A REPORT ON BACTERIAL POLLUTION AFFECTING SHELLFISH HARVESTING IN NEWPORT RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Surveillance and Analysis Division Athens, Georgia April 1972 ------- foy.R- 72' tot A REPORT ON BACTERIAL POLLUTION AFFECTING SHELLFISH HARVESTING IN NEWPORT RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA "WTip.ntal Protection Agency h&v H.ifin Atlanta Federal Center ftiaion 4 Library fi1 Forsyth Street S.W. ruid»i<», Georgia 30303 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Surveillance and Analysis Division Athens, Georgia April 1972 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page No. INTRODUCTION 1 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 3 Summary 3 Conclusions 5 RECOMMENDATIONS 8 AUTHORITY 10 STUDY AREA 11 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS 12 WASTE SOURCES 13 MODIFICATIONS OF NEWPORT AND WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS 15 STUDY FINDINGS 17 Bacterial Results 17 Coliform Bacteria 17 Newport Sewage Treatment Plant ........ 17 West Carteret County High School Sewage Treatment Plant 18 Newport River and Tributaries 18 Fecal Streptococci 23 Salmonella Isolation 24 Soil Sampling 24 Physical and Chemical Results 26 Newport Sewage Treatment Plant 26 West Carteret High School Sewage Treatment Plant . . 27 Newport River and Tributaries . 27 Standards Violations 29 REFERENCES 30 Appendix A, Study Methods Appendix B, Bacterial Data ------- LIST OF FIGURES Follows Number Title Page No. 1 Map of EPA Study Area 11 1A Food and Drug Administration Study Area 11 2 Mean Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Densities in the Newport River at Low Tide - Excluding Counts Resulting From Chlorine Cutoff 19 3 Mean Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Densities in the Newport River at Low Tide Including Counts Resulting From Chlorine Cutoff Only 19 4 Mean coliform and Fecal Streptococci Densities in the Newport River, All Low Tide Samples 22 5 Mean Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Densities in the Newport River, All High Tide Samples 22 6 Average Chloride Concentrations at Newport River Stations 23 7 Mean Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Densities at the Newport River Stations, All Samples 23 8 Chlorine Contact Times at Newport STP - December, 1971 . . 26 9 Time of Travel From Newport STP Through the Study Reach . 28 ------- LIST OF TABLES Follows Number Title Page No. 1 Station Locations 11 II Coliform Data - Newport Sewage Treatment Plant - December, 1971 17 III Summary of Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Data in the Newport River at Low Tide, Excluding Counts Resulting from Chlorine Cutoff - December, 1971 . . 19 IV Summary of All Low Tide Coliform and Streptococci Data - December, 1971 20 V Suumary of Coliform and Fecal Streptococci Data in the Newport River at Low Tide, Including Counts Resulting From Chlorine Cutoff Only - December, 1971 22 VI Summary of All High Tide Coliform and Streptococci Data - December, 1971 22 VII Summary of All Coliform and Streptococci Data - December, 1971 23 VIII Total Hourly Residual Chlorine in Newport STP Effluent 26 IX Sediment Characterization, Newport River - December, 1971 27 X Average Surface Chloride Concentrations, Newport River and Tributaries - December, 1971 28 XI Identification Scheme for Salmonella Suspects .... Appendix A-3 ------- INTRODUCTION At the request of the North Carolina Office of Water and Air Resources, Carteret County Environmental Resources Commission, and concerned citizens, a joint study involving the Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Public Health Service Food and Drug Administration was conducted to determine the sources of bacterial pollution in freshwater and estuarine portions of the Newport River (Figures 1 and 1A). The Newport River is an important shellfish producing area, some of which has been closed to shellfish harvesting since October 1969. The first closure in this area coincided with a by-pass of untreated municipal wastes from the Newport, North Carolina, sewage treatment plant. Following this action, the State Health Department, Division of Shellfish Sanitation* insti- tuted a rather intensive bacteriological monitoring program of the growing area. Since that time, the monitoring has shown the total coliform bacterial quality of the growing waters to generally violate the USPHS standards^ for shellfish harvesting. Unfortunately, the bacterial quality of these growing areas prior to the 1969 closure cannot be as extensively evaluated as is possible since 1969 because a shortage of bacteriological data exists. The paucity of available data prior to initial closure prevents an accurate assessment of the historical quality of these areas with regard to the established USPHS standards and hinders a true assessment of the full impact of the treatment plant by-pa»s. Coliform bacteria have traditionally been used as indicators of fecal contamination in water quality investigations. Coliform bacteria are always present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and are discharged in large numbers in their excreta. Presence of large numbers of coliform bacteria in ------- 2 a water is generally indicative of fecal pollution and is likewise indicative of the possible presence of enteric pathogens and viruses. This report is concerned with the levels of bacterial indicators in the Newport River estuary and tributaries and, where possible, identifica- tion of the probable sources of the indicators. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations presented as to means of controlling bacterial contamination in the Newport estuary. Water quality in the immediate shellfish growing areas was evaluated by the USPHS study and the findings reported in a separate publication. The study area included in the USPHS study is depicted in Figure 1A. ------- 3 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS SUMMARY 1. Portions of the Newport River have been closed to shellfish harvesting since 1969 due to excessive levels of coliform bacteria in the growing waters. Closure of the area to shellfish harvesting coincided with a by-pass of untreated domestic wastes from the town of Newport, North Carolina. 2. The Newport River; from its source to Little Creek SwamR is classified for fishing (Class C) by the North Carolina Office of Water and Air Resources. Streams tributary to the river in this reach carry a similar classification. The bacterial criteria in Class C waters (log mean of 1,000 fecal coliform/100 ml) was not violated at any sampling site during the study. 3. The Newport River downstream from Little Creek Swamp and including Little Creek Swamp and Mill Creek are classified for shellfishing (Class SA). This classification requires compliance with the USPHS Standard (median total coliform not to exceed 70/100 ml and not more than 10 percent exceed an MPN of 230/100 ml). Each station located within the Class SA waters was in violation of the established cri- teria during the study period. 4. The major domestic waste source discharging directly into the Newport River within the study area is the Newport sewage treatment plant (STP). This plant discharged an estimated 123,000 gpd with a mean (geometric) total and fecal coliform density of 64 and 22/100 ml, respectively. These mean densities were measured during a 24-hour period when the plant was chlorinating Its effluent. ------- 4 5. The Newport STP had removal efficiencies of 72 percent for suspended solids, 83 percent for BOD5, and greater than 99.99 percent for both total and fecal coliform bacteria. These efficiencies were determined during a 24-hour period when the plant was chlorinating its effluent. 6. The West Carteret High School activated sludge and sand filtration treatment plant discharged an estimated 6,200 gpd (on week days) of treated wastes containing a mean total and fecal coliform density of 30 and 23/100 ml, respectively, into a small ditch tributary to the Newport River. 7. Sludge deposits extend approximately 100 yards downstream from the Newport STP outfall. These deposits are characterized by high organic carbon (7.6 - 13.7 percent), high organic nitrogen (0.40 - 0.80 per- cent) concentrations, and visible grease and sewage solids. 8. Of the tributaries entering the Newport River, Deep Creek had the highest mean total and fecal coliform densities, 4,000 and 680/100 ml, respectively, followed by Hull Swamp with mean total and fecal coli- form densities of 3,600 and 410/100 ml, respectively. 9. Time of travel from the Newport STP outfall through "The Narrows" was approximately 43 hours as determined by a dye study. River flow was average during the period of dye passage. 10. Salmonella were isolated at five main stem river stations. Four sero- types were identified; these were: S. bredeney, S. reading, S. anatum. and _S_j_ muenchen. 11. A soil sample collected at an authorized septic tank disposal site, located off U.S. Highway 70, was analyzed. Mean total and fecal ------- coliform densities were >2,400,000 and 110,000/gram of soil, respectively. A minimum of 79,000 Escherichia coli, Variety I/gram of soil was recovered. 