Water Quality And Pollution Control Handbook - Alabama

398 Pages·2000·6.59 MB·English

ANR-790
Water Quality
And
Pollution Control
Handbook
Compiled by James E. Hairston, Extension Water Quality Scientist
Assisted by Leigh Stribling, Technical Writer
Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
—Part One—
Chapter 1 Water As A Resource
Section 1.1 Getting To Know Water
1.1.1 Understanding Water As A Resource
1.1.2 How Nature Recycles And Purifies Water: The Hydrologic Cycle
1.1.3 Where Water Supplies Are Stored: Surface Water And Groundwater
1.1.4 How Water Supplies Become Contaminated: Water Purity And Pollution
Section 1.2 Protecting Water Quality
1.2.1 Recycling Household Wastes
1.2.2 Composting Yard Wastes
1.2.3 Disposing Of Household Chemical Wastes
1.2.4 Using Pesticides Safely Around Your Home
1.2.5 Understanding Your Septic System And Water Quality
1.2.6 Controlling Runoff From Your Yard
Section 1.3 Conserving Water
1.3.1 Why Conserve Water?
1.3.2 Installing Water-Saving Devices
1.3.3 Developing Water-Conserving Habits: A Checklist
1.3.4 Xeriscaping: Landscape Design For Water Conservation
Chapter 2 Managing Drinking Water Quality
Section 2.1 Drinking Water Standards
2.1.1 Safe Drinking Water—Who’s In Charge?
2.1.2 Drinking Water Standards: How Are They Set?
2.1.3 Protecting Your Health: Primary Standards
2.1.4 Regulating Nuisance Contaminants: Secondary Standards
2.1.5 What Happens At A Water Treatment Plant?
Section 2.2 Water Testing
2.2.1 Should You Have Your Water Tested?
2.2.2 Where Can You Have Your Water Tested?
2.2.3 How Should You Collect Water Samples?
2.2.4 Which Tests Should You Request?
2.2.5 Interpreting Water Tests: What Do The Numbers Mean?
Section 2.3 Typical Contaminants And Problems
2.3.1 Bacterial Contaminants
2.3.2 Water Hardness
2.3.3 Iron And Manganese
2.3.4 Turbidity (Cloudy Water)
iii
2.3.5 Color, Odor, And Taste Problems
2.3.6 Corrosion
2.3.7 Metal Contaminants
2.3.8 Lead
2.3.9 Nitrate
2.3.10 Sodium Chloride
2.3.11 Fluoride
2.3.12 Pesticides And Organic Contaminants
2.3.13 Radionuclides (Radon)
Section 2.4 Possible Treatments
2.4.1 Buying Water Treatment Equipment
2.4.2 Questions To Ask When Shopping For Water Treatment Equipment
2.4.3 Filters
2.4.4 Reverse Osmosis
2.4.5 Distillers
2.4.6 Ion Exchange Units: Cation Exchange (Softeners) And Anion Exchange
2.4.7 Chemical Feed Pumps
2.4.8 Ultraviolet Radiation, Ozone Treatment, And Aeration
2.4.9 Bottled Water: Is It Really Better?
Section 2.5 Water Supply Wells
2.5.1 Constructing A Well
2.5.2 Protecting The Well Site
2.5.3 How To Seal An Abandoned Well
2.5.4 Testing Well Water
2.5.5 Disinfecting Well Water By Chlorination
2.5.6 Maintaining Well Records
Section 2.6 Drinking Water For Livestock And Poultry
Chapter 3 Managing Wastewater
Section 3.1 Municipal Wastewater Treatment
3.1.1 Wastewater Collection And Treatment Processes
3.1.2 Land Application Of Municipal Wastewater
3.1.3 Constructed Wetlands: A New Concept In Treating Wastewater
Section 3.2 On-site Sewage Treatment (Septic Tank Systems)
3.2.1 Planning For A Septic System
3.2.2 Understanding Septic System Design And Construction
3.2.3 Maintaining A Septic System
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—Part Two—
Chapter 4 Controlling Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution
Section 4.1 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Of Alabama Waters
Section 4.2 The Rural Environment And NPS Pollution
4.2.1 Understanding Agricultural Erosion, Sedimentation, And NPS Pollution
4.2.2 Regulating Agricultural NPS Pollution
4.2.3 Controlling Agricultural NPS Pollution Through Best Management Practices
Section 4.3 Soil Management To Protect Water Quality
4.3.1 Understanding Soils And How They Affect Water Quality
4.3.2 Estimating Soil Erosion Losses And Sediment Delivery Ratios
4.3.3 Cropping And Nonstructural Agronomic Practices For Soil Management
4.3.4 Reduced Tillage Practices For Soil Management
4.3.5 Structural Measures For Soil Management
