An assessment of water quality and urbanization in the Gills Creek Watershed.

摘要

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the effects on water quality as a result of increased urbanization in the Gills Creek Watershed in Richland County, South Carolina. This thesis analyzes historical water quality data within the highly urbanized watershed by looking for changes in the water quality parameters over time. The objective of this assessment is to determine if there are relationships between fecal coliform concentrations, low dissolved oxygen, and an increase in urbanization. The long-term goal of the project is to better understand the effects of urbanization, provide relevant historical data, and help guide policy decisions that may affect the watershed.;The water quality parameters chosen for analysis are fecal coliform and dissolved oxygen. These parameters were chosen because of their relationship to urbanization and because they are two parameters that indicate impairment in the Gills Creek watershed. Fecal coliform is a non-point source pollutant that can be detrimental to human health. A dissolved oxygen impairment can occur from activities in the watershed that increase organic loads in the streams and ponds or contribute to increased temperatures. The water quality data are from the Environmental Protection Agency's STORET database from the years 1972-2006 and are analyzed using an ANOVA two-way analysis. Urbanization is analyzed by comparing U.S. Census data for the years 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 and examining building permit data that has been tracked by the Central Midlands Council of Governments for the years 1981-2006.;Results from this study are highly variable between sites, with some stations indicating improving water quality with urbanization while other stations are experiencing deteriorating water quality with urbanization. Overall, non-point source pollution remains a major concern in the watershed and current stormwater regulations do not sufficiently address these concerns. Decreasing impervious surfaces and improving stormwater filtration through proper zoning and the implementation of current land-use plans are methods recommended to decrease non-point source pollutants.