Fort Worth Area: A TMDL Project for Legacy Pollution
Lake Como
Photo courtesy of the
United States Geological Survey
County: Tarrant
Parameter: Legacy Pollutants
Basin: Trinity River
Segments: 0806, 0806A, 0806B, 0829, 0829A
On this page:
Background and Goals
Five legacy pollutants were detected in fish tissues in portions of Clear Fork Trinity River below Benbrook Lake and West Fork Trinity River below Lake Worth, and in Lake Como, Fosdic Lake, and Echo Lake, all in the Fort Worth area. Legacy pollutants are chemicals whose use has been banned or severely restricted, but which still remain in the environment. The pollutants involved include chlordane, DDT, DDE, dieldrin, and PCBs, most of which were once used as insecticides. The goal of this TMDL project is the reduction of fish tissue contaminant concentrations to levels that constitute an acceptable risk to consumers.
Back to topTotal Maximum Daily Loads
The commission adopted these TMDLs on November 17, 2000. The EPA approved them on May 24, 2001, at which time they became part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
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Eleven Total Maximum Daily Loads for Legacy Pollutants in Streams and Reservoirs in Fort Worth
Segments: 0806, 0806A, 0806B, 0829, and 0829A - Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs
Implementation Plan
The commission approved the I-Plan on July 13, 2001.
- Implementation Plan for Fort Worth Legacy Pollutant TMDLs
- Response to Public Comment on the Implementation Plan
Status
In 2001, the City of Fort Worth began implementation of mitigation measures, including a hazardous waste collection center and evaluation of remediation strategies.
In November 2005, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) collected fish tissue samples from Como, Fosdic, and Echo lakes to reassess the risk associated with consuming fish from those areas. As a result of the study, DSHS lifted the fish possession ban on Lake Como, modified the ban on Fosdic Lake to a consumption advisory, and retained the ban on Echo Lake.
TCEQ contracted with DSHS to collect fish tissue samples and reassess the fish consumption risk in the Trinity River segments. Sampling was conducted in June and July 2008.
In July 2010, the DSHS issued a no-consumption advisory for West Fork Trinity River and Clear Fork Trinity River due to elevated levels of PCBs and dioxins in fish. Chlordane is no longer considered a contaminant of concern.
TCEQ contracted again with DSHS to collect fish tissue samples and reassess the fish consumption risk in Lake Como, Fosdic Lake, and Echo Lake. Sampling was conducted April 2014.
In December 2015, DSHS issued a consumption advisory for common carp and largemouth bass in Echo Lake due to dieldrin, dioxins, and PCBs. Also in 2015, the advisory for Fosdic Lake was retained with no changes.
In February 2016, DSHS issued a no consumption advisory for common carp in Lake Como due to dieldrin, dioxins, and PCBs.
For More Information
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention Fort Worth legacy pollution in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
