1. Division of Water Quality
Pollutant Removal Effectiveness of the McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Pond and the Gainesway Pond Retrofit Project, Lexington, KY
David J. Price, Ph.D.
Susan L. Plueger, P.E.
Division of Water Quality
Funded in part through §319(h) Non-Point Source Implementation Grants from the U.S. EPA administered by KDOW

2. Gainesway Pond
Retrofit Project

3. The “pond” before construction

4. Layout
Design Firm: CDP Engineers

9. McConnell Springs
Stormwater Quality
Wetland Pond

10. The site before construction

11. McConnell
Springs
Welcome Center
Design Firm: Carman

12. Layout

13. A pond liner installed
Boardwalk taking shape
The site today

16. Pollutant Removal Results
McConnell Springs
Stormwater Quality
Wetland Pond

17. Locating Sampling Sites and Training of Personnel

18. Sampling Locations M4 M2 M1 M5 M3

19. Sampling at McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project

20. Water Quality Parameters Measured at McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
Temperature pH
ORP
Dissolved Oxygen
Conductivity
Total Dissolved Solids
Salinity
Alkalinity
Hardness
Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand (CBOD)
Total Suspended Solids
Total Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrite
Total Phosphorous
Ortho-phosphate
E. coli
Other Coliforms
Turbidity
Clarity
Depth

21. Metals analyzed by ICP at UK-KGS
Aluminum
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Boron
Cadmium
Calcium
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Lithium
Magnesium
Manganese
Nickel
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Silicon
Silver
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfur
Thallium
Tin
Vanadium
Zinc

22. Rainfall Levels Recorded at the Bluegrass Airport for 2010
6/14
12/2
6/9
4/26
7/26
4/22
3/26
8/27

23. Water Quality Results for 2010
McConnell Springs
Water Quality Results for 2010
Nine Sampling Dates
pH 7.00 – 9.75 SU
DO – 8.40 mg/L
Conductivity – 1614 µS/cm
Alkalinity – 210 mg/L
Hardness – 1650 mg/L
Nitrate <0.01 – 5.86 mg/L
Nitrite <0.05 – 0.52 mg/L

24. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Water Samples from
McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
Year 2010

25. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Water Samples from
McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
Spring-Summer

26. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Water Samples from
McConnell Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
Summer-Winter

27. Total Phosphorous in Water Samples from McConnell
Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project

28. Bacterial Counts (E. coli) in Water Samples from McConnell
Springs Stormwater Quality Wetland Project

29. Metal Concentrations in Water Samples from McConnell Springs
Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
03/26/10
06/09/10

30. Metal Concentrations in Water Samples from McConnell Springs
Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
<0.005
<0.005
<0.002
<0.002
<0.002
03/26/10
06/09/10

31. Metal Concentrations in Water Samples from McConnell Springs
Stormwater Quality Wetland Project
03/26/10
06/09/10

32. Pollutant Removal Results
Gainesway Pond
Retrofit Project

33. Sampling Locations
GP5
GP4
FLOW
GP3
GP2
GP1

34. Sampling at Gainesway Pond Stormwater Quality Project

35. Water Quality Results for 2010
Gainesway Pond
Water Quality Results for 2010
Sampling Dates: 4/2, 6/24, 8/26, 12/2
pH 7.00 – 8.85 SU
DO – mg/L
Conductivity – 1231 µS/cm
Alkalinity – 288 mg/L
Hardness – 445 mg/L
Nitrate <1.00 – 7.50 mg/L
Nitrite <0.05 – 0.17 mg/L

36. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Water Samples from
Gainesway Pond Retrofit Project

37. Total Ammonia in Water Samples from Gainesway Pond Retrofit Project

38. Total Phosphorous in Water Samples from
Gainesway Pond Retrofit Project

39. CONCLUSIONS McConnell Springs
pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and hardness
were within normal parameters
Total suspended solids decreased through the
stormwater facility
Ammonia levels decreased at sites M4 and M5
Nitrate and nitrite levels were low
– continue monitoring
Total phosphorous and orthophosphates
decreased over time

40. CONCLUSIONS McConnell Springs
Counts for E. coli and other coliforms were lowest
at sites M4 and M5
Metals not detected in any of the sites:
Antimony, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Gold, Lead,
Selenium, Silver, Thallium, Strontium, & Vanadium
Reductions of Aluminum, Copper, Iron, Nickel, Sulfur
& Zinc through the stormwater facility

41. CONCLUSIONS Gainesway Pond
pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and hardness
were within normal parameters
Total suspended solids were highest in the
ponds (GP4 & GP5)
Spring/summer ammonia levels decreased
at GP4 & GP5, but Fall/Winter levels increased
Levels for total phosphorous, orthophosphates,
nitrate and nitrite were similar in Spring/Summer,
but increased in Fall/Winter
– Continue monitoring

42. RECOMENDATIONS Based on the preliminary data, it appears that both
stormwater structures are performing as expected
Continue monitoring in 2011 (at least every other month)
 Significant for phosphorous, nitrates, nitrites,
& metals which could be detrimental

43. Questions?