A watershed

assessment completed in conjunction with a permit application to expand

the city's sewer capacity revealed "no surprises," says water

manager Larry Turner, but it does show "some problems" for both

Fayette County and the city.

Water in Line

Creek south of the city limits, surveyed in the assessment, shows "water

quality impairments" for dissolved oxygen, pH, fecal coliform and

zinc, Turner told members of the Fayette County Water Committee last week.

Zinc, he added,

occurs naturally in this area. The other problem readings are due mainly

to polluted storm water runoff and high levels of sediment.

In its response

to the report, the state Department of Natural Resources notes the contaminants

and the low levels of dissolved oxygen, but doesn't recommend any immediate

fixes. And the agency has approved the assessment as part of the permitting

process.

But DNR does

request letters from both the city and county with statements "that

they acknowledge and understand the assessment findings and implications

and that some improvements to their watershed protection programs may

be required as part of the ... permit process."

DNR also suggests

that the city and county monitor test sites in the creek basin every quarter,

rather than twice a year as contemplated in the city's watershed assessment.

Water Committee

member Glen Gosa suggested that such language will become commonplace

as state and federal agencies move toward stricter regulation of watershed

management and storm water runoff. Counties have been gearing up for more

than a year now for the new federal regulations, which are expected to

require some level of treatment of storm water, and stricter standards

for sediment control.

County water

manager Tony Parrott agreed. "The next time we apply for a permit

they'll probably copy the same thing to us," he said.

"I can't

think of anything [that may be required in the future] that wouldn't be

required by [the new state standards]," said Turner.

Water Committee

members voted to ask attorneys for the city to compose a letter acknowledging

DNR's concerns, to be reviewed by the county attorney and signed by County

Manager Chris Cofty.