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From page 16... ... 16 C h a p t e r 1 1.1 Introduction A multitude of consequential decisions are made at airports based on interpretation and application of water monitoring data. The soundness of the decisions is directly related to the data accuracy and data representativeness. Read the entire page →
From page 17... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 17 The information in this chapter can also be referenced when issues with the data accuracy and representativeness arise in day-to-day activities. For example, personnel often become aware of monitoring data issues when in the midst of activities such as development planning, infrastructure design, stormwater management system operations, or non-compliance response. Read the entire page →
From page 18... ... 18 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring consultants, they are uniquely defined in this section to facilitate a consistent understanding of the detailed concepts presented herein. Additionally, the glossary at the end of this guidebook provides definitions for a variety of other terms that are relevant to overall guidebook content. Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 19 MS4 – Municipal separate storm sewer system. MSGP – Multi-sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. Read the entire page →
From page 20... ... 20 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring 1.3 Identifying Drivers and Objectives for Monitoring Water quality monitoring supports a variety of regulatory compliance, environmental, or facility management objectives. The purpose for monitoring can be understood by considering the water monitoring "drivers." A driver represents an impetus for action. Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 21 Direct Discharges. Airports that directly discharge stormwater runoff into surface waters from areas with industrial activities or from areas with certain construction sites that are exposed to stormwater are required to obtain coverage under one of two types of NPDES permits: • An applicable general NPDES permit. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... 22 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring water quality standard. They can also be more restrictive than the limits would be if only water quality standards are applied. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 23 • Setting of benchmarks for specific parameters by regulators • Monitoring for specified parameters by the airports, typically at quarterly intervals, to evaluate the performance of control measures such as source controls, volume reduction, or treatment controls • Devise, implement, and document remedial actions to reduce the pollutant content. Potential actions include the following: – Additional monitoring – Investigation of pollutant sources – Evaluation of causes for benchmark exceedances – Revisions to SWPPPs and stormwater pollution control plans (SWPCPs) Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... 24 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring have had a tendency to decrease from benchmark values in previous permits. Some benchmarks for metals are tied to hardness levels and differ for fresh and saltwater. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 25 discharges, and methods for measuring achievement of those targets. This may result in the need for additional monitoring and control of pollutants. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 26 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring prescribed permit monitoring requirements typically represent the minimum monitoring that is necessary. The permit monitoring requirements can often be applied directly, although some airports have challenges in matching the permit monitoring requirements with logistical realities of sample collection. Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 27 • Monitoring method refers to the specific process by which the parameter is analyzed. – For off-site monitoring types, the monitoring method is synonymous with the analytical method used by the laboratory. Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... 28 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Permit-Required Record Keeping. Permits require the airport to keep records of monitoring data and either make them available upon request or submit them to the regulator at specific intervals. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 29 • Contractual documents with other entities • The discretion of the airport to inform an issue and solutions, such as monitoring to – Further characterize the discharges – Support root cause analysis – Assess potential solutions. Monitoring requirements in these types of documents may or may not be specific regarding the location, pollutants, and time frame for monitoring. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... 30 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Monitoring data in permit renewal or modification applications is used by regulators to assess the risk of future stormwater discharges exceeding water quality standards. This analysis is used to determine the following: • Whether an airport can obtain coverage under a general permit, or if they need to apply for an individual permit • If effluent limits or benchmarks are applicable • Monitoring requirements. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 31 Monitoring to Provide General Stormwater Characterization An airport may monitor to generally characterize their stormwater discharges or to support improving water quality beyond what is specified in the permits. Potential objectives for this monitoring include the following: • Assess progress toward airport sustainability goals for water quality or flow • Provide information to support public relations ventures on airport environmental performance • Provide data to support future airport development projects • Establish a baseline prior to selling or leasing airport property • Understand background or off-site conditions that may be affecting airport stormwater For more information about using monitoring data to generally characterize stormwater, see: 3.5.3 Tracking and Improving Environmental Performance Key Takeaways Identifying Drivers and Objectives for Monitoring • Clearly identifying monitoring drivers is key to appropriately defining monitoring parameters, frequency, extent, and locations. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... 32 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Pollutant Sources Associated with Typical Airport Activities Airport staff can draw upon existing documentation to define potential pollutants from airside and landside activities at the airport. Potential existing references are shown in the Topical Tips box. Read the entire page →
