1. Impact of Shoreline Septic Systems on Water Quality of Lake Lanier
Matthew Thibodeaux
Samuele Ceolin
Dr. David Radcliffe

2. North GA Watersheds

3. Lake Lanier

4. Policy
Lake Lanier has a TMDL for chlorophyll-a that requires a reduction in Nitrogen & Phosphorous inputs to still meet water quality standards.
Requires reduction of 3% & 24%, respectively
Source: GA EPD December 2017
Project involves working on behalf of Gwinnett County to develop an estimate of shoreline septic system & surficial runoff impacts on nutrient levels in Lanier

5. Septic System
Source: L. Crighton, Grit, March 2011

6. Project
Source: Gwinnett Co. DWR

7. Site 1

8. Additional Field Installations
Source: Professional Gutter & Drain
Source: Gwinnett Co. DWR

9. Preliminary Results Site 1

10. Preliminary Results Site 1

11. Preliminary Results Site 1

12. Future Directions
Install monitoring equipment at 10+ sites on Lanier and collect samples for at least a year.
Compare groundwater and runoff nutrient levels to nutrient concentrations in lake.
Develop a model to predict nutrient inputs with a multitude of differently weighted variables in an effort to inform future water quality decisions.