More than 40 people filled Waynesboro City Council chambers Wednesday, where state officials presented a $46-million plan to reduce harmful bacteria and pollutants in the South River and Christians Creek.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation representative Nesha McRae said increased risk of illness, caused by higher levels of E. coli, is the chief concern driving clean-up efforts.
“The standard in Virginia is that water be clean enough that you can safely go swimming or splash water in your face,” McRae said. “In these waters, you might get sick to your stomach if you go swimming or get an infection if you have an open cut.”
Additionally, excessive amounts of sediment and phosphorus decrease the viability of aquatic insects, a food source for fish and birds, in the waters.
Water pollutants come from a variety of sources, including failing septic systems, livestock in streams, riverbank erosion, poor stormwater infrastructure and sediment displacement by industrial plants.
“The South River has historically been the most industrialized river in the area,” said Nancy Sorrells, Riverheads district supervisor in Augusta County. “As early as 1802 mills located here and they’ve been here ever since.”
The plan calls for farmers, homeowners and local governments to reduce pollution by keeping livestock out of the streams, maintaining septic systems and improving stormwater systems.
Estimated costs for the plan, to be implemented over 20 years, include $15 million to farmers, $13 million to residents and $19 million to municipalities. Costs could be mitigated through state grants, revolving loans and cost-sharing measures, McRae said.
Benefits from measures the plan suggests include healthier livestock for farmers, reduced risk for illness and increased economic vitality, McRae said.
Clean-up will contribute to area efforts to establish Waynesboro as a trophy brook trout fishing destination, said Seth Coffman of Trout Unlimited. Plans for a Center for Coldwaters Restoration, which proponents say could be an economic driver for the city, and to open four miles of the river to trout fishing are under way.
A public comment period for the plan, available online at www.deq.state.va.us/tmdl/iprpts.html, ends Nov. 19.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement