Aquilla Reservoir: A TMDL Project for Atrazine
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Filter Strip at edge of field
to reduce atrazine runoff from farm in the watershed of Aquilla Reservoir |
County: Hill
Parameter: Atrazine
Basin: Brazos River
Segment: 1254
- Project Overview (PDF)
- Background and Goals
- Project Status and Implementation
- TMDLs and Implementation Plan
- For More Information
Background and Goals
Aquilla Reservoir is a 3,280-acre lake located in Hill County. It was constructed in 1983 for use as a water supply and for flood control and recreation. Testing of treated drinking water found high levels of the herbicide atrazine, which pointed to contamination in the lake, the source of water used by the drinking water treatment facility. Agricultural sources were the primary contributors to the reservoir. The goal of the project was to reduce atrazine concentrations in the reservoir to safe levels.
Project Status and Implementation
Atrazine concentrations in Aquilla Reservoir have been reduced to safe levels. Between 1998 and 2003, atrazine concentrations in the reservoir fell by approximately 60 percent. Water from the reservoir is sampled at regular intervals to ensure that atrazine concentrations remain at a safe level. Routine tests of treated drinking water continue, and indicate that atrazine is below the criteria used to evaluate its safety for human consumption. For more information about how the goal was achieved, read:
TMDLs and Implementation Plan
The commission adopted this TMDL on March 23, 2001; it adopted revisions to the TMDL on June 14, 2002. The EPA approved the TMDL on October 30, 2002, at which time it became part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
- A Total Maximum Daily Load for Atrazine in Aquilla Reservoir
- Response to Public Comment on the Aquilla Reservoir TMDL
The commission approved the implementation plan on January 18, 2002.
- Implementation Plan for Atrazine in the Aquilla Reservoir
- Response to Public Comment on the Implementation Plan
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and reference Aquilla Reservoir in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
