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Comparison of Phosphorus Concentrations in Coastal Plain Watersheds Served by Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems and a Municipal Sewer Treatment System

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Abstract

Eutrophication related to excess phosphorus (P) loadings continues to be an important issue for watersheds in North Carolina and other regions. Identifying the contributing sources of P in nutrient-sensitive waters is important for improving water quality. Prior studies have indicated that onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWS) can be a contributing source of P to surface waters, but more information is needed regarding their contribution relative to other wastewater treatment technologies. The goal of this study was to determine if P concentrations in groundwater and surface water were significantly different in a coastal plain watershed served by OWS in comparison to a watershed served by a municipal sewer system (MWS). Groundwater P concentrations were monitored at ten residential sites (five5 OWS and five MWS) once during each season (four times), and stream P concentrations and watershed exports were monitored monthly for 1 year (August 2011–August 2012). Groundwater in the OWS watershed had higher P concentrations than the MWS watershed. Stream P concentrations and P exports were also elevated in the OWS watersheds. However, the OWS were more efficient at reducing P prior to surface water discharge than the wastewater treatment plant that served the MWS watershed. The site-scale and watershed-scale P treatment efficiencies of OWS were between 73 and 99 %, whereas P treatment efficiency for the wastewater treatment plant was 54 %. While the OWS were efficient at reducing P concentrations and loads, OWS were still significant sources of P exports from the studied watershed. Potential contributions of P from OWS should be included in watershed nutrient management strategies along with other known sources such as agriculture and urban runoff if the strategies are to be considered comprehensive.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 319 Non-point Source Program for providing funding for this project. We would also like to thank Hannah Postma, AJ Finley, Matt Smith, John Woods, Jim Watson, Colleen Rochelle, Katie Del Rosario, and Johnathan Harris for assistance with field and/or lab work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Health Sciences Program, Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 3408 Carol Belk Building, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Charles P. Humphrey

  2. Environmental Health Sciences Program, Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Eliot Anderson-Evans

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

    Michael O’Driscoll

  4. Department of Geological Sciences and the Institute of Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Alex Manda

  5. Coastal Resources Management Program, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Guy Iverson

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  1. Charles P. Humphrey
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Correspondence to Charles P. Humphrey.

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Humphrey, C.P., Anderson-Evans, E., O’Driscoll, M. et al. Comparison of Phosphorus Concentrations in Coastal Plain Watersheds Served by Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems and a Municipal Sewer Treatment System. Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 2259 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2259-4

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