A5 Problem Definition/Background

In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean River Act (Senate Bill 818) in response to growing concerns that water resource issues were not being pursued in an integrated, systematic manner. The act requires that ongoing water quality assessments be conducted for each river basin in Texas, an approach that integrates water quality issues within the watershed. The CRP legislation mandates that each river authority (or local governing entity) shall submit quality-assured data collected in the river basin to the commission. Quality-assured data in the context of the legislation means that data complies with commission rules for water quality monitoring programs, including rules governing the methods under which water samples are collected and analyzed and data from those samples are assessed and maintained. This QAPP addresses the program developed between the SRA and the TCEQ to carry out the activities mandated by the legislation. The QAPP was developed and will be implemented in accordance with provisions of the Quality Management Plan for the Clean Rivers Program (most recent version).

The purpose of this QAPP is to clearly delineate SRA QA policy, management structure, and procedures, which will be used to implement the QA requirements necessary to verify and validate the water quality data collected. The QAPP is reviewed by the TCEQ to help ensure that data generated for the purposes described above are scientifically valid and legally defensible. This process will ensure that data collected under this QAPP and submitted to the statewide database have been collected and managed in a way that guarantees its reliability and therefore can be used in water quality assessments and other programs deemed appropriate by the TCEQ. Project results will be used to support the achievement of Clean Rivers Program objectives as contained in the Clean Rivers Program Guidance and Reference Guide FY 2004 -2005.

The SRA Environmental Services Division (ESD) collects surface water quality data as part of its commitment to water quality protection in the Sabine Basin. This Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) includes fixed station monitoring and analyses of physical, chemical, bacteriological, and biological parameters. SRA also conducts special investigations concerning pollution complaints.

Additional monitoring requirements have been brought about through the implementation of the TCRP. This additional systematic monitoring program complements the existing fixed station monitoring by providing information on the many subwatersheds not covered by the fixed station monitoring. The systematic monitoring utilizes biological screening studies in combination with routine physical and chemical parameters to provide data on the health of aquatic life and long-range water quality protection. The systematic monitoring also includes field investigations to provide data on subwatersheds, which have never been sampled.

The basin topography has been used to divide the Basin into 110 subwatersheds (24 of these are located in Louisiana), which are organized into 7 reaches. A ‘reach’ of the main-stem of the River roughly corresponds to the old segment system but the reaches are based on hydrography and similarity of land features. This system allows a manager to determine which areas have adequate water quality information and which areas do not. The subwatershed approach also incorporates risk factors such as municipal and industrial outfalls, solid waste sites, urban and rural land use, etc., into the decision making process.

Water quality data is analyzed using the data analysis program developed by SRA following guidance from the TCEQ. The fixed station and systematic programs are reviewed each year to consider revisions in every aspect of the programs.

The 1999 TCRP Sabine Basin Summary Report identified subwatersheds with water quality concerns in the Sabine Basin. The areas were prioritized using input from the Sabine Basin Steering Committee and the SRA staff. Monitoring plans were developed by the SRA and other monitoring partners in cooperation with TCEQ staff at the annual coordinated monitoring meetings to address these priority Subwatersheds. Additional sampling will be conducted under this QAPP by City of Longview personnel to provide data from sites not covered by the SRA sampling program.

A6 Project/Task Description

SRA will conduct monitoring at fixed monitoring sites to adequately characterize water quality trends and monitor progress in protecting or restoring water in the Sabine Basin. All monitoring plans are coordinated with the TNRCC regional offices to avoid duplication of effort. The fixed monitoring sites include 39 sampling sites that are monitored monthly for routine physical and chemical parameters. Selected sites are also monitored annually for metals in water and metals in sediment. Details of the monitoring schedule, parameters, and sampling locations are included in Appendix B.

SRA will conduct systematic monitoring utilizing biological screening studies in combination with routine physical and chemical parameters. Two sites will be monitored in FY 2004 and FY 2005. Details of the monitoring schedule, parameters, and sampling locations will be included in Appendix B. The water quality data includes monitoring and analyses of physical, chemical, bacteriological, and biological parameters. Instantaneous flows will be collected at selected sites. These programs provide data on the health of aquatic life and long-range water quality protection.

See Appendix A for the project-related work plan tasks and schedule of deliverables for a description of work defined in this QAPP.

See Appendix B for details on monitoring to be conducted under this QAPP. The TCEQ and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department monitoring sites are included only for the purposes of showing coordinated basin monitoring and are addressed under separate QAPP’s.

