Local Water Quality Concerns
Phase 1 of the Jordan River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Water Quality Study identifies organic material as the primary pollutant which is depleting to much oxygen in the river.  Although pollution constituent levels vary along the river segments, and are all important to manage, but organic matter seems to be the common pollution constituent of concern; see sections 2.7.2, 2.73, 5.3.3 of TMDL Study.  Other pollutants of concern are TDS, E. coli and even temperature but segment 6 of the river where Riverton is located, temperatures are too high and organic material contributions throughout the entire reach of the river are swept downstream causing problems by overloading the lower segments with organic material. 
By observation the primary pollution material in Riverton loose organic material collecting in storm drain catchment systems mostly residential and commercial fallen tree and shrubbery leaves, urban transportation system sediments, and unintended pollution from property maintenance, and construction activities.  Property maintenance operations usually result in grass clippings and fertilizers in the roadways exposed to storm drains but also loose trash either intentionally discarded or more commonly trash unintentionally blowing from poorly managed trash receptacles and dumpsters.  Construction related pollutants are primarily sediments and, fugitive dust and trash.  Construction is regulated by a permit system with a control system in place to manage construction sources, whereas educational programs are much more practical for non-permitted residential and commercial property maintenance activities.
  
The retention regulation should limit and is expected to effectively manage solid type pollutants like organics, but water-soluble pollutants are a concern with the current type of retention infrastructure most preferred by development.  The preferred retention infrastructure are underground galleries and siphon type water quality devices which will likely not protect groundwater resources from common water-soluble pollutants.  Development and local elected officials are currently not supporting surface low impact development approaches and filters effective for water soluble pollutants are too expensive.  In addition, Riverton is more than 75% built out with mostly existing traditional flood control infrastructure and the remaining land is not developing with true surface low impact development or cartridge type filter system expected to be most effective for managing water soluble pollutants. 

Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, and private owners' association properties developed after 2010 are managed by permit regulated Long-Term Stormwater Management Plans and Agreement however there are currently not enough employees to effectively manage private implementation of Long-Term Stormwater Management regulation.

Subscribe to
Email Notifications
Sign Up for
Text Message Alerts
Download the
Riverton Connect App