings have varied over the last 50 years with a recent downward trend due to declining fishing effort. Research has shown that densities of spawning stock, and to a lesser extent fall harvest, respond strongly to cold air outbreaks during the early winter that can produce wide scale kills of white shrimp, and to a suite of environmental variables impacting the salt marsh ecosystem that produce a range of growing conditions. Cold weather kills have been associated with abnormally cold winters in 1984, 1989, and 2000. Blue crabs live longer than penaeid shrimps (3-4 years versus 1-2 years), and also exhibit less extreme fluctuations in annual abundance from one year to the next. Reported annual blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) landings in 2012 were above the most recent 10-year average of 3.73 million pounds (2010 = 4.21 million pounds). A severe drought from 1998 to 2002 reduced annual harvest 80% of the long-term average of 7.99 million pounds. That drought resulted in a reduction in the quantity of oligohaline and mesohaline areas within Georgia's estuaries. This effect was more pronounced in estuaries that did not receive direct freshwater inflow from rivers. It is believed this altered salinity profile resulted in: (1) higher blue crab predation; (2) increased prevalence of the fatal disease caused by the organism, Hematodinium sp; (3) reduction in the quantity of oligohaline nursery habitat and (4) recruitment failure. Although drought conditions persisted over the last few years (2010-12), the effects were not as severe as seen in the previous drought period. Commercial finfish landings fluctuate annually depending on market conditions and the impacts of management. American shad populations in the Altamaha River have fluctuated over the past 30 years. Anecdotal evidence indicates that participation in the American shad fishery continues to decline. Apparently, as older fishermen leave, there are few new entrants into the fishery. Since 2001, effort estimates have been collected using a trip ticket system with effort being recorded as the number of trips for both the set and drift gill net fisheries. Effort generally declined from a high of 538 reported trips in 2006 to a low of 247 reported trips in 2011. Regulations enacted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Fishery Management Plan on American Shad (Amendment 3), mandated additional monitoring efforts. Additionally, sustainability plans were required of any water system where commercial fishing is conducted. In Georgia, only the Altamaha, Ogeechee, and Savannah Rivers have commercial fisheries. The commercial fishery on the Ogeechee is very small, with effort averaging < 10 reported trips,, landings averaging < 500 lbs, and participation averaging < 3 fishers. By contrast, the Altamaha accounts for the majority of the harvest and reported trips. Total landings of bivalve mollusks have fluctuated greatly over the last 30 years. During the 1970's landings were totally dominated by oysters (Crassostrea sp.), WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 5-4 generally over 50,000 pounds of raw meats per annum. During the early 1980's fishermen increasingly focused on hard clams (Mercenaria sp.) due to stock declines in other areas along the east coast and their market value. This combined with increasing acreages available for harvest activities due to water quality certifications, allowed the replacement of oysters by clams as the premier species from 1986-1988. From 1988-1992 clam landings again declined and oyster landings grew. Since 1990, the clam landings have shown a general increase in contrast to the oyster fishery that, after large catches from 1989-92, have shown a steady decline since. In 2009, clam harvest was approximately 73,254 lbs of meat, while oyster harvest was only 9,676 lbs of meat. Shellfish harvest landings have continued to increase since 2009. In 2013, clam harvest increased to approximately 131,131 lbs of meat and oyster harvest was down and totaled 16, 220 lbs of meat. Labor costs have effected this change in combination with temporary inaccessibility to some grounds because of conflicts over harvest rights. No acreage has been lost due to deteriorating water quality. Current research is focusing on improvements in stock genetics (growth and appearance enhancements), cultch substrate comparisons, and establishing new populations. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 5-5 CHAPTER 6 Public Health & Aquatic Life Issues Risk-Based Assessment For Fish Consumption In 1995, Georgia began issuing tiered recommendations for fish consumption. Georgia's fish consumption guidelines are "riskbased" and are conservatively developed using currently available scientific information regarding likely intake rates of fish and toxicity values for contaminants detected. One of four, simple, species-specific recommendations is possible under the guidelines: No Restriction, Limit Consumption to One Meal Per Week, Limit Consumption to One Meal Per Month, or Do Not Eat. In 2012, 58% of recommendations for fish tested in Georgia waters were for No Restriction, 28% were to Limit Consumption to One Meal Per Week, 11.3% were to Limit Consumption to One Meal Per Month, and 2.7% was Do Not Eat Advisories. It should be noted that the dramatic increase of waters not fully meeting designated uses as related to fish consumption was a result of converting to a conservative risk-based approach for evaluating contaminants data in 1995, and not a result of increased contaminant concentrations in Georgia's fish. Fish Consumption Guidelines Georgia has more than 44,000 miles of perennial streams and more than 421,000 acres of lakes. It is not possible for the DNR to sample every stream and lake in the state. However, high priority has been placed on the 26 major reservoirs, which make up more than 90% of the total lake acreage. These lakes will continue to be monitored to track any trends in fish contaminant levels. The DNR has also made sampling fish in rivers and streams downstream of urban and/or industrial areas a high priority. In addition, DNR focuses attention on public areas that are frequented by a large number of anglers. The general contaminants program includes testing of edible fish and shellfish tissue samples for the substances listed in Table 6-1. Of the 43 constituents tested, only PCBs, dieldrin, DDT and its metabolites, and mercury have been found in fish at concentrations above what may be safely consumed at an unlimited amount or frequency. The use of PCBs, chlordane, DDT and dieldrin have been banned in the United States, and, over time, the levels are expected to continue to decline. Currently there are no restricted consumption recommendations due to chlordane. One water segment has a restriction in consumption recommended for one species due to dieldrin residues, and one pond has restrictions recommended due to DDT/DDD/DDE residues. TABLE 6-1. PARAMETERS FOR FISH TISSUE TESTING Anti mo ny Arsenic Beryllium Cadmium Chromium, Total Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Silver Thallium Zinc Aldrin a-BHC b-BHC d-BHC g-BHC (Lindane) Chlordane 4,4-DDD 4,4-DDE 4,4-DDT Dieldrin Endosulfan I Endosulfan II Endosulfan Sulfate Endrin Endrin Aldehyde Heptachlor Heptachlor Epoxide Toxaphene PCB-1016 PCB-1221 PCB-1232 PCB-1242 PCB-1248 PCB-1254 PCB-1260 Metho xyc hlor HCB Mirex Pentac hloroaniso le Chlorpyrifos Mercury in Fish Trend Project In response to regulatory actions requiring reductions in air emissions of mercury, DNR recognized the need to establish a mercury in fish trend network that would provide a database for evaluating potential changes that may result in fish body burdens. Twenty-two stations were established in 2006 having spatial relevance to major air-emission sources in Georgia (coal-fired electric generating units and a chlor-alkali plant), waters with TMDLs for mercury in fish, and near State boundaries for out-of-state sources. Each station has a designated predator species that will be monitored annually. Mercury trend samples of WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-1 individual fish muscle tissue are analyzed for mercury and other metals. Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that cycles between the land, water, and the air. As mercury cycles through the environment it is absorbed and ingested by plants and animals. It is not known where the mercury in Georgia's fish originates. Mercury may be present due to mercury content in natural environments such as in South Georgia swamps, from municipal or industrial sources, or from fossil fuel uses. It has been shown that mercury contamination is related to global atmospheric transport. The EPA has evaluated the sources of mercury loading to several river basins in Georgia as part of TMDL development, and has determined that 99% or greater of the total mercury loading to these waters occurs via atmospheric deposition. States across the southeast and the nation have detected mercury in fish at levels that have resulted in limits on fish consumption. In 1995, the USEPA updated guidance on mercury, which documented increased risks of consuming fish with mercury. The DNR reassessed all mercury data and added consumption guidelines in 1996 for a number of lakes and streams, which had no restrictions in 1995. The Georgia guidance for 2010 reflects the continued use of the more stringent USEPA risk level for mercury. Evaluation Of Fish Consumption Guidance for Assessment Of Use Support USEPA guidance for evaluating fish consumption advisory information for 305(b)/303(d) use support determinations has been to assess a water as fully supporting uses if fish can be consumed in unlimited amounts. If consumption needs to be limited, or no consumption is recommended, the water is not supporting this use. Georgia followed this guidance in evaluating the fish consumption guidelines for the 2000 and earlier 305(b)/303(d) lists. This assessment methodology was followed again in developing the 2008-2009 305(b)/303(d) List for all fish tissue contaminants except mercury. Mercury in fish tissue was assessed and a segment or water body was listed if the trophicweighted fish community tissue mercury was in excess of the USEPA water quality criterion (Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury, EPA-823-R-01001, January 2001). For mercury, waters were placed on the not support list if the calculated trophic-weighted residue value was greater than 0.3 g/g wet weight total mercury. For contaminants other than mercury (PCBs, dieldrin, DDT/DDD/DDE) waters were placed on the not support list if the assessment indicated any limited consumption of fish. The USEPA criterion represents a national approach to address what mercury concentration is protective for fishing waters. The existence of risk-based recommendations to reduce consumption was used with respect to other contaminants detected in fish tissue. EPD formally adopted the 2001 EPA national human health criterion for methylmercury as a human health standard for total mercury in fish tissue in the Georgia water quality rules in December 2002. General Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks The following suggestions may help to reduce the risks of fish consumption: Keep smaller fish for eating. Generally, larger older fish may be more contaminated than younger, smaller fish. You can minimize your health risk by eating smaller fish (within legal size limits) and releasing the larger fish. Vary the kinds of fish you eat. Contaminants build up in large predators and bottom-feeding fish, like Bass and Catfish, more rapidly than in other species. By substituting a few meals of panfish, such as perch, sunfish and Crappie, you can reduce your risk. Eat smaller meals when you eat big fish and eat them less often. If you catch a big fish, freeze part of the catch (mark container or wrapping with species and location), and space the meals from this fish over a period of time. Clean and cook your fish properly. How you clean and cook your fish can reduce the level of contaminants by as much as half in some fish. Some chemicals have a tendency to concentrate in the fatty tissues of fish. By removing the fish's skin and trimming fillets according to the diagram, you can reduce the level of chemicals substantially. Mercury is bound to the meat of the fish, so these precautions will not help reduce this contaminant. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-2 Remove the skin from fillets or steaks. The internal organs (intestines, liver, roe, and so forth), and skin are often high in fat and contaminants. Trim off the fatty areas shown in black on the drawing below. These include the belly fat, side or body fat, and the flesh along the top of the back. Careful trimming can reduce some contaminants by 25 to 50%. Cook fish so fat drips away. Broil, bake or grill fish and do not use the drippings. Deep-fat frying removes some contaminants, but you should discard and not reuse the oil for cooking. Pan frying removes few, if any, contaminants. Specific Water body Consumption Guidelines These guidelines are designed to protect you from experiencing health problems associated with eating contaminated fish. It should be noted that these guidelines are based on the best scientific information and procedures available. As more advanced procedures are developed these guidelines may change. PCBs, chlordane, dieldrin, DDT and methylmercury build up in your body over time. It may take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to accumulate levels that would affect your health. It is important to keep in mind that these guidelines are based on eating fish with similar contamination over a period of 30 years or more. These guidelines are not intended to discourage people from eating fish. They are intended to help fishermen choose safe fish for the table. Table 6-2 lists the lakes and streams where the fish have been tested and found to contain little or no contamination. There are no problems with eating fish from these water bodies. Tables 6-3, 6-4, and 6-5 list the lakes, freshwater rivers and creeks, and estuaries, respectively, where consumption guidance has been issued by the DNR. This information is provided annually in Georgia's Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing Regulations, which is available from DNR and also supplied with each fishing license purchased. This information is also updated annually in the DNR publication Guidelines for Eating Fish From Georgia Waters. Special Notice For Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers, and Children If you plan to become pregnant in the next year or two, are pregnant now, or are a nursing mother; you and your children under 6 years of age are especially sensitive to the effects of some contaminants. For added protection, women in these categories and children may wish to limit consumption to a greater extent than recommended in Tables 6-3 and 6-4. Fish tissue consumption guidelines are discussed in detail in the DNR publication Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters-2007 Update that is reproduced in Appendix C. Development Of New Risk Communication Tools For Women of Child-bearing Age and Children In 2003, new approaches to spatial analyses were used to assess fish tissue contaminants by species and trophic level, and across distinct geographic areas including hydrologic unit codes, river basins, and hydrogeologic provinces of Georgia. The analyses were used to generate simple brochures with specific information targeting women of childbearing age and children for distribution through health and nutrition related outlets. Brochures were generated for four distinct areas of Georgia, and English versions were released in November 2003, followed by publication of Spanish brochures in March of 2004. The College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Cooperative Extension Services, University of Georgia and the Chemical Hazards Program, Georgia Division of Public Health collaborated in the development of the brochures. The information will be updated as needed, and all brochures are currently available on the DNR website. Recreational Public Beach Monitoring The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts fecal coliform monitoring at its reservoir bathing beaches in Georgia. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Georgia Power, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, Georgia State Parks, and counties and cities throughout the state have also conduct some sampling at the public beaches they operate. The Coastal Resources Division of WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-3 DNR conducts enterococcus monitoring at public coastal beaches and other recreationally used estuarine locations such as boat ramps and sandbars, and works with the local County Health Department in issuance of swimming advisories. Shellfish Area Closures Georgia's one hundred linear mile coastline contains approximately 500,000 acres of potential shellfish habitat. Most shellfish in Georgia grows in the narrow intertidal zone and are exposed between high water and low water tide periods. Only a limited amount of that area, however actually produces viable shellfish populations. Lack of suitable cultch, tidal amplitudes, disease, littoral slope, and other unique geomorphologic features contribute to the limited occurrence of natural shellfish resources along the Georgia Coast. The Coastal Resources Division currently monitors and maintains five shellfish growing areas comprised of commercial leases and public recreational harvest areas. Shellfish waters on the Georgia coast are classified as "Approved" or "Prohibited" in accordance with the criteria of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Specific zones within shellfish growing areas may be closed to shell fishing because of the proximity to a marina or a municipal or industrial discharge. Georgia maintains approximately 33,000 acres approved for the harvest of shellfish for commercial and/or personal consumption. Only those areas designated as Public Recreational Harvest or those areas under commercial lease are classified as "Approved for shellfish harvest". Shellfish growing area waters are monitored regularly to ensure that these areas remain in compliance with the FDA fecal coliform thresholds. All other waters of the state are classified as "Prohibited", and are closed to the taking of shellfish. It is important to note that, even though some of these areas could potentially meet the criteria to allow for harvesting, they have been classified as "Prohibited" due to the lack of available water quality data. Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Blooms Cyanobacteria blooms are an increasing concern for Georgia's citizens. Cyanobacteria occur naturally in low abundance in Georgia's lakes and reservoirs. However, eutrophication results in conditions that are favorable for cyanobacteria growth. Cyanobacteria blooms can cause a variety of water quality issues including, the potential to produce toxins and taste-and-odor compounds. These compounds are produced naturally by cyanobacteria, but their function or what causes their production is still currently unknown. EPD is in the process of developing a means to better detect blooms, assess whether toxins are present, and better inform the public on this issue. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-4 TABLE 6-2 NO CONSUMPTION RESTRICTIONS - 2012 LAKES Allen Creek WMA (Ponds A & B) Antioch Lake (East & West) (Rocky Mountain PFA) Bennett (Marben PFA) Bowles C. Ford Lake Brasstown Valley (Kid's Fish Pond) Carters City of Adairsville Pond Clarks Hill Clayton Co. Water Auth. Blalock Clayton Co. Water Auth. J.W.Smith Clayton Co. Water Auth. Shamrock Dodge County PFA -Steve Bell Lake Fort Yargo State Park Lake Heath Lake (Rocky Mountain PFA) High Falls Juliette Margery (Marben PFA) Mayer (Savannah) McDuffie PFA (East Watershed Ponds) McDuffie PFA (West Watershed Ponds) Nancy Town Lake Oconee Olmstead Paradise PFA (Horseshoe 4) Paradise PFA (Patrick) Payton Park Pond Rutledge - Hard Labor Ck State Park Seed Shepherd (Marben PFA) Silver Lake WMA Sinclair Walter F. George RIVERS Alcovy River Boen Creek (Rabun Co.) Brasstown Creek (Towns Co.) Broad River Buffalo Creek (Carroll Co.) Butternut Creek (Union Co.) Cane Creek (Lumpkin Co.) Cedar Creek Trib (Hart Co. WMA) Chattahoochee River (Chattahoochee Early & Stewart Cos.) Chattanooga Creek Chattooga River (Northwest Ga.) Chestatee River (Headwaters to Tesnatee River) Chickamauga Creek (East & South) Chickasawhatchee Creek (WMA near Elmodel, GA) Coleman River (Near Mouth Rabun Co.) Conasauga River (in Cohutta Forest) Daniels Creek (Cloudland Canyon State Park) Dukes Creek (Near Helen) Goldmine Branch (Trib to Warwoman Cr) Jacks River (Fannin Co.) Jones Creek (US Foreset Service Rd 28-1) Little Dry Creek (Floyd Co.) Little Tallapoosa River Little Tennessee River (Rabun Co.) Middle Oconee River (Above & Below Athens) Mill Creek (Whitfield Co.) Moccasin Creek (Lake Burton Hatchery) Mud Creek (Cobb County) Nickajack Creek(Cobb Co.) Noonday Creek (Cobb Co.) North Oconee River (Above & below Athens, Clarke Co.) Ocmulgee River (Butts & Monroe Cos.) Ocmulgee River (Pulaski Co.) Oconee River (Oconee and Greene Cos. Below Barnett Shoals to Lake Oconee) Oconee River (Baldwin/Wilkinson Cos.) Oconee River (Milledgeville to Dublin; Laurens Co.) Ogeechee River (Near Ft. McAllister) Olley Creek (Near Austell, Cobb Co.) Ponder Branch (Walker Co.) Proctor Creek (Near Acworth, Cobb Co.) Sewell Mill Creek (Cobb Co.) Slab Camp Creek (Oconee Co.) South River (Butts Co., Hwy. 36) Spirit Creek Stamp Creek (Cherokee Co.) Stekoa Creek Tallulah River (Towns Co.) Upatoi Creek Yahoola Creek (Lumpkin Co) Yellow River (Porterdale Dam) WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-5 TABLE 6-3. FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDANCE FOR LAKES 2012 Acworth Albany By-Pass LAKES Allatoona Andrews Banks Bartlett's Ferry (Harding) Bear Cr. Reservoir Black Shoals (Randy Poynter) Blackshear Big Lazer PFA Blue Ridge Burton Bush Field Airport Augusta Unnamed Pond Chatuge Evans County PFA Flat Creek PFA (Lonice C. Barrett Lake) Goat Rock Hamburg Mill Pond Hamburg State Park Hartwell (Tugaloo Arm) Hartwell main body of lake NO RESTRICTIONS 1 MEAL/ WEEK 1 MEAL/ MONTH Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass < 16" Redear Sunfish Carp Black Crappie Spotted Bass< 16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish White Bass < 12" Golden Redhorse Channel Catfish Spotted Sucker Bluegill Sunfish Black Crappie <12" Largemouth Bass <16" Spotted Bass <12" Sunfish Channel Catfish < 12"Redear Sunfish Channel Catfish < 12" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish Channel Catfish < 16" Largemouth Bass < 12" Largemouth Bass <16" Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish