Lick Creek is an impaired stream in Durham NC, and a tributary of Falls Lake. Researchers, lead by Dr. Charles Humphrey (EH faculty) as the principal investigator, at ECU received a grant ($162,000) from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 319 Program in 2015 to improve water quality by improving septic system performance. At the conclusion of the first project in June 2018, researchers had overseen the repair of 3 malfunctioning septic systems, pumping of 37 septic tanks, and installation of an innovative bioreactor installed in a drainageway. In January of 2018, researchers received a second grant from NC DEQ ($143,000) to continue work to improve water quality by improving stormwater management and septic system performance. These grants have allowed faculty and graduate students, including MS Environmental Health students, Jarrod Underwood and Sam Cary, the opportunity to evaluate the water quality conditions of Lick Creek and small drainageways connected to the creek for more than 4 years. The monitoring data are used to determine the sources and locations of water quality contamination, which helps guide remediation efforts. Implementation of various best management practices including rain harvesting systems, drainageway modifications, check dams, septic system repairs, and pumping septic tanks are planned.

Photos courtesy of Guy Iverson