County: Brazos
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Brazos
Segment: 1209C, 1209L
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Carters Creek
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Background and
Goals
Water quality testing has indicated that concentrations of
bacteria in Carters and Burton creeks are sometimes higher than the
criteria in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards. The
Standards prescribe the uses for which a water body should be
suitable and the criteria by which support of those uses is
evaluated.
High concentrations of bacteria such as E. coli and fecal
coliform, which are found in both human and animal waste, may
indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the
creek—activities called “contact recreation” in
the Standards.
The watershed of Carters and Burton creeks is located in Brazos
County and covers about 57 square miles. Land use in the watershed
is heavily urbanized in the upper reach where the Carters Creek
originates in Bryan/College Station, and becomes more rural in the
lower reach. Burton Creek is a tributary to Carters Creek; all of
its watershed is urbanized.
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to
within acceptable levels for contact recreation through development
of a TMDL. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants. It determines
the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still
support its designated uses. The load is then allocated among the
sources of pollution within the watershed, and measures to reduce
pollutant loads are developed as necessary. A TMDL becomes part of
the state’s Water Quality Management Plan after it is adopted
by the commission and approved by the EPA. Following completion of
the TMDL, an implementation plan will be developed, with extensive
stakeholder involvement, that will outline the measures that will
be taken to reduce bacteria loadings to the creek.
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Public
Participation
Project staff are informing the public throughout the project
through public meetings and notices in print and
Meetings about TMDL projects are open to everyone.
The TCEQ will hold a meeting to share information with
stakeholders:
CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER
NOTICE:
Thursday, October 9, 2008
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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For More Information
Contact Ward Ling at 512/239-6238. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Carters Creek TMDL in the subject line.
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