San Francisco Estuary InstituteSan Francisco Estuary InstituteAnnual MeetingAnnual MeetingOctober 7, 2008October 7, 2008

Water Quality Science and Management in theDelaware Estuary

Thomas J. Fikslin, Ph.D.Thomas J. Fikslin, Ph.D.

ThemesThemesBackgroundBackground

Delaware River WatershedDelaware River Watershed Management IssuesManagement Issues

National Water Quality National Water Quality Monitoring NetworkMonitoring Network Delaware River Basin PilotDelaware River Basin Pilot

Achieving water quality Achieving water quality standards for PCBsstandards for PCBs

Basin Facts

● Largest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi – 330 miles

● 13,539 square mile drainage

● 17 million water users

● 216 tributaries

● Three reaches included in National Wild and Scenic River System

● One of the world’s largest freshwater tidal estuaries

● Delaware Bay- 782 sq. miles

Management IssuesManagement Issues Contaminants Tidal Wetlands Ecologically significant species and their habitats Freshwater Inflow Physical/Chemical/Biological Linkages Food Web Dynamics Nutrient Enrichment Ecosystem functions Habitat Restoration Non-indigenous Species

ThemesThemesBackgroundBackground

Delaware River WatershedDelaware River Watershed Management IssuesManagement Issues

National Water Quality National Water Quality Monitoring NetworkMonitoring Network Delaware River Basin PilotDelaware River Basin Pilot

Achieving water quality Achieving water quality standards for PCBsstandards for PCBs

Entire Delaware BasinEntire Delaware Basin 4 states—NY, PA, NJ, DE4 states—NY, PA, NJ, DE Several Physiographic Several Physiographic

Provinces and EcoregionsProvinces and Ecoregions Major inflows—Lehigh, Major inflows—Lehigh,

Schuylkill, Maurice, C&D Schuylkill, Maurice, C&D CanalCanal

Plans for enhanced Plans for enhanced coastal endurance linecoastal endurance line

DRB Pilot Study Area DRB Pilot Study Area BoundaryBoundary

Monitoring Organizations and Resource Monitoring Organizations and Resource Components MonitoredComponents Monitored

OrgOrgEstuary/Estuary/

EmbaymentEmbaymentNearshore Nearshore

CoastCoastOffshore Offshore

CoastCoast RiversRivers Ground Ground WaterWater

Atmos.Atmos.

Depos.Depos.WetlandsWetlands BeachesBeaches

USEPAUSEPA

NOAANOAA

USGSUSGS

COECOE

DE DNRECDE DNREC

PADEPPADEP

NJ DEPNJ DEP

UDELUDEL

RUTGERSRUTGERS

DRBCDRBC EstuaryEstuaryProgramProgram

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

CamdenCamden Power Power UtilitiesUtilities

Monitoring in Pilot Studies does not Monitoring in Pilot Studies does not fully meet the Network designfully meet the Network design

Gaps in number of sites, sampling Gaps in number of sites, sampling frequency, and need for additional frequency, and need for additional analytes analytes

Need for local flexibility in adding Need for local flexibility in adding tributary rivers (Delaware and Lake tributary rivers (Delaware and Lake Michigan)Michigan)

Gap Analysis – All PilotsGap Analysis – All Pilots

Add nutrient monitoring to existing program Add nutrient monitoring to existing program in river, estuary, and Bay.in river, estuary, and Bay.

Improve the watershed-to-ocean observing Improve the watershed-to-ocean observing system web site to facilitate data sharing.system web site to facilitate data sharing.

Continue to investigate Emerging Continue to investigate Emerging Contaminants (PBDEs, PFOAs/PFOSs, Contaminants (PBDEs, PFOAs/PFOSs, PPCPs).PPCPs).

Establish capacity to monitor wetland Establish capacity to monitor wetland condition.condition.

FY 08 PlansFY 08 PlansDelaware Estuary and BayDelaware Estuary and Bay

ThemesThemesBackgroundBackground

Delaware River WatershedDelaware River Watershed Management IssuesManagement Issues

National Water Quality National Water Quality Monitoring NetworkMonitoring Network Delaware River Basin PilotDelaware River Basin Pilot

Achieving water quality Achieving water quality standards for PCBsstandards for PCBs

BackgroundBackground Delaware Estuary portion Delaware Estuary portion

of the Basin is 133 miles of the Basin is 133 miles long and is bordered by long and is bordered by DE, NJ and PA.DE, NJ and PA.

It consists of 5 water It consists of 5 water quality management units quality management units called Zones.called Zones.

EPA Regions II & III EPA Regions II & III establish Stage 1 TMDLs establish Stage 1 TMDLs for Zones 2 – 5 in for Zones 2 – 5 in December 2003.December 2003.

EPA Regions II & III EPA Regions II & III establish Stage 1 TMDL for establish Stage 1 TMDL for Zone 6 in December 2006.Zone 6 in December 2006.

Principal Mass Loadings and Fluxes

Contaminated Site Loads

Upstream Boundary LoadDelaware River at Trenton, NJ

SedimentFlux

AtmosphericWet / Dry

Deposition

AtmosphericGas phase

flux

Upstream Boundary LoadSchuylkill River

Non-Point Source LoadsTributary Loads

Point Discharge Loads

Sediment

C&D Canal(tidal boundary)

Ocean BoundaryMouth of Delaware Bay

CSOs

LEGEND

External Loads(forcing functions)

Fluxes and tidal boundaries

Penta-PCB Load by Source CategorySept 2001 through March 2003

9.22

6.56

5.26

4.00 3.903.47

2.34 2.19

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

Non-PointSource Runoff

PointDischarges

Delaware atTrenton

Schuylkill ContaminatedSites (revised)

All OtherTributaries

Atmosphericwet and drydeposition

CSOs

Source Category

577-

da

y P

enta

PC

B L

oad

(kg

)

Achieving PCB WQ CriteriaAchieving PCB WQ Criteria Reductions in PCB loadings will not immediately Reductions in PCB loadings will not immediately

result in lower ambient water concentrations or in result in lower ambient water concentrations or in reduced tissue levels of PCBs in resident fish reduced tissue levels of PCBs in resident fish species.species.

This is due to the continuing flux of PCBs from the This is due to the continuing flux of PCBs from the sediments to the water column. As solids sediments to the water column. As solids uncontaminated by PCBs settle to the bottom, uncontaminated by PCBs settle to the bottom, this flux will ultimately reach equilibrium with the this flux will ultimately reach equilibrium with the water column.water column.

A long-term strategy for permitting point source A long-term strategy for permitting point source discharges and addressing non-point sources discharges and addressing non-point sources such as contaminated sites and air sources is such as contaminated sites and air sources is needed to ensure continued progress in reducing needed to ensure continued progress in reducing PCBs.PCBs.

The ProblemThe Problem Federal regulations require permits to be Federal regulations require permits to be

consistent with WLAs established with consistent with WLAs established with TMDLs, and achieve the underlying WQ TMDLs, and achieve the underlying WQ criteria within a permit cycle (5 years).criteria within a permit cycle (5 years).

The Concept:The Concept: WQS Implementation Plan WQS Implementation Plan Under the WQS regulations at 40 CFR 131.13, Under the WQS regulations at 40 CFR 131.13,

states may, at their discretion, adopt policies states may, at their discretion, adopt policies affecting the application and implementationaffecting the application and implementationof designated uses and criteria.of designated uses and criteria.

States could adopt a “standards implementation States could adopt a “standards implementation plan” as a component of their WQS to address plan” as a component of their WQS to address long-term attainability issues.long-term attainability issues.

How it WorksHow it Works Lead by DRBC, monitoring using Method Lead by DRBC, monitoring using Method

1668A and Pollutant Minimization Plans 1668A and Pollutant Minimization Plans were required following the establishment were required following the establishment of the TMDLs. of the TMDLs.

