Publication Summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology is required to develop and implement Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waters, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the clean-up plan. This report presents an assessment of the effectiveness of past TMDL implementation programs outlined in the Watershed Action plans and suggests where water quality improvements can be made in the Pipers Creek watershed.

Evaluation of available effectiveness monitoring data indicates that fecal coliform concentrations exceed both parts of the water quality criterion at all Pipers Creek sites. Efforts should be dedicated to fecal coliform sources identification and aggressive corrective actions.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is required, under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, to develop and implement Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waters, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the water clean-up plan to achieve the needed improvement in water quality.

When the TMDL was established, Pipers Creek was neither listed on Washington State′s list of impaired waters nor on the water-quality-limited list. Nevertheless, a fecal coliform TMDL was developed for Pipers Creek based on a detailed Watershed Action Plan document that outlined control of nonpoint sources of pollution to improve water quality. The goal is to meet the fecal coliform water quality standard in Pipers Creek which is 50 colonies /100 ml. Evaluation of available monitoring data indicated non-compliance with the criterion.