Elements of Pennsylvania s Monitoring and Assessment Program

Transcription

1 Elements of Pennsylvania s Monitoring and Assessment Program Division of Water Quality Standards Bureau of Water Standards & Facility Regulation Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

2 Pennsylvania s Monitoring and Assessment Program Pennsylvania needs comprehensive water quality monitoring and assessment information on environmental conditions and changes over time to help set levels of protection in water quality standards and to identify problem areas that are emerging or that need additional regulatory and non-regulatory actions to support water quality management decisions such as TMDLs, NPDES permits, enforcement, and nonpoint source management. This information also informs EPA and State decision makers, the public, and other stakeholders of the progress that Pennsylvania is making in protecting human health and the environment. Without this information, it is difficult for the State to set priorities, evaluate the success of programs and activities, and report on accomplishments in a credible and informed way. These stated monitoring needs provide the impetus and rationale behind the development of Pennsylvania s monitoring strategy document. i

3 Contents I. Introduction A. Background... 1 B. Purpose... 1 II. Elements of a State Monitoring Program A. Monitoring Program Strategy... 3 B. Monitoring Objectives C. Monitoring Design D. Core Water Quality Indicators E. Quality Assurance F. Data Management G. Data Analysis/Assessment H. Reporting I. Programmatic Evaluation J. General Support and Infrastructure Planning III. References... ii

4 I. Introduction A. Background Pennsylvania s water quality monitoring program has strong, long-term elements in place that assess and monitor the surface water quality of its rivers, streams, and lakes. These established, long-standing monitoring efforts were primarily oriented toward identifying water quality problems and taking action to abate pollution. Early monitoring emphasis targeted point source (PS) discharges and impacts associated with urbanized areas. While programs existed to monitor and address other water resources (groundwater, wetlands, and previously unassessed waters) and water quality problems (nonpoint and lesser known PS impacts), they received less emphasis until recently. As the need for environmental monitoring increased, various water quality programs were implemented and enhanced. In order to document and describe these programs, Section 303(e)(l) of the federal Clean Water Act, required states to have and maintain a Continuing Planning Process (CPP) describing processes used to manage their water quality programs. Pennsylvania, through the Department of Environmental Protection ( Department ; formerly Department of Environmental Resources), developed and revised, as needed, a CPP document entitled: Continuing Planning Process For Water Quality Management (1999 Update). Further, in an effort to better address federal Clean Water Act objectives to monitor and report on the condition of Pennsylvania waters and water quality programs, EPA has developed guidance, entitled: Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Management Program - March 2003 (Elements), that describes critical elements for state water quality monitoring programs. States are required to develop an Elements document describing their water quality monitoring programs. B. Purpose The CPP and Elements documents fulfill two separate functions. The CPP document lists and describes water quality monitoring activities, processes, and legislative authority whereas the Elements document describes data collection goals, data interpretation, decision-making process, and program needs to manage those monitoring activities presented in the CPP document. The purpose of this Elements document is to define the components and framework of Pennsylvania s water monitoring program, so that programmatic and resource needs can be more readily identified. The ten elements developed in this monitoring document describe existing monitoring tools, related programs and identify monitoring resources needed to fulfill CWA requirements. These ten elements are: Monitoring Program Strategy Monitoring Objectives Monitoring Design Core and Supplemental Water Quality Indicators 1

5 Quality Assurance Data Management Data Analysis/Assessment Reporting Programmatic Evaluation General Support and Infrastructure Planning EPA has established a ten-year window for implementation of these monitoring program elements. It is anticipated that full implementation of these elements in Pennsylvania will require additional resources. Due to the dynamic nature of monitoring, emerging issues, and future water quality needs, this Elements monitoring and assessment document will be reviewed and updated every three to five years or earlier as needed. Concurrently, the Department will periodically re-evaluate, adjust, and redirect monitoring resources in order to meet its water quality assessment responsibilities. 2

