Publication Summary

This is the the study plan for the Union River fecal coliform effectiveness monitoring Total Maximum Daily Load.

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is required under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act to (1) develop and implement Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs; water cleanup plans) for impaired waters, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the water cleanup plans in achieving the needed improvement in water quality.

The Union River has been impaired based on high fecal coliform bacteria concentrations. A 2001 TMDL study attributed the pollution to nonpoint sources such as septic systems, stormwater, bio-solids land applications, small farms, and wildlife. Cleanup activities have been implemented in the expectation that the Union River will meet load allocation targets set by the TMDL and thereby meet water quality criteria.

The main purpose of the study outlined in this Quality Assurance (QA) Project Plan is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation efforts in meeting fecal coliform target concentrations in the Union River. Monthly fecal coliform sampling will be conducted at five TMDL target stations in the Union River watershed during May 2008 – April 2009.

Another purpose of the study is to evaluate waters in the vicinity. Various waters in the Union River vicinity have exhibited elevated fecal coliform concentrations. Therefore we will also sample five added stations for fecal coliform during the same year-long period to determine if these waters meet water quality criteria.

All ten sampling sites are located in Mason County.

Each study conducted by Ecology must have an approved QA Project Plan. The plan describes the objectives of the study and the procedures to be followed to achieve those objectives. After completion of the study, a final report describing the study results will be posted to the Internet.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID GMER0004