RURAL DEVELOPMENT



 POTENTIAL WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS

Rural development related activities such as sewage disposal, road construction, lawn fertilization, and home construction can cause a number of water quality problems.  Sediment, nutrients, herbicides, pesticides, and bacteria may be increased.  

Increased sediment concentrations in waterbodies can impact fisheries and other aquatic life. This may include: less successful spawning activity; a change in the macro-invertebrate populations; and a change in the aquatic plant community.  

Increased nutrient concentrations can cause over fertilization of waterbodies creating a condition known as eutrophication.  This situation, which is often more serious in lakes than streams, results in excessive algal growth.  When the algae die and decompose, oxygen is depleted.  Depending on the extent of the oxygen depletion, a fish kill may result.  Increased nutrient levels can also impact water supplies that are used for human consumption. Elevated nitrate levels can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen.  This can be a serious problem for infants and the elderly.  

Increased herbicide and pesticide concentrations as well as petroleum products can impact aquatic life.  Depending on the chemicals involved, a number of human health problems may result.

Elevated bacteria levels may result from on-site sewage treatment.  Some of these bacteria may be pathogenic. 

CRITICAL AREAS AND ISSUES

The closer the development is to a surface waterbody or ground water source, the greater the chance for a water quality impact.  High density rural developments utilizing on-site sewage disposal should be considered especially critical.  If a community water supply is available but community sewage disposal is not, there is additional potential for pollution because this combination encourages high volume water use with limited ability to dispose of sewage. 

A number of rural development management tools can be used to protect water quality.  They are outlined in the 'Making Improvements' section below.   However, before improvements are planned existing conditions should be assessed.

ASSESSING EXISTING CONDITIONS

When assessing existing conditions, it is important to consider: type of land use including commercial, industrial or residential; development density; soil type; topography; drainage patterns; precipitation patterns; lawn fertilization practices; type of water supply system; etc.

The University of Wisconsin, through the Home*A*Syst program has taken the lead in developing guidelines to assess existing conditions in and around rural home sites.  While the Home*A*Syst program provides some excellent assessment guidelines, the identification of pollution problems can be further enhanced by the use of maps.  While the level of assessment and mapping may vary, additional attention should be given if any of the following exist:

  • There is a known or suspected water quality problem.

  • The development is located near a surface waterbody, or there is a high ground water table.

  • Homes and businesses in the development are served in part, or entirely, by on-site sewage disposal systems.

  • Homes and businesses in the development are served by a community water supply system but not by a community sewage disposal system.

  • The development is high density.

  • Small lot sizes force some wells to be constructed near an on-site sewage disposal system.

  • A large amount of construction activity is taking place.

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements, often called Best Management Practices (BMPs), fall into two broad categories: structural or management. A good water pollution control plan often contains both types of BMPs. Excellent sources of information for planning specific BMPs include:

There are many kinds of structural BMPs including: on-site sewage disposal systems; proper well construction; culverts; bridges; dikes; detention ponds; storm water wetlands; sediment traps; check dams; sand filters; runoff diversion channels; filter strips; etc. Depending on complexity, a detailed engineering drawing may be required.  In some cases, existing drawings provided by NRCS can be utilized or modified to fit a given situation.  

Management BMPs (sometimes called indirect management practices) include: land-use regulations; construction regulations; water conservation; proper snow removal and storage; recycling; homeowner education regarding fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and lawn irrigation; cleanup campaigns; etc.  

FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Section 319 funds are available from DEQ to assist with conservation practices in rural developments.  Applicants for these funds must show that a water quality problem exists and that the proposed practices will improve the problem. Interested parties should apply through their local conservation district.  The NRCS may have funds available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has funds for practices that benefit fisheries.

Technical assistance is available from local conservation districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Cooperative Extension Service.  The Internet also contains a wealth of information including the following sites:

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