From page 33... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 33 Airport Industrial Activity Potential Pollutants Exposed to Stormwater Parameters Field Condition Fact Sheets to Reference Aircraft lavatory service Lavatory waste Fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, fecal streptococcus, enterococcus, toxicity Odor, sheen, foam, color, clarity/turbidity/solids Lavatory chemicals Chlorine, pH, toxicity Odor Lavatory truck wash water Propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DO, BOD, TOC, COD, ORP, toxicity Odor, foam, color, nuisance microbial biofilms Building and grounds maintenance Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides DDT, dioxin, toxicity Nuisance biofilm Fertilizers Phosphorus, nitrogen, toxicity Toxicity, nuisance microbial biofilms Landscape wastes DO Odor Petroleum hydrocarbons (fuel, oil and grease) Oil and grease, BTEX, PAHs, TPH, ORO, DRO, GRO, toxicity Odor, sheen, color Salts Magnesium, chloride, acetate, formate, sodium, potassium, conductivity, TDS, toxicity Clarity/turbidity/solids Sediment Copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, iron, toxicity, TSS Clarity/turbidity/solids Cargo handling Battery acid pH, toxicity Toxicity Cleaning products (solvents, surfactants, detergents) Read the entire page →
From page 34... ... 34 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring these pollutants in stormwater, and field conditions that might indicate the presence of these pollutants. It may be useful to create a similar table that lists the activities occurring in each drainage area and identifies the pollutants, parameters, and field conditions that might be present in stormwater discharges. Read the entire page →
From page 35... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 35 pollutants may help the airport identify monitoring locations that will minimize the influence from these outside sources on airport stormwater monitoring. Potential sources are provided in the Topical Tips box. Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... 36 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring have a turn-around time of several days, field observations of the potential presence of petroleum products in stormwater (e.g., odors, color, sheen) are critical to timely identification and containment of spills and illicit discharges. Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 37 stormwater can be derived from off-site flows, groundwater, fertilizer application, eroding soils, leaf litter, and from additions to deicer treatment systems. While fertilizer application is not typical in airport operation areas, many airports lease property for farming, and parameters that may contribute to the growth of nuisance microbial biofilm may be present in stormwater discharges commingled with runoff from farming operations. Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... 38 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring choice for many airports when it is logistically difficult or costly to collect composite samples or take real-time measurements. Grab samples are also the only sample collection method for certain parameters, like some organics that may quickly decompose or volatilize if the collected stormwater is left open to the air over time. Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 39 Composite Samples Composite samples are used to characterize stormwater over a longer period of time. In most cases, composite samples will produce a more accurate and representative quantification of pollutant loads and concentrations than grab samples. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... 40 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring types for many deicing parameters. Applicable monitoring types for typical airport parameters are summarized in Table 4. Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 41 Specific Chemical Versus Aggregate Measures Many analytical tests measure individual chemical constituents (e.g., chloride, propylene glycol) Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... 42 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring to quantify the potential error. However, understanding the general sources of error is an important exercise in developing a monitoring plan. Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 43 • Experimental testing to quantify variance and error, often through isolation of variables – Creating replicate samples to test the consistency of a single analytical instrument – Comparing analytical results from multiple analytical methods – Comparing analytical results from multiple devices using the same method If the consequences of inaccurate data are significant, then greater resources should be allocated to the monitoring effort. Cost The costs for acquiring monitoring data include the following potential line items: • Purchase or rental of sampling equipment • Purchase or rental of field analytical devices • Installation, operation, and maintenance of field devices • Labor for sample collection crews • Sample shipping • Laboratory analytical tests • Labor for data review • Consultant support The costs for various analytical tests vary greatly, and it may be helpful when budgeting for monitoring to get quotes from a few local laboratories for comparison and to allow the airport to consider cost in choosing the appropriate monitoring method and laboratory. Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... 44 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring location is established that provides for the best possible characterization of your stormwater discharges. Considerations for identifying appropriate monitoring locations are presented in the following sections. Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 45 stream is not well understood, receiving stream monitoring (discussed in the following section) may be used to characterize the impact that airport stormwater discharges may have on the receiving water. Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... 46 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring contain requirements for regular monitoring of streams upstream and downstream of airport stormwater discharges. Other drivers for stream monitoring include gathering data to support reasonable potential analyses or wasteload allocation studies as well as assessments of the effects of compliance issues. Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 47 climates, and solar panel use may be restricted in certain areas at an airport. The need for potable water may be resolved by installation of a potable water tank that is accessible for refilling and designed to prevent freezing. Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... 48 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring make it difficult to observe stormwater for the purpose of collecting field observations. In some cases, it is important to take a sample in a specific location to limit collection of commingled flows, but field observations may be collected in a more observable location. Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 49 to characterize the co-mingled flow to the greatest extent possible to understand its potential effect on the monitored discharges. Understanding the drainage area contributing to the co-mingled flow will help characterize the portion of the flow that is associated with airport drainage areas and the portion that is not (i.e., is 90 percent of the flow from the airport or is 10 percent of the flow from the airport) Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... 50 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring 1.6 Selecting Monitoring Frequency and Extent In addition to selecting a monitoring location, an airport must determine how frequently to monitor and how much data to collect. For permit-required monitoring, frequency and extent are often specifically prescribed in the permit, but, when monitoring is for other purposes, how frequently to monitor or how much data is needed to achieve the purpose of the monitoring may not be clear initially. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 51 Airport Activities • Is this parameter only likely to be found in the airport's stormwater discharges during or shortly after certain airport activities are performed (e.g., deicing, runway rubber removal) Read the entire page →
