Water
Quality Monitoring
This program’s focus is to collect baseline water quality
data including nutrient and fecal coliform data. Also, to provide a
comprehensive water quality and
water quantity evaluation of the Parker River main stem and its
tributaries. The Parker River Clean Water Association’s
volunteers collect samples that are lab tested for fecal coliform,
nitrates, phosphates, dissolved oxygen and turbidity.
Monitors fill out out field data sheets which includes information on
river conditions and flow data from
sites throughout the watershed. The data produced will be used
to:
- Provide baseline data for future comparison as the watershed
develops
- Increase awareness of the connection between land activities
and water quality and quantity
- Identify problem areas for management solutions or
technological improvements
Parker River
Water Quality Monitoring sites
The ecological importance of the Parker River and
Plum Island Sound is recognized nationally and the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts has recognized the importance of Plum Island Sound by
designating it as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern
(ACEC).
Non-point source pollution poses a significant threat to this ACEC as
the Parker River is ranked as being moderately sensitive to nitrogen
and ranked in the upper tier of estuaries with potential for
eutrophication. High concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria in
the
river have permanently closed shellfish beds and also periodically
closed shellfish beds after rain events. These non-point source
pollution problems are likely to increase as the rural/suburban towns
of the Parker River watershed are among the fastest growing in the
state.
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