Agenda - 10-21-1997 - 11a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Provisional Cane Creek Recommendations 6 June 26, 1997 Page 4 • The most-significant water quality problems are associated with nutrients and algal blooms. Cadmus characterized these as representing a high risk to attaining the Cane Creek objectives. • Low levels of dissolved oxygen in bottom waters during the summer months increase the concentration of naturally occurring iron and manganese, which create taste and staining problems unless removed at the treatment plant. Other compounds associated with high nutrient and low dissolved oxygen conditions can also cause objectionable tastes and odors in the treated water. These conditions are considered to be a high risk to attaining the aesthetic water quality objectives for Cane Creek. • Total organic carbon(TOC)concentrations, an indicator of potentially harmful disinfection by-products formed during chlorination, are similarly considered to be a high risk condition. Cadmus' modeling indicated that TOC levels are not likely to change, regardless of management strategy. • Based on current knowledge and monitoring data, there appears to be little risk from chemical pesticides and synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs). • Risks from microbial pathogens, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, are in the low to moderate range and are expected to remain low if animal waste practices and OWASA's treatment plant operation are sustained at their current, high levels of performance. • Sediment delivery to the reservoir reflects generally good land management practices and is within an acceptable range. Sedimentation is not expected to reduce water storage capacity if accumulation rates remain in the present range. • Cane Creek's fish population is acceptable, but could be improved through independent fishery management programs. • Aquatic weeds are not a current problem, but continued oversight is needed. Management Options: No single management option can meet all of the objectives; therefore, a combination of methods is needed: • Modifications to the Orange County Zoning Ordinance Orange County's watershed protection requirements are among the most stringent in North Carolina, but certain modifications are needed to manage degradation due to future development. • Further evaluation of tributary detention by OWASA.