1. Water Quality: Making the Connection Between You and the Water Developed by: Susan Donaldson University of Nevada Cooperative Extension UNCE, Reno, Nev.

2. Topics to be covered  What do we mean by “water quality”?  How is water quality regulated?  What water quality parameters are tested to protect health and habitat?  What are some common sources of pollution related to small-acreage management?  How can I better manage my property to avoid water pollution?

3. For what purposes do you need good quality water?  Drinking  Irrigation and agriculture  Fishing and swimming  Cleaning and bathing  Business and industry  Power generation  Transportation...

4. UNCE, Reno, Nev.

5. Gasoline burning on the surface of the Cuyahoga River, November 1969

6. Polluted runoff is the #1 water quality problem in the United States today UNCE, Reno, Nev.

7. Water Cycle CWP, adapted by A. Miller

8. The world’s water  Oceans and seas97.2%  Icecaps and glaciers2.15% 0.62%  Groundwater0.62%  Lakes 0.009%  Fresh water0.009% 0.008%  Inland seas/salt water0.008% 0.005%  Soil moisture0.005% 0.001%  Atmospheric water0.001% 0.0001%  Rivers and streams0.0001%

9. If two gallons represent all the water on earth, then: All fresh water7/8 cup + 6 drops Icecaps & glaciers11 tablespoons (tbsp) Ground & soil water3 tbsp + ½ teaspoon Lakes8 drops Atmospheric water1 drop Rivers and streamsLess than 1 drop

10. Watersheds USDA NRCS

14. CWP, adapted by A. Miller

15. How did government react to water quality problems?  Made laws, of course!

16. The Clean Water Act  Seeks to maintain fishable and swimable water  Sets specific water quality standards based on the intended use of the water  Addresses various sources of pollution  Section 303(d) requires states to develop lists of impaired waters

17. Point source pollution comes from a specific, definable conveyance

18. Nonpoint source pollution comes from a widespread area and results from our everyday activities UNCE, Reno, Nev.

19. More than 50% of our water pollution problem today is from nonpoint source pollution

20. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)  TMDL: The amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards.  We still have a problem today! After almost 30 years of water pollution control efforts, more than 40 percent of our waters are still too polluted for fishing and swimming.  Everyone needs to do their part to protect our water.

21. Truckee River watershed, Nevada Impaired reaches are shown in purple www.epa.gov

22. Additional permits Stormwater (NPDES Phase I & Phase II)

23. More permits Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) permits USDA NRCS

24. Other water-quality legislation  Safe Drinking Water Act  Coastal Zone Management Act  Other state or local regulations such as setbacks or stream buffer ordinances

25. What’s wrong in this picture? How many water-quality problems can you spot? A. Miller

26. What gets into the water? The pollutants in polluted runoff  Nutrients  Pathogens  Sediment (dirt)  Chemicals  Debris (trash)  Temperature USDA NRCS UNCE, Reno, Nev.

27. Sources: animal waste, fertilizers, septic systems, auto emissions Nutrients

28. How can I be a solution to nutrient pollution?  Test your soil and fertilize only in the amounts needed  Apply fertilizers at the correct time, and don’t let them wash off your fields and into ditches or streams  Dispose of manure properly  Pump your septic system regularly

29. UNCE, Reno, Nev. Compost manure and reapply to fields and garden beds

30. Sources: failing septic systems, animal waste, marine sanitation devices Pathogens UNCE, Reno, Nev.

31. Pathogens are deposited directly into water bodies with animal wastes

32. Livestock also deposit nutrients into stream water with their feces USU, Logan, UT

33. How can I be a part of the solution to pathogen pollution?  Maintain your septic system in good condition and pump regularly  Manage animal wastes properly  Maintain a protection zone around your wellhead  Never dump untreated waste directly into water bodies

34. UNCE, Reno, Nev. Sources: road sand, construction sites, agricultural fields, disturbed areas Sediment (dirt)

35. USDA NRCS Runoff from fields erodes soil into streams and rivers

36. Livestock churn up water and increase sediment loads FISWRG

37. How can I be a part of the solution for sediment pollution?  Manage grazing to maintain healthy grass cover on pastures  Revegetate bare ground  Create buffer areas adjacent to streams to catch sediment  Stabilize slopes and other erosion- prone areas

38. Manage pastures for good grass cover to decrease erosion into streams UNCE, Reno, Nev.

39. Use runoff water from gutters to irrigate landscape beds and avoid runoff and erosion UNCE, Reno, Nev.

40. C. Conway, Kennedy/Jenks Direct water into rain gardens or other onsite infiltration areas

41. Fencing horses out of streams or ditches is one solution NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

42. USDA NRCS Consider nose pumps or troughs to provide water UNCE, Reno, Nev.

43. Alternatively, create a water gap that allows access for water but protects creek banks and bed from damage NRCS, Photo Galllery

44. Install culverts properly to avoid erosion UNCE, Reno, Nev.

45. Improperly installed culverts prevent fish passage A. Miller

46. Sources: industrial, commercial, household and agricultural chemicals, auto emissions, natural inputs Chemicals

47. How can I be a part of the solution to chemical pollution?  Repair oil leaks promptly  Recycle used motor oil at drop-off centers  Apply pesticides carefully ONLY after pests have been identified, the correct product chosen, and the label read  Store and dispose of hazardous materials properly  Keep chemicals away from your well

48. USU, Logan, UT Inspect fuel storage areas regularly to ensure leaks are not occurring. Install concrete pads or lined dikes under tanks and in refueling locations.

49. Keep hazardous chemicals properly capped and store away from bare ground or waterways where contamination may occur USU, Logan, UT

50. Sources: illegal dumping, street litter Debris (a.k.a. trash) UNCE, Reno, Nev.

51. What can I do to be part of the solution to trash pollution?  Never dump ANYTHING into a creek or water body  Avoid littering, since much of the debris will be blown into waterways  Join community-wide cleanup days or neighborhood pride days

52. UNCE, Reno, Nev. Participants in this post-flood cleanup day removed trash and debris such as this road sign from the creek

53. Sources: runoff from heat-absorbing impervious surfaces, removal of streamside vegetation, shallow water impoundments, decreased base flow Temperature UNCE, Reno, Nev.

54. What can I do to be part of the solution to temperature pollution?  Maintain a buffer of trees and tall vegetation adjacent to ponds and streams  Avoid extensive black paved areas, as they rapidly heat runoff water during hot summer months  Avoid widening streambeds, as this results in shallow, warmer flows  Maintain in-stream flows

55. Planting and maintaining vegetation helps keep temperatures cool and decreases erosion UNCE,.Reno, Nev.

56. What types of pollutants do you see in the cartoon? A. Miller

57. What can I do to protect water quality?  Go home and map flow paths for runoff from your property  Identify existing or potential pollution sources  Complete the Stormwater Management Activity Sheet

58. What can I do to protect water quality?  Apply Best Management Practices (BMPs) on your property!  Maintain a buffer area  Control erosion  Dispose of trash properly  Maintain septic systems  Etc…