An investigation into the levels and sources of pollutants to a subwatershed of a drinking water
reservoir was conducted. This drinking water system has a filtration waiver under the Surface
Water Treatment Rule. As part of maintaining this filtration waiver, the managing utility has
developed a proactive watershed management program which this research supports. This project
was initiated to assess sources of pollutants within the subwatershed so that control activities
could be developed. A year-round sampling program was designed to isolate land uses within the
subwatershed. Grab samples were analyzed for thirteen water quality parameters, including three
microbial source tracking indicators. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine which
parameters provided the most meaningful information on pollution sources, accounting for
seasonal variations, precipitation affects, and land use impacts. Overall, utilizing a multiple
sampling site approach with traditional and microbial source tracking measures provided insights
into the water quality dynamics of the subwatershed. Includes 4 references, tables.