|
|
|
What's the condition of the stream in my backyard?
|
|
No one wants to live near polluted streams or lakes. Storm Water Services considers lakes and streams to be a resource that should be protected as a source of natural beauty and recreation.
Creeks that run through rapidly developing or densely populated areas often have the most pollution. These creeks may not be suitable for prolonged human contact and usually do not support a good diversity of aquatic life. Creeks that flow through largely undeveloped areas tend to have less pollution. Mecklenburg County's lakes have good water quality conditions and are suitable for swimming and fishing.
|
|
Every two years, the state of North Carolina, under direction from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, lists streams that are impaired for their intended use. In Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the water bodies are expected to be used for recreational purposes. This list is referred to as the 303(d) list in reference to the section of the Clean Water Act that requires the list be developed.
The 303(d) list is based on monitoring data collected by State officials and analyzed for long-term trends. A stream is either listed as impaired for its intended use or considered supporting its designated use. 303(d) streams map.
|
|
|
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services also collects water quality data to monitor local streams and lakes. This data is used to:
-
evaluate short-term trends,
-
locate illicit discharges,
-
describe degrees of impairment, and
-
measure particular program efforts.
|
|
|
