THE STREAMER NEWSLETTER

Streamer: Summer 1998

When record-breaking rain storms the second weekend in June activated all combined sewer overflows in the Charles River Lower Basin, a new CRWA pollution warning system signaled unsafe water quality conditions to boaters. Red flags were hoisted at five boathouses indicating that bacterial levels posed an elevated health risk for boaters. As the river began to flush itself out later in the week, red flags were replaced with blue ones to let boaters know that the river was again safe for boating.

"This flagging program closes the gap between what we now know about water quality in the Lower Basin and what is communicated to the public," said CRWA Executive Director Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr. at the official launch of the program on June 5th at Community Boating on the Esplanade. "CRWA data shows the river is much cleaner now than even two years ago, but we think boaters want to know when bacteria levels in the river violate the state boating standard."

CRWA's innovative signaling system is based on water quality sampling by trained volunteers at five sites on the Lower Basin: Northeastern Boathouse, Community Rowing, Harvard's Weld Boathouse, Riverside Boat Club, and Community Boating/Union Boat Club. Samples are tested for bacteria (fecal coliform) Monday through Friday until October mostly at CRWA's laboratory in Newton. Results are relayed back to the boathouses, where red or blue flags are raised. CRWA also posts the information on its website www.crwa.org.

Blue flags fly on days when water quality near test sites is suitable for boating. Red flags signal when the river does not meet boating standards set by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Red flag days typically occur after
heavy rainfall of more than two inches when stormdrains and sewer system overflows flush pollutants into the river. CRWA research over the last two years indicates that at least 90% of the Lower Basin does not meet boating standards after heavy rains.

Water quality is measured by counting colony-forming units of fecal coliform per 100 milliliters (or about one teacup) of water. When bacteria counts exceed 1000 coliforms per 100 milliliters, river water violates boating standards. The presence of fecal bacteria in water suggests contamination with sewage or feces, which in turn could mean that disease-causing bacteria or viruses are present.

The primary funder for the project is the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) program. State funding for the project, championed by Senator Warren Tolman, is appropriated through the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). Voicing support for the project at the June 5th press conference were Sen. Tolman; Julia O'Brien, director of Planning for the MDC; Kenneth W. Moraff, chief of the Enforcement Office at the New England Regional Office of EPA; David B. Struhs, commissioner of the MA Department of Environmental Protection; and Hart Kelley, executive director of Community Boating.

The ten-mile stretch of the Charles River Lower Basin, from Watertown Dam to Boston's Museum of Science, is one of the state's most heavily used and valuable resources. The water is used for recreational and competitive rowing, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking; also for windsurfing, fishing, powerboating, and sightseeing.

Support Growing

At a CRWA-sponsored Corridor Council meeting on combined sewer overflows in April 1997, rowers and other boaters pointed to the need for better information about water quality in the Lower Basin. In response, CRWA organized sampling volunteers at five boathouses for a trial sampling program run last fall. After a start-up period this year in May, the program is now in full swing.

The flagging program has already attracted support from other boating centers. In addition to the five sampling sites, flags are also flown at Newton Yacht Club, the Charles River Canoe and Kayak rental kiosk at Herter Park, and at the ticket booth for Boston Duck Tours at the Prudential Center. Other boathouses have indicated interest in the program as well.

Since CRWA began to post Lower Basin water quality data electronically, the volume of visitors to CRWA's website has increased dramatically. The week following record-breaking storms in mid-June, our website was contacted up to 500 times daily. Records indicate website visitors primarily sought information about conditions in the Lower Basin.

Water quality in the Lower Basin so far this season has been generally favorable for boaters. Overall, red warning flags were hoisted 21% of the time. After heavy rains, the river failed to meet the boating standard 53% of the time. Dry weather was good for boating 100% of the time.

A blue flag waving off the balcony at Harvard's Weld Boathouse signals favorable boating conditions to a women's crew passing in front of the Harvard Business School.   Weld is on e of CRWA's five water quality testing sites in the Lower Basin.   Others include Community Rowing, Northeastern Boathouse, Riverside Boat Club, and Community Boating/ Union Boat Club.