HomeMy WebLinkAbout; Municipal Golf Course Water Quality Monitoring; Municipal Golf Course Water Quality Monitoring; 2004-11-18CITY OF CARLSBAD
MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
WATER QUALITY
MONITORING PLAN
Prepared for:
CITY OF CARLSBAD
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008
Contact: John Cahill
Telephone: 760-602-2726
Prepared by:
P&D ENVIRONMENTAL
A Division of P&D Consultants, Inc.
8954 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 610
San Diego, California 92108
Contact: Betty Dehoney
Telephone: 619-291-1475
November 18, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
2.0 PLAN OBJECTIVES 2
3.0 MONITORING LOCATIONS 2
3.1 Groundwater 2
4.2 Surface Water 2
4.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION, TIMING AND FREQUENCY 2
4.1 Pre-Construction (Baseline) Groundwater Monitoring 2
4.2 Post-Construction Groundwater Monitoring 4
4.3 Pre-Construction (Baseline) Surface Water Monitoring 4
4.4 Post-Construction Surface Water Monitoring 4
5.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION 4
6.0 CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY 5
7.0 SAMPLE MAINTENANCE AND TRANSPORT 5
8.0 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS 5
8.1 Nitrates and Nitrites 5
8.2 Total Phosphorus 6
8.3 Dissolved Oxygen 6
8.4 Hydrogen-Ion Activity (pH) 7
8.5 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 7
8.6 Acute and Chronic Toxicity 7
9.0 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 8
10.0 DOCUMENTATION 8
11.0 CORRECTIVE ACTION 8
12.0 REVIEW AND UPDATE OF WQMP 9
List of Figures
Figure 1 Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Water Quality Monitoring Sites 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP) has been prepared to identify water quality
monitoring and performance measures for the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course.
Additionally this plan has been designed to satisfy a portion of the permit processing
requirements of the California Coastal Commission (CCC)(#A-6-CII-0087).
The City of Carlsbad recognizes the importance of sound environmental stewardship, and
is committed to optimizing its golf course management practices to protect the
environment within, and surrounding, the golf course. This includes protecting the
quality of surface water and groundwater.
A Turf and Pest Management Plan (TPMP) has also been prepared for the Carlsbad
rMunicipal Golf Course. This plan emphasizes minimal use of fertilizers, and also calls
for the use of slow releasing fertilizers. Additionally, the plan sets forth guidelines on the
proper time to use fertilizers (not during a storm event). The TPMP will serve as a first
line of defense in reducing potential water quality impacts at the Carlsbad Municipal Golf
Course.
2.0 PLAN OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the WQMP for the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course include:
• Establish baseline surface and ground water quality at the golf course.
• Establish a water quality monitoring schedule.
• Establish reporting requirements for water quality test results.
• Identify corrective actions.
• Comply with the requirements of the CCC Coastal Development permit.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
3.0 MONITORING LOCATIONS
The WQMP provide guidance on testing both groundwater and surface water. Locations
for surface and groundwater testing are depicted on Figure 1, and described below.
3.1 Groundwater
A groundwater sampling point, noted as A\ on Figure 1, will be placed at the upper
portion of Marcario Canyon within the boundaries of the golf course. Another sampling
point, identified as A2 on Figure 1, will be placed at the lower portion of Marcario
Canyon, at the western edge of the golf course.
3.2 Surface Water
A surface water sampling point, noted as BI on Figure 1, has been identified for the upper
portion of Marcario Canyon within the boundaries of the golf course. Another sampling
point, noted as B2 on Figure 1, has been identified within the lower portion of Marcario
Canyon, at the western edge of the golf course.
4.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION, TIMING, AND FREQUENCY
4.1 Pre-Construction (Baseline) Groundwater Monitoring
Monitoring wells will be installed in the locations identified in Section 3.1. Monitoring
site AI is assumed to be outside the golf course area of influence, while monitoring site
Az is located at the downstream boundary of the golf course.
Sampling for baseline data for groundwater shall also be conducted a minimum of three
times and during different level of storm events (including dry) to acquire a
representative sample of water quality conditions at the site. Samples shall be collected
and submitted for testing on a quarterly basis until active application of fertilizer to the
golf course begins. The samples will be tested per the parameters identified in Section
8.0, and data acquired from this unit of testing will be used to establish groundwater
baseline measurements for these parameters.
Baseline testing will also identify any natural upstream and downstream differences in
groundwater as it passes through the undeveloped project site.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course _
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
CZJ
Note: Sampling locations are generalized.