6 II. Elements of a State Monitoring Program A. Monitoring Program Strategy Provisions of the federal Clean Water Act 106 require States to monitor, compile, and analyze data on the quality of their navigable waters. Such activities provide the foundation of a state s water quality management program. In order to meet these requirements, States must define a clear and comprehensive water quality monitoring strategy that establishes and maintains a mechanism to implement appropriate management programs, methods, and procedures necessary to accomplish those Clean Water Act objectives as they relate to all types of state waters. These state waters include: Streams, Lakes and Reservoirs, Groundwater, Wetlands, Estuarine and Coastal Waters. This water quality monitoring and assessment strategy provides an operational foundation for the Department of Environmental Protection (the Department or DEP ) to plan for the collection, analysis, use, and reporting of water quality data for the above listed waters in the context of their protected uses. The protected use categories targeted by this Strategy are aquatic life, water supply, recreation, fish consumption, and Special Protection. The information apprises decision-makers and the general public of the progress that Pennsylvania is making in protecting the health of its citizens and the environment. A significant aspect of the Department s water quality monitoring and assessment strategy is its reliance on multiple sources for water quality monitoring data. These include internal DEP programs, other government agencies, and nongovernment sources including citizen volunteer monitoring groups. Descriptions of active monitoring efforts and initiatives under development by the Department are described below. Identified monitoring resources needs are briefly presented for some program activities and will be summarized more thoroughly in Chapter J. General Support & Infrastructure Planning. DEPARTMENTAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMS Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs As part of its Water Monitoring and Assessment Program, the Department currently gathers comprehensive water quality monitoring and assessment information to support water quality management actions such as assessment of use attainment, TMDL development, NPDES permitting, administration of compliance actions, definition of reference condition, and nonpoint source management related to streams and lakes. Specifically, these activities, with a brief description, are: 3

7 1) Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQN) - The WQN is a long-term, fixed station network of approximately 160 monitoring stations on rivers, streams and lakes throughout the state designed to monitor water quality conditions on a broad scale. Stations are located primarily in major streams (for trend analyses), selected reference waters (minimally disturbed streams) for reference condition development, selected lakes (lakes with public access; rotating on a 5 year monitoring cycle), and at selected locations in the Chesapeake Bay drainage to monitor nutrient and sediment loading. Currently, the Department has a Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) to conduct the field data collection for most of the WQN stream and lake monitoring stations. 2) Statewide Surface Waters Assessment Program (SSWAP) Prior to initiating SSWAP in 1997, most of Pennsylvania s 83,000 stream miles had never been assessed. Therefore, the SSWAP strategy was formulated to locate and identify good quality waters, point and nonpoint sources of pollution, and to determine the extent of water quality impairments. As of September 2004, approximately 74,000 stream miles (89% of the total; Figure 1) represented by 13,900 stations have been assessed. Assessment data collected from September 2004 through September 2005 is being compiled and reviewed for quality assurance purposes and will be summarized in a future monitoring strategy update. 3) Aquatic Life Special Water Quality Protection Surveys - The purpose of Special Protection surveys is to identify and protect, at existing quality, the state s most significant aquatic resources. Currently there are approximately 25,300 miles of streams listed with Special Protection (High Quality and Exceptional Value) designated uses (Figure 2). 4

8 4) Cause/Effect Compliance Surveys Cause/Effect Surveys are conducted primarily to monitor the effectiveness of the NPDES permitting program. They are also used to document the effects of nonpoint sources or non-permitted discharges. 5) Use Attainability Studies - These studies are carried out to ensure that appropriate aquatic life uses are identified and protected. 6) Lake Surveys Lake monitoring efforts are conducted to provide lake status information that is required by Section 314 of the Federal Clean Water Act; specifically to define the trophic condition of all publicly owned freshwater lakes and to control pollution sources and restore lake quality for maximum public use benefit. Groundwater Pennsylvania has two groundwater resource protection programs the Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) program and the Wellhead Protection (WHP) program. These programs proactively apply proper management techniques and various preventive measures to protect ground-water supplies. Pennsylvania has a ground water monitoring program that is implemented on a limited statewide scale. In order to implement a more functional monitoring network on a statewide basis, the Department has been actively involved with the USGS in formulating a statewide, probabilistic monitoring design. 5

