Stormwater Management Program to begin phase two of Water Sampling and Support Project

The Stormwater Program’s Water Sampling and Support Project is moving into phase two after the $118,800 contract to complete stormwater sampling and analysis was approved at the Commissioners’ June 24 public hearing. 

The contracted work is essential because we have received a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for several tributaries north of the Colorado River.  A TMDL is the calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be allowed to enter a waterbody so that the waterbody will meet and continue to meet water quality standards. 

Two stream segments are impaired for E. coli, and the other segments are impaired for selenium and iron. The contracted sampling will determine if any pollutants are coming from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), allowing us to address the issue through outreach and other measures. 

Phase two of the project will focus on collecting samples during two different events, one in July and one in October, to characterize discharges coming from the MS4. Mesa County, the City of Fruita, the City of Grand Junction and School District 51 are included in the sampling of this project. 

Stay tuned for project updates.