Bacterial pathogens, such as fecal coliform and E. coli, are one of the main sources of water pollution, which can adversely impact recreational use of waterways and aquatic life. Sources of bacterial pollution include animal waste from pets or wildlife in stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, and possibly illicit sewer connections to storm lines.
This past summer, we collaborated with the Parker Clean Water Association to monitor E. coli, roughly every other week, at 11 sites across the Ipswich and Parker River watersheds. This project was funded through a MassDEP water quality monitoring grant, which was also used to support the larger, RiverWatch water quality monitoring program. Information about bacterial pollution is lacking across the watershed and has not been a regular part of the RiverWatch program until recently. Our goal was to meet this need by providing quality controlled data on bacteria levels to know whether or not water quality standards for recreation and aquatic life are being met.
The results were mostly good. Levels of E. coli were generally at acceptable levels for recreation. There were 2 hotspots among the sites we tested: Kimball Brook in Ipswich and Ox Pasture Brook in Rowley. Both sites were known to have had issues in the past and we hope to identify potential sources in the future. We wish to thank the many volunteers who participate in the RiverWatch program, now going into its 30 th year, for their commitment and dedication!