WATER QUALITY FLAGS ARE BACK IN THE C HARLES RIVER BASIN

Boston, MA - A sure sign of summer, color-coded flags are signaling water quality conditions in the Charles River Basin again at boating centers in Boston, Cambridge, and Newton. Kicking off its third season operating the innovative flagging program, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) this week began testing water quality and posting results at nine basin locations.

"Boaters know to look for our flags this time of year to determine whether bacteria levels in the Charles pose a health risk," says CRWA's Executive Director Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr. "Our data shows that the Charles is steadily improving, and that's great. But until the Charles is clean and safe all the time, basin users want to know about unhealthy conditions."

A model program, CRWA's signaling system is based on water quality sampling at four sites in the basin, the most heavily-used stretch between Watertown Dam and Boston Harbor. Blue flags fly on days when water quality near testing sites meets boating standards for fecal coliform bacteria set by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Red flags signal elevated bacteria counts and warn that water quality violates state standards.

Water samples are tested Monday through Friday until mid-October at CRWA's laboratory in Newton and results are relayed back to nine boating centers where red or blue flags are hoisted. Results also will be reported by WBZ Channel 4's news program at noon, and immediately on CRWA's website www.crwa.org. The public can also check CRWA's water quality hotline by dialing (617) 965-5975 ext. 301.

Basin boathouses and clubs displaying flags include: Charles River Canoe and Kayak at Herter Park, Community Boating, DeWolfe Boathouse (Boston University), Community Rowing, Henderson Boathouse (Northeastern University), Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sailing Pavilion, Newton Yacht Club, Riverside Boat Club, Weld Boathouse (Harvard University).

From May to October 1999, CRWA signaled suitable conditions for boaters 92% of the time, up dramatically from 39% in 1995. Red flag days typically occurred after heavy rainfall when stormdrains and combined sewer system overflows discharged pollutants into the river.

Funding for the project is from US Environmental Protection Agency, Metropolitan District Commission, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Stop and Shop Supermarkets, and Triumvirate Environmental.