Assessment of Nonpoint Sources Areawide Waste Treatment Management Plan for the Greater Houston Area

The nonpoint sources of water pollution within the Greater Houston 208 Planning Area are assessed. Water pollution resulting from urban runoff, septic tank seepages, agricultural runoff, construction site runoff, dredging, and benthal oxygen demand is considered. An analysis of 108 runoff events in several areas of the country, indicated a strong correlation between the log of the cumulative runoff volume and the log of the cumulative pollutant load. Using regression analysis, a stormwater quality-quality model was developed. When septic tank seepages were studied, the Sims Bayou Basin had the greatest pollution impact of septic tanks based on theoretical calculations. Fecal coliforms and BOD were used as septic seepage indicators. The effects of agriculture, injection wells, shipping, oil field waste disposal, and salt water intrusion on water quality were investigated. Mineral and organic suspended sediment in air and water as a result of contruction activities, was emphasized. Other pollutants considered included pesticides, nutrients, solid wastes, construction chemicals, petroleum products, and sanitary wastes. Finally, benthal oxygen demand was a significant sink of dissolved oxygen in the area, particularly in the Houston Ship Channel. (Small-FIRL)