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EVALUATION OF DETERGENT
PHOSPHATE REDUCTIONS ON
WATER QUALITY - ERIE COUNTY, N.Y
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EVALUATION OP DETERGENT
PHOSPHATE REDUCTIONS ON
WATER QUALITY - ERIE COUNTY, N.Y.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH SERIES
The Water Pollution Control Research Series describes the
results and progress in the control and abatement of pollu-
tion in our Nation's waters. They provide a central source
of information on the research, development, and demonstra-
tion activities in the water research program of the
Environmental Protection Agency, through inhbuse research
and grants and contracts with Federal, State, and local
agencies, research institutions, and industrial organiza-
tions.
Inquiries pertaining to Water Pollution Contro^ Research
Reports should be directed to the Chief, Publications
Branch (Water), Research Information Division, R&M, En-
vironmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20U60.
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EVALUATION OP DETERGENT PHOSPHATE
REDUCTIONS ON WATER QUALITY - ERIE COUNTY, N.Y,
Robert A. Sweeney
Great Lakes Laboratory
State University College
Buffalo, New York 14201
for the
Office of Research and Monitoring
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Project #801229
February 1973
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EPA Review Notice
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and approved for publication.
Approval does not signify that the contents neces-
sarily reflect the views and policies of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, nor- does mention of trade
names or commercial products constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
ii
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ABSTRACT
Stream quality was measured at 164 stations on tt^enty-eight
(28) major streams during June through August 1970-72 in Erie
2
County, Nexir York - a thousand square mile (1000 ) area with a
population of over one million (1,000,000). Tr?elve (12) of
these sites in remote regions served as controls. During
this period, the phosphate content of detergents sold in the
county was limited to a maximum of 8.7# P as of 30 April 1971
and 0.5% P as of 1 January 1972. Parameters for the water
measured included phosphates (ortho and total), chlorides,
nitrates and BOD, and for sediment - total phosphates, solids,
oils and greases, nitrogen (ammonium, organic and nitrates)
and chlorine demand. Algal biomass also was determined as
was precipitation and stream discharge. Changes in the
phosphorus content of domestic sewage at five (5) plants
which treated more than ninety percent (905) of the
municipally-treated wastewater also were monitored. The
ortho and total P content of the municipal sewage decreased
by twenty-five and twenty percent (25 and 20$), respectively,
in 1971, and fifty-five and forty-five percent (55 and ^5%)
in 1972.. At the same time, the ortho and total phosphorus
in the streams declined by forty-seven and thirty-three per-
cent (47 and 335) in 1971, and sixty-seven and sixty percent
(67 and 60£) in 1972. Algal biomass decreased by twenty-
seven percent (27%) in 1971; fifty-five percent (55%} in 1972.
BOD improved by twenty percent (20$) (1971) and twenty-seven
iii
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percent (27?) (1972). At the control locations, the above
parameters, with the exception of BOD which increased by
i
ninety percent (90£) in 1972, did not change significantly.
There was no major difference in rainfall or discharge be-
tween the study periods. Since no improvement in sewage
treatment plants and collection systems occurred in the
county, it was concluded that the phosphate detergent
limitation resulted in an improvement in stream quality and
a limitation of eutrophication.
iv
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CONTENTS
Section Page
I Conclusions 1
II Introduction 3
III Methods and Materials 8
IV Results 16
V Discussion 54
VI Acknowledgements 58
VII References 59
VIII Appendices 6l
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FIGURES
1. Map of Location of Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants in Erie County, New York 66
2. Map of Location of Erie County Stream
Sample Collection Sites 68
vi
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TABLES
Page
1. Stations Sampled in 1971 9
Water
2. Total Phosphates 16
3. Ortho Phosphates 17
4. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 19
5. Dissolved Oxygen 20
6 Chlorides 21
7. Nitrates 23
8. Mean Values for. Water Chemistry
1970-1972 24
9. Solids - 1972 25
10. Organic Nitrogen and Ammonium - 1972 27
11. Alkalinity, pH and Conductivity - 1972 28
Stream Biota
12. Phytoplankton 29
13- Pecal Conforms 31
14. Mean Values for Phytoplankton and
Pecal Coliforms - 1970-1972 32
15- Benthic Macroinvertebrates Observed
in Erie County Streams - 1970-1972 33
16. Ratio, of Benthic Macroinvertebrates
in Erie County Streams - 1970-1972 31*
17- Benthic Macroinvertebrates 35
18. Buffalo River Benthic Invertebrates
1970 - 1972 36
vii
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TABLES (continued)
Sediment
19. Phosphates 37
20. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 38
21. Nitrogens 40
22. Oils and Greases, and Chlorine Demand 43
24. Buffalo River Sediment Data 48
Physical Parameters
25. Kean Stream Discharges 49
26. Total Precipitation - Erie County
1970 - 1972 51
viii
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SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS
1. A reduction of the phosphate content of detergents
sold in Erie County, New York did result in an
improvement in stream quality in terms of decreases
in phytoplankton productivity and biochemical oxygen
demand.
2. The limitation and ban in the sale of phosphate
detergents resulted in proportional decreases in the
ortho- and total phosphates in the influent to sewage
treatment plants.
3. The improvements in stream quality that were observed
were proportional to the reduction of the phosphate
content of the detergents sold in the area which was
accompanied by decreases in the total and ortho-
phosphates in the streams of the county.
4. Decreases in ortho- and total phosphates of the streams
were proportionally higher than the phosphate reduc-
tions noted in the sewage influents. This was attri-
buted to the maintenance of aerobic conditions in the
tributaries under which phosphates are released from
the sediments rather than under anaerobic conditions
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which prevailed during the summer prior to the deter-
gent phosphate limitations.
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SECTION II
INTRODUCTION
There has been considerable controversy regarding legisla-
tion and recommendations to limit the phosphate content of
detergents and regarding the impact of such decisions on
eutrophlcation (Anon, 1969; Dawson, 1970; Goulden, Traversy
and Kerr, 1970; Prince and Bruce, 1972; Ross and Kepkowski,
1971). Lengthy arguments and significant pressure from
those favoring and opposing such phosphate limitations
have been directed towards legislative and regulatory
agencies, including the United States Environmental Pro-
tection Agency (EPA). One of the major reasons why the
disagreements have persisted on this issue is the lack of
information on the Impact of reductions in the discharge
of detergent phosphates on stream quality under field
conditions. This study was designed to provide Informa-
tion on the latter.
For the past five (5) years, the Great Lakes Laboratory
(GLL) has been conducting stream surveys throughout Erie
County, New York. This is a one thousand square mile
p
(1,000 mi. ) urban-suburban area of more than a million
(1,000,000) people, almost half of whom reside in the City
of Buffalo. Approximately fifteen percent (15%} of the
land is utilized for agricultural activities, particularly
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multi-crop variety truck farming. Even without knowledge
of the results of the above aquatic investigations, by
1970 it had become apparent to the residents that their
streams had rapidly deteriorated in quality during the
previous twenty-five (25) years. They were concerned that
tributaries that once supported game fish had become
choked with undesirable quantities of algae and had be-
come unpleasant to the eye and nose. They demanded that
the Erie County Legislature take measures to improve the
environmental situation.
In response to the above, in 1971 the County Legislature
enacted Public Law #8 which prohibited the sale in the
county of detergents containing more than 8.7% phosphorus
as of 30 April 1971, and a trace (less than O.l£) as of
1 January 1972. (A copy of this law is included in the
Appendix.) Similar concerns in other sections of New
York State led to the passage of legislation limiting
the phosphorus content of detergents to 8.7% phosphorus
sold as of 1 January 1972 in the other counties of New
York State. Hence, when the sale of phosphate detergents
was banned in Erie County, the phosphate content of deter-
gents sold in neighboring counties was reduced to 8.7%
phosphorus.
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A unique feature of the study, whose results are provided
in this report, is that stream quality data were systemati-
cally gathered in 1970 prior to any reduction in the phos-
phate content of detergents, during 1971 when the 8.73
phosphorus limitation (partial ban) was implemented and
during 1972, the period when the sale of phosphate deter-
gents was prohibited (total ban). Also,, there was no
abatement in the quality and quantity of municipal sewage
through the upgrading of sewage treatment plants or the
abatement of overflows from combined storm-sanitary sewage
collection cystems. The locations of the plants on the
Erie County tributaries are shown in Figure 1.
More than two-hundred fifteen million gallons per day
(215 ?1GD) of sewage are generated in Erie County. This
quantity has remained fairly constant since I960. Of this
total, one-hundred ninety-five million gallons per day
(195 MGD) or 90.7% receives primary treatment. The re-
mainder receives secondary treatment. Of the twenty-
seven (27) municipal treatment faciltiies - twelve (12)
of which were secondary; fifteen (15) primary - serving
the area, the average daily flow exceeded the design
capacity in fourteen (14) plants. In three (3) others,
the average daily flow was equal to the design flow
(Latona, 1968). The design and actual flows for the
plants are shown in the Appendix.
