“HOW PHYSICAL HABITAT ASSESSMENTS AND BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITY ASSEMBLAGES PROVIDE REAL INSIGHT INTO WATER QUALITY BENCHMARKING --- AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER'S PERSPECTIVE”

Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky provides wastewater collection and treatment service to, and is also the stormwater management authority for, the 3 counties and 33 municipalities immediately across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. In 2000, the entire length of Banklick Creek was identified by the Kentucky Divison of Water (KDOW) as impaired and placed upon the state's 303 (d) list requiring development of a TMDL. Nutrients, organic enrichment/low DO, and pathogens were identified as Pollutants of Concern potentially affecting attainment of the water quality standards for Banklick Creek. Known point source discharges within the Banklick Creek watershed include combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and stormwater outfalls. Nonpoint, surficial stormwater runoff also impacts water quality in the creek. Banklick Creek is approximately 19 miles long with a watershed comprising about 60 square miles. The southern half of the watershed is rural while the remainder is highly urbanized. In 2003, the District was issued an MS4 Permit for their stormwater discharges. Because the impending TMDL and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) intend to improve water quality in Banklick Creek, the District had to establish baseline water quality parameters from which future improvements in water quality could be measured.