Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 84
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Project Title:
On-Site Disposal System Leachate Detector Pilot
Project Description as Proposed:
As an agency with
lead responsibilities under the Virginia Nonpoint Source Pollution
Management Program (http://www.dcr.state.va.us/sw/npsupdt.htm),
VDH will continue to address septic system issues within Virginia's
coastal zone. This project supports implementing 1) Coastal Chapter:
Objective 5 and 2) Construction & Development Chapter: Objective
25. This project will allow VDH and local governments to better
identify the location of OSDS impacts and implement corrective measures.
Information will be provided to local and state agency staff. Local
health departments will be able to better target failing septic
systems and to initiate remedial actions.
This project builds on an FY 2001 grant to evaluate the use of a
leachate detector in an estuarine environment to determine if the
equipment can detect a human waste signature. The leachate detector
is based on fluorescence imaging and detects compounds that fluoresce
under ultraviolet light, such as urine, fecal sterols, and detergent
brighteners. The detector responded affirmatively to tidal water
samples taken in the field where a human signature was known to
already exist through microbial source tracking efforts. Additionally,
the detector correctly identified samples in controlled laboratory
tests that had been spiked with detergents and/or septage. Samples
without septage or detergents (or containing detergents without
optical brighteners) all failed to fluoresce. While these results
are very encouraging, additional field work needs to be conducted
to confirm these initial results. The work to be completed involves
evaluating different UV wavelengths and determining how best to
quench natural fluorescent compounds such as those produced by marine
algae. The instrument to be used is from Turner Designs, Inc. and
is the Model 10-AU Field Fluorometer. The instrument can be used
for discrete sample studies in the lab or continuous flow for field
applications.
The Department of Conservation & Recreation will contract with
scientists at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(VA Tech) to expand on the FY 2001 project. This year will focus
on working with two distinct government entities at different scales.
The Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Sanitation
(DSS) conducts thousands of water samples annually and is responsible
for conducting shoreline inventories to identify impacts throughout
the tidal areas of the coastal zone. At a more local level, Prince
William County is evaluating available methodologies to identify
where human waste is causing water quality impacts. VA Tech will
train both entities on the use of the detector, assist in compiling
the results, and develop a protocol on using the leachate detector.
If successful, this project will allow VDH to better implement the
National Shellfish Sanitation Program in Virginia and provide an
inexpensive field methodology for regional and local efforts to
address impacts to water quality from human waste. VDH would begin
their shoreline surveys by floating along the shoreline of tidal
areas, and use the flourimetry to determine sections of shoreline
that were associated with a signal indicating human leachate. Then,
while conducting on shore property-by property inspections of onsite
sanitary waste disposal facilities, personnel would know which areas
to intensely investigate. Furthermore, VDH would establish additional
sea water sampling stations in shellfish areas showing a human signature,
and would analyze them for fecal coliform bacteria. Based on a cost
analysis of purchase ($15,316) versus rental ($23,814), a portion
of the funds will be used to purchase a flourometer.
Federal Funding:
$24,356
Project Contact:
Rick Hill, 804.786.7119, Richard.Hill@dcr.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Open
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
