Citizen
Water Monitoring Network (CWMN)
Restoring a Swimmable
Neponset River
NepRWA
runs an active water monitoring program, the Citizen Water
Monitoring Network, CWMN. CWMN is an EPA-approved,
volunteer-based approach to water quality monitoring. Active
since 1995, CWMN provides critical scientific data that
enables NepRWA to effectively advocate for the clean-up of
pollution sources and for sustainable land and water use
policy in the 14 communities of the Neponset River
Watershed.
The CWMN program follows a Quality Assurance Project Plan as
approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MA DEP). This document is updated annually and
reviewed by EPA and Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MA DEP) assuring high quality data
Because of its cost effectiveness and reliability, NepRWA's
CWMN program has become the primary source of ongoing water
quality monitoring data in the Neponset Valley. NepRWA
maintains a water quality database and encourages
communities to use the information in grant applications,
preparation for Phase II Storm water requirements, etc.,
therefore eliminating the need to hire expensive
consultants to collect baseline data. This service
allows communities to focus on implementation activities
rather than costly preliminary results. Please
consider donating to CWMN.
Why is water monitoring needed?
Point source and nonpoint source pollution enter the river
and degrade water quality, negatively impacting fisheries
and wildlife habitat in addition to making recreational
activities such as fishing, swimming and boating unpleasant
and/or unhealthy.
Point source pollution originates from a single,
identifiable source, such as a leaking sewer pipe.
Nonpoint source pollution originates from a variety of
sources: fertilizer from lawns, oil from roads, and animal
wastes that together with with water, form stormwater runoff.
What does CWMN test for?
One morning every other month, all year round, CWMN
volunteers sample 41 sites along the Neponset River,
collecting data on the health of the river.
Some of the parameters that measure the health of the
river are its:
Biological
Properties: Fecal Coliform
and E.Coli are bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts
of animals and humans.
High levels of these bacteria can render rivers and
streams unsafe for swimming, boating, drinking or
shellfishing. High
levels of fecal Coliform bacteria often indicate the
presence of sewage-borne viruses in the water. These
viruses can cause ear infections or other more serious
health problems. Point sources of sewage pollution include
overflowing sewers, leaky sewer pipes, and failing septic
systems, while a nonpoint source is often animal waste.
The number of colony-forming units (cfu) of fecal Coliform
measured per 100 milliliters (ml) of water is the basis of
the Massachusetts water quality standards.
The state standard for fecal Coliform is 200 cfu/100 ml
for swimming and 1000 cfu/100 ml for boating. CWMN has
identified "hot spots" that have had fecal
counts of over 1,000,000 cfu/100 ml!
Chemical
Properties: The presence of sewage, fertilizers, animal wastes and home
cleaning products all affect the chemical properties of
the river, specifically its nutrient levels.
High levels of nutrients can result in excessive plant
growth and low dissolved oxygen levels, which can cause
fish kills and foul odors.
Physical
Properties: Some of the important physical parameters to observe include
the acidity of the water, the depth and flow of the water,
the temperature of the water, and the amount of dirt, sand
and other particles stirred-up in the water.
These physical parameters determine the ability of
a stream or stretch of river to provide habitat for fish
and other wildlife.
Wet
Weather Samples
In addition to their regular monthly sampling,
CWMN volunteers are "on call" to throw on their
raincoats and collect water samples during rain storms. Why?
Because stormwater runoff, the rainwater that drains from pavement and other impervious surfaces during a storm, has
been identified as a major contributor to poor water quality.
CWMN
Success Stories
Due to the diligence of CWMN, NepRWA:
Convinced the MWRA to fix a leaking sewer pipe in
the Lower Mills area of Boston/ Milton that adversely impacted
fish spawning grounds.
Works closely with the Town of Norwood to identify and repair
leaky sewer infrastructure problems that pollute Meadow Brook.
Coordinates with the Milton Board of Health and Engineering
Dept. to pinpoint and resolve public health risks detected
during sampling.
CWMN Goals
Point
source pollution
Identify
and remediate point source pollution
Follow-up remediation activities of nonpoint source pollution/stormwater
runoff:
Work with communities to remediate stormwater discharge sites
Education/Public
Outreach
Educate
watershed citizens about their impact on the Neponset River
Expand public knowledge of water quality program successes
Streamflow
Examine the connection between water quantity and water
quality
Educate watershed citizens about why and how to conserve water
in their homes
Acknowledgements
A Special thank you to our CWMN Volunteers and to Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs,
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,
Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management,
the Boston Water and
Sewer Commission, and the numerous donors who generously
support CWMN.
