REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR'S
ANNUAL REPORT
Environmental Qual
New England
August 1977
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New/ England Regional Office, Boston, Mass.
-------
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR'S
ANNUAL REPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
IN NEW ENGLAND
AUGUST 1977
-------
From the Regional Administrator:
This is the Environmental Protection Agency's third Annual Report on
Environmental Quality in New England. Like its predecessors, it covers
air and water quality, drinking water, solid waste management, and toxic
substances in the six New England states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachu-
setts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This year's report also
contains a new section on pesticides.
The past year has seen the passage of two important pieces of environ-
mental legislation — the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic
Substances Control Act. These laws have given EPA and the states wide new
powers and significant new responsibilities for protecting the environment
and the public health. In addition, this year has marked the important
July 1, 1977 deadline for industries and municipalities to have applied
necessary treatment for wastewater discharges.
Although these are all significant milestones, it is well to remember
that passing new laws and meeting established deadlines alone do not
necessarily signal actual improvement in the environment. Documenting
improvements — and failures to improve — in environmental quality is
the purpose of this report. It is intended to show whether the air you
breathe is actually healthful, whether rivers and lakes are actually more
fit for recreation, whether your drinking water is actually safe.
Generally, this year has seen continuing improvement in the quality
of the New England environment. Although this improvement is gratifying,
we will continue enforcement action against polluters until we have
achieved the highest quality environment possible consistent with economic
growth and energy needs.
The environmental area that continues to concern me the most is our
inability to make a significant dent in the oxidant problem. Both the
level and frequency of photochemical oxidant violations have increased
over the last year, despite state and federal strategies designed to reduce
oxidant levels. It appears that, for the short term, only changes in the de-
sign of the internalcombustion engine will allow us to reduce oxidant levels
in this region to the point necessary to protect the public health and welfare.
I hope that this report will be used as a resource by all those who
care about New England and her environment. I would also like to take this
opportunity to say that I appreciate your concern for and interest in
the environment, and that I look forward to working with you to bring
about a cleaner and more satisfying environment for all New Englanders.
William. R. Adams, Jr.
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword from the Regional Administrator
Air Quality Page 1
Surface Water Quality 4
Drinking Water 11
Solid Waste Management 15
Toxic Substances 18
Pesticides 20
Appendices
Air Quality Data
Figure 1: 862 Attainment/Non-Attainment Status
Table 1: S02~Annual Average Maximum 24 Hourly Levels - Trends
1974 - 1976
Figure 2: TSP Attainment/Non-Attainment Status
Table 2: TSP-Annual Geometric Mean - Trends 1974 - 1976
Figure 3: Ozone Attainment/Non-Attainment Status
Table 3: Ozone-Maximum Level, Violation Frequency - One
Hour Standard Trends 1974 - 1976
Figure 4: CO Attainment/Non-Attainment Status
Table 4: CO-Maximum Level, Violation Frequency - Eight Hour
Standard Trends 1974 - 1976
Figure 5: N0£ Attainment/Non-Attainment Status
Surface Water Quality
Table 5: Main Stem and Major Tributary River Mileage Meeting
Federal and State Standards
Table 6: Summary of Water Quality Conditions
Pesticides
Table 7: Progress Toward State Certification of Pesticide
Applicators
-------
AIR QUALITY
The Federal Clean Air Act requires the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency to set ambient air quality standards designed to
protect the public health (primary standards) and the public welfare
(secondary standards). Once such standards have been established, the
states are required by law to develop State Implementation Plans (SIP's) or
regulatory programs to provide for the attainment and maintenance of
these standards. The EPA has established ambient air quality standards for
five pollutants; sulfur dioxide, total suspended particulates, carbon
monoxide, photochemical oxidants (smog), and nitrogen oxides. These
standards establish levels which may not be violated more than once a
year. (It should be noted that it is possible to have a single exceedance,
i.e., one reading above the standard, but if the second highest value does
not exceed the standard,no violation is considered to have occurred.)
The primary public health standards are necessary because of the proven
linkage between air pollution and a number of respiratory illnesses such
as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. High levels of air
pollution also increase the discomfort of individuals suffering from
allergies and contribute to increases in respiratory illnesses such as
pneumonia and bronchial asthma. On a national level, air pollution is
estimated to result annually in 15,000 excess deaths, 15 million days of
restricted activity, and seven million sick days.
On July 1, 1976, the Regional Administrator formally designated
portions of New England as nonattainment for certain standards and called
for the states to undertake studies to determine the causes of the viola-
tions and to adopt the necessary programs, including revisions to SIP's,
needed to ensure attainment of standards.
Sulfur Dioxide - The principal source of sulfur dioxide (802) is
combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur. In New England, sources of
S02 emissions include power generating stations, industrial boilers, and
residential and commercial heating. Figure 1 shows the July 1 nonattain-
ment designation for S02 in New England. There has been no general change
in S02 readings at selected sites in New England during the period 1974-76.
Since S02 emissions are controlled by limiting sulfur in fuel and the
limitation has not been changed, the variations are probably due to
meteorological conditions. No violation of the 24 hour primary standard was
recorded in 1976, although one exceedance ( a single reading above the
standard) was recorded at a monitoring site in Madawaska, Maine. The
state of Maine has been asked to examine the cause of this exceedance.
-------
-2-
Total Suspended Particulates - Figure 2 shows that large portions of
New England have been designated nonattainment due to violations of the
primary or secondary standard for total suspended particulates. During
calendar year 1976 five monitoring stations recorded violations of the
24 hour primary standard for TSP. These sites are located in Springfield
and Worcester (2), Massachusetts, Berlin, New Hampshire, and Rutland,
Vermont. Violations of the 24 hour secondary standard occurred at 29 sites
and in every state. The highest 24 hour levels of particulates recorded
were in Worcester, Massachusetts, Meriden, Connecticut, and Berlin, New
Hampshire. Table 2 shows the 3 year trend 1974-76 for particulate levels
at selected monitoring sites in New England. In general, the state
average for the 3 years has not shown any significant change. Particulate
matter can come from a variety of sources including fossil fuel burning,
industrial processes, fugitive dust, such as wind blown materials from
unpaved roads, sand and coal piles, and reentrainment of road dust caused
by automobile traffic. Studies are now underway throughout New England
to determine the cause of observed violations.