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The improvement in the quality of wastewater from indus-
try during the 1970-72 period directly affected only a
five thousand meter (5,000 m.) lower reach of one tribu-
tary (Buffalo River) in the surveillance network. Along
this stream, five (5) petro-chemical and steel corporations
reduced the pollutants in their discharges, which consisted
primarily of oil, iron, phenols and aniline dyes, by more
than ninety-five percent (95/5). No nutrients had been
present in the wastes discharged by these manufacturers
(Friedman, 1972). Hence, changes in the water quality
observed during the course of this three(3)-year study
could be attributed to the reduction in the phosphate
content of detergents sold in the area.
In addition to the stream monitoring, a non-EPA-funded
study of the changes in the phosphate input to Erie County
municipal sewage treatment plants was conducted by Dr. N.
Edward Hopson of the Department of Civil Engineering,
State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Kopson and
his students secured data from five (5) treatment plants -
Amherst, Blasdell, Buffalo, Lackwanna and Tonawanda -
which handle more than ninety-three percent (93#) of the
wastewater from sewered areas of the county. The homes
of ninety-one percent (91%) of the county's population
are connected to treatment plants. The remainder have
septic tanks (Latona, 1968).
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Since Dr. Hopson's findings are relevant to the GLL's
study, they will be included.
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SECTION III
METHODS AND MATERIALS
SAMPLING SITES AND SCHEDULE
During June-August 1970, the GLL and the Erie County De-
partment of Health independently sampled one hundred sixty-
four (164) sites on twenty-eight (28) major streams in
Erie County, New York. Collection points, which are shown
on Figure 2 in the Appendix, were situated above and below
sources of municipal sewage discharges from treatment
plants and combined sewage collection system overflox*s, as
well as in areas where such domestic pollution was not
known to occur. The latter, which consisted of twelve (12)
points on eight (8) creeks, also are listed in the
Appendix. Each site was visited at least ten (10) times
in evenly divided sampling frequencies over the three(Si-
month collection period. Eighteen hundred and four (1,804)
water samples vrere collected from mid-stream and mid-depth
using 1.2 liter horizontal Van Dorns. The nature and pro-
cedure of the chemical tests will be discussed in the next
section. In addition, the GLL gathered sediment with
Ponar dredges at eighty-five (85) sites for chemical analy-
ses and benthic macroinvertebrate bioassays. These loca-
tions also are listed in the Appendix. It was not possible
to gather sediment at the other seventy-nine (79) locations
due to the nature of the stream beds which consisted of
shale, sandstone or limestone.
8
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The 1970 samplings provided a stream quality baseline as
well as a procedure to refine the number of collection sites,
In June through August 1971, more than two hundred (200)
water and phytoplankton samples were collected at one
hundred sixty-four (164) sites on twenty-eight (28) creeks.
Each site was sampled once. The sampling schedule was re-
arranged so that some point on each tributary was visited
at least twice per week over the course of the summer.
Locations and collection frequencies of stations visited
more than once are shown in Table 1. More than eleven
hundred (1,100) chemical tests were conducted on these
water samples.
TABLE 1
STATIONS SAMPLED IN 1971
Collection Frequency
Creek
Tonawanda Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Scajaquada Creek
Cattaraugus Creek
Murder Creek
Sites
TC-2A
TC-2B
EM- 4
EM- 5
CZE-1
CZE-2
SQ-3
SQ-4
CA-4
CA-5
MU-2
MU-3
Sampled
H
4
4
4
4
1|
2j
!
4
2j
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The 1972 June-August sampling Included a return to the
one hundred sixty-four (164) sites established In the 1970
survey. Twelve (12) stations - (Tonawanda Creek - TC-2A and
TC-2B; Eighteen Mile Creek - EM-4 and EM-5; Cazenovia Creek
East - CZE-1 and CZE-2; Scaj.aquada Creek - SQ-3 and SQ-4;
Cattaraugus Creek - CA-*I and CA-5 and Murder Creek - MU-2
and MU-3) - were visited to collect water, coliform and
phytoplankton five (5) times per week; seventy (70) sta-
tions - (Ellicott Creek - EC-1, EC-3, EC-5, EC-7 and EC-9;
Tonawanda Creek - TC-1, TC-3, TC-4 and TC-6; Cazenovia
Creek East - CZE-3, CZE-5 and CZE-7; Cazenovia Creek West -
CZW-1, CZW-3, CZW-4, CZW-5 and CZW-6; Cazenovia Creek -
CZ-1 and CZ-2; Scajaquada Creek - SQ-1A, SQ-1B, SQ-1C,
SQ-2. and SQ-5; Big Buffalo Creek - BB-1, BB-5, BB-7, BB-9
and BB-11; Cayuga Creek - CY-1, CY-3, CY-9 and CY-11;
Spring Brook - SC-1; Eighteen Mile Creek - EM-1, EM-7,
EM-9, EM-11 and EM-13; Eighteen Mile Creek South - EMS-1,
EMS-3 and EMS-5; Anthony's Gulf - AG-1; Cattaraugus Creek -
CA-1, CA-2, CA-3, CA-6 and CA-7; Buffalo River - BR-1,
BR-2' and BR-3; Hunters Creek - HC-1; Little Buffalo Creek -
LB-2 and LB-4; Black Creek - BC-1; Murder Creek - MU-1 and
MU-5; Ransom Creek - RA-1, RA-7 and RA-9; Big Sister
Creek - BS-1, BS-3 and BS-5; Muddy Creek - MC-1) - twice
a week, and the remainder once every other week.
10
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An attempt to gather samples for sediment chemistry and
benthic macroinvertebrates was made at each station every
other? week. The 1972 collection sites were the same as
those employed during the 1970 survey.
Between 25 June to 3 July 1972, tropical storm Agnes im-
pacted the New York State region. However, the precipita-
tion only markedly affected two (2) tributaries in the
sampling program - Cattaraugus and Tonawanda Creeks. How-
ever, the discharge of these streams remained well below
the summer maximums as measured over the past fifty (50)
years (Harding and Gilbert, 1968). While samples were
collected from all the streams during this period, they
were not included in the computation of the 1972 results
for any of the Erie County tributaries.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ANALYSES
In 1970, each water sample was examined for the following
parameters: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved
oxygen (fixed in the field), chlorides, fecal coliforms,
nitrates and phosphates (ortho and total). The procedures
employed were taken from the twelfth (12th) edition of
Standard Methods (Anon. 1965). Specifically, the Rideal-
Stewart procedure v/ith azide modification was used to
11
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ascertain the oxygen content of the field and BOD samples.
o
A flve(5)-day incubation period at 25 C was employed in
the latter. Chlorides were determined via the mercuric
nitrate procedure; nitrates by the brucine procedure (Anon.
1965). The ortho- and total phosphates were quantified
according to procedures used at the Cleveland Field Office
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Agency (Anon. 1967).
o
Fecal conforms were cultivated in MFC broth at M.5 C and
measured using mlllipore filtration.
Phytoplankton measurements were made by passing a liter of
water, that had been collected at mid-stream and mid-
depth, through a fine mesh (number twelve (12) bolting
cloth) plankton net. The filtrate was fixed with Transeau's
o
solution and placed in a jar in a refrigerator at 4 C for
twenty-four (24) hours. The sample was decanted into a
graduated centrifuge tube and exposed to a force of eighty
(80) times the force of gravity for fifteen (15) minutes.
The quantity of the green layer in the tube was recorded.
Using randomly selected samples and a Sedgewich-Rafter
counting chamber, the number of algal cells in the sample
prior to centrifugation was compared to the quantity in
the spun-down green zone of the tube. This revealed that
between ninety and ninety- five percent (90-95$) of the
total algae, which consisted primarily of Euglenophyta and
Chlorophyta - the dominant summer algal flora in Erie
12
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County - in the sample were quantified via this centrifuge
procedure.
Procedures for chemical analysis of sediments were taken
from the manual of the Cleveland Program Office of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Agency (now EPA) (Anon.
1967), the United States Department of Interior manual on
bottom sediments (Anon. 1968), as well as from Standard
Methods (Anon. 1965). Dissolved and total phosphates were
measured via the ascorbic acid combined reagent procedure
following acid digestion (Anon. 1965). All oils and
greases, nitrogen (nitrates, organic, ammonium and total)
determinations and solids (volatile, fixed and total) were
made, by following the U.S. Department of the Interior
manual (Anon. 1968). Chlorine demand, using a one(l)-hour
detention, was done according to the Cleveland PWPA pro-
cedure (Anon. 1967).
Benthie macroinvertebrates were removed from the sediment
by passing the Ponar grabs through a rack of United States
Geological Survey Standard Sieves (#'s 6, 20 and 30). The
benthos was picked from the screens and fixed with formalin
containing five percent (5%) glycerine. The specimens were
Identified according to the taxonomic system developed by
Pennak (1953), and the numbers of each species per sample
were recorded.
13
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The same chemical and biological procedures were employed
in 1971 as in 1970.
In 1972, the water chemistry program was expanded to in-
clude ammonia and organic nitrogen via the total Kjeldahl
procedure (Anon. 1965), pH (as measured with a Coleman
Model 37A), conductivity (as measured with a Yellow Springs
Model 31 Conductivity Bridge), alkalinity, using the methyl
orange procedure (Anon. 1965) and total, dissolved and
suspended solids via the Standard Methods.
QUALITY CONTROL
Coded replicate, split and spiked water and sediment
samples were used throughout to monitor the accuracy of
researchers and the reliability of the test procedures.
