Agenda - 10-03-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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132 Additions to Strata. Pa'er Pro'osed b Don Willhoit - Urania Count Board of Commissioners STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY OF FALLS AND JORDAN RESERV©IRS September 22, 1983 PREAMBLE - CONCERN ABOUT TOXICS The Triangle J Council of Governments remains concerned about the serious and still unanswered - questions about long-term health effects of toxic trace elements and synthetics organic chemicals which may be present in Falls and Jordan Lakes. At the May meeting of the N. C. Environmental Management Commission, NRCD officials cited their lack of data on which to base conclusive statements on the presence or absence of these.substances in the two reservoirs. At the September EMC meeting, evidence was presented suggesting the widespread occurrence of chemical biocides in the surface waters of North Carolina. Our concern is especially acute for Jordan Lake, whose watershed drains some of the most industralized portions of North Carolina. Current research at UNC-Chapel Hill confirms the presence of many synthetic organic chemicals in the Haw River whose identities - and effects - are still undetermined. Triangle J is seriously concerned about the lack of data on substances which the State is not measuring because of insufficient technical and/or financial capability. We recognize that available data indicate that both reservoirs will probably satisfy existing standards for water supply sources; but these standards fail to address the plethora of chemical species in the watersheds whose long-term health effects are still unknown. Historical evidence suggests that present standards will become obsolete as analytical and epidemiological methods improve. All A-II waters are not of equal quality. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N. C. Environmental Management Commission have both acknowledged that Jordan Lake is of lesser quality than OWASA's Cane Creek site in Orange County even though both sources may satisfy existing A-II standards. Triangle J is concerned that such subtle, but important, differences will be neglected if Jordan Lake is reclassified A-II without thorough investigation. Given the inadequacies of the present classification system, the most prudent action would be to reclassify the Jordan B, nutrient sensitive. Reclassifica- tion to A-II should await completion of studies on the health implications of use of the Jordan as a drinking water supply. We are concerned that NRCD's strenuous and sincere efforts of recent months have over-emphasized the threat of nutrient enrichment at the expense of toxic trace elements and synthetic organic chemicals. Nevertheless, Triangle J pro- poses the following Strategy for improving the water quality of Falls and Jordan Resetfvoirs. Virtually all the recommended management practices for controlling nonpoint sources of sediment and nutrients will effectively reduce toxic runoff 1