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Bacterial Assessment:
Alewife Brook, Ell Pond,
Malden Canal
Hotspot Sampling Date: August 21, 2014
Report Date:
October 21, 2014
Technical Report # 1410-001
Executive Summary:
The Mystic River Watershed Association conducted dry-weather monitoring in
the municipalities of Somerville and Melrose on August 21, 2014. The main goal
of the monitoring event was to evaluate conditions at stormwater outfalls and
other sites that have not been sampled extensively in the past few years by
MyRWA and other sites of interest. Water quality samples were taken in
accordance with the MyRWA MA-DEP approved QAPP along with accurate
notes.
Testing revealed that six of ten tested sites had E. coli values that exceeded
MassDEP Water Quality Standards for Class B water bodies for swimming. The
highest E. coli values were found at Ell Pond, at outfall MEL003, where E. coli
levels were 6910 MPN E. coli / 100 ml, a value which exceeds the standard for
boating as well.
MassDEP Water Quality Standards for Class B water bodies are 1260 E. coli /
100 ml. for boating and 235 E. coli / 100 ml for swimming.
Citation
This report was prepared by:
Mystic River Watershed Association
20 Academy St. Suite 203
Arlington, MA 02476
781-316-3438
www.mysticriver.org
Principal Investigators:
Patrick Herron and Andrew Hrycyna
Water Quality Monitors:
Andrew Hrycyna, Elissa Ladwig
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
Lab Analysis:
EPA Region 1 Laboratory, Chelmsford MA
This report describes monitoring data collected by MyRWA under its MassDEPapproved Quality Assurance Project Plan.
This project was undertaken in connection with settlement of an enforcement action,
United States v. Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC, taken on behalf of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.
EPA Region 1 Laboratory in Chelmsford, MA conducted all laboratory sample analyses.
These services were provided in-kind to this project.
This report should be cited in the literature in the following manner:
Bacterial Assessment: Alewife Brook, Ell Pond, Malden Canal—Technical Report
1410-001. Mystic River Watershed Association, Arlington, MA.
Water Quality Results
On August 21, 2014. MyRWA conducted a dry-weather sampling event at Alewife
Brook, Ell Pond and the Malden Canal. During this sampling event, MyRWA collected
ten water samples and tested them for bacteria levels to identify potential sources of
contamination that could affect water quality in the surface water bodies.
Elevated E. coli levels adversely impacting water quality were observed at six of 10
sites surveyed, where measured values exceeded MassDEP Water Quality Standards
for swimming safety in Class B water bodies. In addition, at one site near Ell Pond, E.
coli levels exceeded the standard for safe boating as well.
Conclusions and Action items:
Results suggest that two sites should be prioritized, and others followed up on:
1) The two sites near Ell Pond, MEL003 and MEL002 showed the highest E. coli
values, exceeding or approaching the standard for boating safety. Both show elevated
levels over the past several years in dry weather, indicating persistent problems.
Additional testing should be done to determine the cause of this contamination.
2) Prioritize other outfalls whose values exceeded water quality standard, as per table
and maps. Note that two stream samples from Malden Canal showed moderately high
levels of bacteria.
