Frequently Asked Questions

Following are a number of frequently asked questions pertaining to the rivers, water quality, federal and state rules and regulations and other organizations. These questions have been answered totally from the perspective of the Talbot County rivers and their current condition. There are certainly many more FAQs. Please contact us and ask them. As you do, we will add them to this page for others to read.

Instructions: You may scroll down through this page or select from the key word index provided below. When selecting from the index, the Q&A will be displayed at the top of the page. Many answers contain direct links to additional resources for the selected topic. Use the "TOP" link to return to the top of the page.

Q - We read conflicting reports of progress, or lack of it, in reducing pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Bay. Why is this?
A – EPA, a federal agency, the various state agencies, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other groups will all have different standards and emphases on progress. Suffice it to say, the requirements of the Clean Water Act of 1972 are nowhere near being satisfied. TOP
Q – Nitrogen and phosphorus sound like things that would benefit farm lands. Why then are they deemed harmful to our rivers?
A – You can have too much of a good thing – that is called “eutrophication” by the scientists. Too much runoff of fertilizers into the rivers, and ultimately the Bay, causes algae blooms and kills underwater grasses so essential to the growth and shelter of fish and crabs. Algae growth also prevents fish and other Bay life from getting sunlight and oxygen needed to thrive and grow. TOP
Q – You talk about nitrogen and phosphorus pollution coming from runoffs from the farms. Are there other sources?
A – Yes. In addition to fertilizer runoffs on farms, there is animal waste that can find its way into our rivers. Fertilizers used on our lawns and golf courses will find its way into the streams and eventually the rivers. Also, human waste from our municipal sewage treatment facilities becomes a polluting source when the plants are malfunctioning or overworked. In the ground private septic systems may also be source of these pollutants. Anything that is not quickly biodegradable, such as fuel, oils, paint, detergent soaps, and all debris of any kind has the potential to add polluting materials to our waters. TOP
Q. What are considered to be allowable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in our rivers, above which they are impaired?
A – Maryland has never set a standard for allowable amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Under the Federal Clean Water Act the state is required to keep what is known as a "303d"list of impaired water bodies. All of Talbot County’s waters are on this list due to excessive nutrients (N&P) and suspended solids or sediment. More extensive information on the 303d list can be viewed at the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) website. TOP
Q – What part does the amount of oxygen in our river water play?
A – Oxygen is obviously very important to marine life. The Maryland standard (and law) is a minimum of 5mg./l any place, any time. Some species require more dissolved oxygen than others (for example fish need more than the worms that live in the mud). Several areas in Talbot's waters in the summer months may dip below the 5mg./l. minimum. TOP
Q – What are Dead Zones?
A - The criteria for Water Quality, is the amount of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in it. DO is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/l) and water with less than 5.0 mg/l is considered hypoxic. Severe hypoxia occurs when water contains less than 2.0 mg/l. Water conditions with less than 0.2 mg/l is anoxic and is often referred to as dead zones. TOP
Q – What are algae and when do they become harmful?
A - Algae are a natural and critical part of our rivers, streams and Chesapeake Bay ecosystems. Algae, as with land plants, capture the sun’s energy and support the food web that leads to fish and shellfish. Algae may become harmful if they occur in an unnaturally high abundance or if they produce a toxin. A high abundance of algae can block sunlight to underwater bay grasses and other submerged aquatic vegetation, consume oxygen in the water leading to fish kills, produce surface scum and odors, and interfere with the feeding of shellfish and other organisms that filter water to obtain their food. For more information about harmful algae, click here. TOP
.
Q – What about the disappearance of SAV, or submerged aquatic vegetation, and why is this so important?
A – SAV was extremely plentiful decades ago, but now has almost completely vanished from Bay tributaries. SAV is the vital “nursery” for baby fish and crabs and the like, providing needed nurture, protection and shelter as they mature. TOP
Q – What are TMDLs and why are they important?
A - "TMDL" establishes the a total maximum daily load of an impairing substance or stressor that a water body can assimilate and still meet Water Quality Standards (WQSs) and allocates that load among pollution contributors.. Under the Federal Clean Water Act, Maryland was supposed to have come up with TMDLs for all the Chesapeake Bay’s waters and tributaries years ago. This has not occurred. These regulations will set the maximum amounts of Nitrogen and Phosphorus that are allowed to be put into a watershed from both point and non-point sources. This will necessitate better wastewater treatment, storm water management, agricultural runoff prevention, and land use practices. The following MDE website will give you more complete information on TMDLs. TOP
Q – What is the benefit of the billions of dollars being sought for upgrading wastewater treatment plants?
A – These plants are so-called “point sources” of pollution, focusing huge volumes of treated, and sometimes only partially treated, water going into impaired rivers. Not enough nitrogen and phosphorus is currently being removed during processing, and costly upgrades are essential to reducing the pollution from these sources. Farms, on the other hand, are “non-point sources” of such pollution due to heavy use of fertilizer and lack of land buffers between farmland and rivers. TOP
