SCIENCE/TECHNICAL PROJECTS

EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant Program

In 2003, CRWA received one of the most sought after watershed grants in the country, US Environmental Protection Agency's Targeted Watersheds Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to fund community-based approaches to watershed protection, preservation and restoration efforts. A highly competitive grant, CRWA's proposal beat out over 150 other applicants and was one out of twenty highly deserving watershed group recipients. We were selected based on our demonstrated ability to achieve on-the-ground environmental results in a short time frame, our strong partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, our innovative plans, and our demonstrated compatibility with existing governmental programs.

From 2003 through 2006, CRWA completed six different innovative projects, which included:

Upper Charles River Watershed Flow Trading - An analysis to determine the potential of flow enhancements associated with stormwater remediation, increased aquifer sustainability and instream base flow, as a means of increasing the river's assimilative capacity and be used in lieu of more costly pollution reduction alternatives. Tasks included estimation of economic implications of flow trading, identification and implementation of flow trading projects, and investigation of possibilities for trades between various wastewater discharges, stormwater discharges and water withdrawals.

Fisheries Restoration Study - A study to develop the target fish community for the Charles River, specifying fish species that would be expected to exist in a healthy Charles River ecosystem, in terms of water quality, flow and habitat. Results from the study provided the basis for clearly defined restoration goals.

SmartStorm® - Installation of SmartStorm® Rainwater Recovery Systems, an innovative residential cistern-drywell water retention system developed by CRWA to capture clean runoff from rooftops and store the water in two large plastic storage tanks to be later used for irrigation or other non-potable residential uses or recharged back into the ground through drywell. The performance of these systems in terms of groundwater recharge and stormwater pollution reduction will be monitored and documented. Click here for more information about the system.

Microbial Source Tracking of Wet and Dry Weather Discharges - CRWA assisted US Geological Survey and Mass. Department of Environmental Protection in the preliminary development of a 'tool box' to differentiate between human versus non-human sources of fecal contamination. Both dry and wet weather monitoring for bacteria, genetic markers and chemical compounds was conducted in the watershed.

Flagging Program - During the high-use recreational season, CRWA hoists color-coded flags in the Lower Charles River at eight different boathouses to signal the water quality conditions of the river. The colors of the flags are determined by statistical models that use bacteria results, if available, and antecendent rainfall conditions. The information is also posted on CRWA's website and telephone hotline and the Boston Globe newspaper. Click here to learn more about CRWA's Daily Flagging Program.

Municipal Stormwater Education and Control - CRWA reached out to municipalities through workshops, film event, and our website on better stormwater management practices, low impact development approaches and the preparation and adoption of stormwater utilities.

To learn more about the projects, please read the final report.

Updated February 2008