9 Wetlands The Department has implemented a Wetlands Net Gain Strategy to ensure and support wetland restoration. The Department evaluates the effectiveness of this strategy annually to measure its success in meeting wetland restoration goals and objectives. The Cooperative Wetlands Center (CWC) at Pennsylvania State University has developed a wetlands assessment protocol, which defines a wetlands condition assessment process. The Department is planning to implement a pilot study applying the CWC wetlands assessment protocol. This pilot study will support implementation, refinement, and validation of the CWC wetlands assessment protocol. It will eventually be used to develop a baseline inventory of wetland conditions across Pennsylvania with reassessments on a recurring cycle. Estuarine and Coastal Waters Pennsylvania s coastal waters are represented by a small portion of Lake Erie shoreline (63 miles) and the Delaware Estuary (57 shoreline miles and 17 square miles). The Department has a cooperative agreement with the Erie County Department of Health to conduct water quality monitoring activities in Erie County waters. It also has an active Coastal Zone Management program that addresses land and water use issues and development activities in the coastal areas of Erie County. Although Pennsylvania has very limited estuarine waters within its jurisdiction, it is a partner in the Delaware Estuary Program (DELEP). The Department has periodically cooperated in specific monitoring projects involving DELEP, such as bacteriological surveys and fish tissue advisories. Currently, the Department is contracted by DRBC to collect samples on several tidal creeks (Chester, Ridley, Crum, Darby, Pennypack, Poquessing, Neshaminy, Frankford) and the non-tidal Schuylkill (Falls Bridge and Chestnut Street) once a month during July, August and September. Measured parameters include nutrients, metals, organics, and bacteria. The Department has recently created and filled a Great Lakes biologist position whose duties are primarily to conduct Pennsylvania s water quality monitoring and investigative surveys in Lake Erie and related drainage area. COOPERATIVE AGENCY MONITORING EFFORTS Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission The Department has contracted the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) to assist in its SSWAP program since To date, PFBC has assessed approximately 1300 stations representing over 7000 stream miles. Resulting assessment results are provided to the Department on an annual basis to be incorporated into the Integrated Report (305(b) and 303(d)) submitted to EPA. 6

10 The PFBC also participates with DEP in its annual fish tissue surveys and consumption advisory actions. Susquehanna River Basin Commission The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) also assists the Department in its SSWAP program. Data is transmitted to DEP on a annual basis to be incorporated in its 305(b) and 303(d) listing reports and interim updates. The SRBC also collects data in support of TMDL development for 303(d)-listed streams impaired by abandoned mine drainage. The SRBC is also participating with the Department by collecting nutrient and sediment loading data from selected WQN stations for the Chesapeake Bay Program s Nontidal Tributaries Water-Quality Monitoring Network. Future cooperative efforts with SRBC include fish IBI metrics development and verification for small warm water streams and large rivers. Delaware River Basin Commission The DRBC will be providing contracted field data collection from Delaware basin streams for the verification phase of the Department s benthic IBI metrics project. Once completed, the metrics derived form this project will be used in the Department s rapid bioassessment protocols for SSWAP and Antidegradation assessments. This verification project is supported by EPA REMAP funding. Future cooperative efforts with DRBC include fish IBI metrics development and verification for small warm water streams and large rivers. Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANC0) ORSANCO monitors fish tissue contaminants in the main stem of the Ohio River as part of the Department s Fish Tissue Sampling & Fish Advisories Program. Sampling is conducted by both electrofishing in the river and by sampling fish from the locks that are part of the navigation system. DEP and PFBC staff usually assists ORSANCO with fish collection. United States Environmental Protection Agency The US Environmental Protection Agency Region III, primarily through its field biology staff, periodically assists the Department with various survey projects. The most recent efforts were with surveys related to the Department s lake assessment methodology development activities. In FY2004, EPA, along with one of its contractors, will be assisting with field data collection for the Department s invertebrate metrics development/verification project as part of the same REMAP grant mentioned in the DRBC Section above. A new cooperative DEP/EPA work project: Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Plan for Bacteria Decision Consequence Model in Southwestern Pennsylvania (3 Rivers Project) has recently been proposed and approved. 7

