anr-790.html
ANR-790, New June 1995. Compiled by James E. Hairston, Extension
Water Quality Scientist; Assisted by Leigh Stribling,
Technical Writer
Water Quality And Pollution Control
Handbook |
Contents
--Part One--
Chapter 1 Water As A Resource
Section 1.1 Getting To Know Water
1.1.1 Understanding Water As A Resource
1.1.2 How Nature Recycles And Purifies
Water: The Hydrologic Cycle
1.1.3 Where Water Supplies Are Stored:
Surface Water And Groundwater
1.1.4 How Water Supplies Become Contaminated:
Water Purity And Pollution
Section 1.2 Protecting Water Quality
1.2.1 Recycling Household Wastes
1.2.2 Composting Yard Wastes
1.2.3 Disposing Of Household Chemical
Wastes
1.2.4 Using Pesticides Safely Around
Your Home
1.2.5 Understanding Your Septic System
And Water Quality
1.2.6 Controlling Runoff From Your Yard
Section 1.3 Conserving Water
1.3.1 Why Conserve Water?
1.3.2 Installing Water-Saving Devices
1.3.3 Developing Water-Conserving Habits:
A Checklist
1.3.4 Xeriscaping: Landscape Design For
Water Conservation
Chapter 2 Managing Drinking Water Quality
Section 2.1 Drinking Water Standards
2.1.1 Safe Drinking Water--Who's In Charge?
2.1.2 Drinking Water Standards: How Are
They Set?
2.1.3 Protecting Your Health: Primary
Standards
2.1.4 Regulating Nuisance Contaminants:
Secondary Standards
2.1.5 What Happens At A Water Treatment
Plant?
Section 2.2 Water Testing
2.2.1 Should You Have Your Water Tested?
2.2.2 Where Can You Have Your Water Tested?
2.2.3 How Should You Collect Water Samples?
2.2.4 Which Tests Should You Request?
2.2.5 Interpreting Water Tests: What
Do The Numbers Mean?
