"IMPACT OF BIO-SOLIDS APPLICATION AT DEER PARK RANCH ON LAKE WASHINGTON" - DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE METHODOLOGY TO ARRIVE AT A CONSENSUS OF IMPACT

Walter, J. H.1
1EXT AGT III MS, University of Florida, COCOA, FL, 329264219

Abstract:



Situation: In the summer of 2019 a blue-green cyanobacteria, Dolichospermum circinale, bloomed in Lake Washington, generating questions about the safety of a primary drinking water supply for Brevard County. Based on available data at the time, land application of biosolids and commercial fertilizer was likely the source. The Brevard County Commission placed a 6-month moratorium on any new permits. Brevard Natural Resources was instructed to test for nutrients, metals, and contaminants of emerging concern, such as Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and personal care products know to accumulate in bio-solids. Methods: A consortium of agencies included University of Florida Brevard Extension Service, Brevard Natural Resources, Brevard Soil and Water Conservation District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, St. Johns River Water Management District, United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Deer Park Ranch collaborated to collect 50 soil samples from Deer Park Ranch where bio-solids had been used in place of commercial chemical fertilizer over 20 years. Applied Ecology, Inc., collected 11 water samples and 3 grass tissue samples that were tested for multiple forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, 7 heavy metals, 24 polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), and 58 pharmaceuticals, personal care products and other contaminants of emerging concern at Deer Park Ranch, upstream of and within Lake Washington, and in residential drainage canals entering Lake Washington. Results:  No chemicals of human health concerns were found leaving Deer Park Ranch.  While a few pharmaceuticals were found in plant tissue samples, these were not found in water leaving the site.  Metals leaving the site were below drinking water threshold values. Most of the PFAS level results were below laboratory detection limits.  Canals draining developed areas east of the lake had higher PFAS concentrations than waters leaving the ranch.   Conclusion: Water samples indicate that phosphorus from state-permitted land application of biosolids is leaving Deer Park Ranch during periods of heavy rain but no chemicals of human health concern are leaving the ranch. 

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