The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public meeting 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Multipurpose Room at DEQ's Oklahoma City office, 707 North Robinson, to receive comments on a document aimed at improving water quality in the North Canadian River as it flows through the Oklahoma City metro area.

The federal Clean Water Act requires DEQ to develop plans for improving water quality where standards are not met by establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for each pollutant that exceeds the standards. TMDLs set levels for pollutants that allow water bodies to achieve their beneficial uses.

The North Canadian River study area included in this TMDL is in Oklahoma, Canadian and Pottawatomie counties. Samples collected from 1998 to 2008 from 12 stream segments were analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria, E. coli, and Enterococci.

Under the Clean Water Act, sources are classified as either point or nonpoint sources. A point source is an identifiable source of pollutants entering surface waters at a single location, such as the end of a pipe. Point sources include wastewater treatment facilities and storm sewer systems. Nonpoint source pollution has such widespread sources that they cannot be identified as entering a waterbody at a single location. Nonpoint sources include agricultural operations, pets, storm water runoff and failing septic tanks.

This study indicates the North Canadian River study area is in violation of Oklahoma Water Quality Standards for pathogens, with the exception of Airport Heights Creek. Most of the pathogens come from nonpoint sources and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, which includes ditches, curbs, gutters, storm drains, and similar means of collecting or conveying runoff.

All comments for the record must be submitted either in writing or email before the end of the public comment period or orally at the Oct. 1 public meeting. DEQ will prepare a response to all comments received. Comments must be received by close of business Oct. 31. Comments can be submitted to: Karen Miles, Water Quality Division, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 or by e-mail at Karen.miles@deq.ok.gov.

After evaluating comments received and making any necessary changes, the modification will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final approval.

The public can view the study this TMDL was based on by visiting the DEQ Web site at www.deq.state.ok.us/wqdnew/tmdl/n_canadian/n_canadian_bacteria_draft_tmdl_2009-07-29.pdf.

Residents also can pick up a copy of the study at DEQ's Oklahoma City office. A document copying fee may apply.