All analytical Instrumentation (spectrophotometers, D.O.,
pH and conductivity meters, balances, etc.) were checked
using standards no greater than on a bi-weekly basis.
PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS
Stream discharge on the Buffalo Creek, Ellicott Creek,
Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Cayuga Creek and
Scajaquada Creek were measured by the U.S. Geological
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Survey and/or the Water Quality Surveillance Network of
the New York State Department of Environmental Conserva-
tion. The data were supplemented by the GLL's tabulations
of discharge computed by multiplying the average stream
velocity (as measured with a Model 460 Hydro Products
Current Ileter) by the cross-sectional areas on selected
tributaries. Therefore, the flow in major tributaries in
each sector of Erie County was recorded.
Precipitation information was obtained from the U.S.
Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.
STATISTICAL ANALYSES
The mean values per parameter per stream were contrasted
for significant differences through the use of a matched
pair design including a t-test.
15
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SECTION IV
RESULTS
WATER QUALITY
The data from the 1970 and 1972 surveys are comparable In
terms of the frequency of collections. Therefore, the mean
values per creek for the same parameters are contrasted
in the following tables.
TABLE 2
TOTAL PHOSPHATES
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovla Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
1970
(ppmP)
0.29
0.06
0.33
2.90
0.12
1.63
0.99
0.08
0.28
0.06
1.25
0.15
0.23
0.11
0.68
1972
(ppmP)
0.13
0.06
0.22
1.13
0.08
0.37
0.48
0.03
0.14
0.04
0.05
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.29
1972-1970
1970
-55.1
00.0
-33.3
-61.0
-33.3
-77.3
-51.5
-62.5
-50.0
-33.0
-96.0
-33.0
-56.5
-10.0
-57.3
16
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TABLE 2 (continued)
Creek
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
ORTHO
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
1970
(ppmP)
0.26
0.04
0.05
0.48
0.32
0.32
0.19
0.19
0.99
0.14
1.11
0.33
0.13
0.49
0.05
TABLE 3
1972
(pproP)
0.12
0.05
0.05
0.33
0.16
0.13
0.03
0.10
0.32
0.12
0.35
0.31
0.09
0.20
0.06
% A.
1972-1970
1970
-53.8
+25.0
00.0
-31.2
-50.0
-59.3
-84.2
-47.3
-67.6
-14.2
-68.4
-6.0
-30.7
-60.0
+21.2
PHOSPHATES
1970
(ppmP)
0.15
0.04
0.26
2.29
0.10
1.43
0.77
1972
(ppmP)
0.06
0.02
0.12
0.69
0.02
0.24
0.34
% A
1972-1970
1970
-60.0
-50.0
-53.8
-69.8
-80.0
-83-2
-55.8
17
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TABLE 3 (continued)
Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppmP)
0.0?
0.20
0.05
1.06
0.09
0.17
0.04
0.43
0.15
0.04
0.04
0.33
0.22
0.24
0.13
0.10
0.54
0.10
0.73
0.20
0.11
0.36
0.02
1972
(ppmP)
0.02
0.06
0.03
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.03
0.23
0.02
0.04
0.04
0.16
0.11
0.09
0.02
0.06
0.17
0.04
0.31
0.21
0.06
0.12
<0.02
% A
1972-1970
1970
-71.4
-70.0
-40.0
-98.1
-55.5
-64.7
-25.0
-46.5
-86.6
0.0
0.0
-51.5
-50.0
-62.5
-84.6
-40.0
-68.5
-60.0
-57.5
+5.0
-45.4
-67.1
-5.2
18
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TABLE 4
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Elllcott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-
South Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
1970
(ppm)
1.9
2.0
4.0
9.0
2.2
12.2
3.7
1.4
3.1
1.5
3.1
6.8
3.8
3.1
4.8
4.8
2.0
2.8
8.0
3.1
3.1
3.7
2.4
5.6
5.9
7.2
1972
(ppm)
2.2
2.0
2.4
7.0
2.3
3.1
3.'-
2.1
2.4
2.0
1.8
2-3
3.2
2.1
4.6
3.3
2.4
4.6
6.3
2.0
2.5
4.2
2.3
3.9
5.2
2.8
% &
1972-1970
1970
+15.7
0.0
-40.0
-22.2
+4.5
-74. 5
-8.1
+50.0
-22.5
+33-3
-41.9
-66.1
-15.7
-32.2
-4.1
-31.2
+20.0
+64.2
-21.2
-35.4
-19.3
+13.5
-4.1
-30.3
-11.8
-61.1
19
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TABLE 4 (continued)
Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970 1972
(ppm) (ppm)
4.7
2.0
4.2
1.3
TABLE 5
1.9
1.4
3.1
2.6
1972-1970
1970
-59.5
-30.0
-27.3
+90.4
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
1970
(ppm)
8.1
7.7
7.1
5.3
7.9
5.2
7.5
7-3
8.1
9.4
7.7
7.9
10.0
8.0
2.2
1972
(ppm)
7.7
8.2
6.8
5.5
7.6
6.9
6.9
7.5
8.8
9.5
7.7
8.7
8.7
7.6
3.8
% &
1972-1970
1970
+4.9
+6.4
-4.2
+3.7
-3.7
+32.6
-13.3
+2.7
+8.6
+1.0
0.0
+10.1
-13.0
-5.0
+72.7
20
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
Creek
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
1970
(ppm)
10.0
8.11
8.9
6.7
9.0
7.2
9.6
7.2
8.5
7.9
9.2
6.8
11.5
7.9
9.2
TABLE 6
CHLORIDES
1970
(ppm)
61.6
21.5
47.0
86.0
27.6
44.6
1972
(ppm)
8.7
7.9
7.5
3.9
7.6
8.1
8.8
6.3
6.5
6.3
8.9
5.3
8.1
7.6
8.4
1972
(ppm)
65.4
28.9
48.4
79.4
28.7
42.7
% A
1972-1970
1970
-13.0
-5.9
-16.8
-41.7
-15.5
+12.5
-8.3
-12.5
-23.5
-20.2
-3.2
-22.0
-29.5
-3.7
-8.6
% A
1972-1970
1970
+6.2
+34.4
+3.0
-8.3
+4.0
-4.3
21
-------
TABLE 6 (continued)
Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppm)
68.1*
56.4
33.3
21.9
33.8
24.2
57.4
58.4
47.1
103.3
17.1
22.1
25.8
42.8
46.2
26.0
43.6
82.4
39.3
32.6
38.4
43.9
44.8
27.8
1972
(ppm)
65.1
69-3
42.1
26.4
37.5
29.2
41.7
61.6
53.2
109.7
29.5
23.1
35.2
31.7
42.3
29.7
40.1
62.0
35.2
30.2
39.6
55.7
45.0
28.1
% A
1972-1970
1970
-4.8
+22.9
+26.4
+20.5
+3.7
+20.7
-27.4
+5.5
+6.1
+6.2
+72.5
+4.5
+36.4
-25.9
-8.4
+14.2
-8.0
-32.9
-11.6
-7.4
+3.1
+26.9
+1.0
+1.0
22
-------
TABLE 7
NITRATES
1970
Creek (ppmN)
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Elllcott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
0.24
0.21
0.17
0.51
0.13
0.09
0.23
0.04
0.13
0.26
0.17
0.63
0.56
0.27
0.09
0.06
0.14
0.42
0.19
0.08
0.06
0.68
0.11
0.17
0.13
0.17
0.05
1972
(ppmN)
0.46
0.32
0.60
0.53
0.50
0.42
0.47
0.10
0.43
0.47
0.49
0.75
0.75
0.30
0.20
0.27
0.17
0.59
0.20
0.32
0.49
0.87
0.21
0.42
0.26
0.49
0.36
% A
1972-1970
1970
+91.7
+52.3
+252.9
+3.9
+119.4
+344.4
+104.3
+150.0
+269.2
+80.8
+188.2
+19.0
+33.9
+11.1
+122.2
+350.0
+21.0
+40.5
+5.3
+300.0
•f 700.0
+13.2
+90.9
+147.1
+100.0
+188.2
+620.0
23
-------
TABLE 7 (continued)
Creek
Big Sister Creek-South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppmN)
0.27
0.23
0.46
1972
(ppmN)
0.68
0.44
0.52
1972-1970
1970
+151.9
+90.5
+11.5
Since fewer samples were taken in 1971 than in either 1970
or 1972, the mean values for all of the twenty-eight (28)
streams' samples are contrasted in Table 8 rather than a
stream-by-stream comparison.
TABLE 9
MEAN VALUES FOR WATER CHEMISTRY 1970-72
1970 1971 1972
(ppm) (ppm) (ppm)
Total Phosphates 0.49 0.33 0.20
35 & 1970 — -33-7 -60.0
Remote +14.3 +21.2
Ortho Phosphates 0.36 0.19 0.12
% & 1970 — -47.1 -67.1
Remote +1.4 -5.2
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 4.2 3.4 3.1
% & 1970 ~ -20.0 -27.3
Remote +27.5 +90.4
Dissolved Oxygen 7.9 7.8 7.6
% A 1970 — -10.0 -37.0
Remote -21.7 -8.6
24
-------
TABLE 8 (continued)
Chlorides
% A ^70
Nitrates
% A 1970
There were eight (8)
were not examined in
1970
(ppm)
44.8
—
Remote
0.23
—
Remote
1971
(ppm)
43.1
+3.8
-1.0
0.38
+65.0
-8.7
parameters measured during
1972
(ppm)
45.0
-0.1
+0.01
0.44
+90,5
+11.5
1972 that
the previous years. The results of
these are given in Tables 9-11.