Section 2.3 Typical Contaminants And Problems
2.3.1 Bacterial Contaminants
2.3.2 Water Hardness
2.3.3 Iron And Manganese
2.3.4 Turbidity (Cloudy Water)
2.3.5 Color, Odor, And Taste Problems
2.3.6 Corrosion
2.3.7 Metal Contaminants
2.3.8 Lead
2.3.9 Nitrate
2.3.10 Sodium Chloride
2.3.11 Fluoride
2.3.12 Pesticides And Organic Contaminants
2.3.13 Radionuclides (Radon)
Section 2.4 Possible Treatments
2.4.1 Buying Water Treatment Equipment
2.4.2 Questions To Ask When Shopping
For Water Treatment Equipment
2.4.3 Filters
2.4.4 Reverse Osmosis
2.4.5 Distillers
2.4.6 Ion Exchange Units: Cation Exchange
(Softeners) And Anion Exchange
2.4.7 Chemical Feed Pumps
2.4.8 Ultraviolet Radiation, Ozone Treatment,
And Aeration
2.4.9 Bottled Water: Is It Really Better?
Section 2.5 Water Supply Wells
2.5.1 Constructing A Well
2.5.2 Protecting The Well Site
2.5.3 How To Seal An Abandoned Well
2.5.4 Testing Well Water
2.5.5 Disinfecting Well Water By Chlorination
2.5.6 Maintaining Well Records
Section 2.6 Drinking Water For Livestock
And Poultry
Chapter 3 Managing Wastewater
Section 3.1 Municipal Wastewater Treatment
3.1.1 Wastewater Collection And Treatment
Processes
3.1.2 Land Application Of Municipal Wastewater
3.1.3 Constructed Wetlands: A New Concept
In Treating Wastewater
Section 3.2 On-site Sewage Treatment (Septic Tank Systems)
3.2.1 Planning For A Septic System
3.2.2 Understanding Septic System Design
And Construction
3.2.3 Maintaining A Septic System
--Part Two--
Chapter 4 Controlling Nonpoint Source (NPS)
Pollution
Section 4.1 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution
Of Alabama Waters
Section 4.2 The Rural Environment And NPS Pollution
4.2.1 Understanding Agricultural Erosion,
Sedimentation, And NPS Pollution
4.2.2 Regulating Agricultural NPS Pollution
4.2.3 Controlling Agricultural NPS Pollution
Through Best Management Practices
Section 4.3 Soil Management To Protect Water Quality
4.3.1 Understanding Soils And How They
Affect Water Quality
4.3.2 Estimating Soil Erosion Losses
And Sediment Delivery Ratios
4.3.3 Cropping And Nonstructural Agronomic
Practices For Soil Management
4.3.4 Reduced Tillage Practices For Soil
Management
4.3.5 Structural Measures For Soil Management
4.3.6 Irrigation Systems And Soil Management
Section 4.4 Fertilizer Management To Protect Water Quality
4.4.1 Understanding Nutrients And How
They Affect Water Quality
4.4.2 Soil Testing And Plant Analysis
For Fertilizer Management
4.4.3 Fertilizer Application Techniques
4.4.4 Cropping And Tillage Practices
For Fertilizer Management
4.4.5 Nitrogen Management Practices For
Fertilizer Management
4.4.6 Nutrient Management Of Land Applied Sludge
4.4.7 Irrigation Systems And Fertilizer
Management
Section 4.5 Pesticide Management To Protect Water Quality
4.5.1 Understanding Pesticides And How
They Affect Water Quality
4.5.2 Regulating Pesticide Registration
And Tolerances
4.5.3 Integrated Pest Management
4.5.4 Using Pesticides On The Farm: From
Selection To Disposal
4.5.5 Structural Controls And Land Management
Strategies For Minimizing
Pesticide Losses
4.5.6 Chemigation Safety
4.5.7 Common Sense Tips For Safe Aerial
Spraying
Section 4.6 Animal Waste Management To Protect Water Quality
4.6.1 Animal Waste And How It Affects
Water Quality
4.6.2 Regulating Animal Wastes
4.6.3 Animal Waste Management Systems
4.6.4 Land Application Of Animal Wastes
4.6.5 Analyzing Nutrient Value Of Animal
Wastes
4.6.6 Calculating Rates Of Application
Based On Nitrogen Needs
4.6.7 Calibrating Manure Spreaders
4.6.8 Managing Open Lots And Pasture
Systems To Minimize NPS Pollution
Section 4.7 The Urban Environment And NPS Pollution
4.7.1 Urbanization And How It Affects
Water Quality
4.7.2 Understanding Urban Stormwater
Runoff
4.7.3 Regulating Urban Stormwater Runoff
4.7.4 Best Management Practices To Control
Urban NPS Pollution
4.7.5 Best Management Practices For Construction
Activities
4.7.6 Best Management Practices For Individuals
Section 4.8 Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) And NPS Pollution
4.8.1 USTs And How They Affect Water
Quality
4.8.2 Regulating USTs
4.8.3 Managing Commercial And Municipal
USTs: Installing And Upgrading Tanks
4.8.4 Managing Commercial And Municipal
USTs: Preventing Spills And Leaks
4.8.5 Managing Privately Owned USTs:
Guidelines For Private Property Owners
Appendixes
Preface
Most people take water for granted. They are satisfied as long
as a supply of good quality water is available; they view water
as an inexpensive and unlimited resource.
However, water supplies in this country are no longer unlimited.
In many parts of the country, water supplies are threatened by
contamination, and future water supplies are uncertain.
Defining The Problem
The Clean Water Act of 1972 established regulations and permits
to control commercial, industrial, and municipal point sources
of pollution; however, these regulations do not apply to most
nonpoint sources. Recent water quality information has shown that
a majority of the remaining water quality problems in rivers and
lakes are caused by nonpoint sources of pollution.
Every individual or business is potentially a nonpoint source
polluter because everyone uses water. Everyone also uses products
that have the potential to become water pollutants, and everyone
generates waste by-products that may find their way into the natural
water cycle.
