Water Quality for Virginia Master Gardeners

What you should knowWhat you can do

What you should be able to teach

Francis J. Reilly, Jr.

http://advancedmastergardener.org/water.htm

Frank@TheReillyGroup.netWebmaster@VMGA.net

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Outline

Factors that contribute to water quality and pollution

Lawn and garden activities can impact water quality

Information about pond water quality issues

Role of MGs in protecting water qualityVCE’s role in homeowner water quality

Why is Water Quality Important

???

Why is Water Quality Important

Life is water-basedFederal Law

Clean Water ActFIFRARivers and HarborsClean Air Act

State LawVA Constitution (Article XI sec1)

Hydrologic Cycle

PrecipitationRunoffInfiltrationEvaporation

Factors that affect runoff

?

Factors that affect runoff

SlopeVegetationPrevious moistureInfiltration rate

Infiltration

This however, is only valid when the soil surface remains undisturbed.

Groundwater

Watersheds

What is a watershed?What is your watershed?How can you find out?

Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Fairfax County Watersheds

http://www.fairfaxcounty-watersheds.net/

Types of surface water

Ephemeral streams – vernal poolsPuddlesStreamsPondsLakesRiversEstuariesOceans

Pollution Sources

Point SourceName some sources

Non-Point SourceName some sources

Pollution Types

SedimentNutrientsAnimal WastePesticidesSaltsToxicantsThermal

Pollution Sources

SedimentNutrientsAnimal WastePesticidesSaltsToxicantsThermal

Nutrients

N-P-KSources?Air is the major source!Sinks

Which are the Biggies for us?

SedimentNutrientsAnimal WastePesticidesSaltsToxicantsThermal

Chesapeake Bay PollutantsCHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

TRACK 1: NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT INDICATORCBP 7/22/03

1980s –2002

Decreasing

No significant trend

Increasing

Nitrogen Trends in Rivers Entering the Bay:

Flow Adjusted ConcentrationsMonitoring data from major rivers entering tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay show that nitrogen concentrations are decreasing in the Susquehanna, Potomac, Patuxent, and James rivers.

The Pamunkey (a tributary to the York) shows an increasing trend.

The remaining riversshow no trends.

Source: USGS and Susquehanna River Basin Commission, PA. Results are shown for flow adjusted trend analyses using the earliest complete data set collected since 1985.

Chesapeake Bay PollutantsCHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

TRACK 1: NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT INDICATORCBP 7/22/03

1980s –2002

Decreasing

No significant trend

Increasing

Monitoring data from major rivers entering tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay show that phosphorus loads are decreasing in portions of the Susquehanna and in the Patuxent, Mattaponi, James and Appomattox rivers.

The remaining rivers and the rest of the Susquehanna show no trends.

Source: USGS and Susquehanna River Basin Commission, PA. Results are shown for trend analyses using the earliest complete data set collected since 1985.

Phosphorus Trends in Rivers Entering the Bay:Monitored Loads

Pollution Impacts

SedimentNutrientsAnimal WastePesticidesSaltsToxicantsThermal

Types of Toxicity

AcuteCancer Birth DefectsEndocrine DisruptorsChronicBioaccumulationBiomagnification

Measuring Pollution

Chemistry/Laboratory/BioassayEffects

Global effectsLess fish landings – global warming

Ecological assaysMacroinvertebrate assays - surveys

Secondary effectsLow DO – Cloudy water

Chesapeake Bay - How’s It Doing

Lets look at some systems indicative of condition:SAV submerged aquatic vegetationStriped BassBlue crabsOysters

Chesapeake Bay - How’s It

Doing

SAV IS recovering

Chesapeake Bay -

How’s It Doing

Striped Bass

Chesapeake Bay - How’s It Doing

Blue Crabs

Chesapeake Bay - How’s It Doing

Oysters

Impacts of Pollution

ToxicityFood contaminationHabitat destructionHabitat degradationCascading Effects

Habitats at risk

Clear water habitatsSAVWetlandsOyster reef

Water Quality Healthy vs. Unhealthy

Sunlight Sunlight

HealthyHabitat

UnhealthyHabitat

BalancedAlgae Growth

Minimal Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment Inputs

Excessive Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment Inputs

HealthyBay Grasses Reduced

Bay Grasses

Algae Die-off

Algae Decomposition

No Oxygen

Lack of Benthic CommunityBenthic Community

HealthyOyster Reef

AdequateOxygen

Algal Bloom

Barren Oyster Reef

A Brief Break

Impaired Waters

Watershed approach – 10 major tributaries

Tributary Strategy – crosses political boundaries

The states (and counties) adopt the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan

Find yours http://gisweb.deq.virginia.gov/

How can we affect water quality?

How much property do you have?What is on it?What do you do to it?