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovla Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Elllcott Creek
Spring Creek
TABLE 9
SOLIDS - 1972
Total Dissolved
(ppm) (ppm)
0.346
0.425
0.561
0.813
0.327
0.358
0.753
0.337
0.269
0.241
0.457
0.678
0.200
0.285
0.596
0.317
Suspended
(ppm)
0.077
0.184
0.104
0.135
0.127
0.073
0.157
0.020
25
-------
TABLE 9 (continued)
Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hun-cars Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ram om Cr^ek
Spir'-ig Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
Total
(ppm)
0.438
0.273
0.522
0.437
0.669
0.360
0.397
0.568
0.207
0.468
0.600
1.189
1.055
0.327
1.579
0.404
0.349
0.341
1.058
0.334
0.553
0.338
Dissolved
(ppm)
0.298
0.206
0.291
0.277
0:503
0.318
0.349
0.29;.
0.160
0.329
0.499
1.054
0.938
0.253
1.467
0.318
0.285
0.285
0.937
0.287
0.442
0.244
Suspended
(ppm)
0.140
0.067
0.231
0.160
0.166
0.042
0.048
0.275
0.047
0.139
0.101
0.135
0.117
0.074
0.112
0.086
0.064
0.056
0.121
0.047
0.111
0.094
26
-------
TABLE 10
ORGANIC NITROGEN and AMMONIUM - 1972
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawandd Creek
Seajaquada Crask
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek- South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Organic
Nitrogen
(ppm)
0.56
0.-33
0.48
1.50
0.44
0.70
0.69
0.43
0.28
0.33
0.24
0.32
0.43
0.44
0.71
0.55
0.27
0.37
1.45
0.70
0.4l
0.35
0.51
0.60
0.68
0.40
1.18
Ammonium
(pprn)
0.21
0.08
0.44
4.38
0.14
0.97
0.74
0.10
0.40
0.12
0.25
0.26
0.16
0.08
1.70
0.06
0.10
0.07
0.58
0.12
0.21
0.27
0.19
0.69
0.94
0.14
1.06
27
-------
TABLE 10 (continued)
Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
Organic
Nitrogen
(ppm)
0.60
0.56
0.43
Ammonium
(ppm)
0.12
0.51
0.10
TABLE 11
ALKALINITY, pH and CONDUCTIVITY - 19.72
Alkalinity Conductivity
-O
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Caztnovla Creek
Hunters Creek
I ppm;
158.4
145.3
189.2
222.4
182.4
175.4
200.7
193.1
143.0
122.3
156.8
165.3
206.5
171.6
175.6
134.1
151.6
pH 1
7.6
7.8
7.7
7.4
7.8
7.7
7.7
7.7
7.7
7.7
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.7
7.4
7.9
7.7
yirahos-25 C;
369
304
486
812
344
404
695
440
353
296
374
306
563
436
431
449
307
28
-------
TABLE 11 (continued)
Alkalinity Conductivity
Creek (pom) pH (umhos-25°C)
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
172.2
227.8
247.4
210.5
193.1
239.1
. 97.5
170.8
179. 4
247.8
7.8
7.3
7.7
7.7
7-7
7.6
7.7
7.5
7.9
7.6
318
586
733
972
384
1270
369
463
350
987
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch 115.1 7.7 297
MEAN TOTALS 178.4 7.7 504
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE 154.6 7.8 311
STREAM BIOTA
The mean totals for phytoplankton and fecal coliforms
are given in Tables 12 and 13, respectively.
TABLE 12
PHYTOPLANKTON
Creek
1970
(ml/1)
1972
(ml/1)
% A
1972-1970
1970
Cazenovia Creek-East 0.15 0.03 -80.0
29
-------
TABLE 12 (continued)
Creek
Cazenovla Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovia Creek
Hunter Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ml/1)
0.11
0.13
0.29
0.13
0.2?
0.16
0.12
0.39
0.53
0.14
0.23
0.33
1.24
0.09
0.87
0.03
0.09
0.93
0.14
0.13
—
0.07
0.92
0.23
0.46
0.03
0.15
0.31
0.07
1972
(ml/1)
0.02
0.06
0.13
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.02
0.10
0.39
0.02 .
0.11
0.15
0.85
0.03
0.16
0.02
0.08
0.54
0.02
0.02
—
0.03
0.46
0.09
0.20
0.02
0.06
0,14
0,07
% A
1972-1970
1970
-81.8
-53.8
-55.2
-84.6
-85.2
-56.3
-83.3
-74.4
-35.9
-85.7
-52.2
-54.5
-31.5
-66.7
-81.6
-33.3
-11.1
-41.9
-85.7
-84.6
—
-57.1
-50.0
-60.9
-56.5
-33.3
-60.0
-55.3
+1.8
30
-------
TABLE 13
FECAL COLIPORMS
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Tonawanda Creek
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South Branch
Smokes Creek
Buffalo River
Cazenovla Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Spring Brook Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
Big Sister Creek-
South Branch
1970
(#/100 ml)
1435
562
1196
1648
375
1716
1406
365
895
934
2324
899
969
1056
1067
835
169
1767
508
299
967
3733
7975
1023
606
2336
682
439
1972
(#/100 ml)
1528
974
535
1590
311
1430
977
437
772
872
2348
809
447
1448
1473
760
136
1306
770
333
1047
2552
8392
1609
638
2512
655
419
% &
1972-1970
1970
+6
+73
-55
_ o
-17
-16
-30
+19
-13
-6
+1
-11
-53
+37
+38
-8
-19
-26
+51
+11
+8
-31
+5
+57
+5
+7
-3
-4
31
-------
TABLE 13 (continued)
Creek
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(#7100 ml)
1363.8
157
1972
(#7100 ml)
1324.2
163
% A
1972-1970
1970
-2
+3
The mean values for phytonlankton and fecal conforms for
1970, 1971 and 1972 are contrasted In Table 14. During 1971,
the remote mean phytoplankton biomass value remained at
0.07 ml/1, a 2.6% reduction as contrasted to the 1970 level.
TABLE 14
MEAN VALUES FOR PHYTOPLANKTON AND FECAL COLIPORMS
1970 - 1972
1970 1971 1972
Phytoplankton 0.31 ml/1 0.22 ml/1 0.14 ml/1
% £1970 -28.3 -55.3
Fecal Conforms 1363.8/100 ml 1211.2/100 ml 1324.0/100 ml
% 1970 -11.2 -2.0
This list of benthic macrolnvertebrates observed during; the
summers of 1970-72 in Erie County streams is shown in
Table 15-
32
-------
TABLE 15
BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES OBSERVED
IN ERIE COUNTY STREAMS - 1970-72
Sludgeworms
Enchytraeus Sp.
Aeolosoma
Tublfex tublfex
Limnodrilus Sp.
Insect Larvae
and Nymphs
*Ephemerella Sp.
Plecoptera
Sialls Sp.
*Anisoptera
"Zygoptera
*Elmidae
Simulium Sp.
*Psephenus Sp.
*Promoresia Sp.
Tendipes Sp.
Pentaneura Sp.
*Ceratopogonidae
"Tipulidae
Tabanus Sp.
*Psychodidae
*Atherix Sp.
Culex
Leeches
Helobdella stagnalis
Glosslphonla complanata
*Erpobdella punctata
Crustacea
*Cyclops Sp.
*Daphnia Sp.
«Cypris Sp.
*Ganunarus So.
«Hyalella Sp.
Lirceus Sp.
Asellus Sp.
Astacxaae
Miscellaneous
Plumatella Sp.
*Dup;esia tlgrina
*Nematoda
*Hydrachnellae
Mollusca
Muscullum Sp.
Sphaerlum Sp.
•Anodonta Sp.
*Lymnaea Sp.
Hellsoma Sp.
Physa Sp.
*Valvata Sp.
Pleurocera Sp.
Gonlobasis Sp.
Lioplax Sp.
Campeloma Sp.
FerrisslaSp.
*"Clean" water forms
33
-------
The most common benthlc macroinvertebrates in 1970, 1971
and 1972 were sludge\*orms (Tublfex) and blood worms
(Chlronomous). The percent of different taxonomic groups
in the benthic fauna is given below.
TABLE 16
RATIO OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
IN ERIE COUNTY STREAMS - 1970-1972
Sludgeworms 50$
Insect Larvae and Nymphs 20
Mollusca 16
Leeches 8
Crustacea 4
Miscellaneous 2
1005?
Because of differences in depth and consolidation of sedi-
ments from station to station, it is not valid to contrast
the numbers of organisms observed in one tributary with
another. Therefore, a comparison of the numbers of Tubifex
(sludgeworm), Tendipes (blood worm), benthic organisms
typical of "clean" water and benthic organisms typical of
"polluted" water for each tributary will be made. These
results are contained in Table 17. The nature of the
stream bottoms prohibited benthos from being gathered at
-------
stations on Black, Big Sister-South, Smokes, Spring,
Spring Brook and Tonawanda Creeks.
