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City of Newport News
Back River and Warwick River Bacteria TMDL Action Plan
2024-2029 Permit Cycle
2. Bacteria Water Quality Standards and Applicable TMDLs
2.1 Water Quality Standards and Sources of Bacteria
According to Virginia Water Quality Standards (9VAC25‑260 et seq.), all state waters are
designated for recreational uses (such as swimming and boating), the propagation of a balanced
indigenous population of aquatic life (including game fish), wildlife habitat, and the production
of edible natural resources (including fish and shellfish). To protect these uses, DEQ has
established bacteria criteria: Escherichia coli (E. coli) for freshwater recreational contact,
enterococci for saltwater and transition zones, and fecal coliform for shellfish growing and
harvesting. These standards are enforced by DEQ and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Division of Shellfish Sanitation, which monitor waterways and beaches, closing recreational areas
or shellfish beds when bacteria levels exceed thresholds.
Although these bacteria are not always pathogenic, they indicate potential fecal contamination.
When monitoring data show persistent exceedances of the applicable bacteria criteria, DEQ lists
the waterbody as impaired and develops a TMDL to restore compliance.
Primary sources of bacterial impairments in Newport News include failing septic systems,
sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), improper disposal of human waste from recreational vessels
(particularly at marinas), animal contributions from livestock and nuisance wildlife (notably
resident Canada geese), and improperly managed pet waste. These sources are prioritized for
management based on site‑specific conditions, land use patterns, and their relative contribution
to observed bacterial exceedances.
2.2 Back River Impairments
VDH monitored the Back River watershed for bacteria from 1990 to 2012, with results
incorporated into DEQ’s “Total Maximum Daily Loads of Bacteria for Back River in York County
and the Cities of Hampton, Poquoson, and Newport News, Virginia” (approved June 30, 2014).
Livestock, wildlife, pet waste, sanitary sewer overflows, septic failures, and marina discharges
were identified as primary contamination sources.
Several segments of Back River are listed as impaired for E. coli, enterococci, and fecal coliform;
within Newport News, only the Newmarket Creek –Lower Riverine segment is impaired for E. coli.
Figure 2 illustrates this impairment alongside the Saunders Creek–Benns Road Canal channel,
which connects Brick Kiln Creek/Big Bethel Reservoir to the river’s northwestern branch. The
City’s MS4 jurisdiction covers approximately 7 percent of the total Back River watershed by area.Jump to an indexed page (17 of 17)