skip to main content
Austin City Connection logo; link back to Austin City Connection home page
 
Options

Directory | Departments | FAQ | Links | Site Map | Help | Contact Us

Growth Watch
Second Quarter 1996


Environmental Indicators

Water Quality Samples
Barton Springs
Month Total No. Samples Samples Excluded Acceptable Geo Mean No. Samples
> 400
Recreation Criteria Met?
April 9 0 3 0 Yes
May 11 4 7 0 Yes
June 14 6 26 0 Yes
McKinney Falls (Upper)
Month Total No. Samples Samples Excluded Acceptable Geo Mean No. Samples
> 400
Recreation Criteria Met?
April 9 1 27 0 Yes
May 8 0 12 0 Yes
June 8 2 38 0 Yes

Water samples are regularly collected and tested for fecal coliform (F/COL) bacteria because they are a common variety of microorganism relatively easy to detect and serve to indicate the extent to which pathogenic organisms, which are more difficult to detect, may be present.

The state water quality standards for contact recreation is a maximum geometric mean of 200 c/100ml for at least five samples within a 30-day period. Readings exceeding the acceptable range are common during periods of heavy rainfall.


Ozone Levels

The Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission monitors ozone concentration at two stations in north Austin. The highest value recorded during a 24-hour period from midnight to midnight is reported as the daily maximum ozone level for Austin. Ozone is a photo-oxidant formed when sunlight acts upon nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, which are primarily associated with vehicle emissions. Ozone in the lower atmosphere can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.

The National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) Standard for ozone is 0.12 parts per million (ppm).


Return to Second Quarter 1996 Table of Contents
Return to Growth Watch Home Page

Official Seal of the City of Austin
Austin City Connection - The Official Web site of the City of Austin
Contact Us: Send Email or 512-974-6459.
Legal Notices | Privacy Statement
© 1995 City of Austin, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767 (512) 974-2000