Environment - Water

Water Pollution

•Two thirds of catfish pulled from South River in 2005 had cancerous tumorsin tumors.

•All county rivers are biologically impaired.

•Too much impervious surface in 13 county watersheds:

•       5 watersheds have greater than 20% impervious surface, including the Patapsco at 31.7%;
  
•       only one watershed has less than 6% impervious surface.

• FYI - Trout populations diminish with over 4% impervious surface in their watershed; and some salamanders are lost with as little as 0.3% impervious surface.
  

 
• Potable well water --- Aquia has reached maximum allowable yield; further draw-downs likely to impact central South County.

• $5 Billion projected backlog for watershed restoration (public and private), including $1.3 billion for stream restoration.

• 4th longest miles of shoreline, but limited public access.