1 inch = 500 Feet
Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Sites
"P&D Environmental Services Figure 1
4.2 Post-Construction Groundwater Monitoring
Samples will be collected from the locations identified in Section 4.2 and submitted for
testing within three months after the first fertilizer and/or pesticide application has been
made to the golf course, and quarterly thereafter. Samples will be tested per the
parameters identified in Section 8.0.
4.3 Pre-Construction (Baseline) Surface Water Monitoring.
Sampling for baseline data for surface water shall also be conducted a minimum of three
times and during different level of storm events (including dry weather) to acquire a
representative sample of water quality conditions at the site. Samples shall be collected
and submitted for testing on a quarterly basis until active application of fertilizer to the
golf course begins. The samples will be tested per the parameters identified in Section
8.0, and data acquired from this unit of testing will be used to establish surface water
baseline measurements for these parameters.
Baseline testing will also identify any natural upstream and downstream differences in
surface water as it passes through the undeveloped project site.
4.4 Post-Construction Surface Water Monitoring
Samples will be collected from the locations identified in Section 4.2 and submitted for
testing within three months after the first fertilizer and/or pesticide application has been
made to the golf course, and quarterly thereafter. Additionally, three samples will be
taken during various-level storm events each year when visible runoff reaches the creek.
One dry weather sample will be taken each year. Timing of sampling should be shortly
after an irrigation cycle has been completed, with the intent that if runoff is occurring into
the creek, sampling will identify runoff constituents. Samples will be tested per the
parameters identified in Section 8.0. •
5.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION
Samples will be collected and transported to testing laboratories by a service separate
from, and designated by, the City of Carlsbad that has training in proper sample
collection.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
J 6.0 CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY
Chain-of-custody will be documented for all samples from the point of sample collection
to the point of sample receipt by the testing laboratory.
J 7.0 SAMPLE MAINTENANCE AND TRANSPORT
1_!' All laboratory test results will be linked by the laboratory sample identification number
I and the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course identified assigned to the sample at the time of
j sample collection.
j
1] After collection, samples will be stored at 4° C (-39° F) in the dark. Samples will be
maintained at 4° C during transports to the testing laboratory and will be delivered to the
]j testing laboratory no more than twenty-four hours following sample collection.
1
I 8.0 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS
Soil amendments (fertilizers) and pesticides will be used periodically at the golf course.
| Therefore, nutrients associated with fertilizers will form the basis of the sampling
program. Using the appropriate United States Environmental Protections Agency (EPA)
"j testing method, water samples will be tested for the parameters identified in Sections 8.1
-I- through 8.6 of this plan. EPA testing methods are available on-line at:
i http://www.epa.gov/epahome/index/.
8.1 Nitrates and Nitrites
]Nitrites and nitrates are a major constituent in fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizer will be
]] periodically applied to the portions of golf course turf as part of the turf management
j plan. Nitrate and nitrite are inorganic forms of nitrogen in the aquatic environment.
i Nitrate along with ammonia are the forms of nitrogen used by plants. Nitrates and nitrites
Li are formed through the oxidation of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria, a process known as
nitrification. In turn they are converted to other nitrogen forms by denitrification and
] plant uptake.
]! Nitrites can produce a serious condition in fish called "brown blood disease." Nitrites also
' react directly with hemoglobin in human blood and other warm-blooded animals to
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
produce, which destroys the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen. Nitrites
convert to nitrates quickly through contact with bacteria in water.
Nitrates are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units that combine with various organic and
inorganic compounds. They are essential nutrients for plants, which absorb them from
soil. The excess nitrates not used by the plants are carried through the soil to ground
water in a process called "leaching." Nitrate reactions in fresh water can cause oxygen
depletion. Thus, aquatic organisms depending on the supply of oxygen in the stream will
die.
Both surface water and groundwater will be analyzed for nitrates and nitrites.
8.2 Total Phosphorus
Phosphorus fertilizer will be periodically applied to portion of the course turf, as
identified in the Turf and Pest Management Plan. Phosphates stimulate the growth of
plankton and aquatic plants which provide food for fish. This increased growth may
cause an increase in the fish population and improve the overall water quality. However,
if an excess of phosphate enters the waterway, algae and aquatic plants will grow wildly,
choke up the waterway and consume large amounts of oxygen. This condition is known
as eutrophication or over-fertilization of receiving waters. The rapid growth of aquatic
vegetation can cause the death and decay of vegetation and aquatic life because of the
decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. No state of federal criterion for total phosphorus has
been recommended for the protection of either freshwater or saltwater aquatic life.
