Greater Blue Earth River Basin Fecal coliform TMDL Report Implementation Plan

In 2006, 17 stream reaches in the Greater Blue Earth River Basin GBERB were listed as impaired on the Federal Clean Water Act 303(d) list for recreational/human contact use based on violations of water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria. Reviews of water quality data collected as part of the BERB Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study revealed another four streams were tested and qualify to be listed as impaired in 2008. The data assessment process revealed that 100% of stream reaches with adequate monitoring data in the basin qualify to be listed as impaired waters. Based on the water quality standards and the monthly geometric mean from the sample data, the majority of these streams will need an 80-90% reduction in fecal coliform levels to meet the standards of 200 CFU or less per ml. of water. In late 2007, or early 2008 the State of Minnesota is changing from fecal coliform to E. coli as the bacteriological water quality standard. Because of the strong relationship between fecal coliform and E. coli, this change will not affect the necessary reduction levels or implementation strategies.