Amendments to the QAPP

Revisions to the QAPP may be necessary to reflect changes in project organization, tasks, schedules, objectives, and methods; to improve operational efficiency; and to accommodate unique or unanticipated circumstances. Requests for amendments are directed from the SRA Project Manager to the CRP Project Manager in writing. They are effective immediately upon approval by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Lead QA Specialist, and the CRP Project QA Specialist. They will be distributed by the SRA Project Manager and incorporated into the QAPP by way of attachment and distributed to personnel on the distribution list.

Appendices to the QAPP

Projects requiring QAPP appendices will be planned in consultation with the SRA and the TCEQ Project Manager and TCEQ technical staff. Appendices will be written in an abbreviated format and will reference the Basin QAPP where appropriate. Appendices will be approved by the SRA Project Manager, the SRA QAO, the CRP Project Manager, the CRP Project QA Specialist, the CRP Lead QA Specialist and other TCEQ personnel as appropriate. Copies of approved QAPP’s appendices will be distributed by the SRA to project participants before monitoring activities are commenced.

A7 Quality Objectives and Criteria

The purpose of fixed/routine and systematic water quality monitoring is to collect surface water quality data needed for conducting water quality assessments in accordance with TCEQ’s Guidance for Assessing Texas Surface and Finished Drinking Water Quality Data. These water quality data, and data collected by other organizations (e.g., USGS, TCEQ, etc.), will be subsequently reconciled for use and assessed by the TCEQ. No decisions will be made by the project team based on the data collected.

The measurement performance specifications to support the project objectives for a minimum data set are specified in Table A7.1. The SRA Laboratory will perform all of the analyses listed in Table A7.1.