11 Future cooperative efforts with EPA have been proposed for fish IBI metrics development and verification for small warm water streams and large rivers. However, these projects are contingent on grant awards to support requisite work effort. Chesapeake Bay Program The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), with the cooperation of DEP and other partner organizations (SRBC and USGS), has initiated the Nontidal Tributaries Water-Quality Monitoring Network. Several of this network s monitoring stations coincide with some of the Department s fixed stations in the previously discussed Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQN). Data from this monitoring project will help document Pennsylvania s efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment loading to the Chesapeake Bay. A key component of CBP s Nontidal Tributaries WQN is that it targets significant storm events to gather nutrient and sediment loading data. United States Geological Survey As previously stated, through a joint funding agreement, the USGS performs most of the field data collection and biological sampling responsibilities for the Department s Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQN). The collected water quality and flow data is compiled and entered into EPA s STORET database system. The biological data are entered in the Department s water quality database. Erie County Department of Health The Department has a cooperative agreement with the Erie County Department of Health to conduct water quality monitoring activities in Erie County waters, such as cause/effect surveys and NPDES discharge monitoring. The Erie County Department of Health also collects water quality data from lake WQN stations in Lake Erie and participates in the Department s Fish Tissue Sampling & Fish Advisories Program described below in the Human Health protected use section. CITIZEN VOLUNTEER MONITORING DEP has an ongoing citizen volunteer monitoring program (CVM) that provides support and technical assistance to volunteer monitoring efforts. More than 180 groups that include 11,000 individuals are involved statewide in monitoring activities. The CVM program provides workshops, training, and quality assurance sessions for volunteer monitors who wish to have their data used by DEP in the Integrated Report process. The CVM program is working with various groups to: 1) collect bacteriological data for use in determining recreational use attainment in streams and 2) conduct lake monitoring efforts that also provide data used in the Integrated Report. 8

12 MONITORING STRATEGY GOALS Goals: Aquatic Life Use Use a combined probabilistic and targeted monitoring design to assess surface waters with a revised field protocol (ICE) applied through a rotating basin approach to continuously evaluate use attainment status statewide Coordinate with DEP regional watershed managers, the CVMP, and other point and nonpoint program staff to select targeted sites Apply probabilistic design to waters known to be attaining uses Staff this effort to complete statewide cycles in 5 years o Resource Needs 1 : Additional staff Milestone Dates Begin implementation: In progress - 2 nd Quarter 2005 Statewide: October 2006 Staffing complement: 2 nd Quarter 2007 Goals: Water Supply Use Continue to work with water suppliers to obtain voluntary raw water data Coordinate with Drinking Water Program to use the results of mandatory E. coli/cryptosporidium sampling beginning in 2006 for raw water assessment purposes o Evaluate Water Quality standards for compatibility with this effort o Resource Needs 1 : to be identified Milestone Dates Complete Triennial Water Quality Standards Review: 3rd Quarter 2008 Goals: Recreational Use Continue to work with Department of Health and DCNR-State Parks to assess public bathing beaches Evaluate Water Quality standards for compatibility with effective recreational use assessments Identify a model to address fate and transport of bacteria in flowing waters o Develop a bacteriological monitoring plan to support the needs of the model o Validate the above model with data collected from waters subject to CSOs and other bacterial sources o Resource Needs 1 : funding support Grant A cooperative DEP/EPA work project: Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Plan for Bacteria Decision 1 Resource needs will be presented Chapter J General Support and Infrastructure Planning in more detail 9

13 Consequence Model in Southwestern Pennsylvania (3 Rivers Project) was recently approved and a contract has been awarded to begin this project. Planning activities are underway and a work plan describing the scope of work is being drafted. Milestone Dates Complete Triennial Water Quality Standards Review: 3rd Quarter 2008 Bacteriological Modeling: To be determined after completion of the 3 Rivers Project work plan, which is targeted for the 1st Quarter of 2006 Goals: Fish Consumption Use Expand annual fish tissue sampling from 65 to 100 samples/year in order to increase waters assessed for fish consumption use and consumption advisories o Resource Needs 1 : Increased laboratory capacity Additional staff Milestone Dates (Contingent on available funding and analytical laboratory capacity) Begin Additional Sampling: In progress Approximately 10 more fish tissue samples than normal were collected in 2005 Full Sampling Complement: 4 th Quarter 2007 Goals: Special Protection Use Increase annual number of Special Protection use assessment surveys to include re-evaluation of waters originally designated without a direct measure of the aquatic resource (former Conservation Area designations) o Resource Needs 1 : Additional staff Milestone Dates (Contingent on additional staff) Complete Conservation Area evaluations:

14 B. Monitoring Objectives Pennsylvania s Water Monitoring and Assessment Program, administered and coordinated by the DEP Bureau of Water Supply & Wastewater Management, is designed to satisfy the following information needs and support the objectives listed below: Describe general water quality conditions of all state waters; Identify long-term trends in water quality; Determine the suitability of Commonwealth waters for aquatic life, water supply, recreation and fish consumption, and special protection; Support water quality standards development; Support National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting and compliance activities; Identify actual or potential problem areas; Evaluate the success of water quality management programs; Define reference or best attainable conditions for Pennsylvania waters. Develop or enhance existing programs, as needed, to monitor wetlands, groundwater, and estuaries/coastal waters; To accomplish these objectives, monitoring programs in the Bureaus of Water Supply & Wastewater Management and Watershed Management are integrated with monitoring and assessment programs and activities within and outside the Department. Monitoring program and related activities performed to meet the objectives listed above are briefly described below: 1. Describe General Water Quality Conditions of Pennsylvania Waters. The Department s Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQN) and Statewide Surface Waters Assessment Program (SSWAP) are the main monitoring activities that provide data to characterize general water quality conditions of streams, rivers, and lakes. 2. Identify Long-Term Trends In Water Quality. The Department periodically examines water quality data obtained from its fixed station WQN to assess trends. 3. Determine the Suitability of Commonwealth Waters for Aquatic Life, Water Supply, Recreation and Fish Consumption, and Special Protection. The Department conducts several, well established water quality monitoring activities to evaluate the suitability of Pennsylvania s surface waters for these purposes. These activities are listed below and discussed in greater detail in Chapter C (Monitoring Design). Aquatic Life and Special Protection - Assessments of aquatic life uses are completed using SSWAP biological screening and detailed follow-up assessments, Special Protection surveys, and Lake assessments. 11

15 Water Supply - The Department has completed source water assessments and periodically conducts sanitary surveys of community water supplies. Recreation and Fish Consumption Bacteriological monitoring activities and a cooperative, interagency Fish Tissue Sampling and Fish Advisories Program are used to evaluate recreational and fish consumption uses. 4. Support Water Quality Standards Development. Water quality standards development (and revision) activities related to aquatic life use protection are based primarily on the Special Protection survey protocol. 5. Support National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting and Compliance Activities. Point source (PS) compliance surveys provide assessments and water quality data needed for discharge permitting and compliance activities. WQN Reference station data supports permitting activities in waters requiring non-degrading discharges. 6. Identify Actual or Potential Problem Areas. Several Department survey protocols are designed to detect water quality impairments. These include the SSWAP, bacteriological monitoring, use attainability, cause/effect, stream enrichment analysis, and phosphorus discharge to lakes protocols. 7. Evaluate The Success of Water Quality Management Programs. Once a waterbody is identified as not meeting water quality standards, the Department has the responsibility to take corrective measures and evaluate their success in improving water quality conditions. This is done by taking compliance actions or developing and implementing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) to correct pollution problems. Follow-up monitoring using the detailed follow-up SSWAP protocol discussed in Sections B.1 above and in Chapter C (Monitoring Design Ambient Surface Waters) is then conducted to assess improvements. 8. Define Reference Or Best Attainable Conditions For Pennsylvania Waters. In order to properly evaluate waterbodies for appropriate aquatic life use attainment and designation, the Department needs to define reference or best attainable conditions of state waters for comparative purposes. For wadeable surface waters, this is done using the Special Protection survey protocol referenced above in Section B.3 (Aquatic Life and Special Protection). For wetlands, a wetlands assessment protocol has been developed and will be field tested (see Chapter C. Monitoring Design Ambient Surface Waters). 9. Develop Or Enhance Existing Programs, As Needed, To Monitor Wetlands, Groundwater, And Estuaries/Coastal Waters. Protocols and enhancements to existing wetlands and groundwater monitoring programs are currently under development. A Great Lakes Biologist position was recently created and filled to implement the Department s monitoring and assessment activities in the coastal waters of Lake Erie. 12

