Agenda - 10-05-2004-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 early next year, Point sources account for 45% of the Total Nitrogen (TN) and 18% of the Total Phosphorus (TP) load to the Upper New Hope Arm of the lake. Overall, it is estimated that nonpoint sources contribute about 70% of the total nutrient load to the lake, Three major publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants and several small privately owned "package" plants discharge highly treated effluent just a short distance from the lake. Over the past 16 months, a .Jordan Lake Stakeholders Project, a joint effort of DWQ, Triangle J Council of Governments and Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, has been formed, This effort was created to provide a framework to address concerns about total phosphorus and total nitrogen levels in the lake, The recommendations from the stakeholder project would help the N.C, Environmental Management Commission (EMC) develop a nutrient management strategy for the entire watershed -especially the Upper New Hope arm. Based on the modeling, it is expected that nutrient management measures to be developed will need to address the non-point sources from developed land surfaces in the upstream drainage area, which includes the New Hope Creek basin, Chapel Hill, Carrbora, Durham and RTP. If not managed properly, population and economic growth projected to occur in the watershed over the coming decades will threaten the ability of the lake to support its designated uses as a major regional drinking water supply, recreational resource, and aquatic habitat. These management strategies likely to emerge from the study would address both point-sources and non-point sources, This may translate into changes to local stormwater programs, agricultural practices, development standards, and wastewater treatment. This would be similar to new rules put in place for the Neuse River basin in 1999. Discussions at recent stakeholders meetings have resulted in some disagreements between and among utility providers, watershed groups and DWQ on the type and manner of nutrient reduction strategies to be recommended, Several of the providers, including OWASA, have cited a number of technical concerns and propose a phased, incremental approach to nutrient reduction strategies. Some citizen watershed groups have expressed concerns about the relatively less-stringent measures to be applied in the Haw River Arm of the lake. In August, DWO staff announced an intention to recommend a phased approach to nutrient management. A copy of a memorandum from OWASA Planning and Research Director Ed Holland outlining some of these issues is attached. (Note: This memo is primarily concerned with paint-source issues for wastewater treatment), FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact involved with receipt of this status report. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive as this report as information and provide any comments to staff.