Restoring Water Quality:

Using Nonpoint Source Funding to Improve Water Quality for Recreation

Brooke ShiremanKentucky Division of Water

Clean Water ActClean Water Act

• Requires states to establish water quality Requires states to establish water quality standardsstandards

• Primary Contact Recreation (PCR) standardPrimary Contact Recreation (PCR) standard

• Standard is based on scientific research, input Standard is based on scientific research, input from the public, approval from EPA and it’s from the public, approval from EPA and it’s included in our Kentucky Administrative included in our Kentucky Administrative RegulationsRegulations

Clean Water ActClean Water Act

• Requires states to establish water quality Requires states to establish water quality standardsstandards

• Primary Contact Recreation (PCR) standardPrimary Contact Recreation (PCR) standard

• Standard is based on scientific research, input Standard is based on scientific research, input from the public, approval from EPA and it’s from the public, approval from EPA and it’s included in our Kentucky Administrative included in our Kentucky Administrative RegulationsRegulations

Primary Contact Recreation (PCR) Standard for E.coli

Summer PCR Limit (May 1 - Oct. 31)

Bacteria Geometric Mean (colonies/100 ml) Maximum (colonies/100 ml)

E. coli

130 (from 5 samples

collected within 30 days)

240 (number not to be exceeded in more than 20% of the samples)

What does that mean?

• Based on scientific data, input from the public, our lawmakers and EPA…

– Levels of E.coli found in a waterbody greater than the standard indicate a potential health risk for people swimming in the water

Everybody Poops

Humans do it Wildlife does it

Pets do itLivestock does it

Septic System Failure

Straight Pipe

Contact

Jim RoeKentucky Nonpoint Source Program

James.Roe@ky.gov502-564-3410