Big Sandy HUC # 05070204
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Physiography The Big Sandy sub-basin is located in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field physiographic region. This is the most significant coal-producing region in the state and is important in terms of natural gas production. The region is characterized by high, sharp-crested ridges with little level upland area and narrow stream valleys. The sub-basin resides predominantly in the Kanawha geological section of the Appalachian Plateau. It is underlain by Paleozoic rocks of Pennsylvanian age, which are sandstone and shale. The limestone may be present as beds. The fresh-saline water interface is generally located within 200 feet of the land surface in the Big Sandy River Basin. Hydrology The Big Sandy sub-basin is classified as an eight-digit hydrologic unit and referenced as HUC # 05070204. The Big Sandy River flows northward from Lawrence County toward Boyd County. The Big Sandy River sub-basin includes parts of Lawrence and Johnson Counties. A major tributary in the Big Sandy River sub-basin is the Blaine Creek. The Big Sandy River sub-basin is located in the aquifer where half of the wells yield less than 50 gallons per minute (gpm), and the remaining wells yield from 50 to 500 gpm. The available groundwater resource varies significantly from season to season, with supplies diminishing rapidly in dry weather because of the rapid drainage and shallow soils of the area. |
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Problems
Bacteriological problems in the PRIDE area can be linked to four specific causes, all linked to improper disposal of sewage. Improper operation of wastewater treatment plants and small privately owned package plants may cause significant pathogen impairment problems. Package plants are small wastewater treatment facilities. Soils and terrain in the county are often inadequate to support traditional septic systems. The presence of numerous straight pipes is also a source of impairment of streams by pathogens. A straight pipe is a sewer line from a house or building that discharges raw sewage directly into a receiving stream or river. The final cause for bacteriological impairment is the failure of septic systems due to improper design and/or lack of maintenance. In many cases, such systems can have as significant impact on nearby streams as ineffective package plants or straight pipes.
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Problems
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Programs
Several programs are in place to alleviate the above-mentioned problems in the Big Sandy River sub-basin. The Septic System Loan Program provides low-interest loans for individuals to purchase and install septic tanks or other wastewater treatment/disposal systems. Loans are also available for sewage line tap-on fees. Applications are available through the PRIDE Office or the local Area Development District Office. Another program being implemented to increase the treatment of wastewater is the 201 Wastewater Facilities Planning program. In order for a community or regional area to receive federal funding for specific waste treatment facilities, a 201 plan must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth under Section 201 of the Clean Water Act.
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Programs
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Monitoring
The annual Big Sandy
River sub-basin water quality assessment will be based on the use of data
obtained from the Division of Water ambient network, Big Sandy River Watershed
Watch network, and additional targeted sites. The Division of Water samples
for temperature, pH, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, and Fecal Coliform. The
Watershed Watch network is a voluntary effort and periodically samples
for various chemical, biological, and physical parameters, including Fecal
Coliform. An evaluation of the current sampling locations in light of
existing problems reveals a need for additional targeted stations in each
of the major river basins.
Monitoring
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Data Assessment
Coliform bacteria are a category of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and of warm- and cold-blooded animals. They aid in the digestion of food. They are sometimes quantified from water samples as total Coliform bacteria. A specific subgroup of total Coliform bacteria is Fecal Coliform bacteria, the most common member being Escherichia coli. These organisms may be separated from the total Coliform group by their ability to grow at elevated temperatures and are associated only with the fecal material of warm-blooded animals.
The presence of Fecal Coliform bacteria in aquatic environments indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of humans or other animals. At the time this occurred, the source water may have been contaminated by pathogens or disease- producing bacteria or viruses which can also exist in fecal material. Waterborne pathogenic diseases include typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A. The presence of fecal contamination is an indicator that a potential health risk exists for anyone exposed to this water. Fecal Coliform bacteria may occur in ambient water as a result of the overflow of domestic sewage or non-point sources of human and animal waste. The state limit for Fecal Coliform bacteria depends on the designated uses of the stream. For swimming (primary contact recreation), the state requires that there be no more than 400 colonies present per 100 ml of water.
