Septic tank and agricultural non‐point source pollution within a rural watershed

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Abstract
This investigation addresses the problem of Non‐Point Source (NPS) pollution in the rural Lake Weatherford watershed in Parker County, Texas. This reservoir is the primary municipal water supply for the City of Weatherford, Texas. The principal method of wastewater disposal is the on‐site system or septic tanks for the small residential areas surrounding the reservoir. Sources of NPS pollution of interest in this watershed include agricultural operations as well as the residential areas. These sites were identified with the aid of aerial photography and field investigation. Suspected NPS problems were substantiated through a sampling program involving chemical and biological testing of the reservoir. Results indicate that there is significant NPS pollution contamination of Lake Weatherford from agricultural sources and seepage from on‐site wastewater disposal systems. Excessive fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus counts (>500 bacteria/100 ml) were generally associated with rainfall events and several samples showed values > 100000 bacteria/100 ml. The fecal coliform/fecal streptococcus ratios indicated contamination from human sources, animal sources, and a combination of both. Nutrient concentrations fluctuated from quite low to high with ammonia as the most consistent problem. High ammonia values were also associated with rainfall events.