White Catfish Bluegill Largemouth Bass < 12" Largemouth Bass (12"-16" >16"); Channel Catfish Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass 12-16" Bullgill Black Crappie Largemouth Bass 12-16" Spotted Sucker Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass Catfish Spotted Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Hybrid Bass >16" Largemouth Bass > 12" Hybrid Bass >16" Striped Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Channel Catfish Black Crappie >12" Spotted Bass >12" Largemouth Bass < 16" Channel Catfish >12" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish >12" Black Crappie Channel Catfish > 12" Largemouth Bass > 12" Largemouth Bass > 16" White Bass 12-16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Spotted Bass 12-16" Walleye >16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Spotted Bass 12-16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Channel Catfish 12-16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Hybrid Bass < 12" Channel Catfish 12-16" Common Carp Largemouth Bass > 12" Channel Catfish >16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Hybrid Bass >12" White Bass Redear Sunfish <12" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Black Crappie Bluegill < 12" Hybrid Bass/Striped Bass < 12" Channel Catfish < 16" Largemouth Bass < 16" Carp > 16" Walleye > 16" Hybrid Bass/Striped Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish & Largemouth Bass > 16" DO NOT EAT Hybrid and Striped Bass > 16 inches in length DO NOT EAT Hybrid and Striped Bass Largemouth Bass (S C Dept. Health and Environmental Control 1-888-849-7241) Channel Catfish WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-6 LAKES NO RESTRICTIONS Hugh M. Gillis PFA Jac kso n Ken Gardens Kolomoki (Kolomoki Mounds State Park) Lanier Little Ocmulgee State Park Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish <16" Black Crappie Redear Sunfish White Catfish < 16" Channel Catfish <16" Brown Bullhead Bluegill Sunfish Redear Sunfish Channel Catfish < 16" Striped Bass < 16" Bluegill Sunfish Black Crappie White Catfish Nottely Oliver Rabun Channel Catfish Black Crappie Hybrid Bass < 12" Channel Catfish < 16" Redear Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass 12-16" Bluegill Sunfish White Catfish < 16" Walleye Reed Bingham State Park Richard B. Russell Seminole Black Crappie Bluegill Sunfish White Perch Channel Catfish Bullhead Channel Catfish Spotted Sucker Black Crappie Redear Sunfish South Slappy Blvd. Offramp (Albany) Stone Mountain Tobesofkee Tugalo Tribble Mill Park Varner West Point Worth (Chehaw) Worth (Flint Resvoir) Yo hola (Kolomoki Mounds State Park) Bluegill Sunfish Catfish Channel Catfish White Catfish 12-16" Bluegill Sunfish Black Crappie Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass < 12" Channel Catfish Redear Sunfish <12" Common Carp Spotted Bass Black Crappie Channel Catfish Hybrid Bass < 16" Spotted Sucker Redear Sunfish Channel Catfish > 12" Bluegill Sunfish Yo nah Bluegill Sunfish Abbreviations used in table: < means "less than" > means "more than" 1 MEAL/ WEEK Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass >12" Largemouth Bass > 12" Striped Bass >16" Carp > 16" Channel Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Brown Bullhead 12-16" Largemouth Bass > 12" Striped Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" White Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" Largemouth Bass > 12" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" Walleye >16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Largemouth Bass >12" Largemouth Bass Hybrid Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Channel Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" Largemouth Bass > 12" Largemouth Bass 12-16" Catfish 12-16" WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 1 MEAL/ MONTH Largemouth Bass > 16" Channel Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" White Catfish > 16" Largemouth Bass > 16" Largemouth Bass > 12" 6-7 TABLE 6-4. FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDANCE FOR FRESHWATER RIVERS AND CREEKS 2012 RIVERS/CREEKS NO RESTRICTIONS 1 MEAL PER WEEK 1 MEAL PER MONTH Alapaha River Alapahoochee River Redbreast sunfish Spotted sucker Bullhead Largemouth Bass Bullhead Allatoona Creek Cobb Co. Altamaha River Apalachee River Bluegill (US 1) Channel Catfish (below US 25) Striped Mullet Channel Catfish Spotted Bass Alabama Hog Sucker Flathead Catfish Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Beaver Creek (Taylor Co.) Yellow bullhead Brier Creek (Burke Co.) Spotted Sucker Largemouth Bass Canoochee River (Hwy 192 to Lotts Creek) Canoochee River (Lotts Creek to Ogeechee River) Casey Canal Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish Chattahoochee River (Helen to Lanier) Channel Catfish Chattahoochee River (Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam) Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek) Chattahoochee River (Peachtree Creek to Pea Creek) Chattahoochee River (Pea Creek to West Point Lake below Franklin) Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Common Carp Yellow Perch Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish White Sucker Channel Catfish Channel Catfish Striped Mullet Redeye Bass Snail Bullhead Golden Redhorse Largemouth Bass Jumprock Sucker Bluegill Sunfish Black Bass Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Snail Bullhead Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Common Carp Common Carp Chattahoochee River Special Striped Bass (Morgan This striped Bass population migrates annually between West Point Lake and Morgan Falls Dam. Falls Dam to West Point Lake) DNR recommends the general public restrict consumption to one meal per month. Chattahoochee River (Oliver Dam to Upatoi Creek) Chattahoochee River (West Point Dam to I-85) Chattooga River (NE Ga. Rabun County) Chestatee River (below Tesnatee River) Largemouth Bass Flat Bullhead Catfish Channel Catfish Redbreast Sunfish Bullhead Catfish Spotted Bass Northern Hog Sucker Silver Redhorse Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass Chickamauga Creek (West) Redbreast Sunfish Spotted Bass Cohulla Creek (Whitfield County) Conasauga River (below Stateline) Coosa River (Rome to Hwy 100 Floyd Co.) Blacktail Redhorse Spotted Bass Spotted Bass Blue Catfish <18" White Bass Smallmouth Buffalo Largemouth Bass Blue Catfish 18-32" WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-8 RIVERS/CREEKS NO RESTRICTIONS 1 MEAL PER WEEK 1 MEAL PER MONTH Coosa River (Rome to Hwy 100 Floyd Co.) Coosa River (Hwy 100 to State line Floyd Co.) Spotted Bass DO NOT EAT BLUE CATFISH >32" & SMALLMOUTH BUFFALO Largemouth Bass Black Crappie Blue Catfish <18" Smallmouth Buffalo Channel Catfish Blue Catfish 18-32"Striped Bass Buffalo DO NOT EAT BLUE CATFISH >32" Coosa River System Special (Coosa Etowah below Thompson-Weinman dam Oostanaula) Special Striped Bass: this population migrates annually between Weiss Lake and the Coosa River system. DNR recommends the general public restrict consumption of fish < 20 " to one meal per month and to not eat any Striped Bass > 20 " in length. Coosawattee River below Carters Bluegill Sunfish Smallmouth buffalo Etowah River (Dawson County) Blacktail Redhorse Etowah River (above Lake Allatoona) Etowah River (below Lake Allatoona dam) Golden Redhorse Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish Spotted Bass Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass Smallmouth buffalo Flint River (Spalding/Fayette cos.) Flint River (Meriwether/Upson/Pike cos.) Flint River (Taylor co.) Flint River (Macon/Dooly/Worth/Lee) Flint River (Dougherty/Mitchell/Baker Co.) Gum Creek (Crisp Co.) Spotted sucker Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Channel Catfish Shoal Bass Channel Catfish Sucker Flathead Catfish <16" Carp Largemouth Bass Shoal Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Flathead Catfish 16-30" Largemouth Bass Flathead Catfish >30" Holly Creek (Murray County) Blacktail Redhorse Ichawaynochaway Creek Kinchafoonee Creek (above Albany) Little River (above Clarks Hill Lake) Little River (above Ga. Hwy 133 Valdosta) Spotted Sucker Spotted sucker Silver Redhorse Spotted sucker Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Spotted sucker Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Mill Creek (Murray County) Muckalee Creek (above Albany) Ochlockonee River (Moultrie to Thomasville) Ochlockonee River (Thomasville to Stateline) Ocmulgee River (below Macon Bibb Co.) Ocmulgee River (Houston/Twiggs Cos.) Redbreast Sunfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Ocmulgee River (Wilcox/Telfair Cos.) Channel Catfish Oconee River (Clarke and Oconee Cos. above Barnett Shoals) Ogeechee River (Hwy 119) Ogeechee River (Washington Co. near Davisboro) Sucker Golden Redhorse Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker White Catfish Redbreast Sunfish Warmo uth Spotted Sucker Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Flathead Catfish Largemouth Bass Silver Redhorse Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Spotted sucker Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-9 RIVERS/CREEKS NO RESTRICTIONS 1 MEAL PER WEEK 1 MEAL PER MONTH Ogeechee River (Jefferson Co. Louisville) Ogeechee River (Jenkins Co. Millen) Ogeechee River (Bulloch Co. near Statesboro) Ogeechee River (Bryan Co near Ellabelle) Ohoopee River (near Oak Park, GA) Ohoopee River (near Reidsville, Tattnall Co.) Okefenokee Swamp (Billy's Lake) Redbreast Sunfish Spotted sucker Redbreast Sunfish Snail bullhead Redbreast Sunfish Channel Catfish Spotted sucker Snail bullhead Redbreast Sunfish Channel Catfish Redbreast Sunfish Spotted sucker Redbreast Sunfish Flier Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Bowfin Chain Pickerel Oostanaula River Hwy. (156 Calhoun) Bluegill Sunfish Smallmouth Buffalo Oostanaula River (Hwy 140 to Coosa River) Bluegill Sunfish Patsiliga Creek (Upstream of Beaver Ck; Taylor Co.) Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker Patsiliga Creek (Downstream of Beaver Ck; Taylor Co.) Pipemaker Canal Satilla River (Near Waycross Ware/Brantely Cos.) Satilla River (near Folkston Charlton/ Camden Cos.) Savannah River (below Clarks Hill Dam Columbia Co) Savannah River (Richmond/Burke Cos.) Savannah River (Screven Co.) Redear Sunfish Redbreast Sunfish Sucker Striped mullet Channel Catfish Redear sunfish Savannah River (Fort Howard) Savannah River (Chatham Co.) Savannah River (Effingham Co.) Redbreast Sunfish Channel Catfish Striped mullet Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Spotted Bass Smallmouth Buffalo Chain Pickerel Suckers spp. (Grayfin Redhorse Spotted Jumprock Greater Jumprock) Bass spp. (Largemouth Bass Shoal Bass) Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Bullhead Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Flathead Catfish < 30" DO NOT EAT FLATHEAD CATFISH >30" Spotted Sucker Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish White Catfish Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Bowfin Savannah River (Tidal Gate) Red Drum White Catfish Savannah River Special (New Savannah Lock and Dam to Savannah Estuary) DNR recommends the general public restrict consumption of legal size striped Bass >27 " to one meal per month. Women who are pregnant or nursing and young children may wish to further restrict their consumption due to the variable mercury levels in these striped Bass. Short Creek (Warren Co.) Sunfish South River (Panola Shoals Dekalb/Rockdale Cos.) South River (Snapping Shoals Henry Co.) Silver Redhorse Channel Catfish Snail bullhead Bluegill Largemouth Bass WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-10 RIVERS/CREEKS NO RESTRICTIONS Spring Creek (Seminole/Decatur/Miller Cos.) St. Marys River (Camden Co.) St. Marys River (Charlton Co.) Sugar Creek (Murray Co.) Sumac Creek (Murray Co.) Redbreast Sunfish Striped Mullet Redbreast Sunfish Suwannee River (Clinch/Ware/Echols Cos.) Swamp Creek (Redwine Cove Road Whitfield Co.) Talking Rock Creek (Pickens Co. Tallapoosa River (US Hwy 27) Tallapoosa River (GA Hwy 100) Bluegill Sunfish Blacktail Redhorse Bluegill Sunfish Trib. to Hudson River (Alto Banks Co.) Brown Bullhead Withlacoochee River (Hwy 122) Withlacoochee River (Cyattville/Hwy 84) Redbreast sunfish 1 MEAL PER WEEK Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker Redear Sunfish Golden Redhorse Golden Redhorse Bullhead Catfish Chain Pickerel Flier Redeye Bass Redeye Bass Blacktail Redhorse Redeye Bass Redbreast sunfish Spotted Sucker 1 MEAL PER MONTH Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass TABLE 6-5. FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDANCE ESTUARINE SYSTEMS 2012 ESTUARINE SYSTEMS Academy Creek Altamaha Estuary Floyd Creek Hayner's Creek (Savannah) North Newport River NO RESTRICTIONS Blue crab Striped mullet Spotted Seatro ut Blue crab Southern Kingfish Blue crab Striped Mullet 1 MEAL PER WEEK Blue Crab 1 MEAL PER MONTH DO NOT EAT Turtle River System (Purvis Cr. Gibson Cr.) Shrimp Stripped Mullet Red Drum Flounder Flounder Blue crab Southern Kingfish (whiting) Black Drum Spot Spotted Seatrout Sheepshead Atlantic Croaker * Bivalves Upper Turtle & Buffalo Rivers (upriver Hwy 303) Shrimp Flounder Red Drum Black Drum Striped Mullet Sheepshead Blue Crab Southern Kingfish (whiting) Atlantic Croaker Spot Spotted Seatrout * Bivalves Middle Turtle River (Hwy 303 - Channel Marker 9) Shrimp Lower Turtle River (C. Marker 9 & So. Brunswick River to Dubignons & Parsons creeks) Red Drum Sheepshead Striped Mullet Blue Crab Shrimp Flounder Red Drum Black Drum Flounder Blue Crab Southern Kingfish (whiting) Black Drum Spotted Seatrout Spotted Seatrout Southern Kingfish (whiting) Sheepshead Striped Mullet Atlantic Croaker Spot Spot * Bivalves * Bivalves WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-11 ESTUARINE SYSTEMS NO RESTRICTIONS 1 MEAL PER WEEK 1 MEAL PER MONTH DO NOT EAT St. Simon's Sound Tripletail Sheepshead Savannah Estuary Striped mullet Striped Bass >=27" Spot Stripped Mullet Terry Creek South of Torras Causeway to Lanier Basin Shrimp Atlantic Croaker Spotted Seatrout Southern Kingfish Yellowtail (Silver perch) * Bivalves (whiting) Blue Crab Terry and Dupree Creeks North of Torras Causeway to Confluence w/ Back River Blue Crab Shrimp Red Drum Stripped Mullet Atlantic Croaker Spotted Seatrout Southern Kingfish (whiting) Spot * Bivalves Stripped Mullet Shrimp Back River One mile Atlantic Croaker above Terry Creek to Confluence with Torras Spotted Seatrout Southern Kingfish Spot * Bivalves Causeway (whiting) Blue Crab Red Drum Spot Stripped Mullet Back River South of Torras Causeway to St. Simons Sound Shrimp Spotted Seatrout Southern Kingfish (whiting) * Bivalves Blue Crab Red Drum * Bivalves are all clams mussels and oysters; Shellfish ban under National Shellfish Sanitation Program King Mackerel Special Joint State Guidance Issued by Georgia North Carolina South Carolina and Florida For South Atlantic Ocean Size Range (Fork Length Inches) Recommendations for Meal Consumption of King Mackerel Caught Offshore Georgia Coast 24 To Less Than 33 Inches No Restrictions 33 To 39 Inches 1 meal per month for pregnant women nursing mothers and children age 12 and younger. 1 meal per week for other adults Over 39 Inches Do Not Eat WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 6-12 CHAPTER 7 Watershed Protection Programs Program Perspective The first major legislation to deal with water pollution control in Georgia was passed in 1957. The Act was ineffective and was replaced by the Water Quality Control Act of 1964. This Act established the Georgia Water Quality Control Board, the predecessor of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources which was established in 1972. Early efforts by the Board in the late 1960's and early 1970's included documenting water quality conditions, cleanup of targeted pollution problems and the establishment of water use classifications and water quality standards. Trend monitoring efforts were initiated and a modest State construction grants program was implemented. In 1972 the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 was enacted by Congress. Today, this law is known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA set the national agenda for water protection and launched the national objective to provide "for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provide for recreation in and on the water". The CWA established the NPDES permit system for regulation of municipal and industrial water pollution control plants, a water use classifications and standards process, and a construction grants process to fund the construction of municipal water pollution control facilities. Most industries in Georgia had installed modern, effective water pollution control facilities by the end of 1972. In the mid/late 1970's emphasis was placed on the design and construction of municipal facilities through the federal Construction Grants Program. First and second round NPDES permits were negotiated and operation and maintenance, compliance monitoring, and enforcement programs initiated. Basin planning, trend monitoring, intensive surveys, modeling and wasteload allocation work was well underway. In 1987 Congress made significant changes to the Clean Water Act. The Water Quality Act of 1987 placed increased emphasis on toxic substances, control of nonpoint source pollution, clean lakes, wetlands and estuaries. The Act required that all States evaluate water quality standards and adopt numeric criteria for toxic substances to protect aquatic life and public health. This work was initiated and completed by the GAEPD in the late 1980s. The Act also required each State to evaluate nonpoint source pollution impacts and develop a management plan to deal with documented problems. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Georgia General Assembly passed a number of laws that set much of the agenda for the GAEPD in the early 1990s. Laws such as the Growth Strategies Act which helps protect sensitive watersheds, wetlands, and groundwater recharge areas and the ban on high phosphate detergents to reduce nutrient loading to rivers and lakes were enacted. Legislation was passed in 1990 that required the GAEPD to conduct comprehensive studies of major publicly owned lakes and establish specific water quality standards for each lake. In addition in 1991 the General Assembly passed a law requiring a phosphorus limit of 0.75 mg/l for all major point sources discharging to the Chattahoochee River between Buford Dam and West Point Lake. Major river corridors were accorded additional protections with laws passed in 1991. Also in 1991, the General Assembly passed the Georgia Environmental Policy Act that requires an environmental effects report be developed for major State funded projects. In 1992, the General Assembly passed the River Basin Management Planning Act that required the GAEPD develop and implement plans for water protection for each major river basin in Georgia. In 2004, the General Assembly passed the Statewide Comprehensive Water Management Planning Act. This legislation replaced the river basin management planning legislation and charged the EPD with the responsibility of developing a comprehensive statewide water management plan for Georgia in accordance with the following policy statement: "Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the state's economy, protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens." In 2012-2013 high priority was placed on Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning, monitoring and assessment, water quality modeling and TMDL development, TMDL implementation, State revolving loan programs, NPDES permitting and enforcement, nonpoint source pollution abatement, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and public participation projects. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-1 Comprehensive Statewide Water Planning Georgia's future relies on the protection and sustainable management of the state's limited water resources. In 2004 the Georgia General Assembly passed the "Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act" which called for the development of a statewide water management plan. The legislation created a framework for developing Georgia's first comprehensive statewide water management plan by providing a vision for water management in Georgia, guiding principles for plan development and the assignment of responsibility for developing the plan. A copy of the planning act can be found at www.georgiawatercouncil.org. The Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, with the help of numerous stakeholders, produced and submitted to the Georgia Water Council an initial draft of the statewide water plan on June 28, 2007. Following several rounds of public input and changes in response to the input, the Georgia Water Council approved the "Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan" on January 8, 2008. The water plan was debated and approved in the 2008 session of the General Assembly and signed by Governor Perdue on February 6, 2008. The Regional Water Councils completed plans in 2011. This work is discussed in Chapter 2. Watershed Projects The GAEPD is working with U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on several Savannah River projects; with the USEPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) on water quality issues in the Coosa River and Lake Weiss; and with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Suwannee River Water Management District to coordinate water protection efforts in the Suwannee River Basin. Georgia is also working with Alabama and Florida, in cooperation with the USACE, to develop agreements regarding the use of waters in the ACF and ACT River systems. Water Quality Monitoring The goal of the water protection program in Georgia is to effectively manage, regulate, and allocate the water resources of Georgia. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to monitor the water resources of the State to establish baseline and trend data, document existing conditions, support the development of protective and scientifically defensible water quality standards, study impacts of specific discharges, determine improvements resulting from upgraded water pollution control plants, support enforcement actions, establish wasteload allocations for new and existing facilities develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), verify water pollution control plant compliance, and document water use impairment and reasons for problems causing less than full support of designated water uses. Long-term trend monitoring, targeted and probabilistic monitoring, biological monitoring, intensive surveys, toxic substances monitoring, aquatic toxicity testing and facility compliance sampling are some of the monitoring tools used by the GAEPD. Monitoring programs are discussed in Chapter 3. Water Quality Modeling/Wasteload Allocations/TMDL Development The GAEPD conducted a significant amount of modeling in 2012-2013 in support of the development of wasteload allocations and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). In 2011, TMDLs were developed for segments on the Georgia 2010 303(d) list for the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, and Oconee River Basins and these TMDLs were finalized, submitted to EPA and approved in early 2012. In 2012, TMDLs were developed for segments on the Georgia 2012 303(d) list for the Chattahoochee and Flint River Basins. These TMDLs were finalized, submitted to EPA and approved in early 2013. In 2013, TMDLs were developed for segments on the 2012 303(d) list for the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tennessee River Basins. Over the 2012-2013 period, 33 TMDLs were approved. To date more than 1480 TMDLs have been developed for 303(d) listed waters in Georgia. TMDL Implementation As TMDLs are developed, plans are needed to guide implementation of pollution reduction strategies. TMDLs are implemented through changes in NPDES permits to address needed point source improvements and/or implementation of best management practices to address nonpoint sources of pollution. Changes in NPDES permits to address point source issues are made by the GAEPD in coordination with local governments and industries. Implementation of management practices and activities to address the nonpoint sources of pollution is being conducted through the development of various types of TMDL implementation plans. Plans include Watershed Improvement Plans (WIPs) and updates to existing plans prepared through WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-2 contracts with Regional Commissions (RCs) and other public contractors. This work is discussed in Chapter 7. Clean Water State Revolving and Georgia Fund Loan Programs The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) that provides funding for a variety of wastewater infrastructure and pollution prevention projects. Eligible projects include water quality, water conservation and wastewater treatment projects, such as constructing new wastewater treatment plants, repairing and replacing sewers, stormwater control projects and implementing water conservation projects and programs. The Georgia Fund is a state-funded loan program administered by GEFA for wastewater, water, and solid waste infrastructure improvements. The Georgia Fund program is available to local governments for projects such as sewer and water lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters. GEFA contracts with GAEPD to provide environmental/engineering review and construction management services for these projects. Founded in 1985, GEFA offers low-interest loans and grants for projects that improve Georgia's environment, protect its natural resources, and promote economic development. The CWSRF program was initiated in 1988 to the full extent allowed by the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act. Since 1985, GEFA has approved more than $3 billion for infrastructure improve-ments and more than 1,400 projects have been funded to date. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund awarded approximately $139.5 million to 22 projects and the Georgia Fund awarded $44.8 million to 24 water quality projects in FY2012-2013. GEFA and EPD currently coordinate some 150 projects in various stages of activity with a loan value of $584 million. This work is discussed in Chapter 7. Metro District Planning The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (District) was created on April 5, 2001 as a planning entity dedicated to developing comprehensive regional and watershed-specific plans to be implemented by local governments in the District. The enabling legislation required the District to develop plans for watershed management, wastewater treatment, and water supply and conservation in its 15-county area that includes Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale Counties and all the municipalities within the District. These plans are designed to protect water quality and public water supplies, protect recreational values of the waters, and to minimize potential adverse impacts of development on waters in and downstream of the region. These plans were updated in May, 2009. Limited water resources combined with the region's growth places the District in a unique position relative to other areas in Georgia. With a finite water resource and a population of nearly 4 million, the need to carefully and cooperatively manage and protect Metropolitan Atlanta's rivers and streams has become a priority. GAEPD is charged with the enforcement of the District plans. State law prohibits the Director from approving any application by a local government in the District to issue, modify, or renew a permit, if such permit would allow an increase in the permitted water withdrawal, public water system capacity, or waste-water treatment system capacity of such local government, or any NPDES Phase I or Phase II General Stormwater permit; unless such local government is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the plan, or the Director certifies that such local government is making good faith efforts to come into compliance. GAEPD conducts audits to determine whether local governments are in compliance with the District Plans. Georgia's Land Conservation Program On April 14, 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue signed House Bill 98, creating the Land Conservation Program. The act created a flexible framework within which cities and counties, the Department of Natural Resources, other state and federal agencies, and private partners can protect the state's valuable natural resources. The Land Conservation Program will protect Georgia's valued resources by developing a process that will strategically align the state's conservation needs with the ability to steward the land through public/private partnerships. The land conservation goals set forth in the Act include: water quality protection for rivers, streams, and lakes; flood protection; wetlands protection; reduction of erosion through protection of steep slopes, erodible soils, and stream banks; protection of riparian buffers, natural habitats and corridors for native plant and animal species; protection of prime WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-3 agricultural and forestry lands; protection of cultural sites, heritage corridors, and archaeological and historic resources; scenic protection; provision of recreation and outdoor activities; and connection of existing or planned areas. The Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP) and Georgia Conservation Tax Credit Program continue to facilitate permanent protection for important wetland and aquatic habitats throughout the state. Since its inception in 2005 and as of 2013, the GLCP assisted with the permanent protection of 304,703 acres. GLCP provides assistance to local governments, state agencies, and conservation groups in the form of grants, due diligence microgrants, state income tax credits, and low-interest loans. State Conservation Funding for this period totaled $1.2 billion from a combination of state, federal, and private fund sources. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program The Federal Clean Water Act requires NPDES permits for point source wastewater dischargers, compliance monitoring for those permits and appropriate enforcement action for violations of the permits. In 2012-2013, NPDES permits were issued, modified or reissued for 105 municipal and private discharges and for 44 industrial discharges. In addition to permits for point source wastewater discharges, the GAEPD has developed and implemented a permit system for land application systems. Land application systems are used as alternatives to surface water discharges when appropriate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations The Georgia rules require medium size animal feeding operations with more than 300 animal units (AU) but less than 1000 AU (1000 AU equals 1000 beef cows, 700 dairy cows, or 2500 swine) to apply for a wastewater permit under Georgia's Land Application System (LAS) permitting program. Large animal feeding operations with more than 1000 AU must apply for a wastewater permit under the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. GAEPD has been delegated authority to administer the NPDES program in Georgia by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There are currently 812 farms which require general LAS or NPDES permits. That includes approximately 157 large farms with liquid manure handling systems. Of these, 43 have federal NPDES concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) permits and 114 have state LAS permits. These farms, with their liquid waste lagoons and spray fields, are important managers of water resources. It has been deemed more efficient to redirect these regulatory activities to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Livestock/Poultry Section (GDA) where appropriate. Therefore, the GAEPD has contracted with the GDA for inspections, complaint investigations, nutrient management plan reviews, permit administrative support, and enforcement assistance. An important goal of Georgia's Nonpoint Source Management Program is to encourage and support all animal feeding operations to develop and implement Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs). Cooperating organizations working toward this goal include the GSWCC, GSWCD, GA Milk Producers Association, Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, GA Pork Producers Association, CES, and NRCS. Activities include statewide and watershed-based demonstrations and BMP implementation of Comprehensive Nutrient Planning, lagoon maintenance or decommissioning, irrigation systems, and waste and effluent management systems. Projects using Section 319(h) funds that install agricultural BMPS are required to complete a CNMP. By the end of 2014 more than fifty CNMPS has been completed across Georgia Combined Sewer Overflows GAEPD has issued NPDES permits to the three cities in Georgia that have Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in their wastewater collection systems (Albany, Atlanta and Columbus). A CSO is a sewer system that is designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. The permits require that the CSO must not cause violations of Georgia Water Quality Control Standards. Compliance and Enforcement The Georgia Water Quality Control Act requires that every point source discharge obtain a NPDES permit, and that zero discharge systems obtain a Land Application System Permit from the GAEPD. The permits specify allowable discharge limits for the receiving streams or land application sites. Insuring compliance with permit limitations is an important part of the Georgia water pollution control program. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-4 Staff review discharge and groundwater monitoring reports, inspect water pollution control plants, sample effluents, investigate citizen complaints, provide on-site technical assistance and, if necessary, initiate enforcement action. By the end of 2013, of 205 major municipal discharges, 201 facilities were in general compliance with limitations. The remaining facilities are under compliance schedules to resolve the noncompliance or implementing infiltration/ inflow strategies. Enforcement action has been taken by the GAEPD to insure problems are alleviated. Data evaluations (using annual reports, GAEPD sampling and biomonitoring results) were performed on NPDES permitted municipal facilities to determine the need to reopen specific permits for inclusion of numerical limits and monitoring for appropriate toxic pollutants. Increased emphasis was placed on the industrial pretreatment programs for municipalities to ensure that the cities comply with applicable requirements for pretreatment. regulatory initiatives be developed to ensure polluters are identified, and that appropriate enforcement action is taken to correct problems. The resolution also directed EPD to provide the "best quality of effort possible in enforcing Georgia's environmental laws". High growth areas that have been identified as in need of enhanced protection include the Chattahoochee River Basin (from the headwaters through Troup County), Coosa River Basin, Tallapoosa River Basin, and the greater metropolitan Atlanta area. EPD developed a "zero tolerance" strategy for these identified geographic areas. This strategy requires enforcement action on all violations of permitted effluent limitations, with the exception of flow, and all sanitary sewer system overflows into the waters of the State. The strategy includes simple orders (Expedited Enforcement Compliance Order and Settlement Agreement) with a directive to correct the cause of noncompliance with a monetary penalty for isolated, minor violations, and more complex orders (consent orders, administrative orders, emergency orders) with conditions and higher monetary penalties for chronic and/or major violations. Industries in Georgia achieved a high degree of compliance in 2012-2013. The thirty-nine major industrial facilities were in compliance at the end of 2013. The GAEPD utilizes all reasonable means to obtain compliance, including technical assistance, noncompliance notification letters, conferences, consent orders, administrative orders, and civil penalties. Emphasis is placed on achieving compliance through cooperative action. However, compliance cannot always be achieved in a cooperative manner. The Director of the GAEPD has the authority to negotiate consent orders or issue administrative orders. In fiscal year 2012 and 2013, 206 Orders addressing wastewater issues were issued and approximately $988,606 in negotiated settlements was collected. Storm water compliance for municipalities and industries is most often reached through education and inspections. The vast majority of storm water enforcement Orders are used in connection with construction activities. In 2010-20011 a total of 168 stormwater Orders were issued and a total of $954,616 in negotiated settlements was collected. Storm Water Management The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1987 require NPDES permits to be issued for certain types of storm water discharges, with primary focus on storm water runoff from industrial operations and large urban areas. The USEPA promulgated the Phase I Storm Water Regulations on November 16, 1990. GAEPD has developed and implemented a storm water strategy which assures compliance with the Federal Regulations. The Phase I Regulations set specific application submittal requirements for large (population 250,000 or more) and medium (population 100,000 to 250,000) municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4). The GAEPD has determined that the metropolitan Atlanta area is a large municipal system as defined in the regulations. Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett Counties and all the incorporated cities within these counties were required to comply with the application submittal target dates for a large municipal area. Forty-five individual storm water permits were issued to the Atlanta area municipalities on June 15, 1994 and reissued in 1999, 2004 and 2009. EPD expects to reissue these permits in 2014. Zero Tolerance In January 1998, the Georgia Board of Natural Resources adopted a resolution requiring that Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, the counties surrounding these cities and any other incorporated cities within these counties were identified as WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-5 medium municipal systems as defined in the Phase I Storm Water Regulations. Thirteen individual storm water permits were issued to the medium municipal systems in April and May, 1995. These permits were reissued in April 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2012. On December 8, 1999 USEPA promulgated the Phase II Rules for Storm Water. Phase II requires NPDES permitting and the development of Storm Water Management Programs for a large number of smaller cities and counties. Construction sites from 1 to 5 acres and municipally-owned industrial facilities also became regulated. The Phase II regulations for MS4s required permit coverage for all municipalities with a population less than 100,000 and located within an urbanized area, as defined by the latest Decennial census. In addition, EPD was required to develop criteria to designate any additional MS4s which had the potential to contribute to adverse water quality impacts. In December 2002, EPD issued NPDES General Permit No. GAG610000 which covers 86 Phase II MS4s, including 57 cities and 29 counties. This Permit was most recently reissued in December 2012 and covers 86 municipalities. In 2009, EPD issued a General NPDES Permit to seven Department of Defense facilities, which were designated as Phase II MS4s. Two of those bases closed in 2011, reducing the number of permitted DOD facilities to five. The NPDES Permit for the remaining five facilities will be reissued again in 2014. In 2011, GAEPD issued a Phase II MS4 General Storm Water Permit to the Department of Transportation (DOT), which is applicable to postconstruction runoff in jurisdictions with MS4 permits. The NPDES General Permits do not contain specific effluent limitations. Instead, each Phase II MS4 permittee is required to institute best management practices that will control stormwater pollution. As part of the NOI, the MS4 was required to develop a SWMP that included best management practices in six different areas or minimum control measures. These six minimum control measures are Public Education, Public Involvement, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control, Post-Construction Storm Water Management, and Pollution Prevention. In addition, all DOD facilities, DOT, and MS4 communities with populations over 10,000 that discharge to an impaired waterbody, are required to monitor their stormwater discharge for the pollutant of concern (POC) and evaluate their BMPs' effectiveness in reducing the POC in stormwater discharges from the MS4. The storm water permits for MS4s require the submittal of Annual Reports to GAEPD. Each year, the Georgia storm water permitting program reviews the Annual Reports from all of these municipalities. Among other things, the Annual Report includes a detailed description of the municipality's implementation of its Storm Water Management Program. The GAEPD provides comments on the Annual Reports to the MS4 permittees, noting areas of noncompliance and recommending improvements to the local Storm Water Management Programs. The GAEPD has issued general permits for the eleven industrial subcategories defined in the Phase I Federal Storm Water Regulations. During 1993, GAEPD issued NPDES General Permit No. GAR000000 that regulates the discharge of storm water from 10 categories of industrial activity. This permit was reissued in 1998 and 2006 as GAR000000, and was then reissued as GAR050000 in 2012, with approximately 2675 facilities retaining coverage. An additional 375 facilities have submitted an Industrial No Exposure Exclusion Certification Form. An important component of storm water management in Georgia is information exchange/technology transfer. GAEPD staff participated in many meetings and seminars throughout Georgia in an effort to disseminate information concerning Georgia's storm water requirements to the regulated community. In addition, staff from the central Atlanta offices conducted inspections at approximately 226 industrial facilities to assess compliance with the industrial general storm water permit during 20122013. The GAEPD will continue to regulate storm water runoff from industrial facilities and urban areas as a part of the point-source permitting process to protect water quality. Erosion and Sedimentation Control The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (Act) was signed into law in April 1975. This legislation was the result of over five years of work, debate, and legislative compromise. Agencies and groups that coordinated their efforts to this end included the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and the GAEPD. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-6 The intent of the Act is to establish a statewide and comprehensive program for erosion and sedimentation control to conserve and protect air, water and land resources of the State. The Act provides a mechanism for controlling erosion and sedimentation as related to certain land disturbing activities. Land disturbing activities are any activities which may result in soil erosion and the movement of sediments into State waters and onto lands within the State. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land. Activities not regulated under the Act include surface mining, construction of single family homes being constructed by the owner or under contract to an owner, minor activities such as home landscaping and gardening, and water supply reservoirs. Implementation of the Act involves local units of governments and State agencies. The Act provides for municipalities and Counties to adopt local ordinances and to become delegated "Issuing Authorities". The GAEPD delegates local "Issuing Authority" and administers the GAEPD rules where there is no local authority, and oversees local program implementation. Currently 325 cities and counties have adopted erosion and sediment control ordinances which have been reviewed by the GAEPD for compliance with the Act. House Bill 285 was passed during the 2003 legislative session. The legislation amended the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act to create an integrated permitting program for erosion and sedimentation control for land disturbing activities of one acre or greater, thereby standardizing the requirements for local Land Disturbing Activity Permits and the NPDES Construction Storm Water Permits. The legislation also created Georgia's first NPDES permit fee system, and established training and education requirements for individuals involved in land development design, review, permitting, construction, monitoring or inspection of any land disturbing activity. During the 2012-2013 period, the GAEPD decertified as issuing authorities 10 Local Issuing Authorities. All ten requested decertification. During this same period, there were 5 new Local Issuing Authority certifications. Resources to adopt amendments to its Rules to implement the new criteria. In December 2004, the Georgia Board of Natural Resources adopted amendments to the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Rules which went into effect January 10, 2005. The Act was amended by House Bill 463 in 2007 to give subcontrators an additional year to meet the training and education requirements established in HB 285. The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission continues to administer the training and certification program. As of September 2013, 76,103 people have been certified and 40,442 re-certified. Senate Bill 155 amended the Act in 2009 to exempt 25-foot buffers along ephemeral streams. This legislation clarified the definition of ephemeral in the Erosion and Sedimentation Rules. The E&S Rules were amended in 2011 to add a new stream buffer variance criteria for projects that pipe or re-route waterways that are not jurisdictional waters of the U. S., and for new infrastructure projects that impact only the buffer and not the stream. A NPDES general permit that would regulate storm water discharges from construction activities was issued by GAEPD and subsequently appealed in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999. The permit was eventually issued on June 12, 2000 and became effective on August 1, 2000, and regulated storm water discharges associated with land disturbances of five acres or greater The NPDES general permit for construction activities was reissued by GAEPD on August 13, 2003. The permit was re-issued as three distinct general permits: Stand Alone, Infrastructure and Common Development, and required coverage for projects disturbing one acre or more in accordance with the USEPA Phase II storm water regulations. Changes to the permit included a reduction in monitoring requirements, and the addition of a plan submittal requirement for projects located in areas that do not have a local issuing authority or are exempt from local issuing authority ordinances. The permits were most recently reissued by GAEPD on September 24, 2013. The 2013 permits added additional stream buffer variance exemptions and amended tertiary permittee requirements. Senate Bill 460 was passed during the 2004 legislative session. The legislation amended the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act to add three new criteria under which the EPD director can consider stream buffer variances. The legislation also required the Georgia Board of Natural During FY2012-FY2013, 7,273 primary, secondary and tertiary permittees submitted Notices of Intent for coverage under the NPDES General Permits. As of September 30, 2013, there were 18,688 active construction sites in Georgia (i.e., primary, secondary and tertiary permittees with coverage WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-7 under the NPDES General Permits that have not submitted Notices of Termination). The GAEPD will continue to regulate storm water runoff from construction sites as a part of the pointsource permitting process to protect water quality. Nonpoint Source Management Program Nonpoint sources of water pollution are both diffuse in nature and difficult to define. Nonpoint source pollution can generally be defined as the pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. The diffuse nature of nonpoint sources (e.g., agriculture, construction, mining, silviculture, urban runoff) and the variety of pollutants generated by them create a challenge for their effective control. Although progress has been made in the protection and enhancement of water quality, much work is still needed to identify nonpoint source management strategies that are both effective and economically achievable under a wide range of conditions. GAEPD has been designated as the administering or lead agency for implementing the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. This program combines regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, in cooperation with other State and Federal agencies, local and regional governments, State colleges and universities, businesses and industries, non-governmental organizations and individual citizens. The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) has been designated by the GAEPD as the lead agency for implementing the agricultural component of the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. Similarly, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has been designated as the lead agency for implementing the silvicultural component of the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program, and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has been designated the lead agency and point of contact for urban/rural nonpoint source pollution. Georgia's initial Nonpoint Source Assessment Report was completed in compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act and approved by the USEPA in January 1990. This report, Water Quality in Georgia 20122013, as required by Section 305(b) of Public Law 92-500, serves as the current process to update the Nonpoint Source Assessment Report. Currently, GAEPD is in the process of revising the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program to update the goals, activities and implementation strategies of the Program. The plan update will focus on the comprehensive categories of nonpoint sources of pollution identified by the USEPA: Agriculture, Silviculture, Construction, Urban Runoff, Hydrologic/Habitat Modification, Land Disposal, Resource Extraction and Other Nonpoint Sources, and will be developed through a consultation process, incorporating input from a wide range of stakeholders involved in nonpoint source management activities throughout the State: local, regional, State and Federal agencies, as well as private, non-governmental organizations. This revision of the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program will encourage new partnerships and strengthened existing partnerships in the development and implementation of nonpoint source strategies. GAEPD will complete the revision in 2014. Under Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act, the USEPA awards a Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant to the GAEPD to fund eligible projects that support the implementation of the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. Section 319(h) Grant funds for the prevention, control and/or abatement of nonpoint sources of pollution are made available annually to public agencies in Georgia. Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides grants to the States to implement nonpoint source projects. The funds are distributed via competitive process to public agencies and governmental agencies. Receiving agencies are required to show substantial local commitment by providing at least 40% of the total project cost in local match or in-kind efforts. In FY12 FY14, Georgia's Section 319(h) grant project funded 37 new projects for over $7 million. For FY14, Georgia is poised to award $3.66 million to local governments and agencies to support streambank restoration, watershed planning, TMDL implementation, and support of Georgia's Coastal Nonpoint Source Management Program. In 2013, Georgia's Nonpoint Source Program administered more than 100 Section 319(h) projects, totaling more than $20 million dollars in funds awarded to cooperating agencies. Projects activities include implementing TMDL implementation plans and Watershed Management Plans, watershed planning, monitoring and assessment, enforcement, technical assistance, and information and education. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-8 Priorities for projects include projects implementing the nonpoint source components of TMDL implementation plans, or projects addressing the violated criteria of listed streams. Education, demonstration, and technical assistance projects are also eligible for funding, subject to restrictions. In addition, priority is given to projects that encompass or support a watershed management approach and result in measurable improvements in water quality. A watershed approach is a strategy for effectively protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and protecting human health. Major features of a watershed management approach are: targeting priority problems, promoting a high level of stakeholder involvement, integrated solutions that make use of the expertise and authority of multiple agencies, and measuring success through monitoring and other data gathering. The application of increased Section 319(h) Grant funds to focus on solving nonpoint source pollution problems will enable the State to make great strides in achieving water quality goals. The GAEPD uses a competitive process to ensure that the most appropriate projects are selected for funding. In accordance with the Fair and Open Grant Act, the GAEPD publishes a description of the Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant Program with the Secretary of State prior to disbursement of any grant funds. In accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. 28-5-122, the grant description filed with the Secretary of State includes information regarding the general scope and purpose of the grant program, general terms and conditions of the grant, eligible recipients of the grant, criteria for the award, and directions and deadlines for applications. Eligible recipients of Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant funds include local, regional and State units of government, local authorities which operate local government service delivery programs, regional development centers, local school systems, State colleges and universities, and State agencies. Local governments must have Qualified Local Government status, in compliance with the requirements of the Georgia Planning Act of 1989 and Service Delivery Strategy Law of 1997. Agriculture Georgia's Agriculture Nonpoint Source Management Program is implemented through a statewide non-regulatory approach. Benefits have accrued to Georgia as a result of voluntarily installed best management practices and the implementation of conservation incentive programs. These voluntary programs are enhanced by numerous financial, technical assistance, education, demonstration, and research activities delineated in the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. Implementation of the Agriculture Nonpoint Source Management Program is a critical State initiative to identify priority waters and to target nonpoint source management activities. The statewide non-regulatory approach uses cooperative partnerships with various agencies and a variety of activities and programs. Agencies that form the basis of the partnerships include the GSWCC (designated lead agency administrating the Agriculture Nonpoint Source Management Program), SWCD, NRCS, UGACAES, CES, FSA, GFC and the GDA. These agencies work closely with Georgia agricultural commodity commissions and organizations such as the GFBF, GAC, RC&D Councils, Cattleman's Association, Milk Producers, Pork Producers Association, Poultry Federation, Goldkist, The Georgia Conservancy, and GWF as well as other producer groups and agriculture support industries to prevent and solve water quality problems. In addition to the agriculture agencies and interest groups, a working partnership with individual land users is the cornerstone of soil and water conservation in Georgia. The cooperating agencies have specific functions and directions. All have an information, education, and public participation component to support their objective to improve and maintain water quality. Of the agriculture agencies, only the GDA has enforcement authority. The GSWCC works with GAEPD, the enforcement agency for the Georgia Water Quality Control Act, to resolve agricultural water quality complaints, where appropriate. The UGACAES and NRCS produce and distribute numerous brochures and fact sheets dealing with agriculture best management practices and water quality. The GSWCC has continued to sponsor local demonstration projects, provide farmers with visual demonstrations and information on the use and installation of best management practices, and collect data and generate computer databases on land use, animal units and agricultural BMP implementation. The GSWCC has published and continues to distribute the following guidebooks for implementing agricultural best management practices to protect the State's waters: Agricultural Best Management Practices for Protecting Water Quality in Georgia, Planning Considerations for WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-9 Animal Waste Systems, A Georgia Guide to Controlling EROSION with Vegetation, and Guidelines for Streambank Restoration. In 2012-2013, approximately $4.2 million in new Section 319(h) Grant projects were implemented to target agricultural sources of nonpoint source pollution. In addition to the minimum 40% required non-federal in-kind match, the NRCS has contributed hundreds of hours of time worth many millions of dollars in technical assistance to support these projects. The UGACAES, GSWCC, FSA, GFC and other agencies have also contributed significant technical assistance to support these projects. These projects offer solutions, as well as financial and technical implementation assistance, in identified priority watersheds. The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of working agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. CSP identifies and rewards those farmers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. Watersheds that are selected to participate contain a variety of land uses and input intensities, have highpriority resource issues to be addressed, including issues that meet State priorities, have a history of good land stewardship on the part of landowners, and have the technical tools necessary to streamline program implementation. Additional information may be found at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/. Farm Bill Programs under NRCS supervision include the Forestry Incentive Program (FIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitats Incentives Program (WHIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Farmland Protection Program and the Conservation Security Program (CSP). Collectively these programs, will continue to have a significant and positive impact on Georgia's natural resources. These Federal cost-share programs bring millions of dollars to Georgia. By requiring priority areas to be identified and ranked, conservation assistance will maximize the environmental benefit per dollar expended. Therefore, capital funding and technical expertise can be leveraged to enhance ongoing State and local efforts to more efficiently manage our natural resources. The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality to producers and helps farmers and ranchers reduce soil erosion, improve water use efficiency and protect grazing land by installing conservation practices that protect natural resources. EQIP provides technical, financial and educational assistance. NRCS is the lead agency for EQIP and works with many State and local partners to identify local priorities and recommend priority areas and program policy. In 2012-2013, the EQIP program provided over $20 million in incentive payments and costsharing for conservation practices. Silviculture The Georgia Forestry Commission has been an integral partner with the GAEPD since 1977, committed to protect and maintain the integrity and quality of the State's waters. The GAEPD designated the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) as the lead agency for the silviculture portion of the State's Nonpoint Source Management Program. The Silviculture Nonpoint Source Management Program is managed and implemented by the GFC, with the support of the forestry industry, for the voluntary implementation of best management practices. This program is managed by a Statewide Water Quality Coordinator and 12 foresters serving as District Water Quality Coordinators. The GFC Statewide and District Water Quality Coordinators have received specialized training in erosion and sediment control, forest road layout and construction, stream habitat assessment and wetland delineation. The Statewide and District Water Quality Coordinators provide local and statewide training to forest community through workshops, field demonstrations, presentations, management advice to landowners and distribution of Georgia's Best Management Practices for Forestry manual and brochures. The GFC also investigates and mediates complaints involving forestry operations. After notifying the landowner, the GFC District Coordinators conduct field inspections to determine if best management practices were followed, if the potential for water quality problems exists, if a contract was used and who purchased the timber. If a written contract was executed, the GFC District Coordinators will verify if the contractual agreement contains a clause WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-10 specifying the implementation of BMP. If problems do exist, the GFC District Coordinator will work with the timber buyer and/or logger on behalf of the landowner to correct the problems. However, the GFC is not a regulatory authority. Therefore, in situations when the GFC cannot get satisfactory compliance, the case is turned over to the GAEPD for enforcement action as provided under the Georgia Water Quality Control Act. The State Board of Registration for Foresters has adopted procedures to sanction or revoke the licenses of registered foresters involved in unresolved complaints where actions or lack of supervision to implement best management practices have resulted in violations of the Board's land ethic criterion, Georgia Water Quality Control Act, or Federal wetlands regulations. A long-term goal of Georgia's Nonpoint Source Management Program is to achieve 100% compliance in implementation of recommended Best Management Practices for silviculture. To determine the success of educational programs, and the effectiveness of recommended BMPs, the GFC (with financial support from Section 319(h) funds) conducts a biennial Statewide BMP Compliance Survey. The survey assesses the application of best management practices by logging operations. In 2013, the GFC completed a standardized survey of BMP compliance, including the rates of BMP implementation, units (areas, miles, crossings) in BMP compliance, effectiveness of BMPs, and areas to target for future BMP training. Overall, there were 209 sites evaluated totaling 27,500 acres. The number of acres in BMP compliance was 99.6%. This is statistically the same as reported in 2011. Out of the 6,025 applicable, individual BMPs evaluated, 89.93% were implemented. This is a 5.3 percent decrease from 2011. Out of the 81.24 miles of streams evaluated, more than 95.3% were found to have no impacts or impairments from forestry practices. This is however, a slight increase from the 2011 survey, which was at nearly 94% no impact. During the State FY 13, the Georgia Forestry Commission provided 80 BMP talks to approximately 2, 439 individuals. In addition, the GFC has addressed and resolved over 51 different logging complaints, requiring 118 separate site visits, and has conducted more than 84 one-to-one conferences with silviculture workers and professionals on-site or in the field. The Georgia Forestry Commission is currently working off of a FY13 319(h) grant and will not conduct another Statewide BMP Compliance Surveys until 2015. The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) and the forestry industry have played a significant role in encouraging the voluntary implementation of BMPs in Georgia. The forest industry has initiated numerous education workshops and training programs. The American Forest and Paper Association (AFPA) has adopted the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program. The objective of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program is to induce and promote a proactive approach to forest management, including the protection of water resources. Two pertinent aspects of this program are: 1) a continuing series of 2 day Master Timber Harvester Workshops with a component devoted to the protection of water resources and the implementation of best management practices, and 2) a Land Owner Outreach Program which endeavors to deliver information about forestry management and the protection of water resources to forest land owners. Urban Runoff The water quality in an urban and/or developing watershed is the result of both point source discharges and the impact of diverse land activities in the drainage basin (i.e., nonpoint sources). Activities which can alter the integrity of urban waterbodies include habitat alteration, hydrological modification, erosion and sedimentation associated with land disturbing activities, stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows, illicit discharges, improper storage and/or disposal of deleterious materials, and intermittent failure of sewerage systems. During urbanization, pervious, vegetated ground is converted to impervious, unvegetated surfaces such as rooftops, roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Increases in pollutant loading generated from human activities are associated with urbanization, and imperviousness results in increased stormwater volumes and altered hydrology in urban areas. Consistent with the multiple sources of urban runoff, strategies to manage urban runoff have multiple focuses. Some programs focus on specific sources of urban runoff, targeting implementation of structural and/or management BMPs on individual sites or systemwide. Other programs treat corridors along waterbodies as a management unit to prevent or control the impacts of urban runoff on urban streams. Additional programs focus on comprehensive watershed management. This approach, which WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-11 considers the impacts of all the land draining into a waterbody and incorporates integrated management techniques, is particularly critical to protecting and enhancing the quality of urban streams. Urban waterbodies cannot be effectively managed without controlling the adverse impacts of activities in their watersheds. While the State continues to have an important regulatory role, cooperative intergovernmental partnerships have emerged and are being strengthened. GAEPD is implementing programs which go beyond traditional regulation, providing the regulated community with greater flexibility and responsibility for determining management practices. The GAEPD is also expanding its role in facilitation and support of local watershed management efforts. In this next decade, water resource management and the regulatory issues pertaining to water will be the most critical environmental issues faced by many local governments. Unlike many of the environmental issues local governments have faced in the past, water issues must be addressed on a regional or watershed basis to be truly effective. The major urban/industrial region of the State is highly dependent upon limited surface water resources found in the northern portion of the State. With limited storage capacity and limited ground water resources in this region, it is imperative that these limited water resources be used wisely and their quality be maintained. In South Georgia, groundwater resources must be managed carefully to prevent contamination and salt water intrusion from excess water withdrawals. A stable, reliable framework and clearinghouse for regional cooperation, information sharing, and technical assistance is needed to prepare local governments and citizens to meet these challenges. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Water Resources Technical Assistance Program will fulfill this need. Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a key partner and point of contact for urban nonpoint source pollution. Georgia DCA provides technical assistance on many different aspects of water quality management. As an information and networking center, the Program provides water resources tools, one-on-one technical assistance, and workshops to address regional water quality issues to local elected officials currently serving 159 counties and 532 cities. The Program will also provide tools to link land-use and water quality in land-use planning, promote smart growth principles, and provide public education materials and programs on protecting water resources. Additionally, an array of programs to manage urban runoff are under development or being implemented in a variety of locales. The development and implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads for waterbodies not meeting water quality standards will continue to spur local and regional watershed management initiatives. Other initiatives have been implemented to further statewide coordination and implementation of urban runoff best management practices. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the GAEPD published the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual Volume 1, Stormwater Policy Guide and Volume 2, Technical Handbook in August 2001. This guidance manual for developers and local governments illustrates proper design of best management practices for controlling stormwater and nonpoint source pollution in urban areas in Georgia. The ARC will be developing Volume 3: Pollution Prevention in 2012. Also, in partnership with GAEPD, ARC, numerous local governments and other stakeholders, the Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Center for Watershed Protection are currently developing a Coastal Stormwater Supplement to the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, to specifically address coastal stormwater. The supplement will be complete September 2008. The University of Georgia's Marine Extension Service (MAREX) has partnered with local government officials to improve water quality through the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program, part of the national Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) network. The project is funded with a Coastal Incentive grant funds, and is also working closely with the Department of Community Affairs on their overall Statewide nonpoint source education efforts. MAREX provides educational programming, applied research, and technical assistance to communities along Georgia's coast. In 2011, the GAEPD updated its Green Growth Guidelines. These are intended to provide information to local governments on how to grow in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Much of the information is focused on water quality and management measures to address potential impairments. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-12 While the State has statutory responsibilities for water resources, local governments have the constitutional authority for the management of land activities. Therefore, it is necessary to forge cooperative partnerships between the State, local and regional governments, business and industry, and the general public. Watershed planning and management initiatives are necessary to identify local problems, implement corrective actions and coordinate the efforts of cooperating agencies. Outreach Unit The Outreach Unit consists of four primary programs that support the education and involvement of Georgia citizens in activities to protect our waterways from nonpoint source pollution. The four programs, highlighted below, include Georgia Project WET, River of Words, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Rivers Alive. A program manager, four state coordinators and part time staff provide the leadership necessary to implement the Outreach Unit programs. Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Program In October 1996, Georgia EPD selected Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) curriculum as the most appropriate water science and nonpoint source education curriculum for the State. The Project WET curriculum is an interdisciplinary water science and education curriculum that can be easily integrated into the existing curriculum of a school, museum, university pre-service class, or a community organization. The mission of Project WET is to reach children, parents, educators, and communities of the world with water education. The success of the Georgia Project WET Program has been phenomenal. Since 1997, over 13,000 Georgia teachers have been certified as Project WET educators, and over 727 have volunteered to be facilitators and train other adults in their communities. Certified Project WET instructors receive The Dragonfly Gazette twice a year, an electronic newsletter for educators brimming with water education resources and news. Georgia Project WET Program provides educators with resources such as the Enviroscape Nonpoint Source, Wetlands, Stormwater and Groundwater Flow Models demonstration tools used to emphasize the impacts of nonpoint source pollution to surface and ground waters, scripted theatrical performances and costumes for Mama Bass and the Mudsliders, and promotional and instructional training videos. Information is also available on the Georgia Project WET website, www.GaProjectWET.org Each year, the Georgia Project WET Program partners with the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia to conduct a statewide conference and awards ceremony. During the conference, Georgia Project WET recognizes a Facilitator, Educator and Organization of the Year. Awardees are selected based on their efforts to increase awareness about water issues and their commitment to water education. The Project WET Organization of the Year can choose to receive either a WET educator workshop for 25 individuals or $400 worth of water education materials to use for workshops or with students. Georgia Project WET has also partnered with the City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management to produce The Urban Watershed: A Supplement to the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide. This supplement includes twelve realworld, engaging activities that have been designed for 4-8th grade students. The activities address topics such as water quality, non-point source pollution, drinking water systems, wastewater systems and impervious surfaces. It is the first curriculum of its kind, focusing on the Chattahoochee River watershed and the unique issues that face an urban watershed. Since its first printing in August of 2005, over 1,674 educators have been trained to implement the curriculum in their classrooms and in the field. The Georgia Project WET Program offers educators in Georgia the opportunity to participate in the River of Words, an international poetry and art contest for students (K-12). This contest provides students with the opportunity to explore their own watersheds and to learn their "ecological" addresses through poetry and art. The Georgia Project WET Program offers a free River of Words Teacher's Guide for educators with specific information about Georgia's watersheds. In addition, several nature centers throughout Georgia offer River of Words field trips for students and teachers. National winners are selected by the former U.S. Poet Laureate, Robert Hass, and the International Children's Art Museum. Annually, only eight students are selected as National Grand Prize Winners to be honored at the Library of Congress in Washington DC or in San Francisco, California. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-13 Over 20,000 entries are submitted to the River of Words contest each year, and every year since 1997 Georgia students have been selected as National Grand Prize Winners and/or Finalists. In addition to the students that are recognized nationally, Georgia Project WET conducts a State judging each year in which approximately 50 students are honored as State winners. The State and National winners' work is on display in the Georgia River of Words Exhibition. Each year, Georgia Project WET partners with the Chattahoochee Nature Center to conduct the Georgia River of Words Awards Ceremony recognizing State and National winners from across the State. All River of Words state and national winners' poetry and art can be found on the project website, www.GaProjectWet.org. In partnership with the Georgia Center for the Book, Georgia Project WET coordinates an additional River of Words traveling exhibit through the library system, which visits 25-35 sites per year. In addition, over 70,000 students and teachers each year will view the River of Words exhibit when they visit the Education floor of the Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program is a citizen monitoring and stream protection program that focuses on what individuals and communities can do to mitigate nonpoint sources of pollution. The Program consists of two staff positions in the Georgia EPD and over 50 local community and watershed Adopt-A-Stream coordinators. The community and watershed coordinators are a network of college, watershed, or local based training centers located throughout Georgia. The network of local programs provides training workshops and educational presentations that allow the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program to be accessible to all areas of the State. In cooperation with the Georgia State Coordinators, the programs ensure that volunteers are trained consistently and that the monitoring data is professionally assessed for quality assurance and quality control. The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program's objectives are: (1) increase individual's awareness of how they contribute to nonpoint source pollution problems, (2) generate local support for nonpoint source management through public involvement and monitoring of waterbodies, (3) provide educational resources and technical assistance for addressing nonpoint source pollution problems statewide, and (4) collect and share baseline water quality data. Currently, thousands of volunteers participate in the 50 community sponsored Adopt-A-Stream Programs. Volunteers conduct clean ups, stabilize streambanks, monitor waterbodies using physical, chemical and biological methods, and evaluate habitats and watersheds at over 300 sites throughout the State. These activities lead to a greater awareness of water quality and nonpoint source pollution, active cooperation between the public and local governments in protecting water resources, and the collection of basic water quality data. Volunteers are offered different options of involvement. Each option involves an education and action component on a local waterbody. In addition to water quality monitoring, volunteers are encouraged to engage in habitat improvement, riparian restoration and rain garden construction projects. The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program provides volunteers with additional resources such as the Getting to Know Your Watershed, Visual Stream Survey, Macroinvertebrate and Chemical Stream Monitoring, Bacterial Monitoring, Adopt-A-Wetland, Adopt-A-Lake, Amphibian Monitoring and Adopt-AStream Educator's Guide manuals, PowerPoint presentations, and promotional and instructional training videos. Every two months a newsletter is published and distributed to over 8,000 volunteers statewide with program updates and information about available resources. Additional information about the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program, watershed investigation and water quality monitoring information is available on the website, www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org. All Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Program activities have been correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for grades K 12 and certified teachers in Georgia participating in Georgia Adopt-AStream Program training workshops receive Professional Learning Unit (PLU) credits. Additional information about the GPS correlations and PLU credits can be found online. Starting in 2010, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream brought back their annual conference, called Confluence. The Conference, held each year in the spring, has grown from an initial registration of 150 participants to average over 250 participants annually. The conference provides volunteers with an opportunity WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-14 to further their knowledge of water related issues, choosing from 8 concurrent tracks including topics such as: visual monitoring, invasive species, program development and social media; advance macroinvertebrate monitoring; and green infrastructure and stream stabilization workshops. In addition to the education opportunities, the conference provides a venue for recognizing the outstanding achievements of our volunteers and local trainers through our awards ceremony. The Adopt-A-Stream website supports a database to house all volunteer monitoring water quality data and programmatic information. It is a database drive website, with real time stats and graphs automatically generated by the information volunteers submit. Several formats are used to display monitoring data, including charts, graphs and basic GIS using a maps page that displays terrain, topographical and photographic layers. Data sharing developments like this website improve volunteer monitors' capacity to learn about and protect local water bodies. Presently, there are 200 groups actively monitoring 500 sites. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream partners with the Georgia River Network to present the Watershed Track at their annual conference. In another partnership activity with Georgia River Network, Adopt-A-Stream trained citizen monitors and led the scientific monitoring team for Paddle Georgia (a weeklong paddle down a major Georgia waterway). Over 75 sites were tested in 2011 on the Oconee River. These events helped connect citizens with activities that help protect and improve Georgia waters. Rivers Alive Program The Outreach Unit coordinates Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event, Rivers Alive, held in late summer through fall. Rivers Alive is a statewide event that includes streams, rivers, lakes wetlands and coastal waters. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. During the 2013 waterway cleanup, 26,000 volunteers cleaned over 2,000 miles of waterways and removed 590,000 pounds of trash and garbage including vehicles, boats, refrigerators, tires, plastic bottles and thousands of lost balls. Rivers Alive receives key support in the form of corporate sponsorship for the purchase of t-shirts and other materials to support local organizers. The cleanup events also share educational watershed posters and bookmarks, and public service announcements to advertise in local newspapers and on the radio. Rivers Alive also produces a how to organize a cleanup guide and a quarterly e-newsletter to provide updated information and helpful cleanup tips for organizers. In addition to protecting and preserving the State's waterways, Rivers Alive cleanup events involve participants in diverse activities such as storm drain stenciling, water quality monitoring and riparian restoration workshops, riverboat tours, wastewater treatment facility tours and general environmental education workshops. Rivers Alive maintains an online database for registering cleanups and submitting cleanup data. All cleanups are listed on an interactive maps page that shares individual organizer information. The cleanup results are displayed on maps and in graphs for each group to view and share. Additional information about Rivers Alive is available on the website, www.RiversAlive.org. Emergency Response Network The GAEPD maintains a team of Environmental Emergency Specialists capable of responding to oil or hazardous materials spills 24-hours a day. Each team member is cross-trained to address and enforce all environmental laws administered by the GAEPD. The team members interact at the command level with local, state and federal agency personnel to ensure the protection of human health and the environment during emergency and post emergency situations. These core team members are supplemented with additional trained Specialists who serve as part-time Emergency Responders. A significant number of reported releases involve discharges to storm sewers. Many citizens and some industries do not understand the distinction between storm and sanitary sewers and intentional discharge to storm sewers occurs all too frequently. A problem which arises several times a year involves the intentional discharge of gasoline to storm sewers, with a resulting buildup of vapors to explosive limits. A relatively small amount of gasoline can result in explosive limits being reached in a storm sewer. The resulting evacuations and industry closures cost the citizens of Georgia hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The GAEPD is designated in the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan as the lead state agency in responding to hazardous materials spills. Emergency Response Team members serve in both WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-15 a technical support and regulatory mode during an incident. The first goal of the Emergency Response Team is to minimize and mitigate harm to human health and the environment. In addition, appropriate enforcement actions including civil penalties are taken with respect to spill incidents. Emergency Response Team members work directly with responsible parties to coordinate all necessary cleanup actions. Team members can provide technical assistance with clean-up techniques, as well as guidance to ensure regulatory compliance. On a periodic basis, associates in the Environmental Radiation Program collect samples of groundwater, surface water, stream sediment and/or aquatic species (i.e. fish, shellfish) from each of these facilities. The GAEPD contracts with the Environmental Radiation Laboratory (ERL) at Georgia Tech for laboratory analysis of these samples for natural and man-made radionuclides. Environmental Radiation In 1976, the Georgia Radiation Control Act was amended to provide the GAEPD with responsibility for monitoring of radiation and radioactive materials in the environment. The Environmental Radiation Program was created to implement these responsibilities for environmental monitoring. Since that time, the Program has also been assigned responsibility for implementing the GAEPD lead agency role in radiological emergency planning, preparedness and response, and for analyzing drinking water samples collected pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act for the presence of naturally-occurring radioactive materials such as uranium, 226Ra, 228Ra and gross alpha activity. The Environmental Radiation Program monitors environmental media in the vicinity of nuclear facilities in or bordering Georgia to determine if radioactive materials are being released into the environment in quantities sufficient to adversely affect the health and safety of the citizens of Georgia or the quality of Georgia's environment. Among the more important of the facilities monitored by the Program are: Georgia Power Company Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, located in Appling County, Georgia; Alabama Power Company Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, located in Houston County, Alabama; Georgia Power Company Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, located in Burke County, Georgia; U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site, located in Aiken and Barnwell Counties, South Carolina; WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 7-16 CHAPTER 8 Ground and Surface Water Withdrawals, Availability and Drinking Water Supplies Groundwater Georgia began the development of its Comprehensive State Groundwater Protection Program (CSGWPP) in the 1970s with enactment of the Ground Water Use Act in 1972. By the mid-1980s, groundwater protection and management had been established by incorporation in a variety of environmental laws and rules. In 1984, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) published its first Groundwater Management Plan, in which the various regulatory programs dealing with groundwater were integrated. Most laws providing for protection and management of groundwater are administered by the EPD. Laws regulating pesticides are administered by the Department of Agriculture, environmental planning by the Department of Community Affairs, and on-site sewage disposal by the Department of Human Resources. The EPD has established formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with these agencies. The Georgia Groundwater Protection Coordinating Committee was established in 1992 to coordinate groundwater management activities between the various departments of state government and the several branches of the EPD. The first version of Georgia's Groundwater Management Plan (1984) has been revised several times to incorporate new laws, rules and technological advances. The current version, Georgia Geologic Survey Circular 11, was published in February 1998. This document was EPD's submission to the USEPA as a "core" CSGWPP. The USEPA approved the submittal in September of 1997. Groundwater is extremely important to the life, health, and economy of Georgia. For example, in 2013, groundwater supplies some 2,200 of Georgia's over 2,400 public water systems (which is about 60% of the municipal withdrawal permits totaling 420 million gallons per day annual average day (MGDAAD). About two-thirds of industrial and commercial permits are for groundwater use, comprising some 415 MGD-AAD. About 12,000 of the over 22,000 agricultural water withdrawal permits in Georgia are groundwater permits. In the rural parts of the state, virtually all individual homes not served by public water systems use wells as their source of drinking water. Total estimated groundwater demands in 2010 were approximately 1,900 MGD-AAD. The economy of Georgia and the health of millions of persons could be compromised if Georgia's groundwater were to be significantly polluted. Relatively few cases of ground water contamination adversely affecting public drinking water systems or privately owned drinking water wells have been documented in Georgia, and currently the vast majority of Georgia's population is not at risk from ground water pollution of drinking water. Data on the major sources of groundwater contamination are provided in Table 8-1. The EPD's groundwater regulatory programs follow an anti-degradation policy under which regulated activities will not develop into significant threats to the State's groundwater resources. This antidegradation policy is implemented through three principal elements: Pollution prevention, Management of groundwater quantity, Monitoring of groundwater quality and quantity. The prevention of pollution includes (1) the proper siting, construction and operation of environmental facilities and activities through a permitting system, (2) implementation of environmental planning criteria by incorporation in land-use planning by local government, (3) implementation of a Wellhead Protection Program for municipal drinking water wells, (4) detection and mitigation of existing problems, (5) development of other protective standards, as appropriate, where permits are not required, and (6) education of the public to the consequences of groundwater contamination and the need for groundwater protection. Management of groundwater quantity involves allocating the State's groundwater, through a permitting system, so that the resource will be available to present and future generations. Monitoring of groundwater quality and quantity involves continually assessing the resource so that changes, either good or bad, can be identified and corrective action implemented when and where needed. Table 82 is a summary of Georgia groundwater protection programs. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-1 The State of Georgia possesses a groundwater supply that is both abundant and of high quality. Except where aquifers in the Coastal Plain become salty at great depth, all of the State's aquifers are considered as potential sources of drinking water. For the most part, these aquifers are remarkably free of pollution. The aquifers are continuously recharged by precipitation, and continue to help meet future water needs. While water from wells is safe to drink without treatment in most areas of Georgia, water to be used for public supply is required to be chlorinated (except for very small systems). Water for domestic use can also be treated if required. Groundwater Monitoring Network Ambient groundwater quality, as well as the quantity available for development, is related to the geologic character of the aquifers. Georgia's aquifers can, in general, be characterized by the five main hydrologic provinces in the State (Figure 8-1). In addition to sampling of public drinking water wells as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act and sampling of monitoring wells at permitted facilities, the EPD monitors ambient groundwater quality through the Georgia Groundwater Monitoring Network. From 1984 through January 2004, this network regularly sampled wells and springs, tapping important aquifers throughout the State. From February 2004 through 2013, the network focused on various specialized situations: the Coastal area (102 wells), the Piedmont/Blue Ridge area (120 wells and springs), small public water systems (180 wells and springs, statewide), uranium in ground water (310 wells and springs), and arsenic in ground water in South Georgia (67 wells). In 2011, the network returned to the regular sampling of wells and springs drawing from important aquifers. Figure 8-2 shows locations of stations for the arsenic study and for the important aquifer study sampled during calendar years 2010 through 2013. One of the purposes of the network is to allow the EPD to identify groundwater quality trends before they become problems. The only adverse temporal trend noted to date is that nitrate, while still at very low levels, has slightly increased in concentration in the recharge areas of some Coastal Plain aquifers since 1984. From 1996 through 2009, 1,643 water samples from Groundwater Monitoring Network wells were analyzed for nitrate/nitrite. Water from 1.03 percent of these samples exceeded the MCL value. Nitrate can come from non-point sources such as natural and artificial fertilizer, natural sources, feedlots and animal enclosures. Septic tanks and land application of treated wastewater and sludge are other potential sources of nitrate. The EPD's extensive sampling program demonstrates that nitrates, from non-point sources, are not a significant contributor to groundwater pollution in Georgia. Results of aquifer monitoring data for calendar years 2012 and 2013 are provided in Tables 8-3 through 8-5. The 2012 ambient monitoring program found 29 wells with iron, manganese, or aluminum exceedances. The 2013 ambient monitoring program found one well with a nitrate/nitriate exceedance and 20 wells with iron, manganese, or aluminum exceedances. Owners of wells with exceedances were notified, and, if the well was a public supply well or a private drinking water source, a follow-up sampling was done. A 2010 Arsenic Monitoring Project sought to address the probable origin and extent of arsenic contamination found in waters from existing and prospective public supply wells in Grady County. Previous studies had suggested that a subsurface geologic feature termed the Gulf Trough, which extends across the State from southern Decatur County to northern Effingham County, was associated with water naturally contaminated with arsenic. The arsenic study concluded that the arsenic contamination was likely natural and likely associated with the Gulf Trough. The study found eight stations with water that had arsenic in excess of the Primary MCL. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-2 TABLE 8-1 MAJOR SOURCES OF GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION Contaminant Source Contaminant Source Selection Factors Agricultural Activities Agricultural chemical facilities Animal feedlots Drainage wells Contaminants Fertilizer applications Irrigation practices Pesticide applications Storage and Treatment Activities Land application Material stockpiles Storage tanks (above ground) Storage tanks (undergro und)* C, D, F D Surface impoundments Waste piles Waste tailings Disposal Activities Deep injection wells Landfills* Septic systems* Shallow injection wells C, D, F C D, H E, K, L Contaminant Source Other Hazardous waste generators Hazardous waste sites* Industrial facilities* Material transfer operatio ns Mining and mine drainage Pipelines and sewer lines* Salt storage and road salting Salt water intrusion* Spills* Transportation of materials Contaminant Source Selection Factors Contaminants F C, H C, F C, D, H F D B, C, E, F G F D Urban runoff* Natural iron and manganese* Natural radioactivity D, E Variable F H, I *10 highest-priority sources Factors used to select each of the contaminant sources. A. Human health and/or environmental risk (toxicity) B. Size of the population at risk C. Location of the sources relative to drinking water sources D. Number and/or size of contaminant sources E. Hydrogeologic sensitivity F. State findings, other findings Contaminants/classes of contaminants considered to be associated with each of the sources that were checked. A. Inorganic pesticides B. Organic pesticides C. Halogenated solvents D. Petroleum compounds E. Nitrate F. Fluoride G. Salinity/brine H. Metals I. Radio nuclides J. Bacteria K. Protozoa L. Viruses WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-3 TABLE 8-2 SUMMARY OF STATE GROUND WATER PROTECTION PROGRAMS Programs or Activities Check Implementation Responsible (X) Status Georgia Agency Active SARA Title III Program X Fully Established Environ. Protection Ambient ground water monitoring system X Fully Established Environ. Protection Aquifer vulnerability assessment X Ongoing Environ. Protection Aquifer mapping X Ongoing Environ. Protection Aquifer characterization X Ongoing Environ. Protection Comprehensive data management system X Ongoing Environ. Protection EPA-endorsed Core Comprehensive State Ground Water Protection Program (CSGWPP) X Fully Established Environ. Protection Ground water discharge Prohibited Ground water Best Management Practices X Pending Environ. Protection Ground water legislation X Fully Established Environ. Protection Ground water classification Not applicable Ground water quality standards X Ongoing Environ. Protection Interagency coordination for ground water protection X Fully Established Environ. Protection initiatives Nonpoint source controls X Ongoing Environ. Protection Pesticide State Management Plan X Fully Established Agriculture Pollution Prevention Program Discontinued Natural Resources Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) X Fully Established Environ. Protection Primacy State Superfund X Fully Established Environ. Protection State RCRA Program incorporating more stringent X Fully Established Environ. Protection requirements than RCRA Primacy State septic system regulations X Fully Established Public Health Underground storage tank installation requirements X Fully Established Environ. Protection Underground Storage Tank Remediation Fund X Fully Established Environ. Protection Underground Storage Tank Permit Program X Fully Established Environ. Protection Underground Injection Control Program X Fully Established Environ. Protection Vulnerability assessment for drinking water/wellhead protection X Fully Established Environ. Protection Well abandonment regulations X Fully Established Environ. Protection Wellhead Protection Program (EPA-approved) X Fully Established Environ. Protection Well installation regulations X Fully Established Environ. Protection WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-4 FIGURE 8-1 HYDROLOGIC PROVINCES OF GEORGIA Valley and Ridge Ground-water Reservoirs and Well Yields Massive dolomite, limestone 50 - 500 gpm Sandstone, mudstone, chert 1 - 100 gpm Granite, gneiss, metasediments 1 - 250 gpm Sand, gravel 50 - 1200 gpm Limestone, sand 250 - 1000 gpm Limestone, dolostone 1000 - 5000 gpm Blue Ridge and Piedmont Coastal Plain 0 35 70 140 Miles WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-5 FIGURE 8-2 GROUNDWATER MONITORING NETWORK, 2012-2013 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-6 TABLE 8-3A SUMMARY OF GROUND-WATER MONITORING RESULTS CY 2012 Eighty Important Aquifer Monitoring Stations Nitrate/ Nitrite VOCs Arsenic Uranium Copper or Fe, Mn, or Lead Al Detections 50 8 Exceedances 0 0 2 16 24 45 0 0 0 29 TABLE 8-3B SUMMARY OF GROUND-WATER MONITORING RESULTS FOR CY 2013 Eighty Three Important Aquifer Monitoring Stations Nitrate/ Nitrite VOCs Arsenic Uranium Copper or Fe, Mn, or Lead Al Detections 49 5 1 17 21 43 Exceedances 1 0 0 0 0 20 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-7 TABLE 8-4 GROUND-WATER MONITORING DATA FOR CY 2012 Important Aquifer Monitoring Aquifer Number of Stations Nitrate/ Nitrate Detection// Exceedance Number of Stations Showing: VOCs Detection// Exceedance Arsenic Detection// Exceedance Uranium Detection// Exceedance Copper or Lead Detection// Exceedance Fe, Mn, or Al Detection// Exceedance Cretaceous/ 12 Providence Clayton 1 Claiborne 3 Jacksonian 5 Floridan 28 Miocene 6 Piedmo nt/ Blue Ridge 19 Valley and Ridge 6 7 // 0 1 // 0 1 // 0 3 // 0 12 // 0 3 // 0 17 // 0 6 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 4 // 0 0 // 0 2 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 5 // 0 0 // 0 10 // 0 0 // 0 7 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 5 // 0 2 // 0 8 // 0 0 // 0 9 // 8 1 // 1 2 // 2 2 // 0 15 // 8 4 // 3 12 // 7 0 // 0 TABLE 8-5 GROUND-WATER MONITORING DATA FOR CY 2013 Important Aquifer Monitoring Aquifer Cretac eo us/ Providence Clayton Claiborne Jac kso nian Floridan Miocene Piedmo nt/ Blue Ridge Valley and Ridge Number of Stations Nitrate/ Nitrate Detection// Exceedance 12 7 // 0 1 1 // 0 3 1 // 0 5 3 // 0 29 11 // 0 6 2 // 1 21 18 // 0 6 6 // 0 Number of Stations Showing: VOCs Detection// Exceedance Arsenic Detection// Exceedance Uranium Detection// Exceedance Copper or Lead Detection// Exceedance 0 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 6 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 4 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 5 // 0 0 // 0 1 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 4 // 0 2 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 11 // 0 7 // 0 1 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 0 // 0 Fe, Mn, or Al Detection// Exceedance 5 // 2 1 // 1 2 // 2 3 // 0 12 // 4 5 // 3 13 // 8 2 // 0 WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-8 Agricultural chemicals are commonly used in the agricultural regions of the State (Figure 8-3). In order to evaluate the occurrence of agricultural chemicals in groundwater, the EPD has sampled: A network of monitoring wells located downgradient from fields where pesticides are routinely applied, Domestic drinking water wells for pesticides and nitrates, and Agricultural Drainage wells and sinkholes in the agricultural regions of Georgia's Coastal Plain for pesticides. Only a few pesticides and herbicides have been detected in groundwater in these studies. There is no particular pattern to their occurrence, and most detections have been transient; that is, the chemical is most often no longer present when the well is resampled. Prudent agricultural use of pesticides does not appear to represent a significant threat to drinking water aquifers in Georgia at this time. Salt Water Intrusion The most extensive contamination of Georgia's aquifers is from naturally occurring mineral salts (i.e., high total dissolved solids, or TDS levels). Areas generally susceptible to high TDS levels are shown in Figure 8-4. Intensive use of groundwater in the 24 counties of the Georgia coast has caused some groundwater containing high levels of dissolved solids to enter freshwater aquifers either vertically or laterally. Salt-water intrusion into the Upper Floridan Aquifer threatens groundwater supplies in the Hilton Head-Savannah and Brunswick areas. Intrusion rates, however, are quite slow, with salt-contaminated water taking more than a hundred years to reach Savannah. This has effectively slowed the rate of additional contamination. On April 23, 1997, the EPD implemented an Interim Strategy to protect the Upper Floridan Aquifer from salt-water intrusion in the 24 coastal counties. The strategy, developed in consultation with South Carolina and Florida, continued until June 2006, when the final coastal Plan was adopted for implementation. The new and final "Coastal Georgia Water & Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion" describes the goals, policies, and actions the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will undertake to manage the water resources of the 24county area of coastal Georgia. The Plan is designed to support the continued growth and development of coastal Georgia while implementing sustainable water resource management. The final Plan replaces the "Interim Strategy for Managing Salt Water Intrusion in the Upper Floridan Aquifer of Southeast Georgia" and sets forth how EPD will conduct ground and surface water withdrawal permitting, and management and permitting of wastewater discharges. It advances requirements for water conservation, water reclamation and reuse, and wastewater management. Based on the findings of the Coastal Sound Science Initiative (CSSI), the Plan will guide EPD water resource management decisions and actions. The primary focus of the final Plan recognizes the intrusion of salt water into the Upper Floridan aquifer at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The Plan recognizes that actions taken to halt the intrusion of additional salt water into the aquifer will not result in the halting of the migration of the salt water that has already entered the aquifer. This plan for managing coastal Georgia salt water intrusion, withdrawal permitting, and wastewater management reflects the State's goal of sustainable use of both groundwater and surface waters, it supports regional economic growth and development, and contributes to protecting the short-term and long-term health of both the public and natural systems. It is based on the best WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-9 FIGURE 8-3 INSECTICIDE/HERBICIDE USE IN GEORGIA, 1980 Insecticide/Herbicide Use in Application-Acres Less than 50,000 50,000 - 100,000 Greater than 100,000 Note: An application-acre represents one application of insecticide-herbicide to one acre of land. Some crops may require multiple applications. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-10 FIGURE 8-4 AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO NATURAL HIGH DISSOLVED SOLIDS AND 24 COUNTY AREA COVERED BY THE INTERIM COASTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY DADE CATOOSA WHITFIELDMURRAY WALKER FANNIN TOWNS UNION RABUN GILMER WHITEHABERSHAM CHATTOOGA GORDON LUMPKIN PICKENS DAWSON STEPHENS FLOYD BARTOW CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL BANKS FRANKLIN HART JACKSON MADISON ELBERT Dissolved solids concentration 0 - 250 mg/L 251 - 500 mg/L 501 - 850 mg/L Coastal Management Area POLK PAULDING HARALSON COBB BARROW GWINNETT CLARKE DE KALB WALTON OGLETHORPE OCONEE WILKES LINCOLN CARROLL HEARD DOUGLAS FULTON ROCKDALE COWETA CLAYTON NEWTON MORGAN GREENE TALIAFERRO COLUMBIA FAYETTE HENRY MCDUFFIE WARREN RICHMOND SPALDING BUTTS JASPER PUTNAM HANCOCK GLASCOCK PIKE TROUP MERIWETHER LAMAR MONROE BALDWIN JONES JEFFERSON WASHINGTON HARRIS UPSON TALBOT CRAWFORD BIBB WILKINSON TWIGGS JOHNSON BURKE JENKINS SCREVEN MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEEMARION TAYLOR PEACH MACON HOUSTON BLECKLEY EMANUEL LAURENS TREUTLEN CANDLER BULLOCH EFFINGHAM SCHLEY STEWART WEBSTER SUMTER QUITMAN RANDOLPH TERRELL LEE DOOLY CRISP PULASKI WILCOX DODGE MONTGOMERY EVANS WHEELER TOOMBS TATTNALL TELFAIR BRYAN TURNER BEN HILL JEFF DAVIS APPLING LIBERTY LONG CHATHAM CLAY CALHOUN DOUGHERTY WORTH IRWIN TIFT COFFEE BACON WAYNE MCINTOSH EARLY MILLER BAKER MITCHELL COLQUITT BERRIEN ATKINSON COOK PIERCE BRANTLEY GLYNN LANIER WARE SEMINOLE DECATUR GRADY THOMAS BROOKS LOWNDES CLINCH ECHOLS CHARLTON CAMDEN WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-11 available scientific data and information on the stresses on the water resources within the region. Management strategies that abate the intrusion of salt water are primarily concerned with quantity and supply, but water supply strategies are incomplete without a corresponding array of actions that will address related wastewater issues. The additional water supply available through the water withdrawal permitting conducted under this Plan will increase the amount of wastewater to be discharged into the sensitive ecosystems of coastal Georgia. Therefore, the final Plan also incorporates policies and actions needed to begin solving the wastewater discharge limitations that have become evident as coastal Georgia continues to grow. In May 2013 EPD's Director issued a prohibition of new permitted withdrawals from the lower Floridan aquifer in four coastal Georgia counties (shown below as red and yellow zones). EPD determined the interconnectivity between the upper and lower Floridan permeable zones influence the saltwater intrusion into the upper Floridan permeable zone. Applicants for new water withdrawals may use the Miocene or Cretaceous aquifers or may use surface water. The Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act (the Water Planning Act), passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Perdue in 2004, defines general policy and guiding principles for water resource management that guide this Coastal Georgia Water & Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion. The incorporation of these policies and guiding principles into this Plan will facilitate its alignment with the Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan that was adopted by the General Assembly in January 2008. To date the State water plan has completed assessments of the quantity and quality of surface waters in major streams and rivers in Georgia, and the ranges of sustainable yields of prioritized aquifers in Georgia. Most of the aquifers prioritized for determination of ranges of sustainable yield were aquifers within the Coastal Plain physiographic province of Georgia where most groundwater use within the State occurs. Ranges of sustainable yields of Coastal Plain aquifers were determined using finite difference and finite element numerical modeling methods. The range of sustainable yield was determined for the Paleozoic carbonate aquifer in a study basin of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province of northwestern Georgia using finite difference modeling, and ranges of sustainable yield were determined for the crystalline rock aquifer in selected basins in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge physiographic provinces of northern Georgia using basin water budgets. Some wells in Georgia produce water containing relatively high levels of naturally occurring iron and manganese. Another natural source of contamination is from radioactive minerals that are a minor rock constituent in some Georgia aquifers. While natural radioactivity may occur anywhere in Georgia (Figure 8-5), the most significant problems have occurred at some locations near the Gulf Trough, a geologic feature of the Floridan Aquifer in the Coastal Plain. Wells can generally be constructed to seal off the rocks producing the radioactive elements to WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-12 provide safe drinking water. If the radioactive zones in a well cannot be sealed off, the public water may have to connect to a neighboring permitted public water system(s). Treatment to remove radionuclides and uranium from water is a problem due to concerns for the disposal of the concentrated residue. However, certain treatment firms (e.g. Water Remediation Technology, LLC) have arrangements to remove certain radionuclides from ground water and dispose of residues properly. In particular, uranium-rich residues are turned over to processors, which extract the metal. Radon, a radioactive gas produced by the radioactive minerals mentioned above, also has been noted in highly variable amounts in groundwater from some Georgia wells, especially in the Piedmont region. Treatment systems may be used to remove radon from groundwater. Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, was found in 1991 in excess of expected background levels by EPD sampling in Burke County aquifers. While the greatest amount of tritium thus far measured is only 15 percent of the US EPA MCL for tritium, the wells in which it has been found lie across the Savannah River from the Savannah River was produced for nuclear weapons (Figure 8 5). The tritium does not exceed MCLs for drinking water; therefore it does not represent a health threat to Georgia citizens at the present time. Results of the EPD's studies to date indicate the most likely pathway for tritium to be transported from the Savannah River Plant is through the air due to evapotranspiration of triturated water. The water vapor is condensed to form triturated precipitation over Georgia and reaches the shallow aquifers through normal infiltration and recharge. Man-made pollution of groundwater can come from a number of sources, such as business and industry, agriculture, and homes (e.g., septic systems). Widespread annual testing of public water supply wells for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs, e.g. solvents and hydrocarbons) is performed by the EPD. Only a very few water systems have had a VOC level high enough to exceed the MCL and become a violation. The sources of the VOCs most commonly are ill-defined spills and leaks, improper disposal of solvents by nearby businesses, and leaking underground fuel storage tanks located close to the well. Where such pollution has been identified, alternate sites for wells are generally available or the water can be treated. Groundwater Under the Influence The EPD evaluates public groundwater sources (wells and springs) to determine if they have direct surface water influence. Ground Water Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI) is defined as "Water beneath the surface of the ground with: (1) Significant occurrence of insects or other macro organisms, algae, or large diameter protozoa and pathogens such as Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium; and significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity or pH which closely correlate to climatological or surface conditions." Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) is a method of sampling and testing for significant indicators. All of the known existing sources have been evaluated either on site or from information gathered from our files. Some are being re-evaluated as better information becomes available. The GWUDI program has been restructured so that sample analyses are now performed by EPD laboratory personnel instead of Drinking Water Program personnel. Since the EPD lab began processing these samples in September 2009, forty-four water sources have been analyzed for surface water influence. All were determined to be under some degree of risk of surface water contamination. Results for each source were forwarded to EPD personnel, both at the Regional Office level and at the central Drinking Water Engineering Program in Atlanta, for follow-up. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-13 FIGURE 8-5 AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO NATURAL AND HUMAN INDUCED RADIATION DADE CATOOSA WHITFIELDMURRAY WALKER FANNIN TOWNS UNION RABUN GILMER WHITEHABERSHAM CHATTOOGA GORDON LUMPKIN PICKENS DAWSON STEPHENS FLOYD BARTOW CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL BANKS FRANKLIN HART JACKSON MADISON ELBERT Areas of known natural radioactivity contamination Granite outcrops Tritium pollution POLK PAULDING COBB HARALSON BARROW GWINNETT CLARKE DE KALB WALTON OGLETHORPE OCONEE WILKES LINCOLN DOUGLAS FULTON ROCKDALE CARROLL HEARD COWETA CLAYTON NEWTON MORGAN GREENE TALIAFERRO COLUMBIA FAYETTE HENRY MCDUFFIE WARREN RICHMOND SPALDING BUTTS JASPER PUTNAM HANCOCK GLASCOCK PIKE TROUP MERIWETHER LAMAR MONROE BALDWIN JONES JEFFERSON WASHINGTON HARRIS UPSON TALBOT CRAWFORD BIBB WILKINSON TWIGGS JOHNSON BURKE JENKINS SCREVEN MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEEMARION TAYLOR PEACH MACON HOUSTON BLECKLEY EMANUEL LAURENS TREUTLEN CANDLER BULLOCH EFFINGHAM SCHLEY STEWART WEBSTER SUMTER QUITMAN RANDOLPH TERRELL LEE DOOLY CRISP PULASKI WILCOX DODGE MONTGOMERY WHEELER TOOMBS EVANS TATTNALL TELFAIR BRYAN TURNER BEN HILL JEFF DAVIS APPLING LIBERTY LONG CHATHAM CLAY CALHOUN DOUGHERTY WORTH IRWIN TIFT COFFEE BACON WAYNE MCINTOSH EARLY MILLER BAKER MITCHELL COLQUITT BERRIEN ATKINSON COOK PIERCE BRANTLEY GLYNN LANIER WARE SEMINOLE DECATUR GRADY THOMAS BROOKS LOWNDES CLINCH ECHOLS CHARLTON CAMDEN WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-14 Protecting Groundwater Groundwater protection from leaking underground storage tanks was enhanced with the enactment of the Georgia Underground Storage Tank Act in 1988. The program established a financial assurance trust fund and instituted corrective action requirements to cleanup leaking underground storage tanks. Through December 31, 2013, confirmed releases have been identified at 13,289 sites where implemented corrective action procedures have led to completed cleanups at 11,945 of these releases. Of the remaining 1,344 open releases, site investigations and/or remedial actions have been initiated at 816 sites. In 1992, the Georgia Legislature enacted the Hazardous Site Response Act to require the notification and control of releases of hazardous materials to soil and groundwater. Currently, there are 547 sites listed on the Georgia Hazardous Site Inventory (HSI). Since the initial publication of the HSI, cleanups and investigations have been completed on 271 sites. 426 Sites have cleanups in progress and 121 sites are under investigation. No action has been taken on 17 sites. During the previous year there were 4 additions to the inventory and 11 sites were removed. As with underground storage tanks, Georgia has established a trust fund raised from fees paid by hazardous waste generators for the purpose of cleaning abandoned hazardous waste sites. Using a combination of site assessment, and removal and transportation/disposal contractors, the Hazardous Site Response Program has issued over 196 contracts to investigate and cleanup abandoned sites, of which approximately 185 have been completed. Eleven contracts/sites remain "open". Leachate leaking from solid waste landfills is also a potential groundwater pollutant. Georgia has a program, utilizing written protocols, to properly site, construct, operate, and monitor such landfills so that pollution of groundwater will not become a threat to drinking water supplies. In this regard, the EPD has completed a set of maps generated by a Geographic Information System that show areas geotechnically unsuitable for a municipal solid waste landfill. Maps at the scale of 1:100,000 have been distributed to all of the State's Regional Development Centers. In addition, all permitted solid waste landfills are required to have an approved groundwater monitoring plan and monitoring wells installed in accordance with the EPD standards for groundwater monitoring. As of 2013 in Georgia, there were 141 permitted active (operational) waste disposal landfills (includes 53 municipal solid waste landfills, 43 construction and demolition landfills, and 45 industrial landfills). Additionally, Georgia has some 1014 inert landfills, which take only wastes that will not or are not likely to cause production of leachate of environmental concern. There are 25 landfills in post-closure care required to conduct groundwater monitoring, and 221 landfills have an operational status of closed as 2013 The EPD also actively monitors sites where treated wastewaters are further treated by land application methods. Agricultural drainage wells and other forms of illegal underground injection of wastes are closed under another EPD program. The EPD identifies non-domestic septic systems in use in the State, collects information on their use, and has implemented the permitting of systems serving more than 20 persons. Relatively few of the systems are used for the disposal of non-sanitary waste, and the owners of those systems are required to obtain a site specific permit or stop disposing of non-sanitary waste, carry out groundwater pollution studies, and clean up any pollution that was detected. None of these sources represents a significant threat to the quality of Georgia's groundwater at the present time. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-15 The EPD has an active Underground Injection Control Program. As of December 31, 2013, the program has issued 581 UIC permits covering 11,954 Class V wells. Most of the permits are for remediation wells for UST sites, petroleum product spills, hazardous waste sites, or for non-domestic septic systems. Georgia law requires that water well drillers constructing domestic, irrigation and public water supply wells and all pump installers be licensed and bonded. As of December 31, 2013 Georgia had 209 active licensed water well drillers and 79 certified pump installers and that are required to follow strict well construction and repair standards. The EPD continues to work with various drilling associations, licensed drillers, and certified pump installers to uphold and enforce the construction standards of the Water Well Standards Act. The EPD has taken an active role in informing all licensed drillers of the requirement that all irrigation wells must be permitted, and that such permits must be issued prior to the actual drilling of any irrigation well. All drillers constructing monitoring wells or engineering and geologic boreholes must be bonded, and such well construction or borings must be performed under the direction of a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist registered in Georgia. The EPD maintains an active file of all bonded drilling and pump installing companies and makes every attempt to stop the operations of all drillers and pump installers who fail to maintain a proper bond. The EPD issues permits and regulates all oil and gas exploration in the state under the Oil & Gas and Deep Drilling Act. Activities affecting groundwater quality that take place in areas where precipitation is actively recharging groundwater aquifers are more prone to cause pollution of drinking water supplies than those taking place in other areas. In this regard, Georgia was one of the first states to implement a state-wide recharge area protection program. The EPD has identified the most significant recharge areas for the main aquifer systems in the State (Figure 8-6). The EPD has completed detailed maps showing the relative susceptibility of shallow groundwater to pollution by man's activities at the land surface. These maps at the scale of 1:100,000 have been distributed to the State's Regional Development Centers, and a state-wide map at the scale of 1:500,000 has been published as Hydrologic Atlas 20. In addition, the EPD is geologically mapping the recharge zones of important Georgia aquifers at a large scale of 1:24,000. Recharge areas and areas with higher than average pollution susceptibility are given special consideration in all relevant permit programs. The EPD has developed environmental criteria to protect groundwater in significant recharge areas as required by the Georgia Comprehensive Planning Act of 1989. These criteria also reflect the relative pollution susceptibility of the land surface in recharge areas. Local governments are currently incorporating the pollution prevention measures contained in the criteria in developing local land use plans. Some areas, where recharge to individual wells using the surficial or unconfined aquifers is taking place, are also significant recharge areas. To protect such wells, the EPD implemented a Wellhead Protection Program for municipal drinking water wells in 1993. Wells in confined aquifers have a small Wellhead Protection Area, generally 100 feet from the well. Wells using unconfined aquifers have Wellhead Protection Areas extending several hundred to several thousand feet from the well. Wells in karstic areas require even larger protection areas, which are defined using hydrogeologic mapping techniques. Wellhead Protection Plans have been completed for all permitted municipal wells in Georgia. There are currently 1,606 active municipal ground water wells with Wellhead Protection Plans. The ten-year update schedule for Wellhead Protection Plants continues to date. The WHP Plan update WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-16 includes the addition of pertinent well information and an update of potential pollution sources. In addition, the EPD has carried out vulnerability studies for nonmunicipal public water systems. Table 8-1 summarizes the sources and nature of groundwater contamination and pollution in Georgia. In Table 8-1, an asterisk indicates that the listed source is one of the 10 highest sources in the state. Of these, the most significant source is saltwater intrusion in the 24 coastal counties. The second most significant source is naturally occurring iron, manganese, and radioactivity. Agricultural applications of pesticides and fertilizers are not significant sources. Table 8-2 is a summary of Georgia groundwater protection programs. Georgia, primarily the EPD, has delegated authority for all federal environmental groundwater protection statutes that are more stringent than federal statutes. Of the 28 programs, identified by USEPA, only three are not applicable to Georgia: discharges to groundwater are prohibited; the State's hydrogeology is not compatible to classification; and, while managed through construction standards, actual permits for underground storage tanks are not issued. Tables 8-3, 8-4, and 8-5 summarize ambient groundwater quality monitoring results for calendar years 2010 and 2011. The data presented were developed from the Georgia Groundwater Monitoring Network reports. As previously mentioned there are some wells and springs that EPD has determined to be under the influence of surface water. There are no documented cases in Georgia of groundwater polluting surface water sources. Ground and Surface Water Withdrawals (including water availability analysis and conservation planning) The Water Withdrawal Permitting Program of the Watershed Protection Branch The Water Withdrawal Permitting Program of the Watershed Protection Branch currently has three (3) major water withdrawal permitting responsibilities: (a) permitting of municipal and industrial ground water withdrawal facilities; (b) permitting of municipal and industrial surface water withdrawal facilities; and (c) permitting of both surface and groundwater agricultural irrigation water use facilities. Any person who withdraws more than 100,000 gallons of surface water per day on a monthly average or more than 100,000 gallons of groundwater on any day or uses a 70 gpm pump or larger for agricultural irrigation, must obtain a permit from the EPD prior to any such withdrawal. Through the end of December 2013, EPD had 301 active municipal and industrial surface water withdrawal permits (194 municipal, 107 industrial), 510 active groundwater withdrawal permits (312 municipal/public supply, 198 industrial and golf course irrigation permits) and approximately 22,100 agricultural water use permits (encompassing both groundwater and surface water sources). Future efforts will focus on improving long-term permitting, water conservation planning, drought contingency planning and monitoring and enforcement of existing permits. The Georgia Ground Water Use Act of 1972 requires all non-agricultural groundwater users of more than 100,000 gpd for any purpose to obtain a Ground Water Use Permit from EPD. Applicants are required to submit details relating to withdrawal location, historic water use, water demand projections, water conservation, projected water demands, the source aquifer system, and well construction data. An EPD-issued Ground Water Use Permit identifies both the allowable monthly average and annual average withdrawal rate, permit expiration date, withdrawal purpose, number of wells, and standard and special conditions for resource use. Standard conditions define legislative provisions, permit transfer restrictions and reporting requirements (i.e., semi-annual groundwater use reports); special conditions identify such things WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-17 FIGURE 8-6 GENERALIZED MAP OF SIGNIFICANT GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREAS OF GEORGIA Aquifers Ridge and Valley (Unconfined) Blue Ridge and Piedmont (Unconfined) Cretaceous System Clayton System Claiborne System Floridan-Jacksonian System Miocene/Pliocene (Recent Unconfined) WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-18 as the source aquifer and conditions of well replacement. The objective of groundwater permitting is the same as that defined for surface water permitting. The 1977 Surface Water Amendments to the Georgia Water Quality Control Act of 1964 require all non-agricultural surface water users of more than 100,000 gallons per day (gpd) on a monthly average (from any Georgia surface water body) to obtain a Surface Water Withdrawal Permit from the EPD. These users include persons, municipalities, governmental agencies, industries, military installations, and all other non-agricultural users. The 1977 statute "grandfathered" all pre-1977 users who could establish the quantity of their use prior to 1977. Under this provision these pre-1977 users were permitted at antecedent withdrawal levels with no minimum flow conditions. Applicants for surface water withdrawal permits are required to submit details relating to withdrawal source, historic water use, water demand projections, water conservation, low flow protection (for non-grandfathered withdrawals), drought contingency, raw water storage, watershed protection, and reservoir management. An EPD-issued Surface Water Withdrawal Permit identifies withdrawal source and purpose, monthly average and maximum 24-hour withdrawal limits, standard and special conditions for water withdrawal, and Permit expiration date. Standard conditions define legislative provisions, permit transfer restrictions and reporting requirements (i.e., usually annual water use reports); special conditions identify withdrawal specifics such as the requirement for protecting non-depletable flow (NDF). The NDF is that minimum flow required to protect instream uses, (e.g., waste assimilation, fish habitat, and downstream demand). The objective of surface water permitting is to provide a balance between resource protection and resource need. The 1988 Amendments to both the Ground Water Use Act and the Water Quality Control Act require all agricultural groundwater and surface water users of more than 100,000 gpd on a monthly average to obtain an Agricultural Water Use Permit. "Agricultural Use" is specifically defined as the processing of perishable agricultural products and the irrigation of recreational turf (i.e., golf courses) except in certain areas of the state where recreational turf is considered as an industrial use. These areas are defined for surface water withdrawals as the Chattahoochee River watershed upstream from Peachtree Creek (North Georgia), and for groundwater withdrawals in the coastal counties of Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and Glynn. Applicants for Agricultural Water Use Permits who were able to establish that their use existed prior to July 1, 1988 and whose applications were received prior to July 1, 1991, are "grandfathered" for the operating capacity in place prior to July 1, 1988. Other applications are reviewed and granted with consideration for protecting the integrity of the resource and the water rights of permitted, grandfathered users. Currently, agricultural users are not required to submit any water use reports. An EPD-issued Agricultural Water Use Permit identifies among other things the source, the purpose of withdrawal, total design pumping capacity, installation date, acres irrigated, inches of water applied per year, and the location of the withdrawal. Special conditions may identify minimum surface water flow to be protected or the aquifer and depth to which a well is limited. Agricultural Water Use Permits may be transferred and have no expiration date. Since January, 1992, the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers - Mobile District have been cooperating partners in an interstate water resources management study. The study area encompasses the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River system (shared by Alabama and Georgia), and the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint River system (shared by the three states). These river basins make up 38 percent of Georgia's total land area, provide drinking water to over 60 percent of Georgia's people, and supply water for more than 35 percent of Georgia's irrigated agriculture. Significant portions of Georgia's industrial production and recreation-based economy are dependent on the water in these basins. The fish and wildlife resources that depend on these waters are also vital to Georgia. The WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-19 goals of the study include, (a) forecasts of water demands for a myriad of uses in the two river systems through the year 2050; (b) estimates of ability of already developed water sources to meet the projected water demands; and (c) development of a conceptual framework for the basin wide management of the water resources of the two basins in a manner that would maximize the potential of the systems to meet expected water demands. At the end of December, 1997, the study was essentially completed. Work on most of the detailed scopes of work was completed, and the states along with the federal government, had executed river basin compacts for the two basins. The compacts are providing the framework under which the states and the federal government continue to negotiate water allocation formulas that will equitably apportion the waters of these basins. Once these allocation formulas are developed and agreed upon, the state and federal partners will manage the two river systems to comply with the formulas. Under Georgia's comprehensive water management strategy, permit applicants for more than 100,000 gallons per day of surface water or groundwater for public drinking water have been required for a number of years to develop comprehensive water conservation plans in accordance with EPD guidelines. These plans primarily address categories such as system unaccounted-for water (leakage, unmetered use, flushing, etc.), metering, plumbing codes, water shortage planning, water reuse, public education, and so forth. Such plans must be submitted in conjunction with applications for new or increased nonagricultural ground and surface water withdrawals. Key provisions of the plans include the required submittal of water conservation progress reports 5 years after plan approval, the submittal of yearly "unaccounted-for" water reports, and greater emphasis on incorporating water conservation into long-term water demand projections. adopt and enforce these requirements in order to remain eligible for State and Federal grants or loans for water