Q – How do in the ground private septic systems have an effect on the condition of the rivers?
A – As a means of converting human waste into non-harmful wastewater, their content of nitrogen and phosphorus is substantial. When these systems, which are also considered “non-point systems”, break down or are overloaded, the untreated effluent finds its way into the waters. Also septic systems should be required to have denitrification technology to greatly reduce the N going into groundwater from these septic systems It would help if County inspections of these systems were increased, and when properties change hands, the septic system should be certified by the County as acceptable. TOP
Q – How does TRPA achieve the monitoring of water quality?
A – The water in representative sites, throughout the rivers and other waterways in Talbot County, is sampled by the volunteers of the Talbot County Creekwatchers. The samples are then taken to the University of Maryland Laboratory at Horn Point, near Cambridge. Test results from them are shared with others, and will soon be available both on the Horn Point web site and on this web site. When completed, this web site will be replete with information related to water quality. TOP
Q – Why should residents, businesses, tourists, watermen and the like be concerned about the condition of our waters, and support organizations such as TRPA?
A – Our waters, the rivers, streams, creeks and the Chesapeake Bay into which they run, are arguably the major attraction for all of these interests; the “golden goose” that lays the egg. Waterfront property is valued at five to six times the same property without the water. Polluted water in impaired rivers that will not support the lives of fish, oysters and crabs can have a very negative effect on those values as well as the enjoyment found in “using” the waters. Water quality has tremendous economic importance. TOP
Q - Why should these same residents, businesses, tourists, watermen support organizations such as TRPA?
A - TRPA attempts to educate the public and the government as to the harmful effects of poorly planned or poorly located development, with inadequate or poor wastewater management. TRPA also attempts to educate the public, through means such as this web site, as to how to reduce pollution by how they plant and fertilize their lawns, trees and gardens and how they live their lives. In addition to sewage effluent, runoff of fertilizers and other chemicals from “impervious” surfaces such as asphalt is a real contributing factor. TRPA believes that anyone living in, working in, or enjoying Talbot County with its 600 miles of waterfront should be concerned with the condition of our waters and support the work of TRPA and the other groups with similar goals. TOP
Q – Are there any dangers to human health related to inadequate wastewater management?
A - Dangers to human health are always possible from E-coli and other bacterial contamination. A recent message from the “Clean Water Network" (cleanwaternt@igc.org) stated the following: “Millions of Americans get sick every year from contact with inadequately treated sewage that ends up in water that we drink or swim in. Pathogens in sewage-contaminated waters can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, dysentery and hepatitis. Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sick.” TOP
Q – It sounds as though TRPA is against all development, since every new residence is said to add 250 gallons per day of water and wastewater to the process.
A – Talbot County’s wastewater treatment plants are scheduled for costly and substantial upgrades to enable better removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. During this time, which is estimated to be 3 to 5 years, TRPA hopes that the decision makers in our local governments will place strict limits on approvals and building of large developments. Even with upgrades in the treatment plants, continuing unlimited development will offset benefits of these upgrades, or negate their benefits entirely. TOP
Q – How did TRPA come into existence?
A – In 1996, a local physician, Callum Bain, and several Talbot County residents formed TRPA out of concern that regulations and laws governing pollution of our rivers were not being enforced. At the same time our county’s land was being developed rapidly and it was thought that these developments, and the resultant storm water runoff which would harm nearby rivers and streams, were routinely being approved by local governments without apparent due consideration of their environmental impacts. TOP
Q - What are TRPA’s goals? How does one join?
A - TRPA’s purpose is to educate government and the public about the nature and extent of the harm from pollution sources, and to exert our energy in an attempt to have land development decisions take the quality of the water in our rivers into account.

Joining is as easy as writing a check for $25.00 to TRPA, and sending it to P O Box 2234, Easton, MD 21601. There is a Membership form on our contact page. Memberships and/or contributions are tax deductible. TOP

Q – What is the difference between TRPA and TPA?
A – TRPA, the Talbot River Protection Association, is devoted solely to protecting and improving water quality in Talbot County. The goal of TPA, or Talbot Preservation Alliance, is to protect and improve land use policies and promote smart growth, with responsible land use planning, thus preserving the beauty and legacy of our natural heritage. Similarly to TRPA, they want to protect Talbot County’s precious environment and heritage including its waterways, farmland and historic small towns. TOP

[Home] [About Us] [Water Quality Data] [Testing Parameters] [Water Quality Criteria] [Tributaries] [Citizen Participation] [FAQ] [Youth] [Links] [Contact Us] [Creekwatchers]