Both surface water and groundwater will be analyzed for phosphorus.
8.3 Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, measured in milligrams
per liter (mg/L). This component of water is critical to the survival of various aquatic life
in streams, such as fish. The ability of water to hold oxygen in solution is inversely
proportional to the temperature of the water. For example, the cooler the water
temperature, the more dissolved oxygen it can hold.
Surface water will be analyzed for dissolved oxygen.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
8.4 Hydrogen-Ion Activity (pH)
pH provides a measure, on a scale from 0 to 14, of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution,
where 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is acidic, and less than 7 is basic). The pH of the water
is important because it affects the solubility and availability of nutrients, and how they
can be used by aquatic organisms. The EPA Water Quality Criteria for the protection of
freshwater aquatic life ranges from 6.5 to 9.0 units
pH will also be monitored on the golf course, and the additional of acid or alkaline, may
be required in order to optimize the take up of nutrients by the turf.
Both surface water and groundwater will be analyzed for pH.
8.5 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is a measure of the suspended organic and inorganic solids
in water. Suspended solids are deleterious to benthic organisms and may cause the
formation of anaerobic conditions. They can clog fish gills and interfere with respiration
in aquatic fauna. They also screen out light, hindering photosynthesis and normal aquatic
plant growth and development.
Both surface water and groundwater will be analyzed for TSS.
8.6 Acute and Chronic Toxicity
Toxicity is the adverse response of organisms to chemical for physical agents. Acute
toxicity is the ability of a substance to cause harmful effects soon after a single exposure
or dose. Chronic toxicity is the effect of repeated or long-term exposure to a substance.
Both surface and groundwater will be analyzed for toxicity.
Toxicity will be assessed using the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia, in accordance with
methods recommended by the EPA. The test procedure consisted of exposing IOC.
dubia neonates (less than 24 hours old) to the samples for six days.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
9.0 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
For all parameters identified in Section 8.0, post-construction test results will be
compared to pre-established baseline values. For nitrates, nitrites, total phosphorus,
dissolved oxygen, and total suspended solids, a change of 15 % between the baseline data
and the data gathered during project construction/operation will be considered significant.
The comparison of the baseline and project construction/operation samples may need to
be adjusted to reflect natural variability in samples. For example, if baseline data taken
before project construction identifies a variability in the upper and lower sample sites, a
condition that occurs before the project is developed, then, this variability would also be
considered in the final interpretation of results. After this adjustment is made, if required
based upon the baseline data, then a change of 15% or greater would require the
adherence to procedures in Section 11.0 of this plan.
For pH, the results should be within the 6.5 to 9.0 range. Results outside this range will
require adherence to procedures in Section 11.0 of this plan. For the toxicity tests, if
mortality results exceed accepted standards, the procedures in Section 11.0 will be
followed.
10.0 DOCUMENTATION
All activities associated with the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Water Quality
Monitoring plan will be documented, including sample collection, chain-of-custody, test
results, interpretation of results, and summary reports. All original documents will be
maintained onsite at the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course. Water quality monitoring
reports summarizing laboratory testing results will be prepared following each round of
testing (i.e., quarterly).
An annual summary report shall be submitted to the Executive Director of the CCC.
11.0 CORRECTIVE ACTION
In the event that water quality threshold levels are exceeded, the City of Carlsbad shall
notify the Executive Director of the CCC within 48 hours. The notification shall detail
the exceedence and potential impacts. At this time, the City shall also consult with the
Executive Director regarding the need for additional sampling to evaluate the exceedance
or corrective action to minimize water quality impacts. The City shall report to the
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course ,
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
Executive Director on the possible causes of the exceedance and proposed corrective
actions within 30 days of the initial receipt of data.
In the event that water quality impacts persist after three years of detection, not
withstanding any corrective action taken by the City, all use of the chemicals that area
contributing to the exceedance of water quality threshold levels shall cease.
12.0 REVIEW AND UPDATE OF WQMP
This document should be considered flexible, and shall be periodically reviewed to
ensure that the most current water quality monitoring protocol are being implemented.
This could include sampling locations, constituents monitored, sampling schedule, and
analysis criterion. No changes shall be made to this plan without approval by the
Executive Director of the CCC.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Water Quality Monitoring Plan