12. A controlled 22-hour curtailment of chlorination at the Newport STP resulted in the discharge of mean total and fecal coliform densities of 9,700,000 and 2,300,000/100 ml, respectively. During the non-chlorinated period, indicator densities in the Newport River were elevated. CONCLUSIONS 1. During the December 1971 study period, excessive coliform levels in the shellfish growing areas of the Newport River were not attributable to waste discharges from the Newport STP or the West Carteret High School waste treatment facility. If these two treatment plants operate con- tinuously as they operated during this study (excluding the chlorine cut-off phase), their wastes discharges will not pose an immediate threat to the shellfish growing areas. 2. Major improvements of the physical plants have been made at the Newport STP and the West Carteret High School STP enabling both facilities to more effectively reduce bacterial densities in their final effluents. 3. The majority of the coliform population contributed to the upper Newport River estuary is introduced from tributary streams and sources incidental to the river shore. Of the tributaries sampled above "The Narrows," Deep Creek and Hull Swamp contribute the largest number of coliforms. Wildlife common to these areas, together with agricultural runoff, serve as major sources of coliform contamination within the watershed. 4. Increased chloride concentrations (425 - 7020 mg/1) at high tide in the lower portion of the river (Stations 7 through 12) increased bacterial die-off in this portion of the river. ------- 5. The concentration of septic tanks in the unincorporated areas of the watershed, especially those installed in areas unsuited for adequate operation, have the potential for contributing bacterial pollution to the Newport River and tributary streams. 6. The land disposal of septic tank cleanings onto some approved "disposal sites" in the Newport River watershed, along with clandestine discharge of such cleanings, have the potential for contributing tremendous bacterial densities to receiving streams during periods of runoff. 7. Fecal coliform to fecal streptococci ratios, where applicable, suggest that pollution in the lower portion of the river is primarily of animal origin (wild and/or domestic) and not readily controllable. 8. Presence of sludge deposits in the vicinity of the Newport STP outfall are indicative of previous discharges of inadequately treated or untreated municipal wastes. 9. The elevation in indicator levels between Stations IN and IS and Station 2 cannot be totally attributed to the Newport STP discharge. The additional indicators entering the river from tributary streams within this reach account for some portion of the increased indicator levels. Similarly, downstream of the Newport STP, natural bacterial contamination from Deep Creek, Snows Swamp Branch, and Hull Swamp has a greater impact on bacterial quality of the river than does the STP discharge. 10. The Newport STP, because of its design and proximity to the shellfish growing waters, requires a higher order of continuity in operator atten- tion than presently received to assure the maximum degree of treatment possible at all times. ------- 7 11. A bacteriological surveillance of the Newport STP should be planned and Implemented by an appropriate state agency. Such a program would serve both as a means of determining treatment efficiency and as a warning mechanism for possible plant malfunctions. 12. Although the West Carteret High School waste treatment facility appears to be an insignificant contributor of bacterial contamination to the Newport River, some consideration should be given to a bacteriological and chlorine residual surveillance of this waste source. ------- 8 RECOMMENDATIONS For the ultimate protection and preservation of the Newport River as an economic asset through shellfish harvesting, serious consideration must be given to a regional waste collection and treatment approach. Such an approach should have as its objective the removal of all industrial and municipal waste discharges from the Newport estuary. This approach coupled with judicious land zoning and development within the Newport River watershed may well determine the future of shellfish harvesting in this area. The North Carolina Office of Water and Air Resources should establish a program under which the bacterial quality of the Newport sewage treat- ment plant effluent will be determined at frequent intervals. This could be a joint effort with the Division of Shellfish Sanitation. The Newport sewage treatment plant must maintain the maximum degree of treatment and disinfection of its waste discharge at all time. In order to accomplish this, the following measures are considered essential: • In-plant improvements already initiated must be completed with- out delay (see page 15). • The completion of a permanent four-day raw waste storage lagoon, fine solids settling basin and additional chlorination facilities (including automatic change-over equipment) should progress without delay. • The present treatment plant operator should be relieved of other duties and be required to immediately monitor and maintain plant operation on a full-time basis. ------- • Adequate chlorination practices should be continued and the frequency of residual chlorine determinations increased. Any treatment plant malfunction that may result in the discharge of high bacterial densities must be brought to the immediate attention of the North Carolina Office of Water and Air Resources and Division of Shellfish Sanitation in order that appropriate action can be initiated. The current procedures for land disposal of wastes resulting from septic tank cleaning should be abandoned and properly located and adequate disposal areas and/or facilities be provided for such wastes. Strict regulations for proper disposal of such wastes should be promulgated and enforced by appropriate county and state authorities. Additional sanitary surveys are needed to better define those wastes sources affecting the Newport River. These surveys should give special attention to the role that tributary streams play in discharging bacterial pollutants to the estuary. Future lowland drainage efforts along the Newport River must be care- fully evaluated as to their potential as transporters of not only surface run-off but also associative bacterial contamination. In many instances drainage efforts magnify bacterial contamination in streams and result in a deterioration of stream quality. ------- 10 AUTHORITY The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency study of the Newport River was performed at the request of the Office of Water and Air Resources for the State of Horth Carolina. Authority for such studies is contained in Section 5(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Conf^i * Control Act as amended (33 USC 466 et. seq.). ------- 11 STUDY AREA The EPA study area included the Newport River from its source to a point approximately 0.2 mile downstream from "The Narrows." Streams tribu- tary to the Newport River within this area were included in the study area (Figure 1). Sampling station locations are shown in Figure 1 and descrip- tions of the stations are contained in Table I. The Newport River is located entirely within Carteret County, North Carolina. The river is formed by the confluence of the Northwest and Southwest Prongs, flows generally in an easterly direction, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Newport River and tributaries within the study area flow through predominantly forested and agricultural lands. The river is bordered by a swamp-like zone, some of which is inundated at high tide. The river is influenced tidally to a point upstream from the town of Newport. The study area included in the USPHS study is depicted in Figure 1A. ------- FIGURE I ------- FIGURE IA ATLANTIC OCEAN N KEY STUDY AREA SCALE IN MILES 10 12 I U.S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION EC FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION STUDY AREA SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION ATHENS GEORGIA ------- Stal II 1! 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 TABLE I Station Locations Description Northwest Prong at Nine Foot Road Bridge Southwest Prong at Nine Foot Road Bridge Newport River at U. S. Highway 70 Bridge Newport River at Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad Trestle Newport River 0.3 mile upstream from the mouth of Deep Creek Newport River 0.2 mile downstream from the mouth of Deep Creek Newport River 0.1 mile downstream from the mouth of Snows Swamp Branch Newport River 0.5 mile upstream from the mouth of Hull Swamp Newport River 0.3 mile downstream from the mouth of Hull Swamp Newport River 1.1 miles downstream from Station 8 Newport River 0.8 mile upstream from Station 11 Newport River 0.1 mile upstream from the mouth of Little Creek Swamp Newport River 0.1 mile downstream from the mouth of Little Creek Swamp Drainage canal parallel to Mill Creek Road 0.1 mile west of Deep Creek Deep Creek at Mill Creek Road Bridge Black Creek 0.1 mile upstream from the confluence with the Newport River Black Creek at the Mill Pond overflow at Mill Creek Road Bridge Mill Creek at the Mill Creek Road Bridge Hull Swamp at the Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad Trestle Little Creek Swamp 0.1 mile upstream from its confluence with the Newport River ------- 12 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS The Newport River from its source to Little Creek Swamp is classified as Class C waters by the State Board of Water and Air Resources. The North- west Prong, Southwest Prong, Deep Creek, Hull Swamp, and Black Creek from their sources to the Newport River are also classified as Class C waters. The bacterial standards applicable for Class C waters are that fecal coliform bacteria are not to exceed a log mean of 1,000/100 ml (MPN or MF) based upon at least five consecutive samples examined during any 30-day period; nor exceed 2,000/100 ml in more than 20 percent of the samples (2) examined during such period. The Newport River from Little Creek Swamp to a line across Newport River from a point of land at the northside of the mouth of Calico Creek to Gallant Point is classified for shellfishing as Class SA waters. Little Creek Swamp and Mill Creek from their sources to the Newport River are also classified for shellfishing. The bacterial standard for Class SA waters is that the total coliform bacteria group are not to exceed a median MPN of 70/100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed an MPN of 230/100 ml for a 5-tube decimal dilution test in those areas most probably exposed to fecal contamination during the most unfavorable hydrographic and pollution condi- (2) tions. ' ------- 13 WASTE SOURCES There are two major point sources of sanitary wastes within the EPA study area. These are the town of Newport, North Carolina, sewage treat- ment plant, and the West Carteret High School waste treatment facility. The town of Newport has a population of 1,735 and is served by a secondary (activated sludge) sewage treatment plant. This plant has an average estimated flow of 123,000 gpd with post-chlorination. The plant discharges directly into the Newport River. The West Carteret High School is served by a package extended aeration secondary treatment plant following by sand filtration and post-chlorination. The plant discharged an estimated 6,200 gpd into a ditch which connects with a network of mosquito control drainage ditches draining into the Newport River. Other sources of wastes within the study area consist of runoff from forested, agricultural cropland, and livestock grazing areas. Small con- centrations of livestock, primarily swine, within the watershed serve as indirect contributors of fecal wastes to the Newport River. Wildlife common to the forested and marsh areas adjacent to the river also serve as direct and indirect contributors of fecal wastes to the Newport River. An estimated 18,000 persons in Carteret County rely on septic tanks for domestic waste disposal/3^ Many septic tanks exist in areas which are not capable of receiving domestic wastes. Instances exist where septic tanks have been installed within the flood plain of the Newport River. The concentration of septic tanks within the watershed, together with the problem of inadequately operating septic tanks, pose a potential pollution problem not only for the Newport River and tributary streams but also have the potential for polluting shallow ground water within the area. ------- 14 An associative problem with septic tank operations in the area is that of septic tank maintenance, i.e., cleaning. Such maintenance results in removal and disposal of cleanings, hopefully at approved sites within Carteret County. These sites generally consist of fields where the wastes are spread over the surface and disked into the soil. However, numerous unconfirmed reports of septic tank wastes being dumped outside these approved areas have been noted. Wastes discharged onto some of the approved sites and those clandestinely discharged have a potential during periods of runoff to enter the streams within the watershed. ------- 15 MODIFICATIONS OF NEWPORT AND WEST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS The town of Newport has made numerous improvements in operating proce- dures and physical facilities of their sewage treatment plant since 1969. These improvements were suggested and supervised by the Office of Water and Air Resources. Since 1969 the town has: • Implemented continuous chlorination of the effluent. The chlorina- tion program includes monitoring and manual chlorination back-up system using HTH (high test hypochlorite). • Installed a power failure alarm system connected to the operator's home. • Sealed an influent by-pass line to prevent any possible manual by-pass of untreated wastes. • Replaced the sludge drying bed underdrainage line originally draining to the final effluent with a sump-pump arrangement to return these wastes to the influent wet-well. • With assistance from Carteret County, a temporary raw waste storage pond with a four-day holding capacity has been constructed. The influent and effluent lines from this lagoon are connected to the plant wet-we11 to prevent any manual by-pass to the receiving stream. Recent heavy rains damaged the pond's dikesM • Placed a stand-by generator at the plant to provide emergency power in cases of power failure. • Reported power, chlorine, mechanical failures and all by-passes to the Office of Water and Air Resources by monthly report. 1/ Funding under PL 660 has been resolved to add as permanent facilities, a four-day raw-waste storage lagoon, a fine solids settling basin, and an additional chlorine contact chamber for post-chlorlnatlon. ------- 16 Since 1969, Carteret County has made significant improvements at the West Carteret High School treatment plant. These improvements consisted of: • The construction of a large sand filter following treatment and a post-chlorination contact chamber following sand filtration. ------- 17 STUDY FINDINGS BACTERIAL RESULTS Coliform Bacteria Newport Sewage Treatment Plant The Newport STP effluent was sampled on five different days during the study period. The sampling was done at low tide when the outfall line was above the water level of the river. The means -i/ for the samples collected were 180 total coliforms/100 ml, 18 fecal coliforms/100 ml and 46 fecal streptococci/100 ml. In addition, two 24-hour studies were conducted on the plant to determine: a) the bacterial removal efficiency of the plant with post- chlorination, b) the bacterial removal efficiency of the plant without post-chlorination, and c) the impact of unchlorinated, treated sewage upon the bacterial quality of the Newport River and in particular on the quality of waters in the shellfish growing areas. During the 24-hour study with normal chlorination, the mean influent total and fecal coliform densities were 55,000,000 and 7,400,000/100 ml, respectively (Table II). The mean effluent total and fecal coliform densities were 64 and 22/100 ml, respectively. Both the total and fecal coliform removal efficiencies for the study period exceeded 99.99 percent. Chlorination of the effluent was discontinued for a 22-hour period and the plant sampled as described in Appendix A. The mean influent total and fecal coliform densities were 24,000,000 and 7,000,000/100 ml, respectively (Table II). The mean effluent total and fecal coliform densities were 9,700,000 .!./Geometric mean - all means referred to in the report are geometric means. ------- TABLE II COLIFORM DATA - NEWPORT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT - DECEMBER, 1971 NON-CHLORINATED PERIOD CHLORINATED PERIOD Influent Effluent Influent Effluent Time Total Coliforms/ 100 ml* Fecal Coliforms/ 100 ml* Time Total Coliforms/ 100 ml* Fecal Coliforms/ 100 ml* Time Total Coliforms/ 100 ml* Fecal Coliforms/ 100 ml* 1500-1800 35,000,000 7,900,000 1500-1600 >240,000 >240,000 1300-1600 35,000,000 24,000,000 1900-2200 160,000,000 14,000,000 1700-1800 7,900,000 2,300,000 1700-2000 160,000,000 3,300,000 2300-0200 24,000,000 7,900,000 1900-2000 17,000,000 1,700,000 2100-2400 49,000,000 11,000,000 0300-0600 35,000,000 4,900,000 2100-2200 24,000,000 3,300,000 0100-0400 28,000,000 7,900,000 0700-1000 7,900,000 7,900,000 2300-2400 35,000,000 4,900,000 0500-0800 160,000,000 4,900,000 1100-1200 4,800,000 3,500,000 0100-0200 24,000,000 3,300,000 0900-1200 22,000,000 4,900,000 0300-0400 4,900,000 2,300,000 0500-0600 7,900,000 1,300,000 0700-0800 17,000,000 1,700,000 0900-100 7,000,000 7,000,000 1100-1200 24,000,000 4,900,000 Maximum 160,000,000 14,000,000 Minimum 4,800,000 3,500,000 Average 44,000,000 Geometric Mean 24,000,000 7,700,000 7,000,000 35,000,000 7,000,000 >240,000 >240,000 15,000,000 2,900,000 9,700,000 2,300,000 160,000,000 24,000,000 22,000,000 3,300,000 76,000,000 9,300,000 55,000,000 7,400,000 Total Fecal Coliforms/ Conforms/ Time 100 ml* 100 ml* 1300-1400 80 <20 1500-1600 490 20 1700-1800 <20 <20 1900-2000 50 <20 2100-2200 80 <20 2300-2400 <20 <20 0100-0200 20 <20 