Water Quality
Introduction
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Save Our Lake Campaign

Weekly Report from January 20, 2015

John O'Donnell, MSPH Water Quality Specialist

Backstory and Context
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LPBF samples ten recreational sites on a weekly basis utilizing EPA-approved methods. The “weekly” sites are each tested for the physiochemical parameters of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, conductivity, and Secchi Disk clarity. All physiochemical parameters are sampled three times and averaged for a daily value and for quality control purposes. Turbidity is also monitored, where the “average” function on the turbidimeter is employed to average ten readings. To test the safety of the water for recreation, LPBF samples two bacteria that are indicators of contamination with waste, fecal coliform and Enterococcus. Fecal coliform and Enterococcus “grab” samples of 100 ml volume are collected at each site in sterile containers and taken to local EPA-approved laboratory for analysis within six hours of collection. The results can be seen on the LPBF’s weekly-data-report webpage (linked to below) and in local media.
To document the Lake’s water quality and encourage people to return to the lake, LPBF started the “Basin-wide Water Quality Monitoring Program” in 2001. In this program we perform weekly water quality monitoring at ten recreational sites around Lake Pontchartrain. The program has three goals:
1. Disseminate water quality information to the public on a weekly basis;
2. Identify sources that contribute to the pollution of the lake;
3. Share data with researchers, citizen, students, and local, state, and federal agencies
To date, the LPBF has collected over 8000 water quality samples at the ten weekly sites. These data have shown that Lake Pontchartrain is suitable for primary contact recreation (with high fecal coliform and Enterococcus levels observed only following rain events). With public access to the data, there has been a significant increase in utilization of the Lake for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. In contrast to the health of Lake Pontchartrain, data has shown that waterways on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain (including St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes) are being degraded due to rapid development and the inconsistent sewage treatment associated with it. Go to the Sub-Basin Pollution Source Tracking Program, as well as our other water quality programs listed below to learn more.
Sources
https://saveourlake.org/lpbf-programs/water-quality/water-quality-programs-projects/