Photochemical Oxidants - Photochemical oxidants, or smog, are formed
by a chemical reaction in the presence of sunlight of hydrocarbons and
nitrogen oxides, both of which result from combustion, industrial pro-
cesses, and gasoline handling. Throughout New England, automotive
emissions produce approximately 50 percent of the hydrocarbons in our air.
The remaining 50 percent are emitted by stationary sources, such as dry
cleaning and degreasing operations, fabric and paper coating, printing and
painting, gasoline storage and distribution, fuel combustion, and incinera-
tion. Figure 3 shows the nonattainment status for photochemical oxidants
in New England. Only one Air Quality Control Region (AQCR). northern New
Hampshire, demonstrated attainment of this standard based upon a monitor
located in Berlin, New Hampshire. The primary health standard, which is
160 micrograms per cubic meter i(160 ug/m3), was violated at every other
monitor site in New England, with levels in excess of three times the
standard found in Connecticut. Highest levels in each state were recorded
at Derby (568 ug/m3), New Haven (537), and Middletown, Connecticut (519);
Medfield, Massachusetts (447); West Greenwich, Rhode Island (402); Portland,
Maine (340); Manchester, New Hampshire (294); and Burlington, Vermont (196).
Table 3 shows the levels recorded at selected sites in New England and
the frequency of violations for the period 1974-76. Of equal concern
with the level of violation is the frequency with which they occur.
Table 3 shows that frequency of violation at these sites increased in
1976 over 1975, generally by a wide margin. There were, for example, ,
563 violations at Groton State Park, Connecticut, 384 at Fairhaven, Massa-
chusetts, and 336 in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Photochemical oxidants
continue to be the major air pollution problem in New England.
Carbon monoxide - Virtually all of the carbon monoxide found in
New England results from motor vehicle emissions. Carbon monoxide (CO) is
a localized problem, occurring primarily in urbanized areas subject to
traffic congestion. In such areas, CO peaks coincide with daily traffic
peaks and the highest levels are observed close to major highways and
heavily travelled streets and intersections. Figure 4 shows the attainment/
-------
-3-
nonattainment status for this pollutant in New England. Of the 13 state
portions of AQCR's where CO levels are monitored, only two have not
shown violations —• the Berkshire AQCR in Massachusetts and the Eastern Connect-
icut Intrastate. Table 4 shows the 1974-76 trend in CO 8 hour standard"
violations and maximum levels at selected sites in New England. Maximum
observed levels in 1976 were significantly less at the selected sites in
Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire when compared with 1974 and 1975
levels. Maximum levels increased or remained the same at the selected
sites in other states. There appears to be no discernable trend in terms
of the frequency of violations. In contrast with 1975, however, in 1976
there were no violations of the one hour primary standard for CO.
Nitrogen Oxides - Nitrogen oxides result from fuel combustion and
motor vehicle emissions. Figure 5 indicates there has been no
formal designation of nonattainment areas for N02 in New England due to
a lack of adequate data. Violations have been reported in previous years
in the Metropolitan Boston and Pioneer Valley Air Quality Control Regions
in Massachusetts. During 1976, the only observed violation of the primary
standard was recorded in Springfield, Massachusetts, with an annual average
of 109 ug/m3, compared with the standard of 100. Formal designation of
nonattainment in these two areas is pending evaluation of these data to deter-
mine their validity. There are insufficient monitored data available for
N02 to describe any long term trend.
The Dirtiest Air - An analysis of the air quality shows that the
highest levels observed, including monitor sites with only a partial year
record, were:
Particulates_(24 hour) - Worcester,„Massachusetts (458 ug/m3)
(standard = 260 ug/m3)
S02 (24 hour) - Milford, Connecticut (277 ug/nr>)
(standard = 365 ug/m3)
CO (8 hour) - Springfield, Massachusetts (24.9 mg/m3)
(standard = 10 mg/m3)
Oxidants (1 hour) - Derby, Connecticut (568 ug/m3)
(standard = 160 ug/m3)
The Cleanest Air - Specifying the location of the cleanest air in
New England depends upon which pollutant is being measured. The following
is a list of the lowest levels for each pollutant recorded at a state
operated monitoring site.
The lowest particulate levels were found at Caledonia County
(Burke Mountain) and Orange County (Vermont Tech), Vermont. Both recorded
levels of 65 ug/m3.
The lowest sulfur oxide levels were found at Fairhaven, Massachusetts,
while the lowest oxidant levels were measured at Berlin, New Hampshire. The
lowest level of carbon monoxide, 8.2 mg/m3, was found at the Merrimack Street
monitor in Manchester, New Hampshire.
-------
-4-
SURFACE WATER QUALITY
One of the major goals of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is
to restore the nation's waterways to a fishable-swimmable condition by
July 1, 1983. Toward that end each state was required to develop water
quality standards as interim goals to be achieved by July, 1977.
Generally, the standards for New England rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
provide for fishable-swimmable waters, except in heavily urbanized or
industrialized areas.
State water quality standards vary according to the category of use for
the surface waters involved. Class "A" waters are suitable for water
supply without further treatment except simple disinfection. Class "B"
waters are suitable for swimming and fishing, and Class "C" waters can be
used for fishing, but not swimming. By these definitions, only Class "A"
and Class "B" waters would meet the national goal described in the first
paragraph.
In addition to use categories, water quality standards specify
criteria which must be met to ensure that uses are maintained. Numerical
or narrative criteria for Class "B" waters, the minimum classification
which will meet the 1983 goal, include bacteria (coliform) limits to
protect the health of swimmers, dissolved oxygen levels high enough to
ensure the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife, and pro-
hibitions on the presence of toxic substances. In addition, Class "B"
waters must be low in turbidity, and free from excessive algae.
Although the major thrust of water pollution control efforts nationwide
has been to restore polluted streams to fishable-swimmable status, a crucial
element of an effective water quality management system for New England is
the preservation of those waters which are currently of good quality.
New England has an abundance of priceless clean lakes and streams whose
quality must be protected and preserved to maintain their value.
A major part of our future activities must be directed towards preserving
these resources.