For selected pollutants and water bodies, a For selected pollutants and water bodies, a WQS Implementation Plan (WQSIP) would WQS Implementation Plan (WQSIP) would be required under regulations to be be required under regulations to be adopted by DRBC.adopted by DRBC.

The plan would allow phased attainment of The plan would allow phased attainment of a WQ criterion by specifying numeric and a WQ criterion by specifying numeric and narrative restoration objectives for one or narrative restoration objectives for one or more restoration periods. Periods of 10 more restoration periods. Periods of 10 years in length are proposed.years in length are proposed.

Are We Making Progress?Are We Making Progress?

Progress in achieving the PCB WQ criterion Progress in achieving the PCB WQ criterion is expected to be slow due to the is expected to be slow due to the modulating effects of estuary sediments modulating effects of estuary sediments and the adaptive management approach and the adaptive management approach of identifying sources and reducing PCB of identifying sources and reducing PCB loadings.loadings.

Adoption of the Stage 1 TMDLs and Adoption of the Stage 1 TMDLs and regulations requiring point sources to regulations requiring point sources to conduct Pollutant Minimization Plans conduct Pollutant Minimization Plans (PMPs) may be driving source reduction.(PMPs) may be driving source reduction.

Relative Source ContributionsRelative Source Contributions

Point Source Discharges:Point Source Discharges:

•Although 128 discharges are currently Although 128 discharges are currently being evaluated for PCB loadings, being evaluated for PCB loadings, 95% of the loading is contributed by a 95% of the loading is contributed by a relatively few discharges (relatively few discharges (1616).).

Cumulative 2005-06 Penta-PCB LoadingsNPDES Discharges (Total n=128)

48

57

63

69

75

8084

8688 89 91 92 93 94 94 95 96 96 97 97 97 97 98 98 98

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

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U.S

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ks

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owns

hip

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boro

Mun

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tili

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ty

Mor

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Cor

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N = 16

Relative Source ContributionsRelative Source Contributions

Point Source Discharges:Point Source Discharges:• Although 128 discharges are currently Although 128 discharges are currently

being evaluated for PCB loadings, being evaluated for PCB loadings, 95% of the loading is contributed by a 95% of the loading is contributed by a relatively few discharges (relatively few discharges (1616).).

• Loadings calculated from monitoring Loadings calculated from monitoring data collected during 2005 – 2006 data collected during 2005 – 2006 indicate that indicate that 90 of 108 discharges 90 of 108 discharges have reduced loadingshave reduced loadings compared to compared to Stage 1 loadings.Stage 1 loadings.

Ratio of Stage 1 penta-PCB loads to 2005 loads(Total n=108)

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

1000

NJ0

0042

19-0

07

NJ0

0053

63-0

06

PA

0013

323-

002

NJ0

0055

84-0

03A

PA

0012

629-

002

PA

0011

533-

015

PA

0013

323-

001

NJ0

0042

86-0

01A

NJ0

0042

86-0

03

NJ0

0042

78-0

01A

NJ0

0251

78-0

01A

NJ0

0043

91-0

03A

PA

0012

637-

006

NJ0

0248

56-0

01

PA

0012

637-

201

PA

0013

081-

029

NJ0

0051

34-0

01A

NJ0

0216

10-0

01

NJ0

0049

95-4

41C

PA

0013

714-

001

PA

0013

323-

008

NJ0

0052

40-0

01A

PA

0012

637-

007

NJ0

0275

45-0

01

NJ0

0043

91-0

02A

NJ0

0053

63-0

17

PA

0013

463-

103

NJ0

0244

49-0

01

NJ0

0246

86-0

01

NJ0

0240

07-0

01

NJ0

0215

98-0

01

NJ0

0050

02-W

TP

A

PA

0026

468-

001

NJ0

0216

01-0

01

NJ0

0246

60-0

02

PA

0026

662-

001

NJ0

0274

81-0

01

DE

0021

539-

001

DE

0000

051-

004

PA

0027

294-

001

DE

0020

320-

001

PA

0013

463-

203

PA

0026

671-

001

PA

0026

689-

001

DE

0050

911-

002

NJ0

0051

00-6

62A

NJ0

0046

69-0

01A

PA

0013

323-

003

NJ0

0042

19-0

01A

NJ0

0330

22-0

02

DE

0050

601-

016

DE

0020

001-

003

PA

0011

622-

001

NJ0

0052

66-0

02A

Rat

io (

2005

/200

3)

