THE STREAMER NEWSLETTER

Streamer: Spring 1999

Every month over 90 CRWA volunteers collect water quality samples from 37 locations along the Charles River. Samples are analyzed for several pollutants, including fecal coliform bacteria, an indicator that other more harmful fecal-related bacteria are likely to be present. The data have been used to characterize existing conditions in the Charles and to identify pollution "hot spots." The regulatory community uses the volunteer data in its assessments of conditions in the Charles.

Overall, fecal coliform levels from the February 16th sampling were exceptionally low and met the state standard for swimming at many places along the river. One exception was downstream of the Charles River Pollution Control District's wastewater treatment plant in Medway (see above figure) where disinfection (or chlorination) of treated wastewater is discontinued during the winter. This is allowed in the plant's discharge permit, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The relatively clean results in February contrast with the poor water quality in January when sampling results were affected by the increased pollution associated with stormwater runoff.