When the data is treated in this manner, there was no
significant difference between the 1970 and 1972 benthic
information. The only exception to this generalization was
the Buffalo River.
TABLE 17
BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Murder Creek
Tub! f ex
<*)
10.1
0.0
78.3
5.0
66.9
37.9
25.8
73.8
24.7
27.7
17.8
4.1
0.0
5-9
5.3
Tendioes
(*)"
25.6
41.5
2.3
44.4
16.5
12.0
53.7
13.3
57.2
14.9
34.8
31.4
8.2
5.0
2.1
Other
Polluted
Water
Forms (5?)
5.2
10.2
6.6
6.0
11.2
15.1
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.0
0.7
9.1
0.0
0.0
4.0
Clean-
Water
Forms ( % )
59.1
48.3
12.8
44.6
5.4
35.0
20.3
12.7
17.5
57.4
46.7
55.4
91.8
89.1
88.6
35
-------
TABLE 17 (continued)
Creek
Ransom Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
MEAN TOTALS
"IE A". I TOTALS REMOTE
Tublfex
(*)
49.7
42.9
33.9
35.1
0.0
29.4
27.3
2.6
Tendipes
<*)
6.8
14.7
57-3
27.1
41.2
24.8
25.5
5.7
Other
Polluted
Water
Forms ( % )
19.9
8.7
1.3
13.1
5.9
4.4
5.8
1.3
Clean-
Water .
Forms (#)
23.6
33.7
7.5
24.7
52.9
41.4
41.4
90.4
The Buffalo River was a unique situation because the area
from which the sample was collected was dredged each year.
However, in 1972 dredging did not or -;v.r until after all
benthos collections had been made. The Buffalo River ben-
thic information is shown in Table 18.
TABLE 18
BUFFALO RIVER BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES
1970 - 1972
Date
Other
Polluted Clean-
Tubifex Tendipes Water Water
(%) (%} Forms(%) Forms(%}
1970
1972
1970
98.06
98.46
+0.4
0.93
0.10
-89.2
1.00
1.39
+39.0
0.001
0.030
2900.0
36
-------
SEDIMENT QUALITY
The results from the 1970 and 1972 survey of sediment
chemistry are presented in the following tables. It should
be noted that insufficient samples could be collected from
four (4) tributaries - Tonawanda, Spring, Spring Brook and
Big Sister-South Creeks. Also, because the Buffalo River
is dredged annually, information from this stream will be
handled in a separate manner in Table 24.
TABLE 19
PHOSPHATES
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
1970
(ppmP)
1.021
0.815
1.072
0.973
1.011
1.025
0.735
0.615
1.051
1.015
0.793
0.570
0.716
0.815
1972
(]v;-nP)
0.707
0.487
1.151
0.625
0.798
1.090
0.566
0.563
0.603
1.006
0.598
0.470
0.476
0.513
% &
1972-1970
1970
-30.8
-40.2
+7.4
-35.8
-21.1
+6.3
-23.0
-8.5
. -42.6
-0.9
-24.6
-17.5
-33.5
-37.1
37
-------
TABLE 19 (continued)
Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppmP)
0.617
1.153
1.207
1.310
1.311
1.035
1.563
2.471
1.939
1.080
0.499
TABLE 20
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGE1I
Creek
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-
South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
1970
(ppm)
0.5
0.3
5.1
0.3
4.1
1.9
1.1
0.7
1.1
1.7
1972
(ppmP)
0.600
1.002
0.928
0.822
1. 251
0.834
1.086
2.937
1.665
0.903
0.523
DEMAND
1972
(ppm)
0.4
0.2
3.5
0.3
3.1
1.8
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.9
% A
1972-1970
1970
-2.8
-13.1
-23.1
-37.3
-4.6
-19.4
-30.5
+18.9
-14.1
-17.2
+4.8
% &
1972-1970
1970
-20.0
-33.3
-31.3
0.0
-24.4
-5.3
-54.5
-28.6
-9.1
+11.8
38
-------
TABLE 20 (continued)
Creek
Smokes Creek-South
Branch
Smokes Creek
Cazenovia Creek
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppm)
1.3
0.3
0.9
0.3
O.H
5.7
3.9
1.6
2.7
1.7
1.1
2.9
H.l
1.9
0.7
1972
(ppm)
1.2
O.H
0.6
0.1
O.U
5.5
3.9
l.U
3.0
1.5
0.6
3.7
t ^ c
1.7
0.7
1972-1970
1970
-7.7
+33.3
-33.3
-66.7
0.0
-3.5
0.0
-12.5
+11.1
-11.8
-45.5
+27.6
-.39.1
-10.5
0.0
39
-------
-Cr
O
TABLE 21
NITROGENS
AMMONIUM
ORGANIC
Creek
Cazenovia-East
Cazenovia-West
Scajaquada
Big Buffalo
Cayuga
Elllcott
Eighteen Mile
Eighteen Mile-South
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus
Smokes-South
Smokes
Cazenovia
Hunters
Little Buffalo
Black
Murder
Ransom
1970
(ppmN)
0.175
0.251
0.203
0.131
0.091
0.147
0.091
0.091
0.113
0.281
0.217
0.091
0.101
0.093
0.051
0.110
0.207
0.120
1972 3
(ppmN)
0.086
0.162
0.139
0.068
0.063
0.110
0.040
0.070
0.067
0.297
0.163
0.096
0.039.
0.062
0.048
0.104
0.150
0.083
% A
L972-1970
I? 70
-?0.9
-35.5
-31.5
-48.1
-30.8
-25.1
-56.0
-23.1
-40.7
+5.7
-24.9
+5.5
-61.4
-33.3
-5.9
-5.5
-27.5
-30.8
1970
(ppmN)
0.751
0.451
1.217
0.795
0.939
1.251
0.755
0.572
0.451
0.571
0.939
0.561
0.327
0.517
0.651
3.175
4.527
0.934
1972
(ppmN)
0.763
0.335
1.572
0.612
1.108
1.130
0.622
0.378
0.483
0.767
1.218
0.393
0.495
0.516
0.721
3.931
3.467
1.085
1972-1970
1970
+1.6
-25.7
+29.2
-23.0
+18.0
-9.7
-17.6
-33.9
+7.1
+34.3
+29.7
-29.9
+51.4
-0.2
+10.8
+23.8
-23.4
+16.2
-------
TABLE 21 (continued)
AMMONIUM
ORGANIC
Creek
Gott
Big Sister
Muddy
Clear
Beeman
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
Cazenovia-East
Cazenovia-West
Scajaquada
Big Buffalo
Cayuga
Ellicott
Eighteen Mile
Eighteen Mile-South
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus
1970
(ppmN)
0.094
0.071
0.127
0.371
0.181
0.148
0.097
0.063
0.072
0.091
0.043
0.083
0.071
0.052
0.061
0.055
0.059
1972 1<
(ppmN)
0.091
0.042
0.079
0.579
0.103
0.119
0.104
NITRATES
0.056
0.057
0.115
0.054
0.130
0.091
0.071
0.073
0.060
0.107
% &
?72-0970
IS'rO
-5.2
-40.8
-37.8
+56.1
-43.1
-19.7
+7.2
-11.1
-20.8
+26.4
+25.6
+56.6
+28.2
+36,5
+19.7
+9.1
+81.4
% A
1970 1972 1972-1970
(ppmN) (ppmN) 1970
1.372 1.315 -4.2
1.463 1.272 -13.1
0.973 1.282 +31.8
3.107 3.005 -3.3
3.051 1.722 -43.6
1.257 1.226 -2.5
1.091 1.067 -2.2
-------
TABLE 21 (continued)
NITRATES
Creek
Smokes-South
Smokes
Cazenovia
Hunters
Little Buffalo
Black
Murder
Ransom
Gott
Big Sister
Muddy
Clear
Beeman
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppmN)
0.027
0.094
0.051
0.042
0.063
0.123
0.027
0.121
0.173
0.159
0.087
0.091
0.053
0.071
0.107
1972
(ppmN)
0.090
0.156
0.041
0.055
0.054
0.146
0.013
0.131
0.276
0.136
0.114
0.058
0.099
0.095
0.100
1972-1970
1970
+233.3
+6£.0
-19.6
431.0
-14.3
+18.7
-51.9
+8.3
+59.5
-14.5
+31.0
-36.3
+86.8
-32.4
-6.5
-------
LO
TABLE 22
OILS and GREASES AND CHLORINE DEMAND
Oils & Greases
Creek
Cazenovla-East
Cazenovia-West
Scajaquada
Big Buffalo
Cayuga
Ellicott
Eighteen Mile
Eighteen Mile-South
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus
Smokes -South
Smokes
Cazenovia
Hunters
Little Buffalo
Black
1970
(ppm)
13.8
3.4
55.6
8.7