A ratio of <1 means the 2005 loadingsare less than the Stage 1 loadings

n = 90 n = 18

Addressing Non-Point SourcesAddressing Non-Point Sources

The WQSIP would also identify reduction The WQSIP would also identify reduction strategies and measures for other source strategies and measures for other source categories such as tributaries, categories such as tributaries, contaminated sites, non-point source contaminated sites, non-point source runoff, and air deposition.runoff, and air deposition.

Recent Initiatives:Recent Initiatives: Passive Air SamplingPassive Air Sampling – to identify the – to identify the

location of air sources of PCBs.location of air sources of PCBs. Refining Loadings from Contaminated Refining Loadings from Contaminated

SitesSites – thru application of RUSLE2. – thru application of RUSLE2.

Passive Air SamplingPassive Air Sampling In cooperation with In cooperation with

Rutgers University and EPA Rutgers University and EPA Region II, studies were Region II, studies were initiated in 2005 to initiated in 2005 to evaluate sampling evaluate sampling techniques to identify air techniques to identify air sources of PCBs.sources of PCBs.

34 sites were sampled 34 sites were sampled between March and June between March and June 2005.2005.

48 sites were sampled 48 sites were sampled between March and June between March and June 2008 in a second survey.2008 in a second survey.

2008 Sampling Locations

Current ScheduleCurrent Schedule

PCB Rulemaking SchedulePCB Rulemaking Schedule DateDate

11 Publication of proposed rule Publication of proposed rule and WQ Implementation Plan and WQ Implementation Plan for PCBs.for PCBs.

Nov. 2008Nov. 2008

22 60 day comment period ends60 day comment period ends Jan. 2009Jan. 2009

33 Commission ActionCommission Action May 6, 2009May 6, 2009

44 Adoption of Stage 2 TMDLs for Adoption of Stage 2 TMDLs for PCBs for Zones 2 – 6.PCBs for Zones 2 – 6.

Dec. 15, 2009Dec. 15, 2009

SummarySummary DRBC, in cooperation with EPA Headquarters, Regions DRBC, in cooperation with EPA Headquarters, Regions

II & III, and state agencies are implementing PCB II & III, and state agencies are implementing PCB TMDLs by:TMDLs by:

♦ Requiring low level monitoring and PMPs, andRequiring low level monitoring and PMPs, and♦ Adopting a revised PCB criterion, and regulatory language Adopting a revised PCB criterion, and regulatory language

for an adaptive implementation approach within the for an adaptive implementation approach within the framework of the CWA to achieve WQS for hydrophobic framework of the CWA to achieve WQS for hydrophobic contaminants like PCBs.contaminants like PCBs.

The cornerstone of this approach is a WQS The cornerstone of this approach is a WQS implementation plan that addresses long-term implementation plan that addresses long-term attainment of WQS through point and non-point source attainment of WQS through point and non-point source controls over multiple permit cycles. controls over multiple permit cycles.

Contact Information:Contact Information:

Thomas.Fikslin@drbc.state.nj.usThomas.Fikslin@drbc.state.nj.us(609) 883-9500, ext.253(609) 883-9500, ext.253

Information on the TMDLs, model Information on the TMDLs, model development, sampling and analytical development, sampling and analytical information, and PMP requirements and information, and PMP requirements and resources are available on the DRBC resources are available on the DRBC website at:website at:

http://http://www.state.nj.us/drbcwww.state.nj.us/drbc