Water Quality Monitoring
Under the Clean Water Act, states are required to report water quality information to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. CCG is required to collect and submit data on water quality to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division under the MS4 Permit. Data is then used to determine if the quality can support the intended use of the water resources. If the data concludes it doesn’t support the intended use, the waterway gets classified as impaired.
There are 11 waterways listed within Muscogee County as not supporting their intended use (fishing) on the 2016 Draft of the Georgia 305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report. The 11 creeks listed are:
| Creek Name
|
Cause
|
Potential Source
|
| Bull Creek
|
Bio Fish, Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Chattahoochee River
|
Fecal Coliform, Fish Consumption Guidance
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Dram Branch
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| East Double Branch
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Lindsey Creek
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Mill Branch
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Roaring Branch
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Tiger Creek
|
Fecal Coliform, Bio Fish
|
Nonpoint Sources/Unknown
|
| Tributary to Bull Creek
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Turkey Creek
|
Fecal Coliform
|
Urban Runoff
|
| Weracoba
|
Bio Macroinvertebrates, Fecal Coliform, pH
|
Urban Runoff
|
Stormwater staff currently monitors water quality at 14 sites throughout Muscogee County. CCG monitors several parameters but provides samples for Columbus Water Works Department of Water Quality Monitoring to conduct analytical testing for fecal coliforms. Fecal coliforms are indicators that water has been contaminated with fecal waste from warm-blooded organisms. Fecal coliforms could also mean there are other bacteria or pathogens in the water and could be a potential health risk. Illicit sanitary sewer connections or leaks could be a source for fecal coliforms.