Water Quality Action Plans

OBJECTIVES

To facilitate access to accurate and timely water quality data for the BTES by the public,
researchers, and governmental agencies
To facilitate access to Geographic Information System (GIS) data and mapping for hydrology,
land use, permitted facilities discharging to BTES water bodies, and other related topological
parameters that will promote better identification of current or potential water quality impacts

OBJECTIVES

To reduce the number, volume, and impact of petroleum and related fluid spills in the BTES
To place an emphasis on the prevention and early detection of petroleum and oilfield produced
water spills in the BTES

OBJECTIVE

To reduce fecal coliform counts, pathogens, nutrients, and organic matter in the BTES
waterbodies attributable to discharges of human waste from inadequate or poorly-maintained
sewage treatment plants, rural homesites, unsewered communities, commercial and
recreational vessels, and waterfront camps

OBJECTIVE

To maintain water quality standards that adequately protect estuarine resources from
agricultural nonpoint source pollutants

OBJECTIVES

To reduce the negative impacts on water quality that current stormwater disposal practices may
produce
To reduce loadings of nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria and pathogens, and other pollutants in
waterways
To enhance wetland vegetation with inputs of nutrients, sediments, and freshwater from
stormwater runoff

OBJECTIVES

To minimize the human health impacts of HABs in the BTES
To reduce the frequency and intensity of HABs within the BTES by supporting BMPs of
watershed nutrient management
To build partnerships between research scientists and agency resource managers to help
prepare for and respond to some HABs whose sources can and cannot be managed from within
BTES to help reduce threats to marine organisms, human health, and economic well-being
To increase public awareness of HABs’ threats to human health and the economic well-being of
shellfish and fish industries in the context of increasing or changing nutrient pollution, climate
change, coastal land loss, and restoration actions

OBJECTIVE

To improve water quality by significantly reducing the amount of trash entering the BTB’s water
bodies and the ocean through education and awareness activities targeted at students (K-12),
parish governments, business communities, and individual citizens.

OBJECTIVES

To have a clear delineation of all drinking water sources
To identify possible problems and potential sources of contamination including but not limited
to toxics, sewage, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminates
To use BMPs to diminish or eliminate problems
To engage citizens in active protection of their drinking water
To educate about appropriate actions to protect drinking water in the event of an emergency
To support improvement in appropriate training and pay to develop an experienced workforce
related to drinking water
To participate in the education of public officials about the long term commitment that is
needed to properly train certified water operators and related jobs
To support appropriate improvements to the water resources infrastructure
To support emerging technologies related to protecting drinking water sources
To support and recommend sweeps of the water systems

Action Plans