Current Water Quality Conditions
As of January 1977, 3,309 of the total 6,543 miles of the major river
mainstems and tributaries assessed in New England are suitable for fishing
and swimming. This means that 51 percent of the region's major stream
miles are now meeting the 1983 goal of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act. This represents a 3 percent improvement in stream water quality
during calendar year 1976. It should be noted that several
states have recently improved their assessment procedures and the figures
in this report cannot, therefore, be directly compared with statistics
-------
-5-
contained in the last two annual reports. Tables 5 and 6 contain
the most accurate figures and will be used as a basis for future compari-
sons .
It should also be noted that only the major river mainstems and tribu-
taries are assessed in this report. Most of New England's thousands of
miles of smaller upland tributaries are meeting the fishable-swimmable
standard. For example, Connecticut reports that 93 percent of its total
stream miles are now meeting or exceeding the Class B standard, while only
51 percent of the major streams are meeting those standards. Vermont
reports 92 percent for total miles versus 62 percent for major stream
miles.
Although 51 percent of the region's stream miles meet "B" standards,
61 percent of the assessed mileage now meets interim state water quality
standards. Coliform bacteria levels and dissolved oxygen criteria are
the most frequently violated water quality parameters. Major municipal
and industrial discharges with inadequate levels of treatment have
historically been responsible for these violations.
Coliform violations occurred in most of the major rivers assessed.
Although raw or inadequately treated municipal discharge, urban runoff,
and combined sewage overflows are the main causes of excessive coliform
concentrations, non-point source runoff from silvacultural and agricultural
practices are also implicated in coliform violations in rural areas.
These point source pollution problems are being addressed by two of
the major elements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act — the
construction grants program and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimina-
tion System permit program.
Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of municipal wastewater treat-
ment facilities are just becoming operational or are under construction.
All of the major industrial dischargers in the region have been issued
enforceable "clean-up" permits. Although several major rivers will
continue to show the effects of pollutant discharges until all treatment
plants are operational and the dischargers have attained effluent
limitations prescribed by their permits, many other streams are starting
to demonstrate considerable improvement as a result of these actions.
As more municipal and industrial discharges are controlled through these
programs, we expect to see an acceleration of water quality improvements.
For example, large industrial treatment systems have recently become
operational on the Housatonic, Nashua, and Blackstone Rivers in Massa-
chusetts; the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire and Maine; and the
St. Croix and Presumpscot Rivers in Maine. While sampling data cannot
quantify the improvement yet, we do expect to see a significant change in
water quality in these areas.
-------
-6-
As point sources of pollution (municipal and industrial dischargers)
come under control through the construction grants and permit programs,
non-point sources such as urban and agricultural runoff will have an
increasing impact on water quality. Section 208 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act authorizes the EPA to administer an areawide waste
treatment management planning program. The so-called "208" planning
programs are designed to control complex water quality problems including
urban runoff, agricultural and silvicultural runoff, septage management
and lake eutrophication, as well as municipal and industrial discharges.
To date, more than $14.6 million in 208 grants have been awarded to 17
areawide planning agencies and to the six New England states to prepare
208 plans. Although most of these planning programs will be coming to
completion during 1977, some of the programs' interim achievements have
already resulted in improvements in water quality.
A summary of water quality conditions in the six New England states
is shown in Table 6. The data come from reports filed with EPA
by the individual states.
The following is a brief summary of major problems and recent
progress in each of the New England states.
Connecticut
Fifty-one percent of the major stream miles in Connecticut are meeting
fishable-swimmable standards. This represents an eight percent improvement
in the water quality of the state's major streams, which is the highest
percentage increase over last year's figures of any state in the region.
Water quality improvements were reported in the Naugatuck and Willi-
mantic Rivers as a result of municipal and industrial cleanups. Connec-
ticut's biological sampling program indicates that for the first time in
several decades, the Naugatuck River is clean enough to support natural
populations of fish and aquatic life. The Willimantic River is once again
being stocked with trout after a 10-year period during which the river was
too polluted to support any fish life. Also, fishing conditions in the
Connecticut River have improved, and hopefully salmon will again be running
in that waterway.
Improvements are also evident in the Pawcatuck and Yantic Rivers.
The entire mileage of both rivers, below standard, last year, is reported
to meet the fishable-swimmable standard this year.
Major water pollution problems are still occurring in the Quinnipiac,
Hokanum, Pequabuck, and Still Rivers, due mainly to industrial and municipal
discharges and urban runoff. Combined sewer overflows cause severe pollu-
tion problems in the Connecticut River downstream of Hartford, the Thames
River downstream of Norwich, and in coastal waters around the major urban
centers of New Haven and Bridgeport.
-------
-7-
Although coliform violations are still reported on all major streams
assessed, dissolved oxygen levels have been steadily improving. Seventy-
three percent of the stations analyzed this year indicated a significant
improvement in dissolved oxygen. In fact, 73 percent of the tests covering
eight water quality parameters analyzed at 15 stations demonstrated sig-
nificant improvement.
Maine
A total of 1,930 miles of major waterways were assessed in Maine and
of those, 1,204 or 62 percent were found to be fishable-swimmable. This
represents a 2 percent improvement in water quality.
It should be noted that 91 percent of the major miles assessed are now
meeting state standards. This is the highest percentage of any state in
the region. It is also projected that 93 percent of the river miles will
be fishable-swimmable by 1983.
The recent completion of several municipal and industrial treatment
plants should result in significant improvements in the Androscoggin River
near the New Hampshire border and in the St. Croix and Presumpscot Rivers.
The lower sections of the Androscoggin River and Annabessacook Lake
have both shown evidence of improved water quality. Dissolved oxygen
levels in the Androscoggin have improved considerably as a result of
industrial and municipal pollution cleanup programs. The elimination of
several municipal discharges into Annabessacook Lake has significantly
reduced algal bloom problems and preserved the recreational potential of
this lake. The state also reports that a number of clam flats that had
been closed because of pollution have been opened as a result of controlling
municipal discharges.
Industrial discharges still adversely affect the Kennebec River, and
both the Kennebec and St. John Rivers have serious non-point source
pollution problems.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, only 28 percent of the major stream miles are
meeting the fishable-swimmable standard. This is the lowest percentage
in the region. However, the state has shown a four percent improvement over
last year's figures. It should be noted that because of an improved assess-
ment methodology and consideration of additional stream miles, this year's
assessment cannot be directly compared with last year's.
