SD16 - The Problems Associated with Nutrient Enrichment and Related Water Quality Standards in the Waters of the Commonwealth

  • Published: 1986
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 116 (Regular Session, 1985)

Executive Summary:
The 1985 General Assembly adopted SJR 116 which created a joint subcommittee to study the problems associated with nutrient enrichment and related water quality standards in the waters of the Commonwealth. The subcommittee was charged with examining:

1. the reductions in phosphorus loads which should be achieved in each river;

2. the nutrient effluent standard or standards which should be established to accomplish such reductions;

3. short-term and long-term costs and benefits of various technologies available for meeting the applicable standards;

4. the responsibility of state and local governments to pay for capital, operation and maintenance costs of phosphorus removal or other treatment requirements in excess of federal standards; and

5. financing alternatives for water quality improvements necessary to meet effluent standards and correct other nutrient problems.

The study was initiated in recognition of the fact that the quality of Virginia's waters, especially those of the Chesapeake Bay system, are being affected by the presence of excessive amounts of nutrients, particularly phosphorus. At its first meeting, the subcommittee received detailed descriptions of the nature and scope of the nutrient problem in Virginia's waters. It became evident that any analysis of the problem should not be limited to phosphorus but should also consider the effects of other nutrients such as nitrogen on water quality.

The subcommittee was informed of present state efforts to control the flow of nutrients from both point sources (i.e. sewage treatment plants) and nonpoint sources (i.e. agricultural, urban, and forest runoff). The subcommittee felt it was essential that the Commonwealth begin to consider establishing some form of nutrient standard for all the Chesapeake Bay tributaries showing evidence of degradation attributable to the presence of excessive amounts of nutrients. The subcommittee considered two approaches to standard setting to obtain necessary reduction goals: establishing specific effluent standards versus establishing some form of in-stream water quality standard.

Various technologies are available to reduce the presence of phosphorus and nitrogen. The cost effectiveness of these technologies must be carefully evaluated before committing the Commonwealth to a long-term nutrient reduction strategy. The subcommittee was presented with a range of strategies and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Financing must be provided for the advanced wastewater treatment technologies necessary to achieve nutrient reduction in Virginia's waters. The subcommittee's approach to the financing issue was to review the entire wastewater financing question rather than focus specifically on nutrient control. In taking this more general approach, the subcommittee sought answers to the following questions:

• What are the costs of having clean water in Virginia?

• What level of government should be responsible for those costs?

• What financial alternatives are available to meet these costs?

Although much of the study has focused on the control of nutrients from point sources, the subcommittee feels equal emphasis needs to be placed on the impact of nutrients originating from nonpoint sources. The subcommittee anticipates continuing its work during the upcoming year, concentrating on the role of nonpoint sources, and how best to integrate the various point and nonpoint nutrient control strategies into a comprehensive approach.