0300-0400 <20 <20 0500-0600 <20 <20 0700-0800 <20 <20 0900-1000 330 20 1100-1200 1,300 50 1,300 50 <20 <20 200 23 64 22 * MPN Values ------- 18 and 2,300,000/100 ml, respectively. The total and fecal coliform removal efficiencies were 59.6 and 67.1 percent, respectively, for the sampling period. West Carteret County High School Sewage Treatment Plant The West Carteret County High School Sewage Treatment Plant effluent was sampled during school hours on two consecutive days. Samples were collected hourly, and on the second day the samples were composited every two hours. The mean effluent total and fecal coliform densities for the two days were 30 and 23/100 ml, respectively (Appendix B). Approximately 73 percent of the total coliform counts and 91 percent of the fecal coli- form counts were less than 20/100 ml for the sampling period. Newport River and Tributaries The effect of indicator bacteria from tributaries and other wastes sources on the bacterial quality of the Newport River was much more evident when samples collected on low tide were analyzed separately. Samples were collected at low tide on five different days during the study. Most tribu- tary stations were also sampled on low tide to avoid the effect of wastes being moved upstream at high tide. Low Tide (Excluding Chlorine Cutoff Samples) The low tide bacterial data were separated into counts not influenced by chlorine cutoff and counts reflecting the effect of chlorine cutoff. Due to tidal influences and sampling times, the sampling dates used to separate the data varied at different stations. The effects of chlorine cutoff are seen at Stations 2 through 7 on December 7, 1971; Stations 6 ------- 19 through 9 on December 8, 1971; Stations 8 through 12 on December 9, 1971; and Stations 10 through 12 on December 10, 1971 (Appendix B). The low tide data, excluding counts influenced by the chlorine cutoff are contained in Table III and are depicted in Figure 2. Two background sampling stations on the Northwest and Southwest Prongs were selected to reflect the bacterial quality of water entering the Newport River unaffected by point sources of waste. Station IN, on the Northwest Prong, had a low tide mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 230 and 140/100 ml, respectively (Table III). Station IS, on the South- west Prong, had a mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 450 and 100/100 ml, respectively. The bacterial densities at the background stations indicated some fecal pollution possibly originating from the wild- life population found in the Croatan National Forest. In Figures 2 through 7, the background stations data are combined into one background point. Station 2, located approximately 3.5 miles downstream from the con- fluence of the two Prongs and 0.3 mile downstream from the Newport sewage treatment plant outfall, had a mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 990 and 260/100 ml, respectively (Figure 2). The increased bacterial levels at this station reflect not only the effect of the sewage treatment plant effluent but also additional contamination intro- duced from tributary streams downstream of the control stations.1/ At Station 3 the total coliform density decreased while the fecal coliform bacteria density remained approximately the same as Station 2. At Station 4 1/ Current bacteriological surveillance data collected by the Office of Water and Air Resources at Highway 70 by-pass and Station 2 support this observation. ------- TABLE Itt SUMMARY OF COLIFORM AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI DATA IN THE NEWPORT RIVER AT LCW TIDE EXCLUDING COUNTS RESULTING FROM CHLORINE CUTOFF - DECEMBER, 1971 Total Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* Fecal Coliform Bacterla/100 ml* Aver- Geo. No. of Aver- Geo. No. of Sta. Max. Min. age Mean Samples Max. Min. age. 200 Mean Samples IN 490 110 270 230 4 490 50 140 4 IS 790 230 510 450 4 170 80 120 100 4 2 1,700 330 1,300 990 4 490 80 320 260 4 3 2,300 490 1,500 730 4 490 220 290 280 4 4 3,300 400 1,800 1,400 4 330 110 230 210 4 5 7,900 790 2,900 1,900 4 460 130 310 280 4 6 3,100 790 1,900 1,600 3 460 130 310 270 3 7 - 9 ¦¦¦¦•• 490 1,300 1,000 3 230 170 210 210 3 8 3,300 1,300 2,600 2,400 3 790 170 400 310 3 9 4,900 1,300 2,500 2,000 3 230 110 160 150 3 10 4,900 1,700 3,000 2,700 3 790 270 460 410 3 11 7,900 1,300 5,400 4,200 3 700 70 370 250 3 12 3,300 1,300 2,300 2,100 3 790 490 660 650 3 Fecal Streptococci/100 ml** Aver— Geo. No. of Max. Min. agp Mean Samples 700 100 290 230 4 630 <20 190 77 4 480 80 200 150 4 720 100 290 210 4 620 120 270 220 4 380 150 280 260 4 380 160 250 230 3 640 280 460 440 3 940 280 530 460 3 620 280 450 430 3 780 240 510 460 3 560 200 380 350 3 740 400 530 510 3 * MFN/100 ml ** Membrane filter count/100 ml ------- FIGURE 2 100,000 r- FI6URE 3 MEAN C0LIF0RM AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI DENSITIES IN THE NEWPORT RIVER AT LOW TIDE INCLUDING COUNTS RESULTING FROM CHLORINE CUTOFF ONLY 10,000 E o o_ £1 X* a uj *1 UJ O O 1,000 100 KEY • Total Coliform* • Fecal Coliforms - Fecal Streptococci SCALE IN MILES z i J I L. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 STATION 10 1112 ------- 20 the mean total coliform bacteria density increased to 1,400/100 ml, while the mean fecal coliform bactei a density decreased to 210/100 ml indicating a die-off of some of the fecal coliform bacteria. Approximately 0.3 mile downstream from Station 4, Deep Creek flows into the Newport River with mean total and fecal coliform bacteria densities of 4,000 and 680/100 ml, respectively (Table IV). The impact of the indicators entering from Deep Creek is seen at Station 5, located 0.2 mile downstream from the mouth of the creek. The mean bacterial densities at this station were 1,900 t tal coliforms/100 ml and 280 fecal coliforms/100 ml (Table III). At Stat 6 the indicator densities decreased only slightly; while further downstream a reduction of total and fecal coliforms occurred as evidenced by respective densities of 1,000 and 210/100 ml at Station 7. Hull Swamp flows into the Newport River 0.5 mile downstream from Station 7. At Station 19, located on Hull Swamp approximately 2.0 miles above its confluence with the river, the mean total and fecal coliform bac- teria densities were 3,600 and 410/100 ml, respectively (Table IV). The mean total and fecal coliform bacteria densities Increased to 2,400 and 310/100 ml, respectively, at Station 8, located 0.3 mile downstream from the mouth of Hull Swamp (Figure 2). These increased levels indicated additional contamination is introduced to the river from Hull Swamp. Black Creek flows into the river 0.2 mile downstream from Station 8. Black Creek originates at the overflow from Mill Pond. Station 16, located immediately downstream from Mill Fond overflow had a mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 200 and 24/100 ml, respectively, Indicating little fecal pollution (Table IV). The low tide mean total and fecal coli- form bacteria densities at the mouth of the creek (Station 15) were 670 and 240/100 ml, respectively (Table IV). Black Creek did not have a detrimental ------- Summary of All Total Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* TABLE iv Low Tide Coliform and Streptococci Data - December Fecal Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* 1971 Fecal Streptococci/100 ml** Sta. Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean # of Samples Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean it of Samples Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean # of Sampl IN 490 110 270 230 4 490 50 200 140 4 700 100 290 230 4 IS 790 230 510 450 4 170 80 120 100 4 630 <20 190 77 4 2 22,000 330 5,300 1,800 5 1,700 80 640 370 5 1,800 80 520 250 5 3 13,000 490 3,800 2,100 5 3,300 220 890 450 5 1,100 100 450 290 5 4 7,000 400 2,600 1,700 5 800 110 340 270 5 1,500 120 520 320 5 5 49,000 790 12,000 3,700 5 1,700 130 590 400 5 1,800 150 580 390 5 6 170,000 790 36,000 4,700 5 79,000 130 16,000 1,000 5 1,000 160 390 310 5 7 35,000 490 9,400 3,200 5 2,200 170 900 500 5 760 140 460 390 5 8 22,000 1,300 6,600 4,000 5 2,300 170 860 560 5 940 280 470 420 5 9 13,000 1,300 5,500 3,800 5 1,300 110 510 340 5 620 200 390 360 5 10 13,000 1,700 5,400 4,100 5 3,300 230 1,300 830 5 780 240 430 390 5 11 7,900 1,300 6,200 5,300 5 2,200 70 1,000 570 5 560 140 310 280 5 12 4,900 790 2,500 2,100 5 3,300 490 1,200 930 5 740 200 410 370 5 13 24,000 1,300 7,400 4,000 5 790 170 480 410 5 9,500 260 2,300 840 5 14 7,900 2,300 4,700 4,000 5 2,300 330 880 680 5 7,400 220 1,900 720 5 15 4,900 130 1,400 670 5 4,900 70 1,100 240 5 640 100 290 220 5 16 4,900 <20 1,100 200 5 50 <20 26 24 5 800 <20 260 78 5 17 2,300 790 1,400 1,300 5 1,400 330 760 680 5 950 160 510 400 5 19 17,000 490 6,700 3,600 5 1,400 130 560 410 5 1,700 160 800 590 5 20 3,300 230 1,300 870 5 1,300 80 .450 250 5 460 40 230 170 5 * MPN/100 ml. ** Membrane filter count/lOOm], ------- effect on the bacterial quality of the river as measured at Station 9, located 0.9 mile downstream from the mouth of the creek. The mean bacterial densities at this station were 2,000 total