From page 52... ... 52 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring one of the most difficult and most important decisions in developing a monitoring plan. From an airport's perspective, the monitoring extent is a balance among factors such as cost, staff resources, operational impacts, and ability to practically obtain monitoring data that represents the monitored flows in space and time. Read the entire page →
From page 53... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 53 different land use activities can be used to estimate flow rates and pollutant loads at outfalls. The degree of field monitoring data needed to support such modeling depends upon how the model is calibrated, techniques used to verify model output, and the degree of confidence in the model output. Read the entire page →
From page 54... ... 54 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Field personnel should have experience conducting stormwater monitoring and should receive training appropriate to the type of stormwater monitoring activities conducted. The level of expertise and training required depends on the complexity of monitoring activities conducted. Read the entire page →
From page 55... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 55 U.S. EPA's MSGP requires that samples be collected for visual inspection of the following water quality characteristics: • Color • Odor • Clarity • Floating solids • Settled solids • Suspended solids • Foam • Oil sheen • Other obvious indicators of stormwater pollution While a field notebook and laboratory chain-of-custody forms are good practices for documenting monitoring activities, a good field data collection form facilitates consistent documentation and management of field data and is key to ensuring that field personnel collect all necessary data. Read the entire page →
From page 56... ... 56 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Observations of Other Field Conditions and Activities that Might Affect Sample Quality Other observations that might affect the water quality or the quality of the data gathered should be noted. This would include a description of the weather, including the outside air temperature, the type of precipitation (if any) Read the entire page →
From page 57... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 57 • Staff availability • Visibility • Safety • Interference with airport operations and site access The airport should also identify and document in the monitoring plan the equipment that will be used, including pre-labeled sample bottles (see list in Section 1.7.1: Field Activity Execution for checklist of typical equipment) ; the number of staff, level of expertise, and anticipated time commitment required; procedures for initiating monitoring activities; procedures for storage and handling of samples and data; and procedures for conducting analysis or shipment of samples to a laboratory. Read the entire page →
From page 58... ... 58 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Coordinating Simultaneous Monitoring to Satisfy Multiple Monitoring Needs with One Trip Whether airport personnel or an outside laboratory or consultant is used, labor time or expense is often one of the greatest costs associated with monitoring. There are several ways to minimize the amount of time spent dedicated to monitoring. Read the entire page →
From page 59... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 59 International Airport case study describes how telemetry is used at the Seattle-Tacoma airport. If composite monitoring can be initiated remotely, the monitoring personnel only need to visit the monitoring location once to collect the sample, not twice to initiate then to collect the sample. Read the entire page →
From page 60... ... 60 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring weekly or monthly and BTEX is measured quarterly. Section 3.5.2: Management of Ongoing Operations and Maintenance Activities provides more information about surrogates, including a table listing typical surrogates used for specific parameters. Read the entire page →
From page 61... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 61 1.8 Collecting, Reporting, and Maintaining Data Careful advanced planning for the collection, reporting, and maintenance of data is key to an effective and efficient monitoring program. Collecting, maintaining, and reporting data now in a way that supports potential future data needs can save significant time and efforts later. Read the entire page →
From page 62... ... 62 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Topical Tips Information to Obtain from Laboratory When Delivering Samples • Verification that samples were received in good condition and at the appropriate temperature • Verification that there are no issues or questions with the chain of custody • Confirmation of method for delivering results (e.g., paper report via mail, PDF file, Excel table, online database download) Information to Provide to Laboratory When Delivering Samples • Time frame for when laboratory analysis report is needed (e.g., is a rush designation required, or is the standard time frame acceptable? Read the entire page →
From page 63... ... acquiring Monitoring Data 63 remote access to the airport server? How many people need access to the data? Read the entire page →
From page 64... ... 64 Interpreting the results of airport Water Monitoring Appropriate Reporting of Nondetects and Qualified Data In addition to understanding what data should be reported, and what data needs to be maintained and made available upon request to the regulator or the public, it is important to understand how to handle reporting of parameters that were not detected during analysis, or data that is qualified in some way. Requirements for reporting these values vary by state and by permit and may include reporting of a code for qualified or nondetect value. Read the entire page →

From page 16...

... 16 C h a p t e r 1 1.1 Introduction A multitude of consequential decisions are made at airports based on interpretation and application of water monitoring data. The soundness of the decisions is directly related to the data accuracy and data representativeness.