Activities that disturb land such as agriculture, forestry,
mining, excavation, and construction can cause nonpoint source
water pollution over relatively large areas. Forestry and crop
production agriculture intentionally release a variety of chemicals
into the environment that may find their way into water supplies
if not managed and handled properly. Concentrated animal production
agriculture also generates large volumes of waste by-products
capable of damaging adjacent water sources. Stormwater runoff
and leaching to groundwater in urban areas are also major sources
of water pollution.
Thus, the major water quality issue for the 1990s and beyond
will be finding ways to protect surface water and groundwater
from nonpoint source pollutants.
Extension's Role In Water Quality Education
The Cooperative Extension System (CES) is a unique partnership
of federal, state, and local organizations: Extension is the educational
arm of USDA, a part of the land-grant university system, and a
part of local government. In teaming with the land-grant system,
Extension brings scientific knowledge and principles for solving
problems to people in every county in the nation.
USDA has identified water quality as a national initiative
and has a mandated responsibility to develop and deliver programs
for public education on water quality. Providing the public with
in-depth information on important environmental issues and delivering
water quality programs falls mainly to CES field staff. Consequently,
CES must provide field staff with current knowledge on water quality
issues.
Purpose Of The Handbook
The primary purpose of this handbook is to provide CES field
staff with multi-disciplinary information on protecting water
quality and preventing nonpoint source pollution.
The handbook presents a comprehensive picture of water as a
vital natural resource: how water moves; how it becomes contaminated
in nature and by the activities of people; how it is purified
in nature and by people; and how to recognize, test, correct,
or prevent water pollution problems.
How To Use The Handbook
The handbook includes four chapters:
* Water As A Resource.
* Managing Drinking Water Quality.
* Managing Wastewater.
* Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution.
It also includes appendixes:
* Contacts for further information.
* Services related to water quality.
* A list of water quality videos available from the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System Media Library at Auburn University.
* A glossary of terms related to resource conservation and
water quality.
Chapters 1-3 present information for the general public: both
urban and rural families, teachers, and students. Chapter 4 presents
information for farmers, city planners, urban residents, and others
interested in controlling pollutants from agribusinesses and municipalities.
The appendixes and the glossary are provided primarily as resources
for CES field staff.
* Chapter 1, Water As A Resource, presents background information
on water supplies, the water cycle, and pollution. It also gives
specific recommendations about what concerned citizens can do
at home to prevent pollution, protect water quality, and conserve
water.
* Chapter 2, Managing Drinking Water Quality, discusses treatment
of both public water sources (community water systems) and private
sources (wells). It includes information on drinking water standards,
water testing, water pollutants and problems, and water treatment
equipment. Drinking water for livestock is also discussed.
* Chapter 3, Managing Wastewater, covers public and private
wastewater treatment. Both treatment at municipal facilities and
on-site sewage treatment (septic systems) are discussed.
* Chapter 4, Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution, addresses
specific problems in agribusinesses and urban areas. Soils, fertilizers,
pesticides, animal wastes, urban stormwater runoff, and underground
storage tanks are covered. Discussion includes principles, problems,
and management practices.
The appendixes provide names, addresses, and phone numbers
for federal, state, local government and organizational contacts
as well as private businesses.
Most information is presented as short articles ranging from
2 to 6 pages, which may be used as reference materials directly
or as basic information to prepare other water quality educational
materials for a wide range of audiences.
Additional copies of the articles will be available from the
Alabama Cooperative Extension System or may be photocopied directly
from the handbook.
Acknowledgments
This handbook was financed in part by a Section 319 grant from
the U.S. EPA through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management
and by funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Appreciation is extended to the staff of the Department of
Agronomy and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System for their
contribution of time and expertise. County Extension agents across
Alabama ranked topics and identified audiences for this handbook.
We appreciate their enthusiastic support.
The mention of trade names or commercial products by the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System does not constitute the endorsement
of or use of these products or services at the exclusion of other
products and services which may be equally suitable.
For more information, contact your county Extension
office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name
to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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