coliform/100 ml and 150 fecal coliform/100 ml (Figure 2). Station 10 had a mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 2,700 and 410/100 ml, respectively. Station 10 is bordered by an extensive marsh area, some of which has a network of drainage canals. The marsh area may serve as a source of fecal contamination from animals residing in this habitat. Station 11 had a mean total and fecal coliform bacteria density of 4,200 and 250/100 ml, respectively. There was an increase in the total coliform density and a corresponding decrease in fecal coliform levels at this station. Immediately downstream of Station 11, Little Creek Swamp enters the river with a mean total and fecal coliform density of 610 and 140/100 ml, respectively. Station 12, located downstream of Little Creek Swamp, had a mean total and fecal coliform density of 2,100 and 650/100 ml, respectively. The reduction in total coliform density and the corresponding increase in fecal coliform density at this point cannot be explained (Figure 2). Low Tide (Samples Influenced by Chlorine Cutoff) Chlorination at the Newport Sewage Treatment Plant was discontinued from 1410 hours on 12/6/71 until 1200 hours on 12/7/71. Chlorination was discontinued to determine the impact of the unchlorinated treated sewage on the bacterial quality of the Newport River, especially in the shellfish growing areas in the lower portion of the river. The upper stations (Stations 2 through 5) had elevated indicator densities for only one day. Stations 6 through 12 had elevated Indicator densities for two days because of the ------- 22 tidal influence upon the river. Table V contains the data summary and Figure 3 illustrates the impact of the unchlorinated effluent on the river. A comparison of Figures 2 and 3 shows the chlorine cutoff increased mean indicator densities at the river stations from 43 to 96 percent, with one exception. The mean total coliform densities at Station 12 were comparable for both the chlorinated and non-chlorinated low tide periods, indicating a diminished impact resulting from dilution and die-off as the waste travels downstream. Low Tide (All Samples) Table IV contains all mean low tide data, and Figure 4 depicts these data. A comparison of all low tide data to those not affected by chlorine cutoff (Figures 2 and 4) shows generally higher indicator levels when all samples are considered. This results from the higher indicator levels meas- ured during the chlorine cutoff period. In comparing Figure 4 to Figure 2, it should be noted that the increased indicator levels at Station 6 resulted from a single day's high value asso- ciated with the controlled chlorine cutoff rather than from a waste source as it appears to be in Figure 4. In addition, when all the low tide data are combined, the detrimental effect of Hull Swamp on the bacterial quality of the river was masked somewhat. High Tide High tide has a significant effect on the bacterial quality of the New- port River (Table VI and Figure 5). The cumulative effects of dilution and the bactericidal action from the saltwater are evident at Stations 8 through 12. The bacterial densities decrease with the increasing chloride concen- trations at the lower river stations during high tide (Figures 5 and 6). ------- table V SUMMARY OF COLIFORM AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI DATA IN THE NEWPORT RIVER AT LOW INCLUDING COUNTS RESULTING FROM CHLORINE CUTOFF ONLY - DECEMBER, 1971 TIDE, Sta. 2 Total Coliform Bacteria/100 ml—^ Average Geo. Mean 3/ 22,00(p' Fecal Coliform Bacteria/100 ml—^ Average Geo. Meei. 1,700^ Fecal Streptococci/100 ml Average Geo. Mean 3/ 1,800 3 - 3/ 13,000" - 3,300^ - 3/ 1,100^' 4 - 7,000^ - 800^ - 1,50 5 - 49,000^ - 1,700^ - 1,800^ 6 87,000 24,000 40,000 7,900 620 480 7 21,000 17,000 2,000 1,900 450 330 8 13,000 8,500 1,500 1,400 370 360 9 10,000 9,500 1,000 1,000 290 280 10 9,000 8,000 2,500 2,400 310 310 11 7,500 7,400 2,000 1,900 210 200 12 2,800 2,000 2,000 1,600 240 240 2/ 1/ MPN/100 ml 2/ Membrane filter count/100 ml 3/ Only one count ------- Summary of All High Total Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* TABLE VI Tide Coliform and Streptococci Data - December Fecal Colifrom Bacteria/100 ml* 1971 Sta. Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean # of Samples Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean // of Samples Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean # of Samples IN 2,300 230 1,200 860 4 490 80 190 140 4 600 60 290 220 4 IS 1,300 490 820 770 4 490 80 240 200 4 1,200 180 620 490 4 2 3,300 220 1,800 1,000 5 2,300 80 590 250 5 2,000 400 970 770 5 3 3,300 790 1,800 1,600 5 1,100 130 350 240 5 2,200 380 920 750 5 4 2,300 330 1,500 1,000 5 1,300 70 500 290 5 2,400 220 970 740 5 5 13,000 1,300 4,400 3,000 5 2,200 170 670 400 5 2,100 480 1,000 880 5 6 54,000 1,700 14,000 4,700 5 1,100 130 480 380 5 2,200 620 1,100 960 5 7 7,900 1,300 4,800 4,100 5 1,300 220 610 500 5 1,600 680 1,000 990 5 8 7,900 1,300 3,000 2,300 5 490 80 360 290 5 1,100 380 710 670 5 9 2,300 310 890 670 5 330 20 160 100 5 900 20 390 200 5 10 490 80 240 190 5 80 <20 50 46 5 170 20 110 87 5 11 330 80 160 140 5 50 <20 34 32 5 100 <20 66 58 5 12 13 1,100 50 320 170 5 50 <20 42 40 5 120 20 66 56 5 14 15 16 17 19 20 1,700 1,100 1,400 1,400 4 490 230 300 280 4 1,100 600 750 730 4 1,100 230 520 450 5 230 20 110 83 5 330 20 180 100 5 * MPN/100 ml. ** Membrane Filter count/100 ml. ------- 10,000 r- FIGURE 4 MEAN C0LIF0RM AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI DENSITIES IN THE NEWPORT RIVER ALL LOW TIDE SAMPLES 1,000 E 0 o„ Es z £ LlI h a uj ft P 1 o Q o KEY ¦ Total Conforms Fecal Conforms Fecal Streptococci 100 SCALE IN MILES 0 I 2 1 i I i I 10 J I L 3 4 7 STATION 10 II 12 10,000 FIGURE 5 MEAN COLIFORM AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI DENSITIES IN THE NEWPORT RIVER ALL HIGH TIDE SAMPLES E O g§ o 1,000 100 KEY ' Total Conforms — Fecal Coliforms Fecal Streptococci SCALE IN MILES 0 I 2 1 . I , I 10 JJL 3 4 7 STATION 10 II 12 ------- 23 All Samples Table VII contains the summary for all samples collected, and Figure 7 depicts these data. Figure 7 shows the overall bacterial quality of the river for the entire study period. As shown, the indicator levels Increase in the river downstream of the control stations and Station 2 located downstream of the Newport STP. This elevation in indicator densities cannot be totally attributed to the Newport STP discharge. Additional indicators enter the river between the control stations and the Newport STP from tributary streams within this reach of stream. The cumulative effect of additional indicators entering the river from Deep Creek, Snows Swamp Branch, Hulls Swamp, and other sources appear more significant than the Newport STP discharge. This is particularly evident when the low tide data are examined (Figures 2 and 4). Fecal Streptococci Fecal streptococci analyses were performed to aid in establishing the origin of fecal pollution in the Newport River. It has been found that fecal coliform — fecal streptococci ratios are useful in determining the origin of fecal pollution. A fecal coliform to fecal streptococci ratio of greater than 4.0 is regarded as evidence of pollution derived primarily from human origin, whereas an FC/FS ratio of 0.7 or less suggests pollution derived predominantly or entirely from livestock, wildife, and/or poultry. Ratios just below 4.0 are still suggestive of waste primarily of human origin, and ratios slightly greater than 0.7 are still suggestive of wastes of animal origin. A truly "gray-area" of interpretation is in the ratio range of 1.0 to 2.0. Application of ratios in this range should be used rather cautiously. Any ratio must be applied in areas where the time of travel from the ------- Summary of Total Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* TABLE VII All Coliform and Streptococci Data — December 1971 Fecal Coliform Bacteria/100 ml* Fee Sta. Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean a of Samples Max. Min. Aver- age Geo. Mean # of Samples Max. Min. Average Geo. Mean # of Sampli IN 2,300 110 710 450 8 490 50 200 140 8 700 60 290 220 8 IS 1,300 230 670 590 8 490 80 180 150 8 1,200 <20 400 200 8 2 22,000 220 3,600 1,500 10 2,300 80 610 310 10 2,000 80 750 430 10 3 13,000 490 2,800 1,800 10 3,300 130 620 330 10 2,200 100 690 470 10 4 7,000 330 2,100 1,600 10 1,300 70 420 280 10 2,400 120 750 490 10 5 49,000 790 8,300 3,300 10 2,200 130 630 400 10 2,100 150 790 580 10 6 170,000 790 25,000 4,700 10 79,000 130 8,300 630 10 2,200 160 730 550 10 7 35,000 490 7,100 3,600 10 2,200 170 760 500 10 1,600 140 750 620 10 8 22,000 1,300 4,800 3,100 10 2,300 80 610 410 10 1,100 280 590 530 10 9 13,000 310 3,200 1,600 10 1,300 20 340 190 10 900 20 390 270 10 10 13,000 80 2,800 880 10 3,300 <20 660 190 10 780 20 270 180 10 11 7,900 80 3,200 860 10 2,200 <20 520 130 10 560 <20 190 130 10 12 4,900 50 1,400 600 10 3,300 <20 630 190 10 740 20 240 150 10 13 24,000 1,300 7,400 4,000 5 790 170 480 410 5 9,500 260 2,300 840 5 14 7,900 2,300 4,700 4,000 5 2,300 330 880 680 5 7,400 220 1,900 720 5 15 4,900 130 1,400 920 9 4,900 70 740 150 9 1,100 100 490 380 9 16 4,900 <20 1,100 200 5 50 <20 26 24 5 800 <20 260 78 5 17 2,300 790 1,400 1,300 5 1,400 330 760 680 5 950 160 510 400 5 19 000 490 6,700 3,600 5 1,400 130 560 410 5 1,700 160 800 590 5 20 3,300 230 910 610 10 1,300 20 280 140 10 460 20 200 150 10 * MPN/100 ml. ** Membrane filter count/100 ml. ------- FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 ------- 24 wastes sources to the sampling points is less than 24 hours because of the differences in die-off rates of the two bacterial groups. Several factors complicate the interpretation of the ratios obtained during this study. Because of saltwater influences, the ratios change bet- ween high and low tide. The high tide FC/FS ratios are all 0.71 or less; however, the dilution of the freshwater and the increased die-off of the fecal coliform in saltwater complicate the ratio application. The most lucid picture is obtained when the ratios are applied to the low tide data excluding the counts influenced by chlorine cutoff. Most of the FC/FS ratios in the lower portion of the river suggest pollution origina- ting primarily from animal sources. The ratios in the upper portion of the river are mostly in the gray areas where no clear interpretation can be made; however, there were no ratios greater than 4.0, to indicate signi- ficant waste primarily of human origin. Salmonella Isolation In addition to the determinations of total and fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci, special efforts were made to detect members of the genus Salmonella at selected stations. Isolation of this pathogen at a sampling station establishes the disease-producing potential of the water and is further evidence of fecal contamination. Attempts were made to isolate Salmonella at the background stations and all river stations. Salmonella serotypes were isolated at Station 3 (S. bredeney), Station 5 (S_^ reading) , Station 7 (S_^ muenchen) , Station 9 (S^_ ana turn) , and Station 11 (S^_ muenchen) . Soil Sampling A single soil sample was collected at one of the county approved septic ------- 25 tank waste disposal areas located off U. S. Highway 70. The indicator densities in this soil sample were >2,400,000 total coliform/gram, and 110,000 fecal coliforms/gram. Further examination revealed that the soil contained a minimum of 79,000 Escherichia coli Variety I/gram as determined by the IMViC classification (4). These high bacterial densities indicated the grossly polluted condition of soil in the disposal area. Indications were that the disposal site had not been used for at least one week prior to sampling. The high indicator densities, together with the absence of freshly dumped wastes, indicate an abundant reservoir of total and fecal coliform bacteria within the area. The potential danger exists during times of rain- fall for tremendous bacterial levels to enter nearby drainage ditches and eventually be discharged into the Newport River. ------- 26 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL RESULTS Newport Sewage Treatment Plant Chemical Quality The removal efficiencies for BOD5 and suspended solids were determined. BOD5 removal was approximately 83 percent and suspended solids removal was approximately 72 percent. The removal efficiencies for these parameters indicate the plant was operating at slightly less than peak efficiency during the study period. Flow Determinations The estimated flow during a five-day period, 12/4/71 through 12/8/71 at the Newport plant was 123,000 gpd. Chlorine Contact Time Determination Adequate disinfection of treated wastes is dependent on the level of residual chlorine in the effluent and the contact time between the chlorine and the wastes. Both the chlorine concentration present in the treated effluent and the contact time were determined for the Newport STP. Hourly total residual chlorine levels of th*> ^ treated wastes at the Newport STP cutoff (measured at the second mnhole In the outfall line) ed from 0.75 to 7.0 »g/l during the 24-hour period preceding chlorin] ^ cutoff (Table VIII) . Chlorine contact time was calculated as tim* ¦»*, lme ln the contact chamber plus additional contact time in the outfall n U Une t0 th« river. Rhodamlne WT dye was injected into the influent line of v, Of the chlorine contact charter, and the time for the dye peak to pass through th« u 8 he chamber and the time of flow in the outfall to the river were determined Th- ye study data are shown in Figure 8. ------- TABLE VIII TOTAL HOURLY RESIDUAL CHLORINE IN NEWPORT STP EFFLUENT * Time mg/1 0900 3.5 1000 3.0 1100 0.75 1200 1.0 1300 7.0 1400 7.0 1500 3.0 1600 2.0 1700 3.2 1800 4.5 1900 3.0 2000 3.7 2100 4.5 2200 4.0 2300 4.5 2400 3.7 0100 4.7 0200 7.0 0300 6.0 0400 6.0 0500 7.0 0600 7.0 0700 7<0 0800 7.0 * Measured at the second manhole in the outfall line. ------- 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 FIGURE 8 CHLORINE CONTACT TIMES AT NEWPORT STP-DECEMBER, 1971 MINUTES ------- 27 As shown in Figure 8, the contact time (time to reach peak dye concen- tration) for the contact chamber was approximately 24 minutes, with a leading edge time of approximately seven minutes. An additional 15 minutes of con- tact time occurs in the outfall line. These data indicate the minimum con- tact time in the chamber and the outfall line to be approximately 20 minutes. The mean contact time at which the highest fraction of the sewage flow would be exposed was approximately 40 minutes. These contact times were deter- mined at an average flow rate of approximately 136,000 gpd. West Carteret High School Sewage Treatment Plant Chemical Quality The only chemical parameter considered was residual chlorine. The total residual chlorine levels ranged from 0.05 - 2.5 mg/1 during the two- day sampling period. Flow Determination Effluent flow from the West Carteret plant was estimated to be 6,200 gpd. Newport River and Tributaries Sediment Characterization Results of the sediment analyses are shown in Table IX. Sediment col- lected immediately upstream from the Newport STP outfall contained a high concentration of organic carbon (6.4 percent) and relatively low organic nitrogen level (0.3 percent). However, samples collected in the vicinity of the outfall and to a point some 0.3 mile downstream (Station 2) had even higher concentrations of organic carbon (7.6 - 13.7 percent) and higji concen- trations of organic nitrogen (0.40-0.80 percent). The high organic carbon ------- TABLE IX SEDIMENT CHARACTERIZATION, NEWPORT RIVER December, 1971 Station Location COD mg/kg Organic Carbon % Organic Nitrogen mg/kg Total Phosphorus mg/kg Volatile Solids ppm Percent Moistui 20 yds above Newport STP outfall 173,000 6.4 2,900 844 150,815 59.1 20 yds below Newport STP outfall 368,000 13.7 7,000 1,547 304,040 81.5 50 yds below Newport STP outfall 448,000 16.7 8,000 891 414,080 83.1 100 yds below Newport STP outfall 321,000 12.0 4,000 703 241,620 77.2 Station 2 204,000 7.6 4,000 750 167,050 73.6 Station 3 158,000 5.9 3,300 478 131,430 67.1 Station 4 162,000 6.1 3,500 595 141,690 65.4 Station 6 19,000 7.1 850 124 24,480 35.1 Station 7 14,700 5.5 2,400 308 93,780 61.5 Station 8 5,600 0.21 250 92 4,520 22.5 Station 9 4,300 0.16 400 60 7,650 24.6 Station 10 189,000 7.1 400 572 118,100 64.3 Station 11 45,000 1.7 1,100 168 43,770 48.3 Station 12 87,000 3.2 2,250 291 73,230 59.1 ------- 28 and organic nitrogen concentrations downstream of the outfall indicate the presence of sludge deposits of municipal sewage origin. The presence of visible grease, and other solids of sewage origin were present in the sludge deposit. Downstream from Station 2 there was no additional evidence of sludge deposition. Chloride Concentrations Average surface chloride concentrations determined at each station are contained in Table X and shown in Figure 6. As shown, the maximum saltwater intrusion extends approximately four miles above the The Narrows at high tide. Low tide chloride concentrations in the river were extremely low except for Station 12, located in "The Narrows." All tributary chloride levels were low with the exceptions of Station 17 (Mill Creek), 20 (Little Creek Swamp), and 15 (Black Creek), where tidal influences were'present. Time of Travel Study Results of the tine of travel study from the Hewport STP effluent through "The Narrows" are shown in Figure 9. In conjunction with the chlorine cutoff study. Rhoda,»lne dye was re- leased at the Newport STP outfall on high alack tide. Within one-quarter hour, the tide began to abb and downstream movement of the dye cloud observed. Downstream movement of the dye was followed both visually and with the aid of Instruments. Strearflow during the time of travel study remained constant and was estimated to be approximately 34 cfs. Dnder these conditions, approx- imately 43 hour, was required for passage of th. dye from the Newport out- fall to Station 11 (Figure 9). The release of dye at high alack tide resulted In downstrw. ------- TABLE X AVERAGE SURFACE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS NEWPORT RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES December 1971 High Tide Low Tide Station mg/1 mg/1 