3.6
13.3
8.9
5.7
6.2
3.1
5.7
2.3
2.9
1.3
4.2
27.9
1972
(ppm)
11.0
2.0
47.7
8.1
2.5
13.9
8.6
3.9
2.1
1.5
3.8
1.8
1.0
3.2
6.6
32.3
% A
1972-1970
1970
-20.3
-4.2
-14.2
-6.9
-30.6
+4.5
-3.4
-31.5
-66.1
-55.9
-33.3
-21.7
-65.5
+146:2
+57.1
+15.8
Chlorine Demand
1970
(ppm)
3.01
11.23
9.27
1.39
5.65
7.31
5.63
6.71
8.05
9.73
5.17
4.37
6.51
1.20
1.94
10.31
1972
(ppm)
2.06
1.04
7.69
1.35
4.80
10.94
2.41
2.20
1.06
5.89
4.14
2.35
3.19
1.27
2.03
25.56
% A
1972-1970
1970
-31.6
-90.7
-17.0
-2.9
-15.0
+49.7
-57.2
-67.2
-86.8
-39.5
-19.9
-46.2
-51.0
+5.8
+4.6
+147.9
-------
TABLE 22 (continued)
Oils & Greases
Chlorine Demand
Creek
Murder
Ransom
Gott
Big Sister
Muddy
Clear
Beeman
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppm)
23.6
4.7
15.7
16.9
15.8
5.6
19.7
11.7
7.5
1972
(ppm]
27.3
5.8
19.0
21.5
16.7
3.7
21.9
11.6
6.8
% £
1972-1970
> 1970
+15.7
+23.4
+21.0
+27.2
+5.7
-33.9
+11.2
-0.9
-9.0
TABLE 23
SOLIDS
1970
(ppm)
12.62
5.61
10.10
3.17
14.53
20.18
16.89
7.85
5.19
Dry Weight
Cazenovla-East
CaEenovla-West
Scajaquada
Big Buffalo
70.2
81.5
67.3
75.3
72.2
80.3
55.2
77.7
+0.03
-1.5
-18.0
+3.2
95.75
95.13
90.62
91.73
% &
1972 1972-1970
(ppm)
17-48
7.16
13.65
4.36
4.67
21.20
15.35
7.04
4.96
1970
+38.5
+27.6
+35.1
+37.5
-67.9
+5.1
-9.1
-10.3
-4.4
Fixed Weight
95.15
96.14
88.15
94.95
-0.6
+1.1
-2.7
+3.5
-------
jr
vn
TABLE 23 (continued)
Dry Weight Fixed Weight
Creek
Cayuga
Ellicott
Eighteen Mile
Eighteen Mile-South
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus
Smokes-South
Smokes
Cazenovia
Hunters
Little Buffalo
Black
Murder
Ransom
Gott
Big Sister
Muddy
Clear
1970
(ppm)
54.2
69.7
79.5
81.6
75.2
64.3
53.7
62.3
79.5
85.3
75.2
63.1
60.0
82.7
71.5
52.3
54.1
59.6
1972
(ppm)
64.2
62.2
75.3
76.5
78.9
59.1
65.9
70.6
76.3
80.6
77.4
42.0
54.2
66.6
50.6
67.0
67.2
58.9
% &
1972-1970
1970
+18.5
-10.8
-5.3
-6.3
+4.9
-8.1
+22.7
+13.3
-4.0
-5.5
+2.9
-33.4
-10.6
-19.5
-29.2
428.1
+24.2
-1.2
1970
(ppm)
92.51
93.72
94.85
93.27
91.53
95.17
96.32
96.54
91.73
95.63
91.52
93.71
89.93
93.51
94.76
95.17
97.23
94.61
1972
(ppm)
94.22
91.77
96.88
96.91
96.95
93.40
94.10
97.79
95.92
94.49
93.79
89.98
91.72
94.57
91.03
94.75
94.32
88.66
% A
1972-1970
1970
+1.8
-2.1
+2.1
+3.9
+5.9
-1.9
-2.3
+1.3
+4.6
-1.2
+2.5
-4.0
+2.0
+1.1
-3.9
-0.4
-3.0
-6.3
-------
TABLE 23 (continued)
Dry Weight
Fixed Weight
Creek
Beeman
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
1970
(ppm)]
40.7
67.8
71.5
1972
(ppm)
50.8
66.5
69.1
Volatile
Cazenovia-East
Cazenovla-West
Scajaquada
Big Buffalo
Cayuga
Ellicott
Eighteen Mile
Eighteen Mile-South
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus
Smokes-South
4.25
4.87
9.38
8.27
7.49
6.28
5.15
6.73
8.47
4.83
3.68
4.85
3.86
11.85
5.05
5.78
8.23
3.12
3.09
3.05
6.60
5.90
% &
1972-1970
1970 "
+24.8
-2.0
-3.4
Weight
+4.1
-20.7
+26.9
-38.9
-22.8
+31.1
-39.4
-54.1
-64.0
+36.6
+60.3
% A
1970 1972 1972-1970
(ppm) (ppm) 1970
93.68 91.41 -2.4
93.85 93.78 -0.1
93.51 94.62 +1.0
-------
TABLE 23 (continued)
Volatile Weight
% A
1970 1972 1972-1?fO
Creek
Smokes
Cazenovia
Hunters
Little Buffalo
Black
Murder
Ransom
Gott
Big Sister
Muddy
Clear
Beeman
MEAN TOTALS
MEAN TOTALS REMOTE
(ppm)
3.46
8.27
4.37
8.48
6.29
10.07
6.49
5.24
4.83
2.77
5.39
6.32
6.15
6.49
(ppm)
2.21
4.08
5.51
6.21
10.02
8.28
5.43
8.97
5.25
5.68
11.34
8.59
6.22
5.38
1970
-36.1
-50.7
+26.1
-26.8
+59.3
-17.8
-16.3
+71.2
+8.7
+105.1
+110.4
+35.9
+1.1
-19.6
-------
TABLE 24
BUFFALO RIVER SEDIMENT DATA
1972-1970
Parameter
Phosphates (ppmP)
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (ppm)
1970
3.21
7.6
1972
1.81
3.9
1970
-44.0
-48.0
Nitrogens
Ammonium (ppmN) 0.165 0.098 -41.0
Organic (ppmN) 1.40 1.50 +7.0
Nitrates (ppmN) 0.02 0.144 +62.0
Oils and Greases (ppm) 7.9 9.0 +14.0
Chlorine Demand (ppm) 13-6 15.4 +13.0
Solids
Dry (#) 34.88 56.85 +62.0
Fixed (*) 87.55 91.72 +5.0
Volatile (#) 12.45 8.28 -33.4
PHYSICAL PARAMETERS
The mean discharges during each of the months of June,
July and August 1970 through 1972 at locations on six (6)
Erie County tributaries are shown in Table 25. These
streams were selected to measure because they collectively
drain the major areas of the county: south - Cattaraugus;
south-central - Buffalo and Cazenovia; north-central -
Scajaquada and Ellicott; north - Tonawanda.
48
-------
It should be noted that more than eighty-five percent
(85$) of the drainage basins of the streams in Erie County
lie within the political boundary of the County. Only
two (2) creeks - Tonawanda and Cattaraugus - have signifi-
cant portions of their drainage areas outside of Erie
County (Harding and Gilbert, 1968).
TABLE 25
MEAN STREAM DISCHARGES
Creek/Station
Big Buffalo BB-1
Subtotal
Cattaraugus CA-2
Subtotal
Cazenovia CZ-3
Subtotal
Ellicott EC-6
Subtotal
1970
(cfs)
42.6
58.8
. 21.4
122.8
278
177
214
669
46.4
67.0
25.1
138.5
18.1
16.0
6.3
40.4
1971
(cfs)
56.9
63.4
26.1
146.4
293
201
129
623
53.4
71.9
34.4
159.7
23.3
11.4
9.5
44.2
1972
(cfs)
68.0
51.7
23.0
142.7
150
169
240
559
68.7
87.1
30.0
185.7
28.5
11.7
7.5
47.5
June
July
August
June
July
August
June
July
August
June
July
August
49
-------
TABLE 25 (continued)
Scajaquada SQ-1
Subtotal
Tonawanda TC-6
Subtotal
1970
(cfs)
20.8
29.8
18.9
69.5
65.7
94.5
49.9
210.1
1971
(cfs)
22.8
28.1
28.0
79.2
71.2
109.0
38.1
218.6
1972
(cfs)
21.9
19.2
21.3
65.1
66.5
95.1
13.1
201.7
June
July
August
June
July
August
Total
1970
1250.3 1271.0 1205.0
+1-.01J5 .-3.63*
The 1972 mean discharges were adjusted to exclude precipi-
tation from tropical storm "Agnes".
The total precipitation for the same period as above, as
measured at guages throughout the county, are given in
Table 26. The amount of rainfall from tropical storm
Agnes, which impacted the area in late June-early July
1972, was not included. (It should be noted that stream
chemistry data from samples collected during this period
vrere not included in the final tabulations.)
50
-------
TABLE 26
TOTAL PRECIPITATION - ERIE COUNTY
Month
June
July
August
Total
A 1970
1970
(cm)
6.73
12.24
7.54
26.56
—
1971
(cm)
6.38
11.58
8.71
26.67
+1.0038
1972
(cm)
6.54
5.51
11.15
25.20
-4.955?
The above data for 1972 precipitation were adjusted to
exclude precipitation from tropical storm Agnes.
