Protecting water quality in the watershed

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of the American Water Works Association; (United States)

OSTI ID:7078473

James, C R; Johnson, K E ^[1]; Stewart, E H ^[2]

---

1. Montgomery Watson, Walnut Creek, CA (United States)
2. San Francisco Water Dept., Millbrae, CA (United States)

This article highlights the water quality component of a watershed management plan being developed for the San Francisco (CA) Water Department. The physical characteristics of the 63,000-acre watersheds were analyzed for source and transport vulnerability for five groups of water quality parameters--particulates, THM precursors, microorganisms (Giardia and cryptosporidium), nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and synthetic organic chemicals--and vulnerability zones were mapped. Mapping was achieved through the use of an extensive geographic information system (GIS) database. Each water quality vulnerability zone map was developed based on five watershed physical characteristics--soils, slope, vegetation, wildlife concentration, and proximity to water bodies--and their relationships to each of the five groups of water quality parameters. An approach to incorporate the watershed physical characteristics information into the five water quality vulnerability zone maps was defined and verified. The composite approach was based in part on information gathered from existing watershed management plans.

• OSTI ID: 7078473
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Water Works Association; (United States), Vol. 86:8; ISSN 0003-150X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
POLLUTION SOURCES
PARTICULATES
WATER UTILITIES
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
WATERSHEDS
WATER QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
PARTICLES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)