We recently received funds from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to set up a bacteria testing program. Bacterial pathogens, such as fecal coliform and E. coli, are one of the main sources of water pollution and can adversely impact recreational use of waterways as well as aquatic life. Possible sources of pathogen contamination include animal waste from pets or wildlife, failing septic systems, stormwater runoff and illicit sewer connections to storm lines. The risk to human health is through ingestion of pathogens through primary and secondary contact recreation (swimming and boating). There are many waterborne pathogens, but E. coli is used as the standard indicator by MassDEP in freshwater.
Among the many accomplishments of the organization is our commitment to citizen science programs including 22 years of monitoring the health the river on a monthly basis by more than 50 trained citizen-scientists. While our existing monitoring program has been successful more work needs to be done to address pollution caused by bacterial pathogens.
State agencies like MassDEP are responsible for managing water resources, but have limited capacity to perform routine monitoring. Local watershed groups, like ours, serve a vital role in providing high quality data through volunteer monitoring (citizen science) programs. Our bacteria monitoring will be critical to this effort. Information about bacterial pathogens is especially lacking for the headwaters region of the Ipswich River and our goal is to meet this need by providing routine, high quality monitoring data. This data will inform whether or not water quality standards for recreation and for aquatic life are being met. The data will be reported to state agencies and local communities to aid in making informed management of our water resources.
You can help reduce stormwater pollution and support our water quality monitoring programs. To learn about what you can do to keep water clean and plentiful, visit www.greenscapes.org and donate today to support or citizen science programs or join us for Paddle-a-thon & Riverfest our annual fundraiser and party that support a clean, healthy Ipswich River.
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This is an important undertaking. Congratulations on the grant! Where or when can the public see the findings of your study? Will there be advisories regarding bacteria levels and unsafe swimming conditions either up river or at the mouth? As well as spikes in our drinking water?