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CRWA Baseline Water Quality Monitoring


Charles River Watershed Volunteer Monthly Water Quality Monitoring

Once a month, more than sixty volunteers gather at thirty-five sites along the river to collect water samples, measure depth and temperature, and record river conditions. The water quality monitoring program is now in its 11th year, and is one of the oldest and largest volunteer sampling programs in the country. The data collected is used to identify problems in the river and trends in water quality, and to track the progress of efforts to clean up the Charles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to use our data to award a grade for the annual Charles River report card. Our data and analyses also assist municipalities and environmental agencies and organizations who are working to minimize stormwater impacts and reduce sewage contamination in the river.

CRWA and all of our volunteers appreciate the generous support from funders of the 2007 volunteer monitoring program:

The Bilezikian Family Foundation, REI and
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for their in-kind support.



About the Study

Background

How to Interpret the Data

Explanation of testing parameters

Water Quality is Improving

- Read the 2006 year-end report (PDF)
- Read the 2005 year-end report (PDF)
- Read the 2004 year-end report (PDF)

2007-08 Sampling Dates

Volunteer Field Data Sheets
- PDF
- MS Word

Check for volunteer opportunities in your area!

2008 Bacteria Results


Monthly Maps

View monthly color-coded maps representing
the reaches of the river that meet or exceed
state swimming and/or boating standards for e.coli bacteria.


Table

CRWA analyzes river samples at 37 locations for e. coli bacteria that is an indicator of human health risks.  Click on the table below for the most recent data.  

Escherichia Coli (E. coli) Bacteria

To see a listing of sites and their locations, click here.

1995 - 2007 Water Quality Results


Tables

Additional water quality testing results are available for download as Excel spreadsheets. Click title to download. **Data will become available as it is checked for accuracy.  Please contact David Kaplan dkaplan@crwa.org with any questions regarding the data**