Bacterial Assessment: Malden River, Mystic River and Island End River Survey

Transcription

1 1 Bacterial Assessment: Malden River, Mystic River and Island End River Survey Hotspot Sampling Date: June 20, 2013 Report Date: August 28, 2013 Executive Summary: Technical Report # MyRWA conducted a wet weather monitoring event in the municipalities of Everett, Malden and Medford on June 20, The main goal of the monitoring event was to evaluate water quality at locations that had not been sampled in prior years and revisit a few known problems. Samples collected at outfall EVE006, a tributary to the Island End River showed the highest level of E. coli concentrations with 34,480 MPN/100mL. High levels of bacterial contamination were also found impacting the Mystic River at MYSRS40 (5,654 MPN/100mL) and MEDMYSRS011 (2,069 MPN/100mL). Samples collected at EVE09B, located on a tributary to the Malden River showed an E. coli level of 2,318 MPN/100mL. High levels of ammonia and detergents were also found in the Malden River from site MARUTB. MassDEP Water Quality Standards for Class B water bodies are 1260 E. coli / 100 ml. for swimming and 235 E. coli / 100 ml for boating. Water quality samples were taken in accordance with the MyRWA MA-DEP approved QAPP along with accurate notes. June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

2 2 Citation This report was prepared by: Mystic River Watershed Association 20 Academy St. Suite 203 Arlington, MA Principal Investigators: Patrick Herron, Katrina Sukola Water Quality Monitors: Katrina Sukola, Katie Creasey Lab Analysis: EPA Region 1 Laboratory, Chelmsford MA This report describes monitoring data collected by MyRWA under its MassDEPapproved Quality Assurance Project Plan with funding support from the Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC. 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: Malden River, Mystic River and Island End River Survey June 20, 2013 Technical Report Mystic River Watershed Association, Arlington, MA. June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

3 3 Table of Contents Executive Summary:... 1 Hotspot Sampling and Results... 4 Conclusions and Action Items... 5 MyRWA Background... 5 Methods... 5 Quality Assurance... 6 Results: Figure 1. Bacteria data collected Results: Table 1. Data collected from sampling sites Sampling location coordinates and directions....9 Maps of sampling locations...10 Archive bacteria data of outfall pipes June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

4 4 Water Quality Data Hotspot Sampling and Results On June 20, 2013 MyRWA conducted a wet weather sampling event along the Malden, Island End and Mystic Rivers in Everett, Malden and Medford. During this sampling event, MyRWA collected twelve water samples and tested them for bacteria levels to identify potential sources of contamination that could affect water quality in the surface water bodies. The inputs contributing to the impairment of the Island End River include the site EVE006, which showed the highest level of E. coli (34,480 MPN/100mL) during this sampling event. This site also had elevated detergents (2 mg/l) and the elevated water temperature (18.8 o C). Elevated temperatures are often associated with illicit connections. This was the only marine sample collected during this sampling event. Near the sampling site, a section of the parking collapsed into the underground brook. A property manager of the New England Produce Center reports that he has communicated with the City of Everett about poor water quality and failing infrastructure in the area. High levels of bacterial contamination were also found impacting the Mystic River from MYSRS40 (E. coli levels of 5,654 MPN/100mL). The outfall MYSRS40 is located in a tributary to the Mystic River but was flowing at a very low rate. The sample was collected from the tributary, which was discolored and had floating debris and organic matter in the water. This site has recently been identified as a site of concern following reports from area residents of floating organic matter during rainstorms and the brown color of the water. Samples collected at MEDMYSRS011 (E.coli levels of 2,069 MPN/100mL) were also from this same tributary to the Mystic River. Impairments to the Malden River were found at EVE09B, with an E. coli level of 2,318 MPN/100mL. This outfall has had historically high E. coli values and also reported high levels of ammonia (2 ppm) and detergents (2 mg/l) during this sampling event. High levels of ammonia (3 ppm) and detergents (>3 mg/l) were also found impacting the Malden river from the site MARUTB, indicating possible inputs of sewage from both outfalls. Dissolved oxygen levels at MARUTB and EVEx06 (3.52 mg/l and 4.34 mg/l, respectively) did not meet State water quality standards. These two sites along with one additional sample collected from outfalls in the tributary exceeded the holding time for bacterial analysis. Conclusions and Action Items 1) City of Everett should follow up on outfall EVE006 to investigate likely significant contributions to the impairment to Island End River. June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

5 5 2) City of Everett should follow up on outfalls EVE09B, EVEx06 and MARUTB to investigate likely sources of impairment to the Malden River. 3) City of Medford should follow up on outfalls MYSRS40 and MEDMYSRS011 to investigate likely sources of impairment to the Mystic River. 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 baseline 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 end-of-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 is used to collect measurements for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, and salinity. The coordinates of each sample location are recorded with a Garmin 76Cx GPS unit. 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 (realtime data for stream gage located at Muddy River in Brookline: Detergent data was collected June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

6 6 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). Quality control of data is ensured in several ways. YSI meters are subjected to pre- and post-calibration for each sampling event. Thermometers are calibrated on an annual basis. GIS coordinates are marked at an accuracy of 20. 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 sampling event, a violation of QC occurred. All samples were delivered to the EPA lab within the designated holding time, with the exception of three samples, EVEx07, EVEx06 and MARUTB. 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 Excel 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. June 20, 2013 MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Technical Report #:

7 Location Everett, Malden and Medford, MA Water Bodies Malden River, Mystic River, Island End River Hot Spot Sample Date 6/20/2013 Rain Events Wet (0.6" 48 hr prior to sampling) (past 48 hours) Monitor(s) Katrina Sukola, Katie Creasey Lab EPA Region 1 - Chelmsford 7 E.coli MPN/ 100mL * 16* Levels of E.coli in the Malden and Mystic River in Everett, MA during Hotspot sampling 6/20/ * Secondary Contact/Boating standard: 1260 E.coli MPN/ 100 ml Primary Contact/Swimming standard: 235 E.coli MPN/100 ml Outfall Pipe 1 Centerline * Exceeded holding time Figure 1. Bacteria counts from samples collected by MyRWA on 6/20/2013 during Hotspot sampling event Six of twelve samples exceeded water quality standards for secondary contact/boating in a Class B water body (1260 MPN/100mL). See maps and site descriptions for information on sampling locations.

8 Location Everett, MA Water Bodies Malden River, Mystic River, Island End River Hot Spot Sample Date 6/20/2013 Rain Events Wet (0.6" 48 hr prior to sampling) (past 48 hours) Monitor(s) Katrina Sukola, Katie Creasey Lab EPA Region 1 - Chelmsford 8 Table 1. Data collected from sampling sites Sample # Site ID E.coli (MPN/ 100mL) H2O Temp (C ) DO (mg/l) Sp. Cond. ( μs/cm) Salinity (ppt) Surfacants (mg/l) Ammonia (mg/l) Time Type Comments 167 EVEx :38 Outfall Cloudy, light tea in * color 168 EVEx06 16 * :58 Outfall 169 MARUT * >3 3 8:04 Centerline 170 EVE09B :46 Centerline 171 EVE :34 Centerline oil present, brook daylighting 172 MARUT :42 Centerline oil present 173 MAL :43 Outfall Orange algae 174 MALTL :48 Outfall 175 MALTL3i 16 12:12 Outfall Orange algae 176 MEDMYSRS :50 Centerline 177 MYRSPH :05 Centerline 178 MYSRS :35 Centerline Surfactants measured using Chemetrics Test Kit * Exceeded holding time Data Entry: Data QA: KS PH Primary Contact/Swimming standard: 235 E.coli MPN/ 100 ml Secondary Contact/Boating standard: 1260 E.coli MPN/ 100 ml

9 Table 2. Sampling locations 9 Sample Site Town Water Body Latitude Longitude Directions 167 EVEx07 Everett 168 EVEx06 Everett 169 MARUT1 Everett 170 EVE09B Everett 171 EVE006 Everett 172 MARUT2 Everett 173 MAL003 Everett 174 MALTL9 Malden 175 MALTL3i Malden 176 MEDMYSRS 011 Malden River Malden River Malden River Malden River Island End River Malden River Sea Plane Basin Sea Plane Basin Sea Plane Basin Outfall north side of bank where brook goes underground Outfall south side of bank where brook goes underground Center culvert where brook goes underground Tributary daylighting South of Kelvin St Medford Mystic River MYRSPH Medford Mystic River MYSRS40 Medford Mystic River Brook day lighting near New England Produce Center parking lot Tributary in line with Floyd St Outfall north of Meadowview Rd Outfall on south side of brook Pipe inside north box culvert Pipe on north bank of tributary, sampled from centerline Tributary south of State Police Headquarters Pipe at north end of tributary, sampled from centerline due to low flow

10 Maps of sampling locations: 10 Blue labels = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 cfu / 100 ml) Yellow labels = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between cfu / 100 ml) Red labels = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 cfu / 100 ml) Map 1. Sampling locations near Rt 16 and the Gateway Center Plaza in Everett Map 2. Sampling location near Riley Way and Island End River in Everett

11 Blue labels = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 cfu / 100 ml) Yellow labels = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between cfu / 100 ml) Red labels = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 cfu / 100 ml) 11 Map 3. Sampling locations near Tremont and Bell Rock St in Everett Map 4. Sampling locations near Lynn St in Everett and Malden

12 12 Blue labels = water quality standards met (E.coli concentrations < 235 cfu / 100 ml) Yellow labels = primary contact / swimming standards not met (E.coli between cfu / 100 ml) Red labels = secondary contact / boating standards not met (E.coli > 1260 cfu / 100 ml) Map 5. Sampling locations on the Mystic River near Rt 16 and Rt 28 in Medford

13 E. coli (cfu) E. coli (cfu) E. coli (cfu) Table 3. Archive Data The graphs presented below display the record of bacteria sampling performed by MyRWA. All bacteria data presented is e. coli MPN/100 ml. Data was collected during wet and dry weather. Note: Bacteria counts are plotted logarithmically. 13 EVEx07 10,000 1, EVEx07 3/20/ /20/ cfu/100 ml 235 cfu/100 ml 1 1/1/07 3/1/08 5/1/09 7/1/10 9/1/11 11/1/12 EVEx06 10,000 1, /20/ /20/ cfu/100 ml 235 cfu/100 ml 1 1/1/07 3/1/08 5/1/09 7/1/10 9/1/11 11/1/12 MARUT1 10,000 1,000 3/20/ /20/13 1,302 1, cfu/100 ml cfu/100 ml 1 1/1/07 3/1/08 5/1/09 7/1/10 9/1/11 11/1/12

14 E. coli (cfu) Table 3. Archive Data Continued 14 MARUT2 10,000 1, /20/ /10/ /24/ /20/ cfu/100 ml 235 cfu/100 ml /1/07 3/1/08 5/1/09 7/1/10 9/1/11 11/1/12