4.3.6 Irrigation Systems And Soil Management
Section 4.4 Fertilizer Management To Protect Water Quality
4.4.1 Understanding Nutrients And How They Affect Water Quality
4.4.2 Soil Testing And Plant Analysis For Fertilizer Management
4.4.3 Fertilizer Application Techniques
4.4.4 Cropping And Tillage Practices For Fertilizer Management
4.4.5 Nitrogen Management Practices For Fertilizer Management
4.4.6 Nutrient Management Of Land Applied Sludge
4.4.7 Irrigation Systems And Fertilizer Management
Section 4.5 Pesticide Management To Protect Water Quality
4.5.1 Understanding Pesticides And How They Affect Water Quality
4.5.2 Regulating Pesticide Registration And Tolerances
4.5.3 Integrated Pest Management
4.5.4 Using Pesticides On The Farm: From Selection To Disposal
4.5.5 Structural Controls And Land Management Strategies For Minimizing
Pesticide Losses
4.5.6 Chemigation Safety
4.5.7 Common Sense Tips For Safe Aerial Spraying
Section 4.6 Animal Waste Management To Protect Water Quality
4.6.1 Animal Waste And How It Affects Water Quality
4.6.2 Regulating Animal Wastes
4.6.3 Animal Waste Management Systems
4.6.4 Land Application Of Animal Wastes
4.6.5 Analyzing Nutrient Value Of Animal Wastes
4.6.6 Calculating Rates Of Application Based On Nitrogen Needs
4.6.7 Calibrating Manure Spreaders
4.6.8 Managing Open Lots And Pasture Systems To Minimize NPS Pollution
Section 4.7 The Urban Environment And NPS Pollution
4.7.1 Urbanization And How It Affects Water Quality
4.7.2 Understanding Urban Stormwater Runoff
4.7.3 Regulating Urban Stormwater Runoff
v
4.7.4 Best Management Practices To Control Urban NPS Pollution
4.7.5 Best Management Practices For Construction Activities
4.7.6 Best Management Practices For Individuals
Section 4.8 Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) And NPS Pollution
4.8.1 USTs And How They Affect Water Quality
4.8.2 Regulating USTs
4.8.3 Managing Commercial And Municipal USTs: Installing And Upgrading Tanks
4.8.4 Managing Commercial And Municipal USTs: Preventing Spills And Leaks
4.8.5 Managing Privately Owned USTs: Guidelines For Private Property Owners
Appendixes
Appendix A. Water Quality Contacts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Appendix B. Water Quality Contacts, Alabama Department Of Environmental Management
(ADEM)
Appendix C. Water Quality Contacts, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Appendix D. Water Quality Contacts, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Appendix E. Other Organizations Involved With Water Quality
Appendix F. Organizations Involved With Solid Waste Management And Recycling
Appendix G. Laboratories Certified For Biological Testing Of Drinking Water (Compiled by
Alabama Department of Public Health, November 1993)
Appendix H. State Of Alabama Licensed Water Well Drillers
Appendix I. Laboratories That Test Water And Wastewater (Compiled by ADEM, November
1993)
Appendix J. Tank Tightness Testing Companies (Compiled by ADEM, October 1993)
Appendix K. Cathodic Protection (Tank and Pipe Corrosion) Consultants (Compiled by ADEM,
February 1992)
Appendix L. Approved Response Action Contractors For Alabama Tank Trust Fund (Compiled
by ADEM, October 1993)
Appendix M. Water Quality Videos Available From The ACES Media Library
Glossary Of Water Quality, Water Resources, And Conservation Terms
vi
Preface
Most people take water for granted. They are satisfied velop and deliver programs for public education on
as long as a supply of good quality water is avail- water quality. Providing the public with in-depth in-
able; they view water as an inexpensive and unlimited formation on important environmental issues and
resource. delivering water quality programs falls mainly to
However, water supplies in this country are no CES field staff. Consequently, CES must provide
longer unlimited. In many parts of the country, water field staff with current knowledge on water quality
supplies are threatened by contamination, and future issues.
water supplies are uncertain.
