Impact of discharges from point and nonpoint sources on water quality of the upper Reedy River near Greenville, South Carolina

Impacts of discharge from nonpoint sources in the urban area of Greenville, South Carolina and from the point source, the Mauldin Road Wastewater Treatment Plant, on water quality of the Reedy River were studied from October 1979 through September 1980. Streamflow and water-quality data were collected before and during two storms. The pH and concentrations of organic nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate plus nitrate, ultimate carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and orthophosphate were determined. Streamflow and concentrations of dissolved oxygen were measured continuously at three stations from May through September 1980. Discharge from the point source resulted in average daily concentrations of dissolved oxygen less than 5 milligrams per liter in the Reedy River on 34 days during low streamflow in the summer of 1980. During periods of high streamflow that resulted from the two storms. Dissolved oxygen remained at about 5 milligrams per liter in the Reedy River because increased dilution of loads of oxygen-demanding materials reduced the impacts of these loads on the quality of the Reedy River. (USGS)