Nonpoint Pollution and Watershed Management: A Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) Approach

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Abstract
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) uses Landsat multispectral remote sensing data for determining historical land use changes in watersheds and identifing critical areas where water quality protection efforts should be maximized. Water quality monitoring data are used to document actual impacts to reservoirs from areas predicted by remote sensing analyses to be adversely affected. Additionally, DWU monitors ail National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Texas Water Commission waste discharge permit applications and plant performance histories. This ensures that DWU reviews point source discharges and assists the Texas Water Commission in their monitoring functions. DWU cooperates with other area agencies to promote regional wastewater treatment as an alternative to numerous package plants which have a history of poor wastewater management. Point source management should result in lower total nutrient loads to reservoirs. Remote sensing technology provides one of the most efficient methods of addressing nonpoint source pollution and ultimately reducing sedimentation and nutrient loads to the reservoirs.

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