By CLINT STUDABAKER, guest columnist
As previously reported, the Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) has been awarded a grant from the Regional Opportunities Initiatives Inc. (ROI) through its Ready Communities Initiative. The ROI grant enabled the BCRSD to retain a technical engineering company to evaluate water quality in the streams and tributaries throughout Brown County and undertake a strategic engineering evaluation of onsite septic treatment systems.
Lochmueller Group, a multi-disciplined engineering firm from Indianapolis, began its work last month. The strategic planning and engineering study will be completed in 2021.
The engineering study will include sampling and analysis of surface waters to determine the source characteristics of E. coli contamination in streams and evaluate options for improving wastewater management for residential properties and commercial businesses throughout Brown County.
We know that sewers do not currently serve many areas of the Brown County. In fact, most areas rely upon individual septic systems. These systems are valid wastewater treatment systems if working properly, but many may not be functioning adequately to protect public health and the environment. If high levels of E. coli and other contaminants from poorly operating or failing septic systems, or direct discharges onto the ground are identified, alternative treatments can and should be developed. Systems properly designed, installed and operated will eliminate untreated human sewage from entering our natural environment, including our soils, surface waters and groundwaters.
Our county residents deserve a clean environment, safe for children, families and tourists alike to live and recreate without risk from enteric diseases caused by polluted soils, surface waters and groundwater. High on any activities list is clean water for recreational usage. Water free of bacteria for kayaking, fishing and swimming is critical for usable, safe and enjoyable recreational activities.
Showcasing Brown County’s outdoor assets and the beauty of our natural environment is key to sustaining our county. The need for a clean, usable, enjoyable, healthy and safe natural environment is broadly recognized as a high priority for Brown County. Natural assets provide improved quality of life for all residents and enhance the potential for tourism and recreation to diversify our local economy.
However, our natural beauty cannot withstand continued degradation from failing or underperforming onsite septic systems. E. coli and other harmful bacteria, as well as numerous harmful chemicals, if left untreated, contaminate the soil, groundwater and surface waters.
Initially, 30 locations are being sampled and evaluated throughout the county. In order to adhere to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) standards of performance, five samples will be collected for each location during specific intervals.
E. coli analysis will be performed by a microbiology laboratory. Based on the geometric mean results for each location, our project team will identify addition sampling and analysis needed to determine the origin of the E. coli.
There are many pathways by which E. coli enter waters. Septic systems falling into disrepair and straight pipes from residential wastewater discharging directly to creeks and ponds are known sources of E. coli contamination. Waste from deer, geese, other wildlife, and agricultural runoff from farm animals is another known source. Initiatives for expanding nature conservancy have a direct connection to efforts for addressing our contaminated water bodies and removing untreated residential wastewater. The stream sampling program being conducted by Lochmueller Group has been designed to determine E. coli levels and to differentiate between human versus animal E. coli.
Local utilities do an excellent job in providing clean drinking water supplies, but recently, Friends of Lake Monroe, a nonprofit group, was formed to study concerns over algal blooms and the presence of E. coli in Lake Monroe. Under a U.S. EPA Section 319 grant, Friends of Lake Monroe has been awarded federal funding through IDEM to develop a watershed management plan for Lake Monroe. The watershed management plan will be developed with help from IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Streams and their tributaries will be sampled for contaminates, including many locations in Brown County.
BCRSD is working in conjunction with the Lake Monroe watershed management team. Our consultants will share data and lessons learned to maximize everyone’s understanding of surface water quality throughout Brown County and surrounding areas. Our project is a long-term, phased study. Periodic reports will be presented over the coming months.
Residents and tourists need and deserve unimpaired confidence in the health and safety of recreational activities in our streams and lakes. People live, work and recreate in Brown County due to its natural beauty and uniqueness. We must conserve our resources and protect its inhabitants.
Clint Studabaker is vice president of the Brown County Regional Sewer District Board.