Purpose Of The Handbook
Defining The Problem
The primary purpose of this handbook is to
The Clean Water Act of 1972 established regula- provide CES field staff with multi-disciplinary in-
tions and permits to control commercial, industrial, formation on protecting water quality and pre-
and municipal point sources of pollution; however, venting nonpoint source pollution.
these regulations do not apply to most nonpoint sources. The handbook presents a comprehensive picture
Recent water quality information has shown that a ma- of water as a vital natural resource: how water
jority of the remaining water quality problems in rivers moves; how it becomes contaminated in nature
and lakes are caused by nonpoint sources of pollution. and by the activities of people; how it is purified in
Every individual or business is potentially a non- nature and by people; and how to recognize, test,
point source polluter because everyone uses water. correct, or prevent water pollution problems.
Everyone also uses products that have the potential to
become water pollutants, and everyone generates waste How To Use The Handbook
by-products that may find their way into the natural
The handbook includes four chapters:
water cycle.
• Water As A Resource.
Activities that disturb land such as agriculture,
forestry, mining, excavation, and construction can cause • Managing Drinking Water Quality.
nonpoint source water pollution over relatively large • Managing Wastewater.
areas. Forestry and crop production agriculture inten- • Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution.
tionally release a variety of chemicals into the envi-
ronment that may find their way into water supplies if It also includes appendixes:
not managed and handled properly. Concentrated animal • Contacts for further information.
production agriculture also generates large volumes of • Services related to water quality.
waste by-products capable of damaging adjacent water
• A list of water quality videos available from the
sources. Stormwater runoff and leaching to groundwa-
Alabama Cooperative Extension System Media Library
ter in urban areas are also major sources of water pol-
at Auburn University.
lution.
• A glossary of terms related to resource conserva-
Thus, the major water quality issue for the 1990s
tion and water quality.
and beyond will be finding ways to protect surface
water and groundwater from nonpoint source pollu- Chapters 1-3 present information for the general
tants. public: both urban and rural families, teachers, and stu-
dents. Chapter 4 presents information for farmers, city
Extension’s Role In Water Quality Education planners, urban residents, and others interested in con-
trolling pollutants from agribusinesses and municipali-
The Cooperative Extension System (CES) is a
ties. The appendixes and the glossary are provided pri-
unique partnership of federal, state, and local organi-
marily as resources for CES field staff.
zations: Extension is the educational arm of USDA, a
part of the land-grant university system, and a part of • Chapter 1, Water As A Resource, presents back-
local government. In teaming with the land-grant sys- ground information on water supplies, the water cycle,
tem, Extension brings scientific knowledge and princi- and pollution. It also gives specific recommendations
ples for solving problems to people in every county in about what concerned citizens can do at home to prevent
the nation. pollution, protect water quality, and conserve water.
USDA has identified water quality as a nation- • Chapter 2, Managing Drinking Water Quality,
al initiative and has a mandated responsibility to de- discusses treatment of both public water sources
vii
(community water systems) and private sources includes principles, problems, and management
(wells). It includes information on drinking water
practices.
standards, water testing, water pollutants and prob-
The appendixes provide names, addresses, and
lems, and water treatment equipment. Drinking
water for livestock is also discussed. phone numbers for federal, state, local govern-
• Chapter 3, Managing Wastewater, covers pub- ment and organizational contacts as well as private
lic and private wastewater treatment. Both treatment
businesses.
at municipal facilities and on-site sewage treat-
ment (septic systems) are discussed. Most information is presented as short articles
• Chapter 4, Controlling Nonpoint Source ranging from 2 to 6 pages, which may be used as
Pollution, addresses specific problems in agribusi-
reference materials directly or as basic information
nesses and urban areas. Soils, fertilizers, pesti-
to prepare other water quality educational materials
cides, animal wastes, urban stormwater runoff, and
underground storage tanks are covered. Discussion for a wide range of audiences.
viii
Additional copies of the articles will be available from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System or
may be photocopied directly from the handbook.
Acknowledgments
This handbook was financed in part by a Section 319 grant from the U.S. EPA through the Alabama Department
of Environmental Management and by funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Appreciation is extended to the staff of the Department of Agronomy and the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System for their contribution of time and expertise. County Extension agents across Alabama ranked topics and iden-
tified audiences for this handbook. We appreciate their enthusiastic support.
The mention of trade names or commercial products by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System does not con-
stitute the endorsement of or use of these products or services at the exclusion of other products and services which
may be equally suitable.
