Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Logo

Minnesota Stormwater Manual

Guidance for meeting bacteria TMDL MS4 permit requirements
Revision as of 16:32, 18 October 2019 by Rolmanson (talk | contribs)

This site is currently undergoing final review. For more information, open this link.
 This page is under review
image of bacteria impairments
Map showing 2016 U.S. EPA-approved stream and river stretches impaired for either e coli or fecal coliforms.

Escherichia (E). coli is an indicator bacteria, meaning it indicates the potential presence of disease causing pathogens that can be harmful to human health. Currently there are 139 total maximum daily load (TMDLs) that include MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) wasteload allocations (WLAs) for bacteria. Click here to link to MPCA's impaired waters website. The adjoining map illustrates U.S. EPA-approved listings for E. coli and fecal coliform.

The MS4 permit requires permittees that have an applicable wasteload allocation (WLA) for bacteria to

  1. maintain a written or mapped inventory of potential areas and sources of bacteria (e.g., dense populations of waterfowl or other birds, dog parks) (Draft permit requirement 18.14), and
  2. maintain a written plan to prioritize reduction activities to address the areas (Draft permit requirement 18.15).

Suggested reading for more information on pathogens in urban stormwater

Maintain a written or mapped inventory of potential areas and sources of bacteria

The written or mapped inventory should identify potential areas and sources of bacteria. Common sources for bacteria include sanitary sewer overflow locations, areas that attract nuisance birds and/or wildlife (parks, golf courses, etc.), dog parks, and known septic systems (see adjoining table for additional potential sources).

The adjoining table and a section in the manual, Stormwater management for bacteria, may be helpful in identifying areas for inventoring and mapping.

Potential sources of bacteria and actions to address
Link to this table

General Category Source Action
Municipal Sanitary Infrastructure Combined Sewer Overflows1 Replace infrastructure, if possible
Sanitary Sewer Bypasses/Overflows Line sanitary sewer pipes
Inflow and Infiltration Minimize and eliminate through repairing damaged sewers
Illicit discharges from unsewered communities Detect and eliminate illicit discharges
Human Sanitary Sources Leaky/failing septic systems Update and enforce subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) ordinances
Educate homeowners on septic system maintenance and opportunities for replacement
Implement higher standards for setbacks for installing septic systems near receiving water bodies
Porta-potties Ensure construction site temporary toilets have appropriate pollution prevention BMPs
Domestic pets Dogs, cats, dog parks, walking trails, residential yard and sidewalk runoff (spring runoff after winter accumulation) Establish pet waste disposal stations along trails, in dog parks, etc.
Pass and enforce pet waste ordinances and educate pet owners about them
Add infiltration BMPs downstream of parks/residential areas and upstream of stormwater pipes (i.e., somewhere between the park/residential area and the stormwater outfall so as to intercept and infiltrate some or all of the flow from these areas)
Reduce transport from parks, residential, and other areas by the use of buffer zones and other disconnection of flow pathways (e.g. impervious surface, disconnection, downspout disconnection)
Urban wildlife Rodents (raccoons, squirrels, etc.), deer, etc., birds (geese, ducks, swallows, etc.), areas where wildlife congregate such as fields, parks, and golf courses Wildlife feeding bans and control of nuisance populations, including ducks and geese and other wildlife
Remove community facilities such as vending machines for feeding ducks and geese
Add buffers in riparian zones near waterbodies to deter waterfowl congregation
Consider wildlife barriers if wildlife (e.g. raccoons) are found to be living in storm sewers
When possible, use infiltration BMPs instead of detention ponds in residential developments and other areas where wildlife may congregate
Other Urban Sources (non-stormwater) Excessive irrigation/overspray Assess the extent to which irrigation over-spray occurs at city-owned facilities and eliminate overspray as appropriate
Education on water conservation
MS4 Infrastructure Illicit sanitary connections to MS4 Detect and eliminate illicit discharges
Leaky sewer pipes Line sewer pipes
Biofilms/regrowth Reduce dry weather flows, which provide conditions that promote bacteria growth. Dry weather flows could be from night time irrigation of lawns/parks or leaky stormsewer pipes.
Decaying plant matter, litter, and sediment in the storm drain system Enhance street sweeping program.
Prevent the discharge of grit chamber clean out effluent
Remove leaf litter and soil in street and gutters: implement an Adopt-a-storm drain program
Other Natural Sources Stream Bank Erosion Streambank restoration

1Note only a few combined sewers remain in Minneapolis
*This table was created using information from the Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Study (2014) and Protection Plan and the Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Implementation Plan (2016), Pathogens in Urban Stormwater Systems (2014), and the Minnehaha Creek Bacterial Source Identification Study (2017).


Information that can be used to identify potential sources of bacteria in the impaired watershed may already be available in the following.

Many TMDL reports contain information on potential sources and relative contributions of sources in the TMDL impaired subwatershed. For example, the Vermillion River Watershed TMDL Report (2015) includes the table below which shows potential sources of bacteria in each impaired reach.

Vermillion TMDL Implementation Table

Bacteria map
Map showing potential sources of bacteria in an impaired watershed.


You may also choose to create a mapped, rather than written, inventory of potential sources of bacteria. This could be done using Geographic Information System (GIS) to show areas where there may be potentially high levels of bacteria. A hypothetical example is shown in the adjacent image. Note that the map shows the subwatershed area of the impaired reach outlined in blue and the jurisdictional boundary outlined in black. The sources indicated on the map include subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS), sanitary sewers, and dog parks. In this hypothetical example the MS4 permittee (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) may choose to focus their initial implementation efforts on working with residents to update any non-compliant septic systems, detecting and eliminating any illicit discharges from sanitary sewers, and implementing an education campaign focused on dog park users.

