Conclusions from Research

After doing some research on the pH tests, we are unable to determine anything about the overall quality of Mill Creek based purely on data we collected. The pH tests were inconclusive in that they did not show anything abnormal about the creek, the pH levels were where they were to be expected, approximately between 6.5 and 8.5. In order to gain a fuller understanding, we would need to also conduct tests for fecal chloroform, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, nitrates, and phosphorus. The more tests we conduct, the more we understand which pollutant is leading to further problems with the water quality. 

However, through our research, we have still determined that Mill Creek is in danger of suffering from stormwater pollutants. 

One of the most concerning locations for stormwater drainage is directly next to Mill Creek. Walla Walla has been implementing different ways to help control runoff, such as the creation of permits needed for effluent, as well as systems of catching and infiltrating the polluted runoff to keep it from directly entering the water. However, because none of these systems are near Mill Creek, 

it seems as though the best solution right now is to put some of these into place. This would include adding catch basins, detention basins, dry wells, infiltration ponds, infiltration trenches, and oil/water separating systems.
It is hard to reduce the pollutants that are already in Mill Creek, but adding a few of these stormwater runoff safety systems would help Walla Walla from worsening the quality of Mill Creek in the future.

-Marra and Riley