-------
-8-
A total of 1,474 miles were assessed in the state. Of that total,
410 miles were shown to meet the fishable-swimmable standard. The state
projects that by 1983, 1,102 miles or 75 percent of the total will be
suitable for fishing and swimming.
The only major waterway in the state listed as being totally fishable-
swimmable is the 18 mile Farmington River.
Several large municipal treatment plants have gone on line recently and
should result in noticeable improvements to the Nashua River (Fitchburg),
the Blackstone River (Worcester), the Merrimack River (Greater Lawrence and
Haverhill) and the Housatonic River (Pittsfield).
The elimination of raw discharges and the control of non-point sources
have been credited with improving the quality of Lake Quinsigamond in
Worcester and preserving the area's recreational benefits. Completion of
municipal and industrial treatment facilities on the Deerfield River have
resulted in attainment of standards in a good portion of that waterway.
Most urban rivers, however, including the Charles, Connecticuts
Blackstone, and Merrimack, report major.coliform problems. Portions of the
Merrimack and Connecticut still receive untreated waste from large munici-
palities. Combined sewer overflows severely degrade water quality in the
Charles, Connecticut, Merrimack, Nashua, and BlackstoneRivers and parti-
cularly in Boston Harbor. These problems are being addressed and we do
expect to see improvements in the next few years.
New Hampshire
t
Forty-six percent or 591 ot the 1,298 major stream miles assessed in
New Hampshire are suitable for fishing and swimming. Based on the state's
new assessment procedures, this represents an overall 3 percent improvement
in the water quality over last year. By 1983, it is projected that 96
percent of the major river miles will meet the fishable-swimmable
standard. This will give the state the highest percentage of major water-
ways meeting that standard in the region.
Improved water quality conditions were reported in the Pemigewasset
and Contoocook Rivers. The Pemigewasset, by the mid-sixties, had
deteriorated so much that it was fit only to transport sewage and for
industrial use. As a result of controls on municipal and industrial waste-
water, over 55 miles have been reclaimed. Nuisance conditions including
obnoxious fumes, odors, and color have been eliminated and conditions suit-
able for canoeing, fishing, swimming, and aesthetic enjoyment have been
restored. Trout have now returned to the Pemigewasset. The construction
of municipal treatment facilities and industrial pollution abatement
facilities, particularly by paper mills, has resulted in similar improve-
ments in the Contoocook.
-------
-9-
In the Merrimack River, untreated wastes from municipal and industrial
sources and combined sewer overflows seriously deplete oxygen levels and
contribute to violations in coliform criteria. Slightly more than 50 per-
cent of this river meets the fishable-swimmable standard. However, by
1983 that percentage will rise to more than 90 percent. The more rural
Connecticut, Androscoggin, and Upper Ammonoosuc Rivers, which have had
severely depleted dissolved oxygen levels as a result of discharges from
major paper mills in Groveton and Berlin, should demonstrate dramatic
improvements this year resulting from recently completed industrial treat-
ment plants.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island reported 64 percent of its major stream miles are fishable-
swimmable. This is the same percentage that met that standard last year.
A total of 211 miles of 329 assessed were classified as meeting the stand-
ard. The state therefore has the highest^ percentage of fishable-swimmable
water in New England. In addition, 92 percent of the 117,764 acres of
Narragansett Bay were listed as suitable for bathing.
The entire length of the Moosup River is suitable for swimming, while
improvments in the Pawtuxet River were recorded as a result of industrial
pollution cleanup.
Although municipal and industrial discharges now contribute to coliform
and dissolved oxygen problems in the Pawtuxet and Pawcatuck Rivers, con-
struction projects that will upgrade treatment levels are nearing completion
and should result in significant improvement. Similar problems, along with
combined sewer overflows and urban runoff have serious adverse effects on
water quality in the Providence area and the Blackstone River. Another
major problem that is now beginning to be addressed is conditions at the
Providence municipal treatment plant. Equipment failures and overloading
have resulted in conditions that necessitated closing sections of Narra-
gansett Bay to shellfishing from time to time.
Vermont
In Vermont, 62 percent of the major stream miles are now suitable
for fishing and swimming. A total of 686 miles of 1,103 major river miles
are fishable-swimmable or better. If all of the stream miles in the state
including upland streams were assessed, 92 percent would be suitable for
fishing and swimming. By 1983, 82 percent of the major river mileage is
projected to meet the fishable-swimmable standard.
There have been several water clean up successes in Vermont. One
example is the elimination of granite and gravel wastes in the Steven's
Branch of the Winooskl River. The restoration and preservation of the
West River in southern Vermont is another example of state and local
efforts to protect Vermont's waterways. By controlling a major direct
discharge from a resort area, the waterway was preserved as a major
recreational resource.
-------
-10-
Lakes
Lakes are one of the region's greatest aesthetic, recreational, and
economic assets. They contribute enormously to the quality of life for
New Englanders and provide diverse recreational opportunities for resi-
dents and tourists.
Therefore it is essential that we work to preserve, protect, and
enchance these valuable water resources. Lake ecology is very fragile,
much more than river ecology, because the water volume and rate of
removal are relatively low. Thus, lakes do not have the self-cleansing
capabilities of rivers which are constantly restored as they flow to the
seas.
In New England, one of the major environmental problems affecting
lakes is eutrophication, or advanced aging. Pollutants, including
nutrients and sediments, can cause an excessive growth of algae or
aquatic weeds in lakes. Excessive plant growth can lead to a reduction in
the lake's ability to support a balanced population of aquatic life. Of
primary concern are nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen compounds,
sources of which include stormwater runoff and drainage from fields and
farms.
State water pollution control agencies estimate that many significant
lakes in their states are showing signs of eutrophication. For example,
a study carried out several years ago indicated that 20 percent of the
significant lakes in Massachusetts were showing signs of eutrophication,
while 24 percent of the Connecticut lakes were suffering from the same
problem.
