ASSESSMENT OF STORMWATER NUTRIENT LOADING AND E. COLI CONTAMINATION IN AN URBAN WATERSHED, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Interest in reviving urban areas with the development of water features is becoming popular. The implications of restricting the flow of urban creeks should be fully investigated prior to construction. Jackson, Mississippi has a population of over 170,000 residents in the 265 km² city limit and features land use ranging from residential to light industrial. A river walk project on Town Creek designed to revive the downtown area has been proposed. An assessment of stream health and the determination of stormwater E. Coli contamination from six sites on five streams within the urban watershed was conducted between 2009 and 2012. Nitrate-N, reactive phosphorus, sediment PAHs, and inorganic element concentrations at baseflow concentrations were indicative of a generally healthy urban stream. Although baseflow conditions resulted in E. Coli concentrations that ranged up to 140 CFU/100 ml, which just exceeds the current EPA guideline of 126 CFU/100 ml., stormwater runoff values are greatly increased. E. Coli concentrations on 41 samples determined on 26 storm events range from 8,400 to 22,400 CFU/100 ml. Total coliform values were too numerous to count. No determination has yet been made as to the percentage of bacterial contamination that is caused by sanitary sewer overflow, non point source contamination, or a combination of both.