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
Table 1. Sampling Event Snapshot
Municipalities Melrose, Somerville
Water Bodies Alewife Brook, Ell Pond, Malden Canal
Hot Spot Sample Date 2014-08-21
Precipitation Record Dry (0.0” 48 hr prior to sampling)
Monitor(s) Andy Hrycyna
Lab EPA Region 1 - Chelmsford
Fig 1. Bacteria Levels Measured During Hotspot Sampling Event
10,000
6,910
1,164
Boating Standard, 1,260 E.coli/100ml
1,000
744
494
420
395
182
Swimming Standard, 235 E.coli/100ml
100
21
10
4
LocationID
6
x0
M
SO
X0
M
SO
D
C
M
1
8(
6)
3
SO
M
M
EL
x0
2
EL
M
x0
EL
M
x0
1S
3
EL
M
00
EL
M
00
2
4
05
AC
M
AC
03
3
1
M
# E.coli/ 100ml
208
Table 4. Archive Data
The graphs presented below display the measured record of bacteria levels as known to MyRWA
MAC033
10000
1000
100
10
1
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2011
2012
2013
2014
MAC054
10000
1000
100
# E.coli/ 100ml
10
1
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Weather
Dry
Wet
MEL002
10000
1000
100
10
1
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2011
2012
2013
2014
MEL003
10000
1000
100
10
1
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Date
2010
Table 4. Archive Data
The graphs presented below display the measured record of bacteria levels as known to MyRWA
MELx01S
10000
1000
100
10
1
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
MELx02
10000
1000
100
# E.coli/ 100ml
10
1
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Weather
Dry
Wet
MELx03
10000
1000
100
10
1
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
SOMMDC8(6)
10000
1000
100
10
1
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Date
2009
Table 2. Data collected at sites during Hotspot Sampling Event
Site ID
MAC033
MAC054
MEL002
MEL003
MELx01S
MELx02
MELx03
SOMMDC8(6)
SOMX01
SOMx06
E.coli
494
395
1,164
6,910
208
744
4
182
21
420
Deg. C
18.5
Site ID
MAC033
MAC054
MEL002
MEL003
MELx01S
MELx02
MELx03
SOMMDC8(6)
SOMX01
SOMx06
Comment
Stream, from bridge
Stream
21.9
19.5
20.7
22.9
19.1
20.3
19.3
DO
8.8
9.9
6.0
9.0
5.0
10.4
3.5
6.3
9.2
Sp.Cond
553
649
495
1017
2606
1965
701
1206
1283
456
Surf.
0.50
0.25
0.10
0.75
0.25
0.50
0.10
0.10
0.10
Pipe coming out of stone wall near ledge park
Outfall pipe on stream behind Dilboy field
NH3
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.50
0.00
0.50
0.50
0.25
Time
10:46
10:20
09:05
09:00
09:48
09:32
09:20
07:09
08:14
07:30
Water Body
Malden Canal
Malden Canal
Ell Pond
Ell Pond
Ell Pond
Ell Pond
Alewife Brook
Alewife Brook
Alewife Brook
Table 3. Sampling locations
Site
SOMMDC8(6)
Town
Somerville
Water Body
Alewife Brook
Latitude
42.4129
Longitude
-71.1326
SOMx06
Somerville
Alewife Brook
42.4120
-71.1328
SOMX01
Somerville
Alewife Brook
42.4106
-71.1322
MEL003
Melrose
Ell Pond
42.4611
-71.0694
MEL002
Melrose
Ell Pond
42.4615
-71.0688
MELx03
MELx01S
Melrose
Ell Pond
42.4601
-71.0627
MELx02
Melrose
Ell Pond
42.4633
-71.0635
MAC054
Melrose
Malden Canal
42.4435
-71.0697
MAC033
Melrose
Malden Canal
42.4407
-71.0701
LocationDescription
36” DCR outfall DS end of
Dilboy field by Fairfax St.
Outfall on Alewife behind
Dilboy Field, appx 50 yd line
White clay pipe in square
bulkhead DCR pool drain in
line with High Street; Located in woods behind pool at
south end of Dilboy Field
Ell Pond inflow across from
DPW and next to swimming
pool on Tremont St
Ell Pond Stormdrain Inflow
next to DPW off Tremont St.
- walk across red bridge
Pipe embedded in stone wall,
near ledge down stairs on
Pond
Large inflow brook at N end
of hump
Ell Pond Brook US of Banks
Place
Ell Pond Brook DS of Banks
Place
Maps--1
Maps for sampling sites, August 21, 2014
Map 1. Sites SOMMDC8(6), SOMx06, and SOMx01, near Dilboy Stadium, off Alewife
Brook Parkway, Somerville.
Map 2. Site MELx01S, off Main Street, Melrose, Ell Pond.