1* 8 6 2 13 6 3 19 7 4 29 7 5 V 7 6 101 10 7 425 13 8 2.250 19 9 4,580 54 10 6,600 36 11 6,960 159 12 7,020 202 13 11 15** 14 12 12** 15 1,900 54 16 7 7 17 1,400 3,600** 19 15 15 20 5,760 725 * Average of Stations IN and IS. ** Single determination. ------- FIGURE 9 TIME OF TRAVEL FROM NEWPORT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT THROUGH THE STUDY REACH SCALE IN MILES -J I L I 111! I I I I I II 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 STATION ------- 29 movement during the first tidal cycle and in the shortest possible time of travel under similar flow conditions. If dye was released at low slack tide, an upstream movement would occur on the next tidal cycle and a longer time of travel would result. The additional time in such a case is estimated to be approximately 12 hours. This would result in an overall estimated time of travel of approximately 55 hours. Flow Determinations Flows were estimated for the Northwest and Southwest Prongs, Hull Swamp, and Deep Creek. Flows in the Northwest and Southwest Prongs were estimated to be 15.2 and 19.0 cfs, respectively. Flows in Hull Swamp and Deep Creek were estimated to be 2.9 and 15.0 cfs, respectively. STANDARDS VIOLATIONS River Stations 2 through 11 are located in Class C waters according to State of North Carolina. There were no bacterial standards violations at any of these river stations. Also the Northwest Prong, Southwest Prong, Deep Creek, Hull Swamp, and Black Creek are classified as Class C waters and all the stations located on these tributaries were able to meet the established bacteriological standard. Station 12, on the Newport River, was located in Class SA waters and there was a violation of the bacterial standard at this station. In addition, two stations located on Little Creek Swamp and Mill Creek which are classified as Class SA waters were in violation of the bacterial standard set for Class SA waters * V.S. Government Printing Office: 1972 — 741-659/8535 Region No. 4 ------- JU References 1. National Shellfish Sanitation Program Manual of Operations: Part 1 Sanitation of Shellfish Growing Areas, USPHS, U. S. Dept. of HEW, Washington, D. C. (1965). 2. Rules, Regulations, Classifications and Water Quality Standards Applicable to the Surface Waters of North Carolina, Department of Water and Air Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1970. 3. Carteret County, North Carolina County Facilities Plan, Public Improve- ments Program, State of North Carolina, Department of Local Affairs, Division of Community Planning, 1969. 4. American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 13th Edition, 1971. 5. Moore, B., "The Detection of Paratyphoid Carriers in Towns by Means of Sewage Examination." Bull. Hyg., 24, 187, 1949. 6. Spino, D. F., "Elevated-temperature Technique for the Isolation of Salmonella from Streams." Appl. Microbiol., 14, No. 4, 1966. 7. Ewing, W. H., "Enterobacteriaceae, Biochemical Methods for Group Differentiation." Public Health Service Publication No. 734, Revised 1962. 8. Edwards, P. R., and Ewing, W. H., Identification of Enterobacteriaceae. Burgess Publication Company, Minneapolis, Minn., 1962. 9. Environmental Protection Agency, Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1971. 10. EPA, Southeast Water Laboratory, Athens, Georgia. 11. Chemistry Laboratory Manual — Bottom Sediments, Great Lakes Region, EPA, 1969. ------- APPENDIX A ------- A-l STUDY METHODS BACTERIOLOGICAL SAMPLING All stream samples analyzed for indicator bacteria were collected near the surface using a grab technique. The samples were collected in sterile glass containers and placed on ice until time of analysis. Most samples were analyzed within four hours of collection. The sampling regime was dictated by tidal conditions. Stream samples were collected at both high and low slack tide. All of the main stem stream stations were sampled five times at both high and low tides. Stream samples collected for the purpose of isolating Salmonella were obtained using a modification of the swab technique of Moore (5). Sanitary napkins (swabs) were folded, gauze ends tied together, and a length of heavy string attached. The swabs were then wrapped in kraft paper and sterilized. The sterile swabs were suspended beneath the water surface at selected sampling stations. After three to five days, the swabs were retrieved, placed in sterile plastic bags, and returned to the laboratory for analysis. All Newport sewage treatment plant samples analyzed for indicator bacteria were collected on an hourly basis• Hourly influent (collected after wet well and pumps) plant samples were composited every four hours and hourly effluent (second manhole in outfall line) samples were composited every two hours for 24 hours. Total residual chlorine was determined for each hourly effluent sample. All chlorinated samples were dechlorinated using sterile 10 percent sodium thiosulfate. The samples were collected in sterile glass containers and placed on ice until analysis. Most samples were analyzed within eight hours of collection. All West Carteret Higfr School treatment plant samples analyzed for in- ------- A-2 dicator bacteria were collected on an hourly basis and composited every two hours for eight hours. Only effluent samples were collected. Residual chlorine was determined for each sample collected. All samples were dechlo- rinated using sterile 10 percent sodium thiosulfate. All samples were analyzed within six hours of collection. SOIL SAMPLING A soil sample was collected at a selected site in a sterile wide mouth sample bottle using a sterile spatual to remove the soil. After collection, the sample was returned to the laboratory for analysis. Representative 10 gram portions were weighed in sterile 250 ml beakers and aseptically trans- ferred to 90 ml dilution blanks. After thorough mixing, appropriate dilut- ions were made and total and fecal coliform analyses performed. BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION Total Coliform Enumeration; The standard coliform procedure outlined in Standard Methods (4) for the five-tube MPN multiple—tube dilution was used. The procedure employs lauryl tryptose broth incubated at 35 + 0.5°C for 24 and 48+3 hours followed by confirmation using brilliant green lac- tose bile broth incubated at 35 + 0.5°C for 24 and 48+3 hours. Fecal Coliform Enumeration; The fecal coliform procedure outlined in Standard Methods (4) for the five-tube MPN multiple-tube dilution was used. The procedure employs the standard presumptive test using lauryl tryptose broth followed by fecal coliform confirmation using EC medium at an elevated o o temperature (44.5 + 0.2 C waterbath) for 24+2 hours. IMViC Classification of Coliform Isolates; The IMViC reactions (indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate) were determined for some of the coliform isolates. These tests were performed according to Standard ------- A-3 Methods (4). Fecal Streptococci Enumeration; The membrance filter technique out- lined in Standard Methods (4) was used. The method employs M-Enterococcus o agar incubated at 35+0.5 C for 48 hours. Salmonella Isolation and Identification: Swabs used for isolation purposes were placed into wide-mouthed jars containing approximately 200 ml of 1 1/2 strength tetrathionate broth with brilliant green added. The inocu- lated enrichment was incubated from 24 to 48 hours at 41.5°C according to the procedure of Spino (6). After either primary or sub-culture enrichment, an inoculum for each enrichment was streaked onto Xylose Lysine Desoxycholate Agar (XLD) and Hektoen Enteric Agar (HE) plates and incubated at 35° + 0.5°C for 18-24 hours. Suspected Salmonella colonies were picked from the respec- tive plates and subjected to the identification scheme outlined in Table XI. The methods and media outlined in Table XI are described by Ewing (7), with the exception of the cytochrome oxidase method. Oxidase activity was determined using Patho-Tec-CO"~^ reagent impregnated strips. Definitive serological identification of Salmonella Isolates was made at the Southeast Water Laboratory, Athens, Georgia. The methodology used was the standard serological procedures described by Edwards and Ewing (8). CHEMICAL SAMPLING Daily stream samples were collected for chloride determinations. These samples were collected at the same depth (approximately one foot) as the bacteriological samples. Sediment samples were collected in the vicinity of the Newport STP 1/ Does not imply endorsement of the product. ------- Table XI IDENTIFICATION SCHEME FOR SALMONELLA SUSPECTS Suspect colony Lysine Iron Agar (LIA) Alkaline slant and alkaline or Acid slant and butt; Alkaline neutral butt with or without H#S slant and acid butt-DISCARD I Urease Production I ' I Positive Negative DISCARD | Cytochrome Oxidase Positive Negative OISCARO | Loctosc,Sodium Molonote; Indole Positive Negative OISCARO I Lysine decarboxylase, Citrate,Motility, H,S I | Positive Negative m J DISCARD Poly 0, Antisera I Positive Negative | OISCARO Complete Serological Identification Confirmation of identification by National Center for Disease Control ------- A-4 effluent and at each main-stem river station. These samples were collected in whirl-pak bags and frozen until analysis. The parameters analyzed for were: Parameter Method Reference o Chemical Oxygen Demand Acid-Dichromate Oxidation 4 o Volatile Solids Gravimetric, 550°C 4 o Total Phosphorus Automated (Ascorbic Acid) 9 o Percent Organic Carbon Calculated from COD 10 o Percent Organic Nitrogen Calculated 10 o o Percent Moisture Dry at 103 C 11 Hourly influent effluent samples were collected at the Newport STP (at the same points as bacteriological samples) and composited over a 24- hour period for chemical analysis. During the compositing period the samples were maintained in an iced condition. The parameters analyzed for were: Parameter Method Reference o o Suspended Solids Gravimetric, 103 C 4 o Volatile Solids Gravimetric, 550°C 4 o Total Phosphorus Automated (Ascorbic Acid) 9 o Organic Nitrogen Acid Digestion,Auto-phenolate 9, 11 o Nitrite-Nitrate Nitrogen Automated (Cadmium Reduction) 9 o Ammonia Automated Phenolate 9 o BOD^ Standard Method 4 FLOW DETERMINATIONS Time of Travel: Rhodamine WT dye (20% w/v) was injected into the river at the outfall line of the Newport STP on a high slack tide. Monitoring the dye cloud movement downstream was made using a fluorometer equipped with ------- A-5 a continuous flow-through adapter. Time of travel is the difference between the time the dye was added to the stream and the time the peak dye concentra- tion arrives at the selected downstream point. Tributary Flows; Streamflows were calculated for those major tributaries where tidal influences could be precluded. Average cross-sectional measure- ments and average velocities were determined at several tributary streams. All measurements were made at low slack tide on those tributaries affected by the tides. On those streams not affected by tides, either staff gages were installed or tape down references established for use in flow computation. Sewage Treatment Plant Flow: Instantaneous and average daily effluent flows were determined at the Newport STP. Flow determinations were made by setting up a stage recorder which was calibrated with two V-notch wiers located in the chlorine contact chamber. Flow determinations were made for five consecutive days. Chlorine Contact Time: Chlorine contact time at the Newport STP was determined for both the contact chamber and additional contact time obtained in the effluent line. Rhodamine WT dye was injected into the incoming line to the contact chamber. The chlorine contact chamber effluent line and the effluent line at the point of discharge to the river were monitored for dye concentrations. Samples were collected at five-minute intervals at the chamber effluent line and at 10-minute intervals at the river outfall. Samples were collected for a period of time sufficient to characterize the total detention time. ------- APPENDIX B ------- BACTERIAL DATA FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY DECEMBER, 1971 Total Coliforms Fecal Coliforms Fecal Streptococci Station 1-N 1-S Date Time per 100 ml* per 100 ml* per 100 ml** 12-3-71 1130 230 80 60 12-4-71 1236 2,300 490 600 12-5-71 1259 1,300 110 260 12-6-71 1455 790 80 240 12-7-71 0930 490 490 700 12-8-71 1003 230 130 180 12-9-71 1110 230 130 180 12-10-71 1133 110 50 160 12-3-71 1140 790 230 180 12-4-71 1243 700 490 1,200 12-5-71 1307 1,300 170 470 12-6-71 1502 490 80 610 12-7-71 0940 230 130 630 12-8-71 1010 700 170 70 12-9-71 1120 790 90 40 12-10-71 1140 330 80 <20 12-1-71 _ - 1,700 490 480 12-2-71 1132 220 170 760 12-3-71 1112 1,700 80 400 12-4-71 1225 3,300 2,300 1,400 12-5-71 1230 700 260 2,000 12-6-71 1402 3,300 130 310 12-7-71 0846 22,000 1,700 1,000 12-8-71 0921 1,300 220 90 12-9-71 1030 1,300 490 80 12-10-71 1100 330 80 140 12-1-71 _ _ 2,300 490 720 12-2-71 1128 790 130 380 12-3-71 1110 1,100 130 500 12-4-71 1206 1,700 170 740 12-5-71 1223 3,300 1,100 2,200 12-6-71 1359 2,300 230 800 12-7-71 0836 13,000 3,300 1,100 12-8-71 0917 1,100 230 230 12-9-71 1027 2,300 220 100 12-10-71 1055 490 230 120 * MPN ** Membrane filter. ------- BACTERIAL DATA FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY (cont'd) DECEMBER, 1971 Total Coliforms Fecal Coliforms Fecal Streptococci Station Date Time per 100 ml* per 100 ml* per 100 ml** 12-1-71 790 130 440 12-2-71 1125 330 230 600 12-3-71 1105 1,300 70 220 12-4-71 1204 2,200 130 900 12-5-71 1222 1,300 790 2,400 12-6-71 1356 2,300 1,300 750 12-7-71 0834 7,000 800 1,500 12-8-71 0915 3,300 330 190 12-9-71 1025 1,700 310 120 12-10-71 1052 400 170 160 12-1-71 1,700 490 620 12-2-71 1120 1,300 170 700 12-3-71 1100 3,300 170 480 12-4-71 1201 3,300 490 1,000 12-5-71 1220 13,000 2,200 2,100 12-6-71 1354 1,300 330 750 12-7-71 0830 49,000 1,700 1,800 12-8-71 0913 7,900 310 150 12-9-71 1023 1,300 130 300 12-10-71 1050 790 330 280 12-1-71 1,700 460 380 12-2-71 1115 1,700 130 820 12-3-71 1055 1,300 330 620 12-4-71 1157 7,900 330 920 12-5-71 1215 54,000 1,100 2,200 12-6-71 1348 2,300 490 810 12-7-71 0827 170,000 79,000 1,000 12-8-71 0910 3,300 790 230 12-9-71 1020 3,100 340 160 12-10-71 1045 790 130 200 12-1-71 .. 2,300 170 640 12-2-71 1110 7,900 1,300 680 12-3-71 1050 1,300 220 740 12-4-71 1153 4,900 490 1,200 12-5-71 1212 4,900 330 1,000 12-6-71 1342 4,900 700 1,600 12-7-71 0823 7,900 1,700 760 12-8-71 0905 35,000 2,200 140 12-9-71 1015 1,100 220 460 12-10-71 1040 490 230 280 * MPN ** Membrane filter. ------- BACTERIAL DATA FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY (cont'd) DECEMBER, 1971 Total Coliforms Station Date Time per 100 ml* Fecal Coliforms per 100 ml* Fecal Streptococci per 100 ml** 10 11 12-1-71 — 3,300 790 940 12-2-71 1105 1,300 490 720 12-3-71 1045 1,300 80 380 12-4-71 1150 2,300 230 540 12-5-71 1209 7,900 490 800 12-6-71 1336 2,300 490 1,100 12-7-71 0819 3,300 230 380 12-8-71 0900 22,000 2 ,300 460 12-9-71 1010 3,300 790 280 12-10-71 1035 1,300 170 280 12-1-71 4,900 110 460 12-2-71 1055 790 230 160 12-3-71 1015 330 20 20 12-4-71 1113 700 110 140 12-5-71 1154 310 110 750 12-6-71 1319 2,300 330 900 12-7-71 0804 1,300 230 620 12-8-71 0844 13,000 1 ,300 380 12-9-71 1006 7,000 790 200 12-10-71 1017 1,300 140 280 12-1-71 — 2,300 270 780 12-2-71 1045 490 50 140 12-3-71 1010 80 <20 20 12-4-71 1107 80 50 60 12-5-71 1150 330 80 170 12-6-71 1312 230 50 170 12-7-71 0757 1,700 330 520 12-8-71 0838 4,900 790 240 12-9-71 1000 13,000 3 ,300 340 12-10-71 1008 4,900 1 ,700 280 12-1-71 1300 7,000 70 380 12-2-71 1025 110 40 100 12-3-71 1005 80 20 <20 12-4-71 1100 170 50 80 12-5-71 1147 330 40 80 12-6-71 1305 110 <20 50 12-7-71 0753 7,900 700 560 12-8-71 0835 1,300 330 200 12-9-71 0956 7,000 2 ,200 280 12-10-71 1000 7,900 1 ,700 140 * MPN ** Membrane filter. * U.S. Government Printing Office: 1972 — 741-659/8535 Region Ho ------- BACTERIAL DATA FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY (cont'd) DECEMBER, 1971 Total Coliforms Fecal Coliforms Fecal Streptococci Station 12 13 14 15 16 17 Date Time per 100 ml* per 100 ml* per 100 i 12-1-71 1410 2,300 790 440 12-2-71 1010 130 50 80 12-3-71 0955 50 <20 20 12-4-71 1050 170 50 40 12-5-71 1140 1,100 40 70 12-6-71 1250 130 50 120 12-7-71 0736 3,300 700 740 12-8-71 0825 1,300 490 400 12-9-71 0945 4,900 3,300 280 12-10-71 0947 790 790 200 12-2-71 1537 2,300 330 680 12-3-71 1637 24,000 790 750 12-4-71 1727 7,900 790 9,500 12-8-71 0847 1,300 330 340 12-9-71 1300 1,700 170 260 12-2-71 1540 2,300 790 460 12-3-71 1640 4,900 330 1,000 12-4-71 1730 4,900 2,300 7,400 12-8-71 0855 7,900 490 220 12-9-71 1305 2,300 490 260 12-1-71 790 330 400 12-2-71 1100 1,100. 230 600 12-3-71 1028 -- -- 12-4-71 1125 1,406 230 600 12-5-71 1159 1,400, 230 700 12-6-71 1335 1,700 490 1,100 12-7-71 0815 130 80 640 12-8-71 0655 330 80 100 12-9-71 1008 790 70 180 12-10-71 1030 4,900 4,900 120 12-2-71 1547 330 20 <20 12-3-71 1647 4,900 50 800 12-4-71 1740 80 <20 440 12-8-71 0902 110 <20 <20 12-9-71 1310 <20 <20 20 12-2-71 1555 1,300 790 820 12-3-71 1655 2,300 790 950 12-4-71 1748 1,300 490 480 12-8-71 0911 790 330 160 12-9-71, 1320 1,400 1,400 160 * MPN ** Membrane filter. ------- BACTERIAL DATA FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY (cont'd) DECEMBER, 1971 Station Date Time 19 12-2-71 1615 12-3-71 1727 12-4-71 1702 12-8-71 0830 12-9-71 1340 20 12-1-71 1400 12-2-71 1020 12-3-71 1000 12-4-71 1055 12-5-71 1145 12-6-71 1256 12-7-71 0743 12-8-71 0830 12-9-71 0952 12-10-71 0953 Newport 12-2-71 1600 STP 12-3-71 1630 Outfall 12-8-71 0930 12-9-71 1035 12-10-71 1105 West Carteret 12-9-71 1000 High 12-9-71 1100 School 12-9-71 1200 STP 12-9-71 1240 12-9-71 1400 12-9-71 1500 12-9-71 1600 12-10-71 0930- 1000 12-10-71 1100- 1200 12-10-71 1300- 1400 12-10-71 1500- 1600 * MPN ** Membrane filter. Total Coliforms Fecal Coliforms Fecal Streptococci per 100 ml* per 100 mh per 100 ml ** 490 130 440 17,000 1,400 1,200 7,900 630 1,700 7,000 310 480 1,300 330 160 790 130 140 330 80 260 230 20 70 490 80 220 460 230 20 1,100 130 330 230 230 460 490 50 300 3,300 490 40 1,700 1,300 200 1,100 13 420 490 20 60 50 <20 <20 330 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 20 <20 20 <20 1,700 90 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 ------- |