You may also want to consider further activities to determine potential sources of bacteria. Some voluntary activities could include the following.

  1. Conduct an E. coli monitoring study along the impaired stream to help identify hot spots of higher bacteria concentrations. Monitor the tributaries flowing into the stream and consider monitoring stormwater outfalls. Sampling at the correct times is critical if this approach is utilized. See bacteria monitoring guidance for more information.
  2. Identify subwatersheds for each stormwater outfall or tributary to the impaired stream, making note of potential high-loading features within these such as wildlife congregation areas, parks (especially dog parks) and sanitary systems that are potentially located upstream of stormwater systems. Stormwater outfall monitoring could be targeted based on the results from the written and/or mapped inventory.
  3. Visually inspect stormwater outfalls to the impaired stream during dry weather flow for flows, odor, color, condition, etc. that would be indicative of an illicit discharge. Take the appropriate actions to eliminate the illicit discharge.

Maintain a written plan to prioritize reduction activities

MS4s with a bacteria WLA are required to create and maintain a written plan to prioritize reduction activities to address bacteria (Section 18.14 of the draft MS4 permit. Potential sources of bacteria and potential activities to address each source were discussed above.

Prioritize any human sources of bacteria first

Address human sources of bacteria first since they represent a clear human public health risk (e.g. failing septic systems, illicit discharges, etc.). Streams that exceed the State water quality standards for E. coli may have increased levels of waterborne pathogens that can be harmful to human health when the streams are used as drinking waters sources and for recreation activities. It is also important to prioritize implementation activities that reduce bacteria to impaired waters that people use for drinking and/or recreating (fishing, swimming, boating, etc.).

Potential plan elements and examples

The following elements may be included for each implementation activity when developing a written plan.

  1. Priority level
  2. Cost estimates
  3. Schedule
  4. Scale
  5. Funding options
  6. Potential partners

Information for identifying potential implementation activities to reduce bacteria in the impaired watershed may be available in the following.

For example, the Coon Creek Watershed District Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies Report (2016) includes the following implementation table that could be used to inform the written plan:

Strategies and actions proposed for the Coon Creek subwatershed (See Table 10 of the report).
Link to this table.

Strategies Strategy types and estimated scale of adoption needed to meet final water quality target Interim 10-year milestone Partners
Address failing septic systems ID and upgrade all ITPHS systems ID process/upgrades complete Watershed District, Cities, County
ID and upgrade all non-compliant SSTS near surface water resources ID process complete Watershed District, Cities, County
Improve upland/field surface runoff controls Identify areas in need of riparian buffers; install/enhance 15-25 foot buffers where practical Year 2: identify high priority areas; Year 10: 20% of buffers completed Watershed District, Cities, Soil and Water Conservation District
Pet waste management Provide outreach and education materials to residents regarding appropriate pet waste management Increased public awareness Watershed District, Cities, Soil and Water Conservation District
Ordinance enforcement Ongoing Watershed District, Cities
New/emerging technologies Follow new and emerging technologies (e.g. biochar, etc.) Install 2 projects/devices aimed to reduce E. coli Watershed District, Cities

The Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Implementation Strategy report (2016) includes the information in the adjoining table that could be used to inform the written plan.

Priority Actions for Shingle Creek Subwatershed (Table 66).
Link to this table.

Priority Timeframe1 Action Estimated Effectiveness of Practice2 (up to) Estimated Magnitude in Watershed Implementation Cost3
High Identify and map potential bacteria hotspots Staff time
High Update and enforce pet waste ordinances ~23,000 acres developed land but target near stream first Staff time
High Conduct public outreach to ensure that pet owners pick up pet waste and comply with pet waste ordinances Staff time
High Direct flow pathways between contributing areas to infiltration/treatment basins or away from impervious areas to prevent direct pathway to receiving waters
High Develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges
High Inspect/monitor stormwater outfalls to reduce dry weather flow Staff time
Medium Install Filtration/Biofiltration BMPs where feasible 35% $8,000-20,000/ac
Low Install filter strips/buffers near waterbodies to deter waterfowl from congregating and conduct public outreach on wildlife feeding 91% ~53 acres (assume 11 miles of stream; 20ft buffer) $600-1,000/acre of buffer
Low Conduct septic system inspections as warranted and bring all imminent threat to public health septic systems into compliance with ordinances 100% ~22 systems $200-300 (inspection) $7,500 per system (if replacement required)

1Priority is based on recommended timeframe to continue or start (not complete) implementation activities: High = 1-2 years, Medium = 2-5 years, Low = 5-10 years
2Estimated effectiveness of practice refers to the reduction of bacteria concentrations in runoff to receiving waterbodies
3Costs based on NRCS EQIP Payment Schedules

References

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). 2014. Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Study and Protection Plan. wq-iw8-08e. Prepared by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc.
  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). 2016. Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Implementation Plan. Prepared by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc.
  • Sadowsky, M., C. Staley, and S. Gruber. 2017. Minnehaha Creek Bacterial Source Identification Study—Sources of E. Coli in an Urban Environment. Presentation at Minnesota Water Resources Conference, St. Paul, MN. October 18, 2017.
  • Urban Water Resources Research Council. 2014. Pathogens in Urban Stormwater Systems. Prepared by Urban Water Resources Research Council Pathogens in Wet Weather Flows Technical Committee, Environmental and Water Resources Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers


Related pages

TMDL MS4 permit guidance

TMDL toolkit for MS4 permit compliance

image
Access a quick guide for using models to meet MS4 TMDL requirements

TMDL guidance and general information


Retrieved from "https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Guidance_for_meeting_bacteria_TMDL_MS4_permit_requirements&oldid=45663"

Privacy policy