For more information,call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county’s name to find the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and
equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
ix
Agriculture and Natural Resources WATER QUALITY:Water As A Resource
A L A B A M A A & M A N D A U B U R N U N I V E R S I T I E S
Getting To Know Water
Understanding Water As A Resource
ANR-790-1.1.1
One of our more precious resources, water is abso- What Is Water?
lutely essential for life as we know it. All living Water is a unique substance. It is the only known
things require water for their survival. substance on earth that commonly exists in three
Water makes up about 70 percent of the human forms: solid, liquid, and gas (vapor). Solid water is
body. Every system in the body needs water. Water ice, which is cold and strong. Liquid water is fluid
helps digest food. Water lubricates joints. Water regu- and wet. Gaseous water is steam, which is wet,
lates body temperature. Water transports nutrients, weightless, and hot. Water vapor is present in the air
hormones, enzymes, minerals, respiratory gases, and at all temperatures. In pure form it is colorless, odor-
body wastes. Water makes up almost 85 percent of less, and tasteless.
the blood.
How Much Water Is Available?
Human beings can live much longer without food
There is no shortage of water on earth. Water is
than they can without water. Each day the average
one of the most abundant substances with oceans cov-
adult must replace 2 to 3 quarts of water. This can
ering more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. If
average from 13,000 to 20,000 gallons over a normal
the earth were a perfect sphere, ocean water would
human life span. Some of this water comes from eat-
submerge the entire globe to a depth of 800 feet.
ing food and the rest from drinking.
Salt Water And Fresh Water. The oceans make up
Water is used for food production, power genera-
97 percent of all water on earth, but this water is salt
tion, transportation, recreation, heating, cooling, fire
water and not suitable for many uses. The remaining
fighting, cooking, and bathing.
3 percent is fresh water. About two-thirds of this
We use water in so many ways that we take it for
water, however, is in ice at the North and South poles.
granted. We tend to forget that it is absolutely essen-
The other one-third, or only 1 percent of the total
tial for life.
water on earth, is liquid fresh water available for most
common uses. (See Figure 1.)
97% Salt Water
2% Glaciers And Polar Ice
1% Liquid Fresh Water
0.98% Groundwater
0.02% Surface Water
Source: Owen 1985.
Figure 1. Availability of fresh water.
ANR-790
Water Quality 1.1.1
Visit our Web site at: www.aces.edu
Source: Owen 1985.
Figure 2. Average annual rainfall distribution (in inches)
56
in the United States. Lauderdale
Limestone
52 Madison Jackson
Colbert
One form that liquid fresh water takes is pre- Lawrence
cipitation. Essentially all fresh water comes from Franklin Morgan Marshall DeKalb
precipitation. At any given time only about 0.001
percent of the earth’s total water supply is in the Marion Wi5ns6ton Cullman Etowah Cherokee 52
atmosphere. Blount
Global rainfall is plentiful enough to supply Lamar Fayette Walker St. Clair Calhoun
all human demands except for two factors: rainfall Cleburne
Jefferson
is extremely variable and its distribution is far
Pickens TTaallleladdeeggaa
from uniform. For example, some areas of the Tuscaloosa Clay Randolph
48 Shelby
world receive more than 400 inches of rain per
year while others may wait several years for a Bibb
Greene Coosa Tallapoosa Chambers 48
modest shower. The average rainfall of the United Chilton
Hale Perry
States is about 30 inches per year. But the distri- 52 Sumter Autauga Elmore Lee
bution is very uneven. The average annual precipi-
Macon
tation per state is shown in Figure 2. Dallas Montgomery Russell
Alabama is blessed with plenty of rainfall 56 Choctaw Marengo Bullock
Lowndes
with an annual average of 55 inches. This is sec- Wilcox
Barbour
ond only to Louisiana, which receives 57 inches
Butler Pike
yearly. Although the statewide average is 55 inch- Clarke
Monroe Crenshaw
es, annual rainfall distribution is somewhat vari-
able ranging from 48 to 68 inches. (See Figure 3.) 60 Conecuh Coffee Dale Henry
Washington
Covington Houston
Surface Water and Groundwater.Of the total Escambia Geneva
liquid fresh water on earth, about 2 percent is sur-
64
face water and 98 percent is groundwater. This Mobile
means that lakes and flowing streams, which 68
account for most water uses, make up only 0.02 Baldwin
percent of the total water found on earth. So most Source: Moore et al. 1992
of the liquid fresh water is found beneath the
earth’s surface as groundwater. That’s where most Figure 3. Annual rainfall distribution in Alabama.
1.1.1-2