Green = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 MPN / 100 mL)
Yellow = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between 235 - 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Red = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
Maps--2
Map 3. Sites MEL002 and MEL003, east side of Ell Pond, Melrose.
Map 4. Sites MELx03 and MELx02, north side of Ell Pond, Melrose.
Green = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 MPN / 100 mL)
Yellow = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between 235 - 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Red = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
Maps--3
Map 5. Sites MAC054 and MAC033, Malden Canal.
Green = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 MPN / 100 mL)
Yellow = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between 235 - 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Red = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 MPN / 100 mL)
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
MyRWA Background
The Mystic Monitoring Network (MMN) was created in 2000 by the Mystic River
Watershed Association (MyRWA) to collect valuable water quality data along the Mystic
River and its tributaries. The MMN is a volunteer-based project that is made up of
trained citizen volunteers, student interns, and scientific advisors throughout the region.
The goals of the MMN are to establish a high quality bdaseline of data for the Mystic
River Watershed, identify and address water pollution problems, raise public, municipal
and state agency awareness of water quality in the Mystic, and create a network of
informed and active citizen advocates. MMN’s Hot Spot monitoring program at MyRWA
allows the organization to test water quality in locations not regularly sampled in our
baseline program or that are suspected of having problems with bacteria loading.
Methods
Water quality samples are always collected by trained MyRWA staff and volunteers
following the protocol written in MyRWA’s Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). For
centerline locations, bacteria samples are collected directly from the river and for endof-pipe samples, water is collected directly from the outfall. In fresh water, samples are
analyzed for the bacteria E. coli and in saltwater, samples are analyzed for the
presence of Enterococcus. The bacteria samples are collected in sterile containers
containing a sodium thiosulfate tablet and kept on ice until delivery to either the EPA lab
in Chelmsford, or MyRWA’s lab at Tufts University. Samples are analyzed using the
Enterolert method for enumerating the most probable number (MPN) of bacteria.
Physical habitat parameters are measured according to the QAPP. A YSI meter or EXO
sonde is used to collect measurements for water temperature, dissolved oxygen,
specific conductivity, and salinity. The coordinates of each outfall are drawn from our
database informed by municipal GIS and GPS historical data, and sample locations are
frequently recorded with a Garmin 76Cx GPS unit in the field during sampling to confirm
locations. Air temperature is recorded with an alcohol thermometer at the beginning
and end of the sampling period. Data on precipitation during the past 48 hours are
obtained from the USGS website (real- time data for stream gage located at Muddy
River in Brookline: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?01104683). Detergent data was
collected using the CHEMetrics Detergents Kit utilizing the Methylene Blue method for
analysis.
Quality Assurance
Quality control procedures have been documented for each parameter tested by
MyRWA, and can be reviewed in Table B5-1 of the QAPP (approved January
2011).
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001
Quality control of data is ensured in several ways. YSI meters and EXO sonde are
subjected to pre- and post-calibration for each sampling event. Thermometers are
calibrated on an annual basis. As discussed in the QAPP, field duplicates are not
collected due to the heterogeneous nature of bacteria in an aquatic medium. EPA
Region 1 Laboratory has submitted a copy of their quality assurance plan and standard
operating procedures. They do not submit results of their quality control measures,
such as relative percent difference, but QC protocol are followed according to their
standard operating procedures (available on request).
During this sample event, no violations of QC occurred. All samples were delivered to
the EPA lab within the designated holding time, and the EPA lab did not report any
violations of their standards.
Data received from the EPA lab and collected from the field were entered into MyRWA’s
Access database by the Project Manager and were checked for error by another staff
person. No changes to the data entry were made. Following the QAPP, these data, as
reported here, are sent to the Department of Public Works and the Board of Health of
the relevant municipalities. After 30 days, the data will be sent to MassDEP, the EPA,
conservation commissions of the relevant communities, and any other stakeholders that
have expressed interest in receiving water quality data from MyRWA. A full list of these
recipients is available upon request.
Oct 21, 2014 ▪ MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ▪ Technical Report #: 1410-001