Table A7.1: Measurement Performance Specifications

PARAMETER	UNITS	MATRIX	METHOD	STORET	AWRL	Lab Reporting Limit (RL)	RECOVERY at RLs		PRECISION (RPD of LCS/LCS dup)	BIAS (%Rec. of LCS)	Lab
Field Parameters
pH	pH/ units	water	EPA 150.1 and TCEQ SOP	00400	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
DO	mg/L	water	EPA 360.1 and TCEQ SOP	00300	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Percent Saturation of DO	%	water	EPA 360.1 and TCEQ SOP	00301	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Conductivity	µS/cm	water	EPA 120.1 and TCEQ SOP	00094	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Salinity	ppt, marine only	water	SM 2520 and TCEQ SOP	00480	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
TDS, calculated	mg/L	water	calculation	70294	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Temperature	^oC	water	EPA 170.1 and TCEQ SOP	00010	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Secchi Depth	meters	water	TCEQ SOP	00078	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Days since last significant rainfall	days	NA	TCEQ SOP	72053	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Water Color	1-brown 2-reddish 3-green 4-black 5-clear 6-other	water	Field Observation	89969	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Water Odor	1-sewage 2-oily/chemical 3-rottenegg 4-musky 5-fishy 6-none 7-other	water	Field Observation	89971	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Weather	1-clear 2-ptcloudy 3-cloudy 4- rain	NA	Field Observation	89966	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Wind Intensity	1-calm 2-slight 3-moderate 4-strong	Air	Field Observation	89965	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Wind Direction	1-North 2-South 3-East 4-West 5-Northeast 6-Southeast 7-Northwest 8-Southwest	Air	Field Observation	89010	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Total water depth	meters	water	TCEQ RWA SOP	82903	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Flow	cfs	water	TCEQ SOP	00061	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Flow measurement method	1-gage 2-electric 3-mechanical 4-weir/flume 5-doppler	water	TCEQ SOP	89835	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Flow severity	1-no flow, 2-low, 3-normal, 4-flood, 5-high, 6-dry	water	TCEQ SOP	01351	NA*	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hrDO avg.	mg/L	water	EPA 360.1	89855	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hr DO min.	mg/L	water	EPA 360.1	89856	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hrDO max.	mg/L	water	EPA 360.1	89857	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hrDO num. meas.	--	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	89858	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24-hr avg. water temperature	^C	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00209	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
max daily water temperature	^C	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00210	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
min daily water temperature	^C	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00211	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hr temperature number measurements	--	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00221	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24-hr avg. conductivity	µS/cm	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00212	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
max daily conductivity	µS/cm	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00213	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
min daily conductivity	µS/cm	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00214	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hr conductivity number measurements	--	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00222	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
max daily pH	s. u.	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00215	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
min daily pH	s. u.	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00216	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
24hr pH number measurements	--	water	TCEQ SOP/ Calculation	00223	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	Field
Conventional and Bacteriological Parameters
TOC	mg/L	water	EPA 415.1	00680	2.0	1		75‑125	20	80‑120	SRA
TSS	mg/L	water	EPA 160.2	00530	4	3		NA	20	NA	SRA
Turbidity	NAU	water	SM 2130B	82079	.5	.5		75‑125	20	80‑120	SRA
Alkalinity, total	mg/L	water	EPA 310.1	00410	10	10		NA	20	80‑120	SRA
Sulfate	mg/L	water	EPA 300.0	00945	10	10		75-125	20	80-120	SRA
Chloride	mg/L	water	EPA 300.0	00940	10	10		75-125	20	80-120	SRA
Chlorophyll-a, spectrophotometric method	µg/L	water	EPA 446.0	32211	5	5		75-125	20	NA	SRA
Pheophytin, spectrophotometric method	µg/L	water	EPA 446.0	32218	3	3		75-125	20	NA	SRA
E. coli, IDEXX Colilert	MPN/100 mL	water	SM 9223-B	31699	1	1		NA	0.5****	NA	SRA
Enterococcus, IDEXX Enterolert	MPN/100 mL	water	ASTM D-6503	31701	1	1		NA	0.5****	NA	SRA
Fecal coliform, membrane filtration	org/100mL	water	Std. Methods 9222-D	31616	1	1		NA	0.5****	NA	SRA
Fecal, Streptococcus	CFU/100ml	water	Std. Methods 9230C	31673	1	1		NA	1	NA	SRA
BOD, 5‑day	mg/L	water	EPA 405.1	00310	2	2		NA	20	NA	SRA
Fluoride, total	mg/L	water	EPA 300.0	00951	.5	0.5		75-125	20	80-120	SRA
Hardness, total (as CaC03)	mg/L	water	EPA 130.2	00900	5	5		NA	20	80-120	SRA
Nitrate-N, total	mg/L	water	EPA 300.0	00620	.02	0.02		75-125	20	80-120	SRA
Nitrite‑N	mg/L	water	EPA 300.0	00615	.02	0.02		75‑125	20	80‑120	SRA
O-phosphate-P	mg/L	water	EPA 300.1	00671	.04	0.04		75-125	20	80-120	SRA
Metals
Arsenic, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 206.2 GFAA/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01000	5	5	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Barium, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 200.7 ICP/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01005	1000	1000	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Cadmium, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 213.2 GFAA/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01025	0.1 For waters <50 mg/l hardness 0.3 for waters > 50 mg/L hardness	0.1	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Chromium, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 200.7 ICP/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01030	10	10	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Copper, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 200.7 ICP/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01040	1 for waters <50 mg/L hardness ______ 3 for waters *50 mg/L hardness	1	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Lead, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 239.2 GFAA/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01049	0.1 for waters <85 mg/L hardness ______ 1 for waters *85 mg/L hardness	1	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Nickel, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 200.7 ICP/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01065	10	10	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Selenium, total	µg/L	water	EPA 270.2 GFAA/EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01147	2	2	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Silver, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 272.2 GFAA/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01075	.5	0.5	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Zinc, dis.	µg/L	water	EPA 200.7 ICP/ EPA 200.8 ICP-MS	01090	5	5	75‑125		20	75‑125	SRA
Metals in Sediment
Arsenic in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7061/ 6020 ICP-MS	01003	7	7	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Barium in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 6010 ICP/ 6020 ICP-MS	01008	200	200	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Cadmium in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7131/ 6020 ICP-MS	01028	0.6	0.6	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Chromium in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 6010 ICP/ 6020 ICP-MS	01029	21	21	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Copper in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 6010 ICP/ 6020 ICP-MS	01043	14	14	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Lead in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7420/ 6020 ICP-MS	01052	20	20	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Mercury in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7471/ 6020 ICP-MS	71921	0.1	0.1	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Nickel in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 6010 ICP/ 6020 ICP-MS	01068	15	15	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Selenium in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7740/ 6020 ICP-MS	01148	1	1	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Silver in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 7760/ 6020 ICP-MS	01078	0.5	0.5	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Zinc in sediment	mg/kg	sediment	SW 846 6010 ICP/ 6020 ICP-MS	01093	64	64	75-125		10	75-125	SRA
Ambient Toxicity			Toxnet
Ceriodaphnia dubia-Acute	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-90/027F	89808	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Daphnia pulex-Acute	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-90/027F	89807	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Pimephales promelas-Acute	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-90/027F	89809	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Menidia beryllina-Acute	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-90/027F	89812	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Mysidopsis bahia-Acute	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-90/027F	89811	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Ceriodaphnia dubia-Chronic	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-91/002	89802	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Daphnia pulex-Chronic	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-91/002	89801	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Pimephales promelas-Chronic	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-91/002	89803	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Menidia beryllina-Chronic	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-91/003	89806	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Mysidopsis bahia-Chronic	1-toxic 2-sublethal 3-No toxicity	Water	EPA/600/4-91/003	89805	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA
Rapid Bioassessment	None	NA	EPA/444/4-89-001	NA	NA	NA	NA		NA	NA	SRA

