Case Study: Storm Water Analysis of Manatee Pocket in Martin County, Florida

by William C. H. Wang, Law Environmental, Inc, Fort Lauderdale, United States,
Robert A. Laura, Law Environmental, Inc, Fort Lauderdale, United States,
E. Scott Webber, Law Environmental, Inc, Fort Lauderdale, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Management in the '90s: A Time for Innovation

Abstract:

storm water pollutant loading rates from a 6,000 acre urban watershed were analyzed for source determination of contamination to the receiving water. The receiving water body, Manatee Pocket, is a tidal estuary with minimal flushing. Over the years, the estuary exhibited an elevated degree of pollution in the form of heavy metals, nutrients, sediments and bacteriological contamination. Sampling of actual storm events at seven (7) stations in the watershed and one (1) station at the receiving water were performed over two and a half (2 1/2 ) year period for pollutant source determination. Storm events during the dry season and the wet season were sampled. The quality of the stormwater runoff was measured. Nineteen water quality parameters were analyzed at each sampling station. These parameters were chosen based on existing problems identified in the estuary. Water quality sampling was conducted at the onset of the storm water runoff ('first flush'), at the peak of the runoff, and near the end of the hydrograph. An analytical methodology was developed to estimate the pollutant loadings from each of the seven sub-basin within the watershed. Physical calculations of the loading rate was done thru the use of a spreadsheet model. Presently all results are preliminary, however, this methodology shows promise to be an effective tool in setting basin pollutant removal priorities.

Subject Headings: Water pollution | Stormwater management | Water quality | Watersheds | Water treatment | Water sampling | Water resources | Florida | United States

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