In 1975 a Clean Lakes Program was initiated under Section 314 of the
Federal Water Pollution ControljAct. This section provides for federal
participation in lake rehabilitation and preservation programs. This
program provides the first opportunity for EPA to emphasize the need to
place priority on restoring one of our region's most vital resources —
our lakes. EPA has supported lake restoration projects at Morses Pond,
Wellesley, Massachusetts: Lake Cochituate, Natick, Massachusetts; Ellis
Brett Pond, Brockton, Massachusetts; Little Pond, Damariscotta, Maine;
the Charles River Basin in Boston, Massachusetts; Lower Mystic Lake,
Medford, Massachusetts; Annabessacook Lake, Winthrop, Maine; and Lake
Bomoseen, Castleton, Vermont.
-------
-11-
DRINKING WATER
On June 24, 1977, the Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations
became law. These regulations apply to all public water supplies with
more than 15 service connections or which regularly serve more than 25
individuals.
The 3,215 water supplies in New England covered by these regulations
are located as follows:
Connecticut 1,079 New Hampshire 707
Massachusetts 572 Rhode Island 122
Maine 399 Vermont 336
The intent of the law is for states to have primary enforcement
authority as soon as they can demonstrate their ability to enforce
standards at least as stringent as the federal standards.
Connecticut was the second state in the United States to be awarded
primacy under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and four other New England
states are expected to obtain this authority by September 30, 1977.
Vermont, which received the first EPA program support grant in the country,
will not be able to obtain this authority until the legislature reconvenes
in 1978 and passes the necessary legislation.
Some progress has been made in dealing with water supply problems
discussed in previous annual reports.
Microbiological Quality - Forty-five interstate carrier water supplies
have continued under surveillance, but there has been no indication of
improved microbiological quality. Haverhill continues to be "Use Pro-
hibited" for poor microbiological quality but has taken steps to have a
filtration plant designed and built. Boothbay Harbor, Maine, was also
placed on the "Use Prohibited" list for poor microbiological quality. The
number of "Provisionally Approved" water supplies has dropped from eleven to
ten since last year's report. Of these ten, seven were "Provisionally
Approved" because of monitoring deficiencies in the past and will be
classified "Approved" once the monitoring requirements are consistently
met. The remaining two water supplies were classified "Provisionally
•Approved" because of facility deficiencies which are now being corrected.
An indication that bacteriological quality is not as good as last
year's is Vermont's record as follows.
-------
-12-
May 1975 May 1976 May 1977
No. of Supplies Under Sur-
veillance 371 378 425
No. of Supplies Taking
Required No. of Samples - 216 194
No. of Supplies Meeting
Bacteriological Standards 200 185 151
No. of Permanent Boil
Water Orders 12 12 18
No. of Temporary Boil
Water Orders 14 4 31
In early April, 1977, cases of giardiasls began to be diagnosed in
Berlin, New Hampshire and by May 20 there were 205 confirmed cases. Berlin
uses two rivers for its water supply--the Ammonoosuc and the Androscoggin.
Giardia cysts were identified in the raw and finished water of both water
supplies, and in a beaver living in the Godfrey reservoir on the
Ammonoosuc River. Improvements at the two filtration plants were made and
further studies on disinfection to inactivate giardia cysts and to deter-
mine filtration effectiveness in removing the cysts are being carried out.
Lead - The problem of lead in drinking water in New England derives
from a combination of two basic factors. First, the nature of the water
supplies in New England is such that they are quite acidic and are very
low in naturally occurring substances such as calcium and magnesium.
Many of our supplies are so low in these constituents that they approach
distilled water in purity. Because of a high degree of purity, this type
of water tends to be very corrostlve. In other words, it has the ability
to dissolve material with which it may come in contact.
The second basic factor is the widespread use of lead pipe for
conveying water to homes. Lead pipes have been in use since the nineteenth
century and have produced the long standing problem with which we are
faced today. The corrosive water dissolves lead from lead pipes as the
water passes through the pipe, producing in many instances lead levels
in drinking water which are several times in excess of EPA's standard of
0.05 milligrams per liter.
The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) which supplies water to the
Boston Metropolitan area has been attempting to correct the problem of
lead for several years. In June of 1976, the MDC instituted a program of
adding zinc orthophosphate, a commercial corrosion inhibitor. Continued
monitoring by EPA showed that after six months of treatment, high lead
levels persisted in drinking water. In December 1976, EPA
advised the MDC that additional treatment was necessary and that caustic
should be used. The MDC is now adding caustic to the water to raise the
-------
-13-
pH in order to reduce the acidity of the water. Preliminary results
indicate that pH adjustment is reducing lead levels.
While waiting for the MDC to institute a program, EPA continued
sampling efforts by going to other communities that were known to have
lead pipes and corrosive water. We also selected communities that
utilized a variety of treatment techniques that might be useful in point-
ing to a solution to Boston's problem. Thus far we have conducted extensive
sampling in more than fifteen communities and found ten of these to have
lead in water at some homes in excess of EPA's standard.
Another area of interest is the Bennington, Vermont lead problem.
After a Vermont State survey had revealed excessive water lead levels,
a private individual in the town petitioned the Administrator of EPA to
take action under the emergency powers section of the Safe Drinking Water
Act. Our Water Supply Branch conducted extensive sampling in the town,
confirming the very high lead levels. Because the town and the state have
both acted expeditiously to alert citizens to the problem and to institute
treatment to reduce the corrosivity of the water, the Administrator
recognized that an imminent health hazard existed but declined to take
action at that time.
Bennington began adding caustic and sodium bicarbonate in June,
1977 to its water. EPA will continue to monitor the water quality to
determine the effectiveness of this treatment and method.
Chlorides and Sodium - Chlorides in drinking water pose a significant
problem for residents of New England. During the late 1950's and early
1960's, the average concentration of chlorides in drinking water began
to rise. Although the levels were generally well below the 250 parts
per million guideline used by most states, the trend was not encouraging.
However, in recent years the rise has begun to level off. This leveling
off may be attributed in part to much more judicious use and storage of
road salt, which is the ma-ip source of chlorides to New England water
supplies. EPA is currently investigating alternative technologies for
roadway snow and ice control.
Sodium is the other major component of road salt. Even when chloride
levels fall below the public health standard, the levels of sodium
associated with the chlorides may be hazardous to the increasing number
of people on sodium-restricted diets. Also, many physicians believe that
the restriction of sodium intake may be of general physiological benefit,
so sodium levels in drinking water may be of concern to the general
public and not just to those people on sodium-restricted diets.
