Documented water pollution problems in the past have been attributed mainly to the effects of these wastewater effluents. Due to improvements in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems, dramatic improvements in water quality have resulted. Assessment data indicate a possible concern due to fecal coliform bacteria in Segment 0601, with all other screening parameters within the screening criteria indicative of good water quality. Metal and organic data are available on a limited basis in both segments, but results of intensive surveys in this area demonstrate a significant reduction in the number of priority pollutants. Analyses of the limited data collected in Segment 0602 continue to demonstrate a possible concern for dissolved metals.
Additional monitoring is planned.
The predominate land use of this watershed is forest land, with some agricultural crops and some urban development. Concerns or possible concerns are not identified by the data analyses for this assessment report. However, due to mercury in fish tissue, the TDH issued a fish consumption advisory for East Texas reservoirs, which includes B.A. Steinhagen Lake. The specific source of mercury in the fish of East Texas waters is unknown and is probably a result of bioaccumulation. Mercury may be from natural sources, such as geologic formations, as well as stormwater runoff.