16 Goals 2 Expand and integrate existing Lake and Ground Water monitoring activities into monitoring efforts comparable to the traditional surface water quality monitoring described above Begin implementation: To be determined later - Requires more preliminary review for Long Range Planning Develop and integrate the wetlands monitoring program into an effort comparable to the traditional surface water quality monitoring described above Based on pilot monitoring project results, begin implementation: 3 rd Quarter 2007 Conduct surface water quality trend assessments on WQN or other datasets on a rotating basis. Implement trend assessment method: beginning 1st Quarter 2006 Evaluate existing estuarine and coastal water monitoring programs in order to integrate appropriate water quality data with current monitoring reports and tracking activities. Begin implementation: To be determined later - Requires more preliminary review for Long Range Planning Expand Aquatic Life Use assessment capability by developing additional multimetric indices for benthic and fish indicators Begin development: In progress Initiate a water supply use assessment program to monitor surface water sources on a limited scale. Expand assessments to a statewide level to eventually monitor all public water supply surface water sources on a rotating basis (contingent upon development of appropriate indicators by EPA) Pilot Project Implementation: 1 st Quarter 2006 Increase recreational use assessment efforts. o Implement pilot assessments on a limited scale and expand to a statewide level, similar to Aquatic Life assessments o Increase assessments through citizen volunteer monitoring efforts Pilot Project Implementation: In progress Increase CVMP efforts: In progress 2 Resource needs will be presented Chapter J General Support and Infrastructure Planning in more detail 13

17 C. Monitoring Design The Department administers a wide variety of programs to address water quality monitoring of Pennsylvania s water resources using targeted and long-term fixed station sampling designs. A probabilistic sampling design for application in a Statewide Surface Water Assessment Program (SSWAP) assessment verification project is currently under development. AMBIENT SURFACE WATERS Aquatic Life Use The main monitoring program for Aquatic Life Use assessments (Statewide Surface Water Assessment Program (SSWAP)) uses a targeted design. Data are collected from 20 large watershed areas that are divided further into smaller assessment units forming a total of 104 state water plan (SWP) assessment areas (Figure 3). Other Aquatic Life Uses assessment programs use targeted designs but on a much smaller stream or watershed scale. These include Antidegradation Surveys (to identify High Quality and Exceptional Value Waters), Specific Stream Habitat Assessments (Warmwater Fish IBI, Low Gradient, Limestone, Limestone-Influenced), Lakes, and Point Source (PS) Compliance surveys (Use Attainability, Cause/Effect, Toxics, Stream Enrichment Risk Analysis, and Phosphorus Discharges to Lakes). 14

18 A fixed-station monitoring design is used in the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQN) program. The WQN provides data to support water chemistry and biology trend analysis as well as fish tissue consumption assessments. The network consists of approximately 160 fixed stations distributed on streams and lakes throughout the state (Figure 4). Of these 160 stations, 26 are currently reference condition stations, 2 are lake stations, and 25 are concurrently used to monitor nutrient and sediment loading to the Chesapeake Bay. Recreational Use The Department uses a bacteriological monitoring protocol to evaluate recreational use attainment that measures fecal coliform densities as indicators of possible pathogen contamination that could interfere with water contact recreation such as swimming or water skiing. Recreational use attainment decisions are made using bacteriological data collected by government agencies (including the DEP, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the United States Geological Survey) and citizen/volunteer groups. Important recreational areas (e.g. beaches and other areas designated for public, waterbased recreation) and aquatic life use-impaired waterbodies with obvious potential 15

