ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE LITTLE TALLAPOOSA RIVER WATERSHED: VARIATIONS IN WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS WITH SEASONALITY, LAND USAGE, AND POINT SOURCES

The West Georgia Watershed Assessment (WGWA) is engaged in an intense water quality study of streams in Carroll and Heard counties. The Little Tallapoosa River of Carroll County is the major source of drinking water for the city of Carrollton. The river is designated as a drinking water stream from its headwaters to the drinking water intake site in Carrollton and as a fishing stream from the Carrollton intake to the Alabama-Georgia state line. The headwaters of the Little Tallapoosa River watershed are undergoing rapid land-use changes associated with economic development. Runoff accompanying deforestation, road construction, and development of residential housing and retail outlets plays a significant role in the health of the Little Tallapoosa River. Additional runoff from extensive hay and pasture land also affects the water quality of the river. A 14-mile downstream section of the river, is listed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division as partially supporting its designated uses because of elevated fecal coliform bacteria. The WGWA is monitoring ten sample stations on the Little Tallapoosa River that are being monitored for 21 water quality parameters weekly for one year. Several additional sample stations are also monitored on the river’s main tributaries. Results of the study show that high fecal coliform bacteria levels (>200 colonies/100mL) in the river are generally associated with rain events and farmland. Additionally, elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels occur in a tributary that heads in a cattle pasture and receives treated sewage before it flows into the Little Tallapoosa River. This tributary stream averages 525 colonies/100mL and has exceeded 4000 colonies/100mL. With the exception of fecal coliform bacteria the other water quality parameters of the Little Tallapoosa River indicate that the Little Tallapoosa River has good water quality, relative to major rivers of the United States.