A Case Study of Pollutant Load Trading on the Truckee River

This paper presents the overall approach, preliminary findings, and current status of a watershed pollutant trading project on the Truckee River. The Cities of Reno, Sparks and Washoe County and regional stakeholders (watershed managers) are working together to develop a watershed and water quality model for the Truckee River in order to identify significant sources of point and non-point source pollution and to assess water quality Watershed managers then plan to use the models to evaluate the consequences of various management activities including water right purchases, river restoration septic tank conversions and buffer strips) and their impacts on water quality on the watershed. Based on the modeling results, potential non-point and point source trades are being developed for the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation facility (TMWRF). In addition, watershed managers are evaluating the cost-effectiveness of point and non-point source trades as they relate to the beneficial uses of the river.