19 sources of bacteria (e.g., municipal point sources, combined sewer overflows, discharge compliance problems, and agricultural sources relating to manure application, livestock grazing, and animal feeding) are targeted for bacteriological sampling. Sample datasets used for recreational use assessments are collected during the swimming season (May 1 through September 30) and consist of five bacteriological samples collected on different days during a 30-day period, spanning a minimum of 14 days. The Department is planning to review bacteriological-based criteria that are applicable to recreational use protection. This planning process is described in greater detail in the Future Considerations discussion of the Water Supply Use section below. Fish Consumption Use As part of the river and stream water quality sampling described in the Aquatic Life Use section above, edible portions of fishes of recreational significance are sampled annually from approximately 35 lake and major stream stations. Fish tissue is analyzed for a variety of toxic substances and advisories are issued if any of these substances exceed the recommended levels established to protect human health. In addition to its own sampling, the Commonwealth cooperates in two other fish tissue monitoring programs. The Fish Tissue Sampling and Fish Advisories Program is an interagency, cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection, Health (DOH), and Agriculture (DOA) and the PFBC. Target species consist of waterbody-specific, recreationally important species that are commonly taken by anglers for consumption. Fish tissue samples are generally collected during periods of low flow between August and October when reproduction is complete and a full summer of exposure to potential toxins has occurred. Pennsylvania participates in the Nearshore Element of the Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program (GLFMP). Three composite samples are collected each year of fish ascending Lake Erie tributary streams to spawn. This sampling is a cooperative effort between DEP, PFBC, and Erie County Department of Health staff. Water Supply Use The Division of Drinking Water Management implements Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Program with the primary interest to remove waterborne, disease-causing organisms and other health-related contaminants that are present in surface water sources. To protect consumers from Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and other waterborne, disease-causing organisms, the Department conducts filter plant performance evaluations at all filtered public drinking water systems that use surface water sources. In addition, the Department conducts public water supply surveys on a 1 to 3 year cycle (based on the number of people served by the water supplier) to determine the extent of water supply problems and needs. The Department also conducts emergency response activities at drinking water systems during events such as floods, droughts, and spills. Department staff assesses potable water supply use attainment by reviewing selfmonitoring reports, including raw (intake) water quality if available (raw water monitoring 16

20 efforts by the Department are described below). Raw water chemical (nitrate/nitrite) quality is compared over extended periods of time to appropriate criteria outlined in Pennsylvania's water quality standards to determine water supply use attainment status. Primary Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are used as the principal screening tool for compliance decisions related to finished water quality. Source Water Assessment and Protection As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), States are required to submit plans to EPA that describe how groundwater sources used by public water systems will be protected from contamination. Pennsylvania has developed two groundwater resource protection programs the Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) and the Wellhead Protection (WHP) programs. These programs are proactive efforts that apply proper management techniques and various preventive measures to protect ground-water supplies thereby ensuring public health and preventing the need for expensive treatment of wells to comply with drinking water standards. Raw Water Monitoring Water Supply use attainment evaluations are conducted through the review of water quality data received from public water suppliers using filtered surface water sources. In an effort to enhance water supply use assessments, a raw water monitoring pilot study was initiated in 2003 when the Department contacted approximately 120 suppliers (with >10,000 users) soliciting self-monitored raw water data for nitrate-plus-nitrite, chloride, color, fluoride, iron, manganese, phenolics, total dissolved solids, and sulfate). Based on the results of the 2003 pilot, nitrite plus nitrate concentration in the raw water is used as the principle screening tool for potable water supply use attainment decisions. Nitrite plus nitrate data collected over extended periods of time are compared to potable water supply criteria outlined in Pennsylvania s Water Quality Standards regulations to determine use attainment status. Further, this raw water monitoring pilot effort was expanded in 2004 to include all 350 filtered suppliers in Pennsylvania using surface water sources but data collection was narrowed to acute contaminants (nitrate plus nitrite) that represent public health risks. Currently, the public water suppliers are requested to submit monitoring results for total nitrates (collected every 3 months). Future Considerations The Department has initiated consideration of new water quality criteria to be consistent with current EPA recommendations. The Department's surface water quality and drinking water programs are working together to evaluate appropriate and effective alternatives for the protection of the potable water supply use for surface waters of the Commonwealth. Once formulated, the Department will present draft recommendations and regulatory options to the Water Resource Advisory Committee (WRAC) and Environmental Quality Board for regulation promulgation. However, it is believed that the ongoing coordination of the surface water and drinking water programs and their research will take considerably longer than this allotted time frame. Therefore, initial recommendations will likely focus solely on the protection of recreational uses, at this time. Any revisions and/or additions to water quality criteria for potable water supply 17