EFFECTS OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON AQUATIC COMMUNITIES, BOISE RWER, IDAHO¹

Abstract

Aquatic communities in the Boise River were examined from October 1987 to March 1988 to determine whether they were adversely affected by trace elements in effluents from two Boise wastewater treatment facilities. Trace‐element concentrations in the Boise River were less than or near analytical‐detection levels and were less than chronic toxicity criteria when detectable. Insect communities colonizing artificial substrates upstream and downstream from the wastewater treatment facilities were strongly associated, and coefficients of community loss indicated that effluents had benign enriching effects. The distributions of trace‐element‐intolerant mayflies indicated that trace‐element concentrations in effluents did not adversely affect intolerant organisms in the Boise River. Condition factor of whitefish was significantly increased downstream from the Lander Street wastewater treatment facility and was significantly decreased downstream from the West Boise wastewater treatment facility.

Integrating water-quality management and land-use planning in a watershed context

“…The lack of strong impact may be attributed to the better municipal WWTP practices (OEPA, 1995). The result concurs with findings by others that improved management of sewage reduced the impact on receiving waters (Wichert, 1995;Frenzel, 1990). The result also suggests a further study to analyze the discrepancy of the sensitivities of fish indicators (IBI) and invertebrate indicators (ICI) to WWTP discharges.…”

Quantification of Human Polyomaviruses JC Virus and BK Virus by TaqMan Quantitative PCR and Comparison to Other Water Quality Indicators in Water and Fecal Samples

“…HPyVs and M. smithii more closely mimicked the persistence of adenovirus in sewage than the other microbes. The use of this rapid and quantitative assay in water quality research could help regulatory agencies to identify sources of water pollution for improved remediation of contaminated waters and ultimately protect humans from exposure to pathogens.Maintaining healthy coastal water systems is essential, since poor water quality can have detrimental effects on mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, the fishing and shellfish harvesting industries, and the health of recreational water users (1,5,15,17,20,44). Since 1972 in the United States, each state has been required to set total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for pollutants in water bodies according to section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (50).…”

Fish communities and related environmental conditions of the lower Boise River, southwestern Idaho, 1974-2004

“…In 1988, the USGS evaluated the effect of multiple wastewater discharges on water quality and aquatic communities in the lower Boise River (Frenzel, 1988;1990).…”