Effects of Wastewater Discharge and Treatment Facility Upgrades on Environmental and Biological Conditions of Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas Active
The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of wastewater discharge and treatment facility upgrades on the environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, downstream from the Middle Basin wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Streamflow, discrete and continuously measured stream-water chemistry, streambed-sediment chemistry, and habitat data will be used to: evaluate differences in environmental conditions upstream and downstream from the wastewater discharge before and after WWTF upgrades; develop relations between continuously measured water-quality variables and discrete water-quality samples to define average annual concentrations and loads of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in Indian Creek; and determine the percent contribution of nutrients in wastewater discharge to total annual nutrient loads in Indian Creek. Periphyton, macroinvertebrate, and stream metabolism (primary productivity and respiration of biological communities) data will be used to evaluate differences in biological conditions upstream and downstream of the WWTF. Evaluation of both environmental and biological data allow assessment of the physical, chemical, and resulting ecological impacts.
Period of Project: May 2011 to June 2016
Objectives
The specific objective of this proposed study is to assess the effects of the Middle Basin wastewater discharge and treatment facility upgrades (completed summer 2010) on the environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek. This objective will be accomplished with the following general approaches:
- Determination of significant differences in water-quality, habitat, and biological community structure (periphyton and macroinvertebrates) and function (primary productivity and respiration) between sites located upstream and downstream of the wastewater discharges into Indian Creek.
- Development of relations between continuously monitored water-quality variables and discrete water-quality samples to define the average annual concentrations and loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in Indian Creek.
- Determination of the percent contribution of nutrients in wastewater discharge to total annual nutrient loads in Indian Creek.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through June 2013
Model documentation for relations between continuous real-time and discrete water-quality constituents in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through May 2013
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of wastewater discharge and treatment facility upgrades on the environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, downstream from the Middle Basin wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Streamflow, discrete and continuously measured stream-water chemistry, streambed-sediment chemistry, and habitat data will be used to: evaluate differences in environmental conditions upstream and downstream from the wastewater discharge before and after WWTF upgrades; develop relations between continuously measured water-quality variables and discrete water-quality samples to define average annual concentrations and loads of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in Indian Creek; and determine the percent contribution of nutrients in wastewater discharge to total annual nutrient loads in Indian Creek. Periphyton, macroinvertebrate, and stream metabolism (primary productivity and respiration of biological communities) data will be used to evaluate differences in biological conditions upstream and downstream of the WWTF. Evaluation of both environmental and biological data allow assessment of the physical, chemical, and resulting ecological impacts.
Period of Project: May 2011 to June 2016
Objectives
The specific objective of this proposed study is to assess the effects of the Middle Basin wastewater discharge and treatment facility upgrades (completed summer 2010) on the environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek. This objective will be accomplished with the following general approaches:
- Determination of significant differences in water-quality, habitat, and biological community structure (periphyton and macroinvertebrates) and function (primary productivity and respiration) between sites located upstream and downstream of the wastewater discharges into Indian Creek.
- Development of relations between continuously monitored water-quality variables and discrete water-quality samples to define the average annual concentrations and loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in Indian Creek.
- Determination of the percent contribution of nutrients in wastewater discharge to total annual nutrient loads in Indian Creek.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas
Contaminants from point and other urban sources affect stream quality in Indian Creek, which is one of the most urban drainage basins in Johnson County, Kansas. The Johnson County Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin and Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facilities discharge to Indian Creek. Data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Johnson County Wastewater, during June 2004 thAuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Guy M. FosterEffects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through June 2013
Indian Creek is one of the most urban drainage basins in Johnson County, Kansas, and environmental and biological conditions of the creek are affected by contaminants from point and other urban sources. The Johnson County Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin (hereafter referred to as the “Middle Basin”) and Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) discharge to Indian Creek. In summer 2010,AuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Mandy L. Stone, Teresa J. Rasmussen, Guy M. Foster, Barry C. Poulton, Chelsea R. Paxson, Theodore D. HarrisModel documentation for relations between continuous real-time and discrete water-quality constituents in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through May 2013
Johnson County is the fastest growing county in Kansas, with a population of about 560,000 people in 2012. Urban growth and development can have substantial effects on water quality, and streams in Johnson County are affected by nonpoint-source pollutants from stormwater runoff and point-source discharges such as municipal wastewater effluent. Understanding of current (2014) water-quality conditioAuthorsMandy L. Stone, Jennifer L. Graham - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.