Orange County NC Website
18 <br /> for iron and manganese, which can typically occur at elevated <br /> levels- in North Carolina lakes. <br /> • Synthetic Organic Chemicals - Information on synthetic organic <br /> chemicals is not complete. Analyses for samples from the Haw River <br /> and other tributaries to Jordan Lake have indicated the presence of <br /> several pesticides and other synthetic organic chemicals in very <br /> low (mostly below the level of quantification) levels. Three EPA <br /> priority pollutants were identified in the Haw River: Naphthalene, <br /> 1 , 2, 4 trichlorobenzene, and toluene. Neither naphthalene or 1 , <br /> - 2, 4 trichlorobenzene were detected at levels which could be <br /> quantified, and toluene was detected at a level that was 4,000 <br /> times less than EPA' s health criteria. Organic analyses performed <br /> on samples from Jordan Lake have not identified any synthetic <br /> 1 organic chemicals. However, these analyses do not completely <br /> characterize these chemicals and some questions remain unanswered. <br /> COMMENT: DEM studies have shown that the New Hope arm of Jordan Lake is less <br /> affected by sources of pollution than the Haw River arm. <br /> AI <br /> Therefore, this would be the preferred location for an intake. It <br /> is suggested that this arm may compare with Falls Lake in terms of <br /> exposure to point sources. <br /> • Bioassays - Bioassay evaluations for effects on aquatic life have <br /> been performed on all major discharges in the watershed. These <br /> assessments are most strictly applied to aquatic life, but are also <br /> considered to have some implication for human health. However, <br /> they should be used only as an indication and not as final <br /> determinant for human health effects. Available information from <br /> these evaluations does not indicate widespread effluent toxicity <br /> problems. Problems that have been identified occur in Burlington, <br /> Reidsville and Greensboro, all located a substantial distance from <br /> the lake. At present, continued efforts are being undertaken to <br /> minimize effluent toxicity. <br /> Subsequent to the 1985 studies, additional assessments were reported in <br /> the DEM Report, "Water Supply Suitability of Jordan Lake" (December, 1986) . <br /> 6-7 <br />