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Catoctin Creek Progress
Catoctin Creek in northwestern Loudoun has a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) impairment for fecal coliform bacteria. Because of this, there has been a push to fence out horses, cattle, and other livestock, along with an effort to fix malfunctioning or non-existant septic system in an effort to reduce the bacteria load in the creek. The good news is, the bacteria levels in the main stem portion of the creek have fallen, and they are close to being low enough to have the section "de-listed" as an impaired segment of stream.
So, the question is, what can we do to give the water quality a nudge and get the stream clean? First, if you own property in the main stem watershed and you have livestock with access to the creek itself, or one of its tributaries, give the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District a call and inquire about stream fencing and water trough cost share programs. If you live in the watershed and think your septic system might need repair, give the Loudoun County Health Department a call, and find out about cost share funds to help fix your malfunctioning system. With a little effort, the Catoctin will be clean and perfect for canoes, fishing, and even swimming. Not to mention that cleaner well water is better for animal health, and on the residential front, a malfunctioning septic system will come back to bite you one way or another (no one wants sewage backed up into the house, or a front yard resembling a manure lagoon!).
Cost share funds are also still available for the North and South Forks of the Catoctin, so if you live in those areas, don't feel left out, call and ask for information on cost share availability for your farm or septic system.
For more information on livestock fencing and water systems, call the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District at 703-777-2075, and for septic system cost share, contact the Health Department at 703-737-8315.
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