INCOG is the designated water quality management planning agency for the INCOG service area. In this capacity INCOG performs Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies of water quality impaired streams. TMDL studies are an essential element in determining appropriate design size and permitting parameters for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and discharges to streams and rivers. INCOG also provides a variety of water quality education activities, and assists its members with meeting water quality permit requirements.

Green Country Stormwater Alliance

The Green Country Stormwater Alliance (GCSA) represents over a dozen cities and counties in Northeast Oklahoma that are implementing urban water quality protection programs. Most cities in the Tulsa metropolitan area, as well as many other urbanized and designated areas in Oklahoma, must comply with EPA and ODEQ regulations governing Stormwater pollution from urban areas. These Phase I and Phase II cities and counties must implement a suite of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that lead to reductions of pollutants from urban sources, including construction sites. For more information on Green Country Stormwater Alliance visit the website at www.stormwaterok.net.

Oklahoma Stream Team

The Oklahoma Stream Team (OST) is an association of Federal, State and private technical professional staff dedicated to improving urban streams by assisting in the use of bioremediation methods for stream channel restoration. Over the years, too many urban streams were simply made into concrete lined channels – this destroyed aquatic habitat and turned a stream into a conduit. In many cases, where stream channel improvements are needed for enhanced flood control or to eliminate erosion problems, a bioremediation approach will work as well as channel hardening, and it enhances aquatic habitat and is more desirable for adjacent property owners. The OST has two missions: 1) education and outreach to developers, planners, engineers, agencies and consultants; and 2) providing a team of volunteer professionals, at no cost, to work with a project’s designers to provide technical input on bioremediation options for the project. Form more information on Oklahoma Stream Team visit the website at www.streamteamok.net.

Water Quality Project

There are many reasons why a person might be interested in water quality: fishing, swimming, boating, wading, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, drinking water, and just enjoying a pleasant view. These are but a few of the many reasons we Oklahomans treasure our aquatic natural resources. How a lake or stream is used is so important that the EPA and states have categorized water quality standards to protect types of uses. These “Beneficial Uses” are defined in the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards. Each beneficial use has its own standards of protection.