After more than a decade of water quality concerns, a new 10-year plan aims to reduce bacteria and other pollutants in Rowlett Creek, which runs primarily through Plano before eventually reaching Lake Ray Hubbard.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality accepted the Rowlett Creek Watershed Protection Plan on Aug. 24, clearing the way for local and regional partners to begin implementing its recommendations.
Rowlett Creek has failed to meet state water quality standards since 2014 because of elevated bacteria concentrations, specifically E. coli, according to TCEQ. The watershed also has concerns related to elevated nitrate. Much of the watershed is highly urbanized and includes portions of Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Murphy and Garland.
Where Is The Bacteria Coming From?
Years of monitoring, modeling and analysis examined potential sources of pollution throughout the watershed. Among the sources identified in the plan are urban stormwater runoff and animal waste…