GEAA Investigation Reveals BMP’s Not Effective in Protecting the Edwards Aquifer
In celebration of National Groundwater Awareness Week, the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., to release the findings of their investigation on aquifer protection basins, commonly called BMP’s.
The press conference will be held on the south side of the Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, located on the southwest corner of Loop 1604 and US 281 (18195 San Pedro Avenue).
BMP stands for “Best Management Practice.” These BMP’s are permanent structures required by State law to mitigate pollution from high density development on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. BMP’s come in many shapes and sizes and are site-specific in design. Most commonly in San Antonio, a BMP is a concrete-lined ditch filled with sand, which is meant to filter out some pollutants from the first flush of rain water. They can be found behind many of the businesses and homes located on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.
GEAA findings reveal that these structures are not really a reliable method of preventing non-p0int source pollution in rainwater from entering the aquifer and calls upon the public to help make sure that the BMP’s in this area are working properly.
Among the findings reported in the GEAA report (Permanent Stormwater Pollution Prevention Systems within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in Bexar County, Texas):
- At least 10 to 15% of structural BMP’s are persistently non-compliant.
- Owners of properties with BMP’s, and the general public, are often unaware of the sensitivity of the Edwards Aquifer to pollution from stormwater run-off. Many property owners are unaware of the function of the BMP on their properties and that the BMP requires regular maintenance to keep it working properly.
GEAA calls on those who live and work on the Recharge Zone to be on the lookout for improperly-maintained BMP’s. The presence of trees more than 3 inches in diameter or of stagnant water within the basin several days after a rain are signs that a BMP is not working properly.
Citizens who notice BMP’s that are not being properly maintained should contact San Antonio Water Systems, Aquifer Division, at 210-704-SAWS or TCEQ at 888-777-3186.
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance unites 48 organizations behind a comprehensive plan to protect the Edwards Aquifer, it springs, rivers, streams, flora and fauna, and the Texas Hill Country.
For a copy of the GEAA report go to: http://www.moxiamo.com/aquiferalliance/images/BMP_Final.pdf.