Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Springfield Surface Water Action Monitoring Partnership (Sswamp)

EPA Grant Number: R828580
Title: Springfield Surface Water Action Monitoring Partnership (Sswamp)
Investigators: Galluzzo, Katie , Godfrey, Paul J
Institution: City of Springfield, MA , University of Massachusetts - Boston
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: November 1, 2000 through October 1, 2002
Project Amount: $356,262
RFA: Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) (2000) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Air , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Objective:

The objectives of this research project were to:

(1) determine the baseline chemical and biological characteristics of each of our 13 water bodies; and (2) determine the baseline levels of nutrients, metals, and organic contaminants in the sediment and the extent of nutrient, sediment, and toxic contaminants provided to the water bodies by storm drainage.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Citizen Water Quality Monitor Training

The first step of the project was to secure the commitment of volunteers for each of the 13 water bodies that would be responsible for sampling water quality and reporting on the results. To accomplish this, we worked with local media to hold a public meeting for interested parties. The 103 participants were divided into sections according to the surface water of interest. Participants then signed up for the various volunteer opportunities. Once established, the volunteers were trained by University of Massachusetts staff and began sampling.

Volunteer Water Quality Sampling and Analysis

Volunteers at each of the water bodies collected samples and submitted them to the laboratory for analysis. Selected volunteers were trained to test for dissolved oxygen (DO) and to prepare the chlorophyll sample in their homes. The results of the DO test were submitted to the project team managers and the chlorophyll was sent to the laboratory for analysis. Once the data was collected for the entire sampling season, a baseline summary of data was created and used for future comparisons (see 2003 Water Quality Report).

We determined the current level of mercury, other heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and chlorinated pesticides in frequently consumed fish species within the City of Springfield and informed recreational users of the water bodies and sustenance fishermen, especially those who are non-English speaking, that the water in fish populations presented an elevated health hazard when consumed. The results presented were through information outlets most frequented by those affected (fishermen and their families).

Project volunteers worked with paid staff from the University of Massachusetts to collect and sample a variety of fish from each lake or pond. The local Trout Unlimited Chapter assisted the project, catching fish with the volunteers. The results of the fish tissue sampling have been produced and discussions with the Massachusetts Department of Health were ongoing to determine the best course of communication with the public.

Get The Information Out to the Public

To get the information that was collected out to the public, several tasks were completed. First, after meeting with several neighborhood groups, we determined that the most important message to get out to the public was “storm drains lead to fresh water.” Once we decided this, we began developing materials that made this connection and displayed the monitoring data in an easy to understand format. These educational pieces include a Web site, informational kiosks for each pond, a summary report of data, an informational brochure, curb markers, and a pet waste informational piece. These materials were distributed through civic organizations in Springfield in partnership with the Departments of Planning and Public Works. This work is ongoing.

We furthered the participation and understanding of residents in surface water monitoring as partners to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability. The project team continues to recruit volunteers to distribute public information about Springfield’s surface water quality. These activities include curb marking days, citizen monitoring, and distribution of information through media outlets and at neighborhood festivals. Information is always available on the Web site.

Evaluation of Methods Used

The most effective part of the project was the volunteer sampling of in-lake surface water quality. Volunteers were able to learn the techniques, collect samples, complete a DO analysis, deliver samples to the laboratory, and understand the analysis. To ensure the volunteers thoroughly understood the data they were collecting, we hired a consultant that has worked on water quality monitoring in Springfield for the past 20 years. We met with each lake’s volunteer group at one of their houses during the evening with this consultant. In this informal setting, volunteers and interested residents felt comfortable asking questions and discussing the issues.

Although in-lake sampling worked well, stormwater sampling proved to be much more difficult. Volunteers were supposed to collect samples during a storm, a task participants were reluctant to perform. It also was difficult to coordinate the sampling with 13 volunteers at once. The phone tree often broke down. In the end, we collected fewer samples than originally intended. It should be noted that the entire first year of sampling was very dry and there were no significant storm events. We have since worked with an engineer to design a passive sampler that will collect a first flush sample after the storm.

The final part of our sampling program involved pollutants in fish tissues. The fish tissue sampling was complicated because we could not find a laboratory that would analyze the sample according to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protocols. Because we wanted Massachusetts to recognize the results, however, we had to follow specific procedures. By the time a laboratory was identified that would prepare the fish and sample them, it was toward the end of the grant cycle. The laboratory sampled them according to the required procedures; however, we have not been able to get the Massachusetts Department of Health to cooperate on a fish advisory thus far. This part of the project would have been more efficient if we had subcontracted with the Massachusetts laboratory and the Department of Health at the beginning.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

water, watersheds, sediments, exposure, risk, health effects, ecological effects, human health, ethnic groups, PCB’s, metals, organics, aquatic, sustainable development, restoration, community-based, environmental assets, limnology, monitoring, northeast, EPA region 1,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Water, Waste, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Nutrients, Limnology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Contaminated Sediments, Environmental Chemistry, pesticides, State, Chemistry, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Monitoring/Modeling, Wet Weather Flows, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Mercury, EPA Region, aquatic ecosystem, ecological risk assessment, hydrologic dynamics, ecological exposure, EMPACT, sensitive populations, aquatic, fate and transport, environmental monitoring, adolescents, health risks, watersheds, chemical characteristics, downstream effects, runoff, exposure, contaminated sediment, chemical speciation, mercury loading, surface water, sediment contamination assessment, children, mercury cycling, Massachusetts (MA), alternative climate conditions, environmental data, sediment quality survey, watershed influences, water quality, elderly, human susceptibility, 1, 1, 1-Trichloroethane, nutrient cycling, public access, community outreach, storm drainage, outreach and education, environmental monitoring data, public outreach, Region 1, climate variability, storm water, acid rain, environmental hazard exposures, metals, heavy metals, multi-language outreach materials, organic contaminants

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2001