PHOSPHATE INPUTS TO MUNICIPAL
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
The phosphate inputs to six (6) municipal sewage treatment
plants in Erie County (Buffalo, Blasdell, Lackawanna,
Cheektowaga, Tonawanda and Amherst), prior to the restric-
tion of the sale of phosphate detergents (1970), during
the period when the sale was limited to detergents contain-
ing no more than 8.7$ phosphorus (1971) and when the sale
of phosphate detergents was prohibited (1972), were moni-
tored by Dr. N. Edward Hopson and his students in the
Civil Engineering Department at the State University of New
York at Buffalo. While this project was not funded by
the Environmental Protection Agency's Project #801229, the
unpublished results will be included in this report because
51
-------
of their relevance to the Erie County 1970-1972 stream
survey by the Great Lakes Laboratory.
Using the phosphate inputs prior to the ban as a baseline,
there was a reduction of more than twenty and twenty-five
percent (201? and 252), respectively, in the quantity of
total and ortho-phosphates to these plants during the
partial ban (maximum determent phosphorus content of 8.75).
Since the total ban, the total phosphorus content has been
reduced by greater than forty-five percent (^5$); the
ortho-phosphorus by more than fifty-five percent (55$).
The plants monitored orbcess more than ninety-four percent
of the municipally-treated sewage in the county.
STATISTICAL ANALYSES
The differences in sediment and water quality observed at
the remote stations between 1970 and 1972 were statistically
insignificant with the exception of BOD. However, at the
other sites only the differences between 1970 and 1972
chloride 'and dissolved oxygen values (water) and organic
nitrogen and oils and greases values (sediment) were
statistically insignificant.
52
-------
SECTION V
DISCUSSION
The results of this study support the projections by
Hetling and Carclch (1972) that detergents account for
nearly half the phosphates received by municipal sewage
treatment plants. Their estimation that the total phos-
phorus content in the sewage influent following a phosphate
detergent ban would drop from 11 ppm. to 5 ppm. was gen-
erally exceeded in Erie County.
The study also demonstrated that limiting, the phosphate
content of detergents would imorove water quality in the
Great Lakes Basin, a suggestion stated by advisory boards
to the International Joint Commission (Anon. 1969). The
most readily apparent change in stream quality concerned
the reduction of algal productivity by more than fifty-five
percent (55/O which was accompanied by more than a forty
percent (405) decrease in the biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD) of the streams. The latter was based on the
fact that the BOD at the control stations - sample collec-
tion points in rural regions of the county which were not
observed'to be Impacted by pollutants from direct or
indirect human activity - actually increased by nearly
ninety percent (90$) while the BOD's of the water from the
other stations decreased by nearly thirty percent (30$).
53
-------
If the differences in flow rates between the remote sta-
tions (controls) were contrasted with those observed at
the other collection points, the validity of the above
extrapolation is substantiated.
These improvements in stream quality, which were substantial
downstream of known sources of domestic pollution, xvere
not attributed to either dilution - since the rainfall
during the study periods varied by less than five percent
(5%) - nor to improvements in the handling and/or treatment
of sewage. There was no upgrading of any sex^age treatment
plants or correction of overflow problems from combined
sanitary-storm sewage collection systems during the course
of the study (Friedman, 1972). This is further substan-
tiated by the fact that the counts of fecal coliforms and
the quantity of chlorides, which are accepted indicators of
human wastes, remained relatively unchanged.
The extent and rate of the reduction of the phytoplankton
was attributed to the fact that there xiras a greater reduc-
tion in the ortho component - the form of this compound that
is most readily used by freshwater algae - than the quantity
of total phosphates. The organo- and polyphosphates are
not readily used by algae as nutrient sources. Detergent
phosphatesj which may be found in a variety of chemical
combinations, readily degrade to the ortho form.
-------
The slight decrease in the near oxygen concentration was
due to less frequent instances of supersaturation. Also,
samples for dissolved oxygen were collected at mid-depth,
below which anaerobic conditions had been observed during
the summers prior to 1971 (Friedman, 1972). While dis-
solved oxygen profiles were not measured, reductions of
ammonium ions in the sediment and the decrease in the
extent and generation of methane and other products of an-
aerobic digestion indicated that oxygen was present at or
near the stream bottoms in 1971, which was not the case in
prior summers. This situation was even more apparent in
1972.
The change of the dissolved oxygen levels at the sediment-
water interface from zero (0) in 1970 and previous years to
a positive quantity in 1971 and 1972 was cited as the major
reason why the ortho- and total phosphate content of the
streams decreased by larger percentages during the partial
and total bans than the changes in sewage treatment plant
influents. This was attributed to the fact that under
anaerobic conditions, the phosphates are released from the
sediment nearly eleven (11) times more rapidly than when
oxygen is present at the sediment-water Interface. This
has been reported for other bodies of water, including
Lake Erie (Burns and Ross, 1972).
55
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The above was supported by the fact that the phosphate
content of the sediment did increase between 1970 and 1972.
Also, during 1970 there was a decrease in the phosphate
content of the sediment from June through August, as an-
aerobic conditions became more common. Such a decline was
not observed in the summer of 1972.
The abating of anaerobic conditions in the lower depths of
the streams vras attributed to the maintaining of algal
populations below the critical concentrations that pre-
viously resulted in autotoxicity (self-poisoning). The
decrease in the quantity of the BOD and ammonium and
nitrates content of the bottom was believed due to a de-
crease in the amount of algal detritus which was common on
the bottoms of Erie County tributaries during the summer
months in 1970 and previous years that settled to the
benthic environment.
The increase in nitrates, the form of nitrogen most
readily absorbed by phytoplankton, in the stream water was
further proof that algal productivity had declined. These
data also demonstrate that nitrogen was not a major factor
in the limitation of algal growth following the implementa-
tion of the detergent phosphate ban.
56
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The changes in water chemistry that were reported above by
the Great Lakes Laboratory also were recorded by the per-
sonnel of the Water Quality Surveillance Network of the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(Anon. 1972).
There was no statistically significant change between 1970
and 1972 in the quantity or quality of the benthic macro-
invertebrates in every stream sampled, with the possible
exception of the Buffalo River. In the latter tributary,
which was annually dredged, there was a noticeable decline
in the blood worms (Tendipes) and an increase of bottom
organisms typically found in relatively unpolluted habitats.
However, further observations will be needed to see if this
was the beginning of a trend.
With the exception of the chemical parameters noted above,
most values for sediments did not change substantially
between 1970 and 1972. The slight decrease in chlorine
demand may have been due to a decline in the quantity of
decaying algae on the bottom. However, there was a sub-
stantial range in the quantity of this measurement from
station to station and stream to stream. Therefore, this
test should be repeated in future years to obtain a clearer
understanding of the dynamics.
57
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SECTION VI
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The cooperation of the staff of the Erie County Laboratory,
particularly Dr. Joseph Puleo, Director, and Messrs. M.C.
Lanighan and C. Masters, Senior Sanitary Chemist and
Senior Biologist, respectively, is acknowledged with
sincere thanks.
The Water Quality Surveillance Network of the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation, Buffalo
Office of the United States Weather Service and the New
York State Office of the United States Geological Survey
provided valuable assistance.
The support of the project by Mr. Henry Reuss, Chairman,
Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the
Committee on Governmental Operations of the United States
House of Representatives, Charles Gentry of the Office of
Air and Water Programs and William Sayers and Donald
Gilmore of the Office of Research and Monitoring, Environ-
mental Protection Agency was invaluable to the completion
of the study.
The aid of Dr. Norbert Jaworski and Mr. Nelson Thomas,
Grant Project Officers, was sincerely appreciated.
58
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SECTION VII
REFERENCES
1. Anon. 1965. Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater. (12th Ed.). American Public
Health Association, Inc. New York City, New York. 7&9p.
2. Anon. 1967. Laboratory Manual of the Cleveland Pro-
gram Office-Federal Water Pollution Control Administra-
tion, Cleveland, Ohio.
3- Anon. 1968. Chemistry Laboratory Manual on Bottom
Sediments. United States Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C. 96p.
4. Anon. 1969. Pollution of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and
the International Section of the St. Lawrence River.
International Joint Commission, Washington, D.C.
1:1-150.
5. Anon. 1972. 1970-1972 Erie County Raw Data Listings-
Water Quality Surveillance Network. Division of Pure
Waters, New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, Albany, New York. Unnumbered.
6. Burns, N. and C. Ross. 1972. Project Hypo. United
States Environmental Protection Agency Technical Report
TS-05-71-208-24. l82p.
7. Dawson, W.L. 1970. Phosphates in Detergents and the
Eutrophication of America's Waters. Twenty-third
Report by the Committee on Governmental Operations.
U.S. House of Representatives Report 91-100*1. 88p.
8. Friedman, W.D. 1972. Personal Communication. (Mr.
Friedman is the Regional Engineer of the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation department
district that includes Erie County.)
9. Goulden, P.O., W.J. Traversy and G. Kerr. 1970.
Detergents, Phosphates and Water Pollution. Department
of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada. Tech-
nical Bulletin #22. 8p.
59
-------
10. Harding, U.E. and B.K. Gilbert. 1968. Surface
Water in the Erie-Niagara Basin, New York. Erie-
Niagara Basin Regional Water Resources Planning Board
Report ENB-2. New York State Conservation Department,
Albany, New York. Il8p.
11. Hetling, L. and I. Carcich. 1972. Phosphorus in
Wastewater. Environmental Quality, Research and
Development Unit , New1 York State Department of Environ-
mental Conservation Technical Paper #22. 19p.
12. Latona, J.D. 1968. Status of Wastewater Treatment,
Erie County, New York. Unpublished M.S. thesis.
Department of Civil Engineering, State University of
New York, Buffalo, New York. 79p.
13- Pennak, R.W. 1953. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the
United States. Ronald Press, New York City, New
York.
Prince, A.T. and J.P. Bruce. 1972. Development of
Nutrient Control Policies in Canada. Inland Waters
Branch, Department of the Environment, Ottawa,
Canada. Technical Bulletin #51. Up.
60
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SECTION VIII
APPENDICES
Page No.
1. Erie County Phosphate Detergent
Legislation 62
2. Municipal Sewage Treatment Facilities
Erie County, New York 65
3. Figure 1: Map of Location of Sewage
Treatment Plants 66
Stream Coding System 6?
5. Figure 2: Map of Sample
Collection Sites 68
6. Remote (Non-domestic Polluted) Sites ... 69
7. 1970 and 1972 Sediment
Collection Sites 70
61
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Appendix 1
Erie County Phosphate Detergent Legislation
COPY COPY
COUNTY OP ERIE
LOCAL LAW NO. 8
1971
A LOCAL LAW prohibiting the sale of
certain detergents containing phosphorus
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings and declaration of
policy. It Is hereby declared that
(a) the waters of Erie County, particularly those of
Lake Erie and its tributaries, are being seriously polluted
by the continuous discharra into such waters of phosphorus
contained In detergents which fertilize excessive algae
growth. Such growth creates a hazard to fish and wildlife
as well as to human health and this can destroy the
recreational potential of such waters.
(b) The International Joint Commission's Third Interim
Report on Pollution of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the In-
ternational Section of the St. Lawrence River with regard to
the eutrophication of Lake Erie, etc. recommends the Immediate
reduction to a minimum practicable level of the phosphorus
content of detergents and the total quantities of phosphorus-
based detergents discharged Into the basin with the aim of
complete replacement of all phosphorus in detergents with
environmentally less harmful materials to follow, and the
Dominion of Canada, following the recommendation contained in
said report has adopted regulations controlling the use of
nutrients in laundry detergents pursuant to the Canada Water
Act.
(c) To abate and control the pollution of the waters of
Erie County In the public interests, it is necessary to insure
that the ingredients of detergents which are sold or offered
for sale in Erie County do not contribute to the pollution of
such waters.
Section 2. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm
or corporation to sell, offer or expose for sale, give or
furnish any synthetic detergent or detergent containing more
than eight and seven-tenths percent (8.7)0 of phosphorus by
weight, expressed as elemental phosphorus, within the County
of Erie from and after April 30, 1971.
62
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(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corpora-
tion to sell, offer or expose for sale, give or furnish any
synthetic detergent or detergent containing any phosphorus,
expressed as elemental phosphorus, within the County of Erie
after,January 1, 1972.
Section 3. The concentration by weight of phosphorus in
any detergent shall be determined by the method prescribed
from time to time by the American Society for testing and
Materials.
Section 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, synthetic
detergents or detergents manufactured for use in machine dish-
washers, dairy equipment, beverage equipment, food processing
equipment and industrial cleaning equipment shall not be
subject to the limitations of this local law.
Section 5. Definitions.
(a) The term "synthetic detergent" or "detergent" means
any cleaning compound which is available for household use,
laundry use, other personal uses or industrial use, which is
composed of organic and inorganic compounds, including soaps,
water softeners, surface active agents, dispersing agents,
foaming agents, buffering agents, builders, fillers, dyes,
enzymes, fabric softeners and/or other additives, whether in
the form of crystals, powders, flakes, bars, liquids, sprays
or any other form.
(b) The term "machine dishwasher"means equipment manu-
factured for the purpose of cleaning dishes, glass\-/are and
other utensils involved in food preparation, comsumption or
use, using a combination of water agitation and high tempera-
tures .
(c) The terms "dairy equipment", "beverage equipment"
and "food processing equipment" mean that equipment used in
the production of milk and dairy products, foods and beverages,
including the processing, preparation or packaging thereof
for comsumption.
(d) The term "industrial cleaning equipment" means
machinery and other tools used in cleaning processes during
the course of industrial manufacturing, production and
assembly.
63
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Section 6. Penalties for Violation.
Any person violating any provisions of this local law
shall be deemed guilty of a violation, as defined in section
10.00 of the penal law of the state of Mew York and subject
to a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars or by
imprisonment for a term not to exceed fifteen days, or by
both such fine and imprisonment. A separate and distinct
violation shall be regarded as committed each day on which
such person shall continue or permit any such violation.
Section 7. This local law shall take effect immediately,
6*1
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Appendix 2
ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK
MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES
Facility
Akron
Alden
Amherst #1
Amherst #16
Blasdell
Cheektowaga #3
Cheektowaga #5
Depew
East Aurora
E.C.S.D. #2-N
E.C.S.D. #2-S
Grand Island #1
Grand Island #2
Hamburg
Hamburg
Lackawanna
Lancaster
Lancaster
Mt. Vernbn S.D.
North Collins
Springville
Tonawanda
Tonawanda
Wanakah
West Seneca #6
Woodlawn
Buffalo and
Tributary Districts
Design
Flow (MOD)
0.5
0.5
3.5
3.5
0.15
1.00
6.0
2.0
1.4
0.5
1.25
0.4
0.75
2.0
1.4
8.0
0.03
0.5
0.63
0.2
0.5
3.5
18.00
0.16
0.3
0.24
150
Ave. Actual
Flow (MOD)
0.372
0.355
6.63
6.11
0.88
1.63
9.061
1.87
1.50
0.5
1.3
0.433
0.5 (est.)
2.20
1.40
3.6
0.03(est.)
0.5
0.39
O.l8(est.)
0.8.
5.3
11.7
0.3(est.)
1.43
0.22
166
Degree of
Treatment
Secondary
Secondary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
Secondary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Secondary
Primary
65
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Appendix
STREAM CODING SYSTEM
Stream
Cattaraugus Creek
Spring Brook
Clear Creek
Big Sister Creek
South Branch Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
South Branch Eighteen Mile Creek
Smokes Creek
South Branch Smokes Creek
Buffalo, River
Cazenovla Creek
West Branch Cazenovia Creek
East Branch Cazenovia Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Hunters Creek
Cayuga Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Scajaquada Creek
To.nawanda Creek
Ellicott Creek
Spring Creek
Ransom Creek
Gott Creek
Beeman Creek
Murder Creek
Anthony's Gulf
Black Creek
Code
CA
SC
CC
BS
BSS
MC
EM
EMS
SM
SSB
BR
CZ
CZ'tf
CZE
BB
HC
CY
LB
SQ
TC
EC
SP
RA
GO
BE
MU
AG
BC
Number of
Sampling
Sites
7
3
6
6
2
2
13
6
3
4
3
6
6
8
11
1
12
4
8
7
15
2
10
7
3
5
1
3
67
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Appendix 6
REMOTE (NON-DOMESTIC POLLUTED) SITES
Stream Sites
Cazenovia Creek-East CZE-7 CZE-8
Cazenovia Creek-West CZW-5 CZW-6
Big Buffalo Creek BB-11
Cayuga Creek CY-12
Ellicott Creek EC-14 EC-15
Eighteen Mile Creek-South Branch EMS-6
Cattarauws Creek CA-6 CA-7
Clear Creek CC-1
69
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Appendix 7
1970 and 1972 SEDIMENT COLLECTION SITES
Stream Sites
Cazenovia Creek-East
Cazenovia Creek-West
Scajaquada Creek
Big Buffalo Creek
Cayuga Creek
Ellicott Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek
Eighteen Mile Creek-South Branch
Anthony's Gulf
Cattaraugus Creek
Smokes Creek-South Branch
Smokes Creek
Cazenovia Creek
CZE-2
CZE-4
CZE-5
CZW-3
SQ-1B
SQ-2
SQ-3
BB-4
BB-5
BB-7
BB-8
CY-4
CY-6
EC- 3
EC-4
EC-5
EC-7
EM-1
EM- 3
EM-1*
EM-6
EM- 7
EMS-1
EMS- 2 .
EMS-3
AG-1
CA-3
CA-5
SSB-1
SSB-2
SM-4
CZ-1
CZE-6
CZE-7
CZE-8
SQ-4
SQ-5
SQ-6
BB-9
BB-10
BB-11
CY-9
EC- 8
EC-9
EC-12
EC-14
EM- 8
EM- 9
EM-10
EM-11
EM-12
EMS- 4
EMS-5
EMS-6
CA-7
SSB-3
SSB-H
CZ-6
70
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1970 and 1972 Sediment Collection Sites (continued)
Stream Sites
Hunters Creek
Little Buffalo Creek
Black Creek
Murder Creek
Ransom Creek
Gott Creek
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Clear Creek
Beeman Creek
HC-1
LB-2
BC-2
MU-1
RA-1
RA-2
RA-3
GO-1
GO- 2
BS-1
BS-2
MC-1
CC-1
BE-1
BE-2
LB-*I
BC-3
RA-5
RA-6
GO- 3
GO- 7
BS-H
BS-6
MC-2
CC-5
BE- 3
71
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