Appendix B Sampling Process Design And Monitoring Schedule (Plan)

Sample Design Rationale

The sample design is based on the legislative intent of the Clean Rivers Program. Under the legislation, the Planning Agencies have been tasked with providing data to identify significant long-term water quality trends, to characterize water quality conditions in support of the 305(b) assessment. Based on Steering Committee input, achievable water quality objectives and priorities and the identification of water quality issues are used to develop work plans, which are in accord with available resources. As part of the Steering Committee process, the SRA coordinates closely with the TCEQ and other participants to ensure a comprehensive water monitoring strategy within the Watershed. Past assessments in the Sabine Basin have been used to focus limited monitoring resources on high priority subwatersheds. The 1999 Summary of Water Quality Report for the Sabine Basin identified several Subwatersheds with water quality problems. The Subwatersheds selected for special studies were determined by ranking from the SRA staff and the SRA Steering Committee.

Site Selection Criteria

This data collection effort involves monitoring fixed/routine water quality, using procedures that are consistent with the TCEQ SWQM program, for the purpose of data entry into the statewide database maintained by the TCEQ. To this end, some general guidelines are followed when selecting sampling sites, as identified below. Overall consideration is given to accessibility and safety. All monitoring activities have been developed with coordination with the CRP Steering Committee and with the TCEQ.

1. Fixed/routine monitoring sites are representative of in-stream data and are free from back-water effects.

2. Fixed/routine monitoring sites are selected to maximize stream coverage or basin coverage. For very long stretches of river length, a station is considered representative of a water body for not more than 25 miles in freshwater and tidal streams. A single monitoring site is considered representative of 25 percent of the total reservoir acres and estuary or ocean square miles, but not more than 5,120 acres or 8 square miles.

3. Fixed/routine monitoring sites are located preferentially where there are “localized” water quality effects based on past water quality data.

4. Fixed/routine monitoring sites are located where historical data exists. No degradation of water quality may be indicated. However, the continuation of water quality monitoring at this site has been deemed important.

5. At least one site for each classified segment will be selected for fixed/routine monitoring unless the segment is already covered by TCEQ or other qualified monitoring entities reporting fixed/routine data to TCEQ.

6. Fixed/routine monitoring sites may be selected to bracket sources of pollution, influence of tributaries, changes in land uses, and hydrological modifications.

7. Fixed/routine monitoring sites are chosen based on accessibility. When possible, sites are selected where it is possible to collect flow measurements during routine visits or where a stream flow gage is located.

Critical vs. non‑critical measurements

All data taken for CRP and entered into the SWQM portion of the TRACS database are considered critical.

Segment	Region	Basin	Latitude	Longitude	SRA ID	Long Description	Station Id	Start Date	End Date	Monitoring Resp	Monitoring Type	Comments	24HR	Aquatic Habitat	Benthics	Nekton	Metals Water	Organics Water	Metals Sediment	Organics Sediment	Conventional	AmbToxWat	AmbToxSed	Indicator Bacteria	Inst Flow	Fish Tissue	Field
501	10	5	30.00	-93.77	SRT1	Sabine River at Channel Can 3 - 3/4 mile Below Mouth of New Cow Bayou	10391	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Urban area with numerous industries nearby.									12			12			12
501	10	5			ST1a	Sabine River at Channel Light 13 1 1/4 mile above mouth of new Cow Bayou	10393	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Urban area with numerous industries nearby.									12			12			12
501	10	5	30.13	-93.70	SRT2	Sabine River at IH 10 in Orange	10394	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Urban area with numerous permitted discharges.									12			12			12
501	10	5	30.18	-93.71	SR1	Sabine River 12.00 km Upstream of IH 10	10395	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Rural area with silviculture and paper mill activities nearby.									12			12			12
501	10	5	30.06	-93.67	ICW1	Intracoastal Waterway 3.2km East of Sabine River at Perry Ridge in Calcasieu Parish Louisiana	15653	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Navigational Channel near urbanized area with numerous discharges.					1				12			12			12
501	10	5	30.01	-93.75	BB1	Black Bayou in Cameron Parish Louisiana 0.7km Upstream of Confluence With Sabine River	15654	9/1/2003	8/31/2004	SR/SR	RT	Relatively Unimpacted, Small Tributary to Sabine Lake					1		1		12