supply and wastewater projects. During times of emergency, the EPD Director is authorized to issue orders to protect the quantity and safety of water supplies. In general, municipal water shortage plans follow a phased reduction of water use based on the implementation of restrictions on non-essential water uses such as lawn watering, and so forth. These demand reduction measures typically include odd/even and/or time of day restrictions and progress from voluntary to mandatory with appropriate enforcement procedures. Severe shortages may result in total restriction on all nonessential water use, cut-backs to manufacturing and commercial facilities, and eventual rationing if the shortage becomes critical enough to threaten basic service for human health and sanitation. Water conservation efforts are extremely important to Georgia's future particularly in the north and central regions of the State. Ground and Surface Drinking Water Supplies Similar to groundwater, Georgia's surface water sources provide raw water of excellent quality for drinking water supplies. During 2012-2013, no surface water supply system reported an outbreak of waterborne disease. Since the Federal and State Surface Water Treatment Regulations (SWTR) went into effect on June 29, 1993, approximately 140 surface water plants around the state have taken steps to optimize their treatment processes not only to meet the current SWTRs tougher disinfection and turbidity treatment technique requirements, but also to meet more stringent future drinking water regulations. The most recent regulations mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency include the control of disinfection byproducts and the microbial contaminants in drinking water. Georgia law also requires the use of ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures (1.6 gpm toilets, 2.5 gpm shower heads and 2.0 gpm faucets) for all new construction. Local governments must The purpose of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR) and the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule is to improve public health protection WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-20 through the control of microbial contaminants, particularly Cryptosporidium (including Giardia and viruses) for those public water systems that use surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water. The purpose of the new Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR) is to improve public health protection by reducing exposure to disinfection by products in drinking water (total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids). Stage 1 DBPR applies to all sizes of community and non-transient and noncommunity water systems that add a disinfectant to the drinking water during any part of the treatment process and transient non-community water systems that use chlorine dioxide. During 2012-2013, no surface water production systems were required to issue "boil water" advisories to their customers due to significant SWTR treatment technique violations, other than events due to water main breaks. However, several surface and ground water systems that have been monitoring for TTHMs and HAA5s during this period experienced exceedances of the established MCLs. LT2 and Stage 2 Surface Water Treatment Amendments to the SDWA in 1996 require EPA to develop rules to balance the risks between microbial pathogens and disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, promulgated in December 1998, were the first phase in a rulemaking strategy required by Congress as part of the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. time, reduce potential health risks of DBPs. These two new regulations went into effect in December 2005. EPD is prepared to fully implement these regulations in Georgia, including the "early Implementation" provisions of the regulations. The purpose of Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) is to reduce illness linked with the contaminant Cryptosporidium and other pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water. The LT2ESWTR will supplement existing regulations by targeting additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements to higher risk systems. This rule also contains provisions to reduce risks from uncovered finished water reservoirs and provisions to ensure that systems maintain microbial protection when they take steps to decrease the formation of disinfection byproducts that result from chemical water treatment. Current regulations require filtered water systems to reduce source water Cryptosporidium levels by 2-log (99 percent). Recent data on Cryptosporidium infectivity and occurrence indicate that this treatment requirement is sufficient for most systems, but additional treatment is necessary for certain higher risk systems. These higher risk systems include filtered water systems with high levels of Cryptosporidium in their water sources and all unfiltered water systems, which do not treat for Cryptosporidium. Based on the initial bin classifications for Cryptosporidium, there are no surface water sources in Georgia that require additional treatment to comply with the LT2ESWTR. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule builds upon earlier rules to address higher risk public water systems for protection measures beyond those required for existing regulations. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule are the second phase of rules required by Congress. These rules strengthen protection against microbial contaminants, especially Cryptosporidium, and at the same The LT2ESWTR is being promulgated simultaneously with the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule to address concerns about risk tradeoffs between pathogens and DBPs. The Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Rule will reduce potential cancer and reproductive and developmental health risks from disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water, which form when disinfectants are used to control microbial pathogens. Over 260 million individuals are exposed to DBPs. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-21 This Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Rule strengthens public health protection for customers by tightening compliance monitoring requirements for two groups of DBPs, trihalomethanes (TTHM) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). The rule targets systems with the greatest risk and builds incrementally on existing rules. This regulation will reduce DBP exposure and related potential health risks and provide more equitable public health protection. Public Water System Supervision Program This program is designed to ensure that Georgia residents, served by public water systems, are provided high quality and safe drinking water. Its legal basis is the Georgia Safe Drinking Water Act and Rules. For the reporting period ending June 30, 2013, the State of Georgia had approximately 2,420 active public water systems serving a population over 8.4 million people. Based on the latest census figures, this means 87% of the citizens get their drinking water from one of the regulated public water systems in the State. The rest obtain water from their privately owned water sources. Approximately 75% provide water to residential customers. These systems are referred to as community water systems and serve at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serve at least 25 yearround residents daily. Approximately oneeighth of the community water systems are from surface water supplies (226 out of the total 1,781 community water systems); the remaining 87% (1,555 CWSs) are served by groundwater sources. In addition, there are 187 non-transient noncommunity water systems that regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons over 6 months per year. Examples of these systems are hospitals, day care centers, major shopping centers, children's homes, institutions, factories, office and industrial parks, schools, and so forth. Furthermore, there are 454 transient noncommunity water systems that do not regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year, such as restaurants, highway rest areas, campgrounds, roadside stops, and hotels. With a few exceptions, practically all of the non-transient non-community water systems and the transient non-community water systems use groundwater sources for their drinking water needs. All public water systems are issued a Permit to Operate a Public Water System, in accordance with the Georgia Safe Drinking Water Act and Rules. These permits set forth operational requirements for wells, surface water treatment plants and distribution systems for communities, industries, trailer parks, hotels, restaurants and other public water system owners. Georgia's community and non- transient, non-community public water systems are currently monitored for 92 contaminants. Georgia closely follows the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and implements the National Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards, involving about 92 contaminants (turbidity, 8 microbial or indicator organisms, 20 inorganic, 60 organic, 4 radiological contaminants). Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are set for 83 contaminants, treatment technique requirements are established for 9 contaminants to protect public health, and secondary standards for 15 contaminants are issued to ensure aesthetic quality. The program is funded from State and Federal appropriations and grants respectively on a year-to-year basis and a Drinking Water Laboratory and Related Services Fee (DWLRSF), which has been in effect since July 1992. The DWLRSF was necessary to provide the resources to implement testing for (a) lead and copper and (b) Phase II and V Synthetic Organic and Inorganic Chemicals in public water systems. Water system owners who contract with the EPD for this testing are billed annually based on the system population. Fees range from $30 per year for a transient non-community system to a maximum of $24,000 per year for a large water system with three or more entry points. Participation in the WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-22 DWLRSF is voluntary to the extent that a system may elect to use a public or certified commercial laboratory to analyze their required samples. The DWLRSF was expanded in July 2009 to incorporate bacteriological testing, for an additional fee. Testing for lead and copper in accordance with the Federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) began on January 1, 1992. On January 12, 2000 EPA published minor revisions to the existing 1991 Lead and Copper Rule. It was called Lead and Copper Minor Rule Revision (LCRMR). The purpose of this revision was to eliminate unnecessary requirements, streamline and reduce burden and also to promote consistent implementation. All systems that are required to monitor for lead and copper are initially required to perform two, six-month consecutive rounds of lead and copper monitoring starting from January December of the required year, all 19 large systems are still required to maintain a corrosion control plan and have continued to do so. In 2013, there were no public water systems having a treatment technique violation exceeding the action level for lead (i.e., over 10% of samples exceeded 15 ppb lead) and/or copper (i.e., over 10% of samples exceed 1,300 ppb copper). Monitoring for the 16 inorganic chemicals, 55 volatile organic chemicals and 43 synthetic organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and polychlorinated biphenyls is still required for systems that are considered a public water system. New systems are still required to initiate baseline monitoring (quarterly for all organic monitoring and surface water nitrate monitoring, annual for surface water inorganic monitoring and once every three years for groundwater inorganic monitoring). There were 3 systems that had results over the MCL for individual volatile organic contaminants in a particular quarter, however these system didn't received a violation due to compliance being based on four consecutive quarters results being higher than the established maximum contaminant level (MCL). The systems however are being monitored quarterly for VOCs. A majority of Georgia's water systems, which are currently contracted with the State (participating in DWLRSF) have been issued monitoring waivers for SOCs and therefore are not required to monitor for those contaminants. New sources however, for existing systems are still required to establish base line monitoring for SOCs. After establishing the four quarters baseline monitoring they will be eligible for a waiver. In order to reduce the Federal chemical monitoring requirements, EPD conducts vulnerability studies for all public water sources. The studies are conducted to assist EPD with the issuance of chemical monitoring waivers to public water systems. Water sources at low risk to contamination are issued waivers from the chemical monitoring requirements as specified by the Federal Phase II/Phase V regulations. To date, the EPD has issued statewide monitoring waivers for asbestos, cyanide, dioxin and most synthetic organic compounds. EPD, however, does continue to monitor a representative number of water systems deemed to be of high vulnerability to contamination for asbestos, cyanide, dioxin and all waived synthetic organic compounds to obtain the chemical data needed to issue and maintain these statewide waivers. The issuance of waivers from monitoring for the above chemical parameters has saved Georgia's public water systems millions of dollars in monitoring costs over the duration of the waiver terms. In addition, EPD also prepared vulnerability studies for individual water sources. These studies included the preparation of countywide and site specific maps of the area immediately surrounding the water source, and a report about the water source. The maps included water wells, potential pollution sources around the wells, cultural information such as roads, and bodies of water. As of December 31, 2013, the EPD had prepared site specific maps for approximately 723 privately owned ground water public water systems. Additional maps have not been completed since the WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-23 information is included in the SWAP documents. USEPA approved Georgia's Source Water Assessment and Protection Implementation Plan on May 1, 2000. Georgia's deadline for completion of surface water source water assessments (SWAPs) was November 1, 2003. Georgia's deadline for completion of ground water SWAPs was June 2005 for community systems, December 2005 for nontransient non-community systems, and December 2006 for transient non-community systems. Source Water Assessments (SWAPs) for privately-owned ground water systems are currently being updated as the drinking water permit for each comes up for renewal. During the current reporting period of for the calendar years of 2012 and 2013, the following numbers of SWAPs were completed for each type of privatelyowned ground water system: 200 community, 19 non-transient noncommunity, and 36 transient non-community. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 8-24 CHAPTER 9 Major Issues and Challenges Comprehensive State and Regional Water Planning Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Between 2000 and 2010, Georgia gained 1.5 million new residents, ranking 4th nationally. The increasing population places considerable demands on Georgia's ground and surface water resources in terms of water supply, water quality, and assimilative capacity. In 2004 the Georgia General Assembly passed the "Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act", O.C.G.A. 12-5522, which called for the development of a statewide water management plan. Work was completed on the Statewide Water Plan and the plan was approved by the General Assembly and Governor Perdue in February 2008. Regional Water Councils and the Metro District were charged with the responsibility of developing water plans to provide a roadmap for sustainable use of Georgia's water resources. The Councils submitted initial recommended plans to the GAEPD in May 2011. The plans were publicly noticed and comments received were thoroughly reviewed. Appropriate revisions were made to the initial plans and final recommended regional water plans were submitted to the GAEPD in September 2011. On November 15, 2011, by action of Director Barnes, the GAEPD officially adopted all ten Regional Water Plans. The regional water plans are not themselves an end. The plans present solutions identified by a cross-section of regional leaders, drawing on regional knowledge and priorities. The plans are based on consistent, statewide forecasts of needs and reflect the best available information on the capacities of Georgia's waters. The tools used to assess the capacities have been tested and refined, and will be further refined as the information for planning and management is improved. The process and results of regional planning, taken together, provide solid footing for plan implementation and the five-year review and revision required by the State Water Plan. Water users, water providers, local governments, state agencies, and elected leaders all have an important role in actions to ensure that Georgia's waters are sustainably managed to support the state's economy, protect public health and natural systems, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens. Nonpoint Source Pollution The pollution impact on Georgia streams has radically shifted over the last several decades. Streams are no longer dominated by untreated or partially treated sewage discharges that resulted in little or no oxygen and little or no aquatic life. The sewage is now treated, oxygen levels have returned and fish have followed. However, another source of pollution affecting Georgia streams is nonpoint sources that include mud, litter, bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, metals, oils, detergents and a variety of other pollutants being washed into rivers and lakes by stormwater. Even stormwater runoff itself, if rate and volume is uncontrolled, can be extremely detrimental to aquatic habitat and hydrological systems. Nonpoint source pollution must be reduced and controlled to fully protect Georgia's streams. In addition to structural pollution controls, the use of nonstructural techniques should be significantly expanded to minimize nonpoint source pollution. Some controls that should be considered include: green infrastructure, appropriate building densities, low impact development, buffer zones, erosion and sedimentation controls, street cleaning and limitations on pesticide and fertilizer usage. Some of these best management practices can be implemented through local government planning and zoning. Toxic Substances The reduction of toxic substances in rivers, lakes, sediment, and fish tissue is extremely important in protecting both human health and aquatic life. The sources of toxic substances are widespread. Stormwater runoff may contain WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 9-1 metals or toxic organic chemicals, such as pesticides (chlordane, DDE) or PCBs. Even though the production and use of PCB and chlordane is outlawed, the chemicals still persist in the environment as a result of previous use. One of the primary sources of mercury detected in fish tissue in Georgia and other states may be from atmospheric deposition. Some municipal and industrial treated wastewaters may contain concentrations of metals coming from plumbing (lead, copper, zinc) or industrial processes. The concern over toxic substances is twofold. First, aquatic life is very sensitive to metals and small concentrations of metals can cause impairment. Fortunately, metals at low concentrations are not harmful to humans. Second, the contrary is true for carcinogenic organic chemicals. Concentrations of these chemicals may accumulate in fish flesh without damage to the fish but may increase a person's cancer risk if the fish are eaten regularly. The most effective method to reduce the release of toxic substances into rivers is pollution prevention which consists primarily of eliminating or reducing the use of toxic substances, or at least reducing the exposure of toxic materials to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. Although, it is very expensive and difficult to reduce low concentrations of toxic substances in wastewaters by treatment technologies, it is virtually impossible to treat large quantities of stormwater for toxic substance reductions. Therefore, toxic substances must be controlled at the source. Nutrients Nutrients serve a very important role in our environment. They provide the essential building blocks necessary for growth and development of healthy aquatic ecosystems. However, if not properly managed, nutrients in excessive amounts can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment, creating such water quality problems as excessive growth of macrophytes and phytoplankton, harmful algal blooms, dissolved oxygen depletion, and an imbalance of flora and fauna. In Georgia, site specific nutrient criteria have been adopted for several major lakes and their tributaries. Some of these lakes are currently listed for chlorophyll a, which is the primary biological indicator in lakes for nutrient overenrichment. TMDLs, based on watershed modeling, have been completed or are in development to address the nutrient issues for these lakes. Currently, the GAEPD is in the process of collecting the necessary data and information for use in developing nutrient standards for rivers, streams and other waterbodies in Georgia. Determining the relationship of nutrient levels and biological response is necessary in order to develop appropriate nutrient criteria. Public Involvement It is clear that local governments and industries, even with well funded efforts, cannot fully address the challenges of nonpoint source pollution control, nutrients, and toxic substances. Citizens must individually and collectively be part of the solution to these challenges. The main focus is to achieve full public acceptance of the fact that what we do on the land has a direct impact on water quality. Human activities that contribute to nonpoint source pollution, nutrients, and toxics, include adding more pavement and other impervious surfaces, littering, driving cars that drip oil and antifreeze, applying fertilizers and pesticides. If streams and lakes are to be pollutant free, then some of the everyday human activities must be modified. The GAEPD will be emphasizing public involvement; not only in decision-making, but also in direct programs of stream improvement. This work includes education through Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) and Adopt-A-Stream programs. WATER QUALITY IN GEORGIA 9-2