The Rivanna River Basin Commission and local partners have received a grant of up to $267,000 to be used over the next two and half years to address the bacterial contamination of the Moores Creek watershed that drains portions of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Project partners receiving funding include the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD), Thomas Jefferson Planning District (TJPDC), and StreamWatch.
This funding from the Department of Conservation and Recreation will be used specifically to address the bacterial pollution coming from livestock operations, failing or non-existent septic systems, and pet waste. Over 60% of the funding will be made available as “cost-share” to help homeowners in the watershed address the sources of pollution on privately-owned lands. Most of the funding is federal EPA dollars, but a portion is from Virginia state funds.
During the grant-funded project, TJSWCD will reach out to homeowners in the watershed to encourage “best management practices,” or BMPs, ranging from exclusion fencing for livestock from to septic system pump-out and repairs. Funding will also be available to help homeowners connect to existing public sewer. Home composters specially designed for pet-waste will be made available for homeowners to encourage pet-waste collection that reduces polluted run-off to area streams due to cats and dogs.
Bacteria pollution in Moores Creek is from fecal coliform, found in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, cattle, humans, and some wildlife. A 2003 plan? outlined many corrective measures including stormwater trunk repair and replacement and prevention of illicit discharges, and over 40% of these corrective measures have been completed or are planned soon. This project brings resources to the community to help with pollution reduction from homeowners and citizens.
The Moores Creek watershed covers 35 square miles of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. The creek forms much of the southern boundary of Charlottesville, draining the southern part of the city and parts of Albemarle County to the south and west of the city. For a map of the Moores Creek watershed, see MooresCreekMap-AIR1