Data was collected as part of basin wide synoptic sample events in May, July and September. All three sample events included the following parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and bacteria/pathogens. Field observations were generally made for rainfall, stream flow and turbidity. In addition, selected parameters were collected based on seasonal priorities for the spring and fall. These are detailed below.
The spring sample event occured during the period of May 9th – 10th with a total of 49 sites reporting. All sites were analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria, estradiol 17B and the following herbicides: acetochlor, metolachlor, glyphosate, and triazines. 41 sites were found to be exceeding the Kentucky surface water standard of 400 CFU/100ml for fecal coliform. Of the herbicides, triazines and metolachlor were the most commonly detected. 3 sites indicated the presence of the estradiol 17B compound. These 3 sites (U69, U74 & U79) were retested in late May/early June with U69 and U79 again testing positive for this compound. The complete results for this sample event can be found at this link.
The summer sample event occured during the period of July 11th – 12th with a total of 54 sites reporting. All sites were anaylzed for fecal colifrom bacteria with 38 sites exceeding the Kentucky surface water standard of 400 CFU/100ml. UCWW initiated 12 quality assurance (QA) samples during this event with 6 blanks and 6 duplicates. All six blanks reported no positive bacteria growth (NG), which is optimal. The complete results for this sample event can be found at this link.
The fall sample event occured on September 13th with 54 sites reporting. All sites were analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria with 46 sites showing exceedance of the Kentucky surface water standard of 400 CFU/100ml for fecal coliform bacteria. All sites were also analyzed for alkalinity, total suspended solids, hardness, conductance, sulfate, chloride, total phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen(NO3-N), and total nitrogen. Additionally, 18 sites were analyzed for estradiol 17B, but none tested positive for this compound. The complete results for this sample event can be found at this link.