Non-Point Source Pollution Controls For The United States Virgin Islands

 

 

 



The Nature of the Problem

When rain falls, water striking the surface of the land washes off into coastal ponds, bays and estuaries. On the way it picks up soil and contaminants from the ground surface. If the storm water runoff discharges through a pipe or gut it is called a "point source" discharge. If it reaches the shore by flowing over the land it is considered a "non-point source". Stormwater discharges can cause serious water quality problems, especially in the Virgin Islands where soil is a limited resource and so much of life depends on the sea.

Working Toward a Solution

The best way to protect the waters of the Territory from pollution by storm water runoff is to keep the contaminants from entering the storm water. The DPNR has received a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency to develop regulations to control non-point sources of pollution in the Virgin Islands. DPNR is working with a consultant, Maguire Group Inc. to develop Draft Regulations for non-point source controls. This brochure describes some of the problems caused by non-point source pollution and some of the controls being considered to protect water quality.

Continued Below    

Getting Involved In Non-Point Source Controls For The U.S. Virgin Islands
You can help protect the waters of our islands. Here are three ways that you can get involved:
1. Identify And Eliminate Potential Sources Of Non-Point Pollution
Be alert for sources of pollution which might come in contact with storm water runoff in your neighborhood. Try to get them cleaned up or removed before a small problem becomes a big one. Make sure that trash and debris are disposed of promptly and properly. Don't cut or remove vegetation needlessly. Fix oil and coolant leaks in your vehicles and never dump wastes or oil into catch basins and storm drains.
2. Help The Department Of Planning And Natural Resources Develop The New Regulations
You can help develop the new storm water regulations by reviewing the draft and contributing your ideas and comments. To obtain a copy of the draft regulation, contact Syed Syedali, Environmental Engineer, DPNR Division of Environmental Protection at (340) 773-1082 or Eric Douglas, Project Manager, Maguire Group Inc. at (340) 713-9331. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
3. Encourage Your Elected Officials To Support Legislation Controlling Non-Point Sources
Make your views known by writing or calling you local representatives. Tell them that you support controls on non-point sources of pollution to protect water quality.

Making Stormwater Cleaner

Point source stormwater discharges are regulated under the Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). Non-point sources in coastal watersheds are addressed in the Coastal Non-point Source Control Plan. The most effective controls for stormwater are site controls. Site controls prevent contaminants from coming in contact with rainwater, minimizing the potential for contamination of runoff. Site controls include holding soil on construction sites by careful routing of drainage, preserving plant coverage, adding silt barriers, creating planted buffers, covering exposed surfaces, mulching, and staking down matting. Site controls also provide treatment for the runoff from roads and parking areas. Site controls ensure that stockpiles of raw materials, industrial products, agricultural products and solid waste are stored under cover where they will not be exposed to rainfall. Site controls also mean installing and maintaining septic systems so that they do not overflow onto the surface of the ground.

Agriculture

Runoff from farms can introduce soil, manure, agricultural chemicals and other contaminants into stormwater.  The potential for contamination depends on the amount of land occupied by the farm and the management practices of the owner or operator.  More controls are needed on larger farms and fewer controls on smaller farms.  Stormwater regulations should encourage all farmers to work with the US Department of Agriculature, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop soil conservation programs.  A stormwater ordinance is needed to encourage safe handling of fertilizers, pesticides and farm products and ensure their use and storage in a manner which reduces the potential for their exposure to rainfall. Farmers with NRCS approved management plans may not need further regulation by a stormwater ordinance.

Land clearing and Construction

Site clearing and construction remove the vegetation and disturb the soil, increasing the potential for erosion and sedimentation.  The potential for problems depends on the amount of land cleared, the erodibility of the soil, and the slope of the site.  Erosion cannot be prevented, but it can be minimized through management. Construction should be timed to occur in the dry season.  Site controls should be put in place before clearing is started. The DPNR presently regulates land clearing activities.  A stormwater control ordinance is needed to reinforce DPNR's authority, clarifying requirements for non-point source control in land clearing activities.

Septic Systems

Septic systems can contaminate storm water if they fail and overflow onto the ground or if they are flooded or washed out during storms. Material from septic systems (septage) contains bacteria which can transmit diseases, nutrients and organic matter which can stimulate algae growth and use up oxygen in water. To protect stormwater from septage contamination it is necessary to prohibit discharge of leachate into drainage systems or onto the surface of the ground. Septic systems are already regulated for public health reasons. The DPNR is in the process of drafting coordinated with these new regulations. Non-point source protection of stormwater runoff can be included in the new septic system regulations as well.