Multiply that by all the neighbors in your watershed

Add in cheatingGasoline in the ditch – on the groundPesticide disposal

Add in yard wasteIn the ditch, taking up landfill capacity

Add in doing nothing and thinking THAT is betterErosion thermal /pollution

Impervious Surfaces

Loss of groundwaterErosion Flashiness of floodingContaminant transferThis is why there are stormwater utility

fees – that are going up!

Impervious Surface Solutions

Storm Water Structures

Retain water on-siteRain gardensSlow down flow at

guttersDecrease impervious

surfaces percentage

Q

T

Developed Condition, Conventional CN(Higher Peak, More Volume, and Earlier Peak Time)

Existing Condition

Hydrograph

Water Quantity

Right plant right place – resist irrigationPlace plants with similar irrigation needsTime your irrigation

Summer dormancyHigh winds and temperatures waste water

Design gardens/lawns to save waterOdd shapesThe devil strip

Use Gardening

Ensure complete coverReduces runoffReduces erosionIncreases infiltration

Make it healthyLess fertilizer needLess pesticides useLess yard waste

Use MulchRetains waterKeeps soil temperature more

moderate

Pesticides

Only if you need themIPM

ScoutingTiming – effective control strategiesNatural controls/patienceLeast intrusive approachSafety for you and the environment

Rain – wind – sun - temperature

More isn’t better – or even legal

Pesticides continued

Read the labelDispose of carefullyMix accuratelyPrevent spillsWatch out for siphon effect!Remember you are a MG –

call Adria & use the PMG

Pesticide Problems

Spray driftGroundwater pollutionSurface water pollutionSediment transport

AdsorptionAbsorptionSolutionBreakdown

Fertilizer Basics

Use itIf you need itCheck to make sure

VCE soil test – sample –paperworkRemember to pay attention in class

Fertilizer Basics continued

CalibrateAvoid putting it on the driveway and

walksUse it when time is right

Growing season for mostSON for turf

Yard Waste

Right plant reduces trimmingRight plant reduces diseaseAvoid planting near power linesWalks, drives,etc.Over septic and drainfields

Turf

Manage pestsCrabgrass or Poa annuaOr other weeds

Ensure healthMow high and mulch

>2.5inches – less than 1/3rd of height – free fertilizer.

Pick the right grassTurf-type tall fescue, bluegrass, rye – mix.

Turf continued

AerifyCore aeratorNot spike

OverseedEvery year is bestEvery lawn needs it

Water properly or not at all.

The Pond Part

Farm pondsNatural

pondsStorm Water

featuresOrnamental

Water Features

How does a Pond Work

WaterSedimentAir

Water Quality

Nutrients the most important issueThe source of most problems you hear

Algae Growth

WaterNutrientsLightThe right temperature

Algae Control

Remove one of:WaterNutrientsLightThe right temperature

Aquatic Weeds

Navigational problemUnsightlyOdors

Aquatic Weed Control

Advise nutrient reductionCarp – permit requiredWinter dredging – permit probably

requiredChemical control – requires a license

(category 5a) – don’t make Recommendations

The Spring Pond

Water warmsNutrients releasedSpring algae or diatom bloomsMost pond calls

The Summer Pond

Warm waterStratificationNitrogen fluxPea soup and clouds don’t mix

The Fall Pond

Cooling waterDe-stratificationTurn-over

The Winter pond

Cold water Watch out for external plumbing/or

drainage problemsNever skate in Virginia

Questions

Turtles/snakes and birds Oh My!Green waterCloudy waterLeaksSkeeters

Animals

VisitorsDesign changes – elevationNettingReality check

snailsexamine your plant material

Fishgoldfish koi othersbe careful with exotic species

Green Water

EmergencyChemical flocculationDyesPoisons

PatienceLong Term

Better practicesResignation-Adaptation

Give up or change the designPlanting

Cloudy Water

EmergencyFiltersFlocculation

PatiencePlanting

chores

SpringDredgingReplantingPest ControlPopulation Control

chores

SummerAlgae ControlMosquito ControlFilter MaintenanceFertilizationPopulation ControlPlant Clean-up

chores

FallLeaf Control/removalFilter MaintenancePopulation ControlStop Feeding

chores

WinterDraw downNoxious weed removalDredging

Careful with spoils placementDon’t poke any holes

Fore Bay cleanup & Dredging for Storm Water structures

Garden Pond Water Quality

Aging and/or treatmentchlorine in tap waterwater temperature of well water

FiltersSelection of plants – include:

floating – submerged – emergent

Animal overpopulation

Skeeters

Moving waterFishDunks

Chemical Recommendations

Don’t make any!Most all aquatic formulations require

applicators permitRecommend that they ask to see the

permit – Category 5A

VCE’s role in homeowner water quality

Liaison with DCRSoil & Water Conservation DistrictMany farm programs – CREP etc.MG programs like

Lawn KnowersGreat ScapesWater Stewards

You – the front line