The National Academy of Sciences1 report of December 1976 to Congress
considered sodium. The concluding two paragraphs are presented here.
"A large proportion of the population, about 3 percent, is on
sodium-restricted diets that require sodium intake of less than 2,000
mg/day. The fraction that can be allocated to water varies, depending
-------
-14-
on medical judgment in individual instances. Knowledge of the sodium ion
content of the water supply and maintenance of it at the lowest practicable
concentration is clearly helpful in arranging diets with suitable sodium j_ntake.
In many diets allowance is made for water to contain 100 rag/liter of sodium.
"It appears that at least 40 percent of the population would benefit if
total sodium ion intake were maintained at less than 2,000 mg/day. Provided
that sodium ion concentration in the water supply were less than 100
mg/liter, the contribution of water to the desired total intake of sodium
would be 10 percent or less at a daily consumption of two liters."
Organic Compounds - Three of the four sampling rounds for organics
in drinking water as part of the National Organics Monitoring Survey
(NOMS) have been completed. The final round is due to be carried out this
fall. The data from the first three rounds have not yet been published.
EPA has worked with Newport, Rhode Island to help it achieve chloroform
reduction, but has had limited success. The city has a consulting
engineer working on the design of a new treatment facility.
At the national level there seems to be steady progress towards
adopting a standard for trihalomethanes which will be made a part of the
Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations. EPA has published a treatment
guide for the control of chloroform and other trihalomethanes.
-------
-15-
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
On October 21, 1976 the President signed into law the Resource Con-
servation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This new Act amends the Solid Waste
Disposal Act of 1965 and has three basic objectives: to abate the open
dumping of solid waste, to control hazardous waste from generation to
disposal, and to stimulate resource conservation and recovery programs.
This new law will have significant impact on land disposal and hazardous
waste disposal practices and resource conservation and recovery programs
in the future.
This new law requires EPA to develop land disposal criteria by
October, 1977 which will define what constitutes environmentally acceptable
land disposal practice. The state solid waste agencies will be responsible
for conducting a phased inventory of all existing disposal sites during
fiscal year 1978 in order to determine their status in relation to the
federal land disposal criteria. The names of noncomplying sites will be
subject to the citizen suit provisions of the new federal law.
EPA is also required to promulgate standards and regulations per-
taining to the generation, transportation, storage, treatment, and dis-
posal of hazardous waste by April 1978. Regulated firms must comply with
the standards within six months after promulgation. Treatment, storage,
and disposal facilities will also be required to have permits to operate.
New England now has two states which have enacted mandatory deposit
laws. The Maine referendum on the mandatory deposit question was enacted
during their current legislative session. The mandatory deposit law will
go into effect on January 1, 1978. Vermont has had a similar law in
effect since 1972. Similar legislation was proposed but failed to pass
in other New England states.
Interest in local recycling continues to grow in New England. The
response to a recent questionnaire sent to municipal and environmental
groups identified approximately two hundred municipally-sponsored recycling
projects in New England. EPA funded projects designed to demonstrate
curbside separation techniques in Marblehead and Somerville, Massachusetts
continued to operate.
The progress of the programs can be summarized as follows. Through
December 1976, Somerville recovered 8 percent of its total residential
solid waste and Marblehead recovered 24 percent. In economic terms, the
programs have resulted in a $2,816 loss for Somerville and a gain of
$27,850 for Marblehead. These figures assume that the municipalities
purchased the recycling vehicles. However, because EPA paid for the
-------
-16-
vehicles, the economic benefits are considerably greater than indicated
above. Furthermore, these figures do not reflect the environmental bene-
fits of conserving landfill capacity and reducing the consumption of
virgin materials.
During June, 1977, an office paper recycling program was initiated in
the John F. Kennedy Federal Building. This program will serve approximately
4,000 people within the building and will serve as a prototype for similar
programs at other federal facilities in the region. These programs are
mandatory for federal facilities as a result of Materials Recovery Guide-
lines promulgated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 as amended.
The New England solid waste management agencies continued to work on
the implementation of resource recovery options. The Connecticut Resource
Recovery Authority's project in Bridgeport, Connecticut began construction
during December 1976 and is scheduled to begin operation during March of
1978. The Rhode Island Solid Waste Management Corporation issued a Request
for Qualitifations during January 1977 as a preliminary step to selecting
a resource recovery system to serve the disposal needs of the Greater
Providence area. The Massachusetts Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal is
currently negotiating a final contract with Universal Oil Products to con-
struct a resource recovery system which will generate electric power for
sale to New England Electric. This facility will serve municipalities in
northeastern Massachusetts. The project received a temporary setback when
the voters of Haverhill rejected the proposed site location. Approval
for an alternative site is presently being finalized. Additional projects
are in the planning phases for west suburban Boston, Worcester, and Spring-
field, Massachusetts.
There is a great deal of activity in northern New England in terms of
development of small scale resource recovery systems. Four additional
facilities were constructed in New Hampshire during the past year; seven
are currently in existence. These facilities incorporate separation of
recyclable material in the home followed by simple processing, i.e. baling
paper, cans, etc., at the recycling facility so as to facilitate transport
and sale at the nearest market. In Maine, the City of Auburn with assistance
from EPA is currently implementing a small energy recovery system which will
use the City's solid waste to produce steam for use by a local industry.
A similar system is being considered by Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Two New England states — Rhode Island and Massachusetts — have com-
pleted hazardous waste surveys, and three other states — Connecticut, New
Hampshire, and Maine — are in the process of completing surveys. These
surveys will be valuable to the development of comprehensive hazardous waste
management programs. In May of 1977 Vermont passed compre-
hensive solid waste management legislation which provides enabling authority
to allow the Agency of Environmental Conservation to regulate hazardous
wastes from the point of generation to ultimate disposal. The Vermont
-------
-17-
legislation represents an important step toward assuming authorization
for the hazardous waste permit provisions of the new federal law.
The Regional Office of EPA completed a PCS (polychlorinated biphenyl)
waste management survey in November 1976. The PCB waste disposal problem
which was identified in the survey points out a serious problem facing
the states and EPA in the hazardous waste management area, i.e. that
there is an absence of environmentally acceptable ultimate land disposal
capacity for hazardous waste in New England.
Progress has been made in responding to several specific hazardous
waste problems in the region. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Management with the assistance of EPA was able to negotiate a contract with
a private company to process and dispose of 200 tons of excess pesticides
which has been stored at a state park in Hingham, Massachusetts. The
wastes were placed in containers and transported to a state-approved
facility for processing and disposal.
-------
-18-
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
In recent years there has been a growing concern not only in New
England but throughout the nation about the serious health and environ-
mental effects of the use of chemicals. Nevertheless, chemicals
continue to be developed and introduced at a rapid rate — up to 1,000
chemicals a year — for use in industries and homes.
In an effort to protect human health and the environment, Congress
passed the Toxic Substances Control Act on October 11, 1976. This Act
mandates the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain from industry
data on the production, use, and health effects of chemicals and to
require testing of chemicals suspected of being harmful. The law also
requires manufacturers of chemicals to notify the Administrator of
EPA about new chemical substances prior to their release in the market-
place. If a new or existing chemical is determined to pose significant
environmental or health hazards, its use may be banned or otherwise
regulated by the Administrator.
A chemical of particular concern to New England at this time is
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). PCB's in the New Bedford, Massachu-
setts area have contaminated the Acushnet River to the extent that the
State Public Health Commissioner has advised the public not to eat
bottom feeding fish, shellfish, and eels caught in the River. Lobster
beds in the area where New Bedford Harbor empties into Buzzards Bay
were closed and further studies are underway to determine whether the
ban will be extended to finfish and clams. The New Bedford landfill,
which contains 500,000 pounds of PCB's, is being monitored to assure
that leachate is not causing further water contamination. To combat
the contamination by industrial1 discharges of PCB's, clean-up permits
have been issued to the two principal users of PCB's in the New Bedford
area. As a result, industrial discharges have been significantly
reduced.
Another area of concern in Massachusetts is the Hoosic River,
which flows out of North Adams and into which the Sprague
Electric Company of North Adams has discharged PCB's. EPA
tested the Hoosic River in April, 1976, and found PCB concentrations of
12.2 ppm in fish. Five parts per million is the tolerance level
established by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. EPA has
taken action to reduce Sprague's PCB discharge through a compliance
schedule for meeting permit limitations.
The Housatonic River is again of concern to both Massachusetts and
Connecticut with respect to PCB contamination. A General Electric factory
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts is suspected of being the source of PCb's
in the Housatonic River.
-------
-19-
Results of EPA sampling in May and June 1972 and again in August
1975 showed ambient water values in the Housatonic ranging from approxi-
mately .03 ppb of PCB's upstream of the G. E. outfall, to .42 ppb below.
the outfall. Sediment readings from the river bottom ranged from 0.5 ppm
upstream, to 139 ppm, 26 ppm, and 1.4 ppm successively downstream.
Analyses of fish collected from the Housatonic below Pittsfield revealed
concentrations three and seven times the tolerence level.
Samples of the Housatonic in Connecticut taken from February to
July 1977, were analyzed by the Connecticut Health Department. Results
thus far indicate considerable PCB contamination of the Housatonic from
West Cornwall to Cornwall. Analysis of brown trout from this area showed
PCB concentrations of from 14 to 45 ppm.
General Electric was issued a "clean-up" permit effective July 1,
1977, but claims to have ceased discharging PCB's to the Housatonic as
of March, 1977.
In Maine, the only area discovered thus far that is subject to
PCB contamination is located at the F. O'Connor Company Scrap Yard in
Augusta. The Yard receives PCB's from reject capacitors and transformers
from local utilities. The yard has two lagoons which drain into Riggs Brook
and eventually into the Kennebec River. Oil from these lagoons analyzed
by EPA showed PCB levels of 10,000 to 20,000 ppm (1 to 2 percent).
A joint survey of this problem was conducted in December, 1976 and
March, 1977 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and
EPA. The results led to enforcement by the Maine DEP which is currently
underway to prevent further contamination and rectify the present situa-
tion.
Vermont has one major user of PCB's — Jard Company, Inc. of Benning-
ton. In the past, Jard disposed of large quantities of unusable
capacitors containing significant amounts of PCB's in the Bennington
landfill. Preliminary results of PCB analysis of water pumped from
sample wells in the landfill area have not indicated any groundwater
contamination by PCB's. However, the Solid Waste Program at EPA con-
ducted a PCB waste management study of New England in 1976, and analysis
of samples from the Bennington landfill indicated that PCB's were con-
tained in the leachates leaving the land disposal site.
To date none of the fish taken from Vermont waters for PCB analysis
have shown concentrations in excess of the present FDA limit. The highest
known value of 1.3 ppm total PCB was found in white suckers taken from
the Hoosic River in Southern Vermont in December, 1975.
To date there have been no reported problems of PCB contamination
in either Rhode Island or New Hampshire.
-------
-20-
PESTICIDES
A good deal of progress has been made in New England in implementing
the provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) and its various amendments.
Five New England states have formally submitted plans to EPA for cer-
tification of applicators of restricted use pesticides. Massachusetts is
expected to submit a plan sometime in 1977 if the proposed state law
is favorably acted upon by the legislature.
Certification programs are designed to ensure that users have the com-
petence to handle restricted-use pesticides without causing danger to
themselves, the public, or the environment. The certification program
will also allow continued use of certain products that might otherwise
have to be withdrawn from the market because of potential danger to people
or the environment if these chemicals were to be used by the general
public. Applicator certification is primarily a state responsibility.
State authorities develop plans based on federal standards and these plans
must be approved by EPA.
Applicator training programs have been established in all six states
for both private and commercial applicators. EPA has provided both tech-
nical and financial assistance to the six states to help in the development
and implementation of the state plans and for training applicators.
One of the major functions of the states under their pesticide plans
is to certify applicators using tests based on federal standards to deter-
mine that the applicator is competent to apply the materials without endan-
gering the environment, himself, or the public. Tests must be given to
both private applicators and commercial applicators. One of the major
problems concerning states at this time is the lack of a restricted pesti-
cide use list. Since many private applicators throughout the region use
only a few pesticides in their work, it is unclear to some whether or not
to become certified. Thus, the state agency can only estimate the total
number of private applicators who will finally be certified.
Table 7 summarized the progress made toward certifying pesticide
applicators in each state.
-------
-21-
State Registration of Pesticides to Meet Special Local Needs
FIFRA, as amended, requires EPA registration of all pesticides
whether sold or distributed in interstate or intrastate
commerce. There are many "minor pesticide uses" for which EPA
registration has not and probably will not be requested. There are
also local conditions necessitating deviations from an EPA approved
label for purposes of effective pest control or environmental protection.
It was the intent of Congress that Section 24(c), Authority of
States-Registration for Special Local Needs, would be employed to help
deal with these speciality or local use problems. States may request
certification of state programs for such registration. At present,
interim certification has been granted to Connecticut, Maine, New
Hampshire, and Vermont to issue 24(c) registrations.
STATUS ON 24 (c) REGISTRATION AS OF 5/31/77
State N. Approved 24(c) Registrations No. Disapproved
CT 3 1
ME 3 0
NH 2 0
VT 6 0
Accident Control Programs
As of May 16, 1977, the staff and the functions of the Pesticide
Episode Response Branch, Operations Division, were detailed to the
Technical Services Division, Human Effects Monitoring Branch (HEMB).
The HEMB is to be the principle recipient, respository, and coordinator
of pesticide incident data within the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP).
The HEMB will maintain the OPP data base for pesticide incidents, and
will also be responsible for monitoring and confirmation of incidents,
providing an appropriate response, and finally for disseminating incident
data and information. In 1976 there were twenty-two reported pesticide,
or suspected pesticide, related incidents in this region. Examples include
the misuse of the insecticide ISOTOX by a teenage boy which resulted in
his hospitalization and treatment, and a fish kill in Maine which resulted
when an oat farmer flushed out his tank too near a stream after using a
GUTHION, 2,4-D mixture.
-------
-22-
Enforcement
This year has been a significant one for pesticides enforcement. A
major achievement is the development of a vigorous use surveillance
program. To date we have conducted 39 investigations on the use of
registered and experimental pesticides to assure that they are being used
according to label directions. We have referred nineteen use cases. Of these
cases, we have issued two notices of warning and recommended the issuance
of three more notices of warning which are pending concurrence. It is important
to understand that until pesticide applicators are certified as competent
by the states, no later than October 1977, a notice of warning is the
strongest action that can be brought for the misuse of a pesticide, unless
the user is a distributor of pesticides or has previously been warned.
After October 1977, civil penalties can be assessed against commercial
applicators beginning with the first violation and against everyone else
(including homeowners) beginning with the second violation.
Pesticides enforcement has also continued its strong surveillance
of pesticide producers. During the first half of the year, 42 pesticide
producing establishments and 47 distributors were inspected and 100
pesticide samples were collected. Enforcement action resulting from
producer and distributor surveillance includes the referral to EPA's
Enforcement Division of seventeen civil cases. These cases involve pro-
posed penalties totalling over $55,000. In addition, we requested two
recalls and issued three stop sale, use or removal orders. There were
also 46 notices of warning issued for minor violations.
In addition to the above accomplishments, we have also completed
negotiations of enforcement grants with two states. These state-federal
cooperative agreements will enable us in future years to expand the
enforcement of pesticide laws by delegating some of the responsibilities
to state regulatory officials.
-------
NEW ENGLAND
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS
AROOSTOOK
INTRASTATE
0081
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
NORTHWEST MAINE
INTRASTATE
(III)
DOWN EAST
INTRASTATE
1109)
CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTRASTATE
VERMONT
INTRASTATE
ANOROSCOGGIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
(107)
METROPOLITAN PORTLAND
INTPASTATE
(no)
MEBRIMACK VALLEY • SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTERSTATE
(121)
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
INTRASTATE
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTRASTATE
die)
NORTH*TST€RN
CONNECTICLTT ~]~J-T
SPRINGFIELD INTERSTATE (*Z)
Attainment
METROPOLITAN PROVIDENCE
INTERSTATE
(120)
NEW JERSEY-NEW YORK-CONNECTICUT
INTERSTATE (43)
EASTERN CONNECTICUT
INTRASTATE
(40
Figure 1 - SC>2 Attainment/Non-attainment
Status
-------
TABLE
§
6
oc
<
z
<
10
ui
3
o:
SULFUR DIOXIDE-ANNUAL AVERAGE MAXIMUM 24 HOURLY LEVELS TRENDS 1974-1976
NEW ENGLAND SITES
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
MAX 24 HOUR LEVEL
ANNUAL AVERAGE
'74 '75 '76
CONN.
BRIDGEPORT
'74 '75 '76
MAINE
PORTLAND
2
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
BOSTON
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
SPRINGFIELD
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
WORCESTER
350
300
250
200
ISO
100
50
X
c
Z
ro
o
33
m
ro
•o
a;
z
I
-------
NEW ENGLAND
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS
ABOOSTOOK
INTRASTATE
008)
tOWN EAST
NTfiASTATE
(109)
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
NORTHWEST MAINE
INTRASTATE
(III)
CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTRASTATE
(.149)
VERMONT
INTRASTATE
1(220
ANOROSCOOGIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
(107)
METROPOLITAN PORTLAND
INTRASTATE
(110)
MERRIMACK VALLEY - SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTERSTATE
(121)
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
INTRASTATE
I 119)
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTRASTATE
die)
NORTH
CONNECTICUT
INTRA
(44
METROPOLITAN PROVIDENCE
INTERSTATE
NEW HAVEN
SPRINGFIELD INTERSTATE (421
Non-Attainment
Attainment
NEW JERSEY-NEW YORK-CONNECTICUT
INTERSTATE (431
EASTERN CONNECTICUT
INTRASTATE
(41)
Figure 2 - TSP Attainment/Non-attainment
Status
-------
TABLE 2.
TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES- ANNUAL GEOMETRIC MEAN-TRENDS 1974-1976
120
NEW ENGLAND STATES
100
l»^
•1 80 ,
a. ANNUAL PRIMARY STANDARD 78ug/m3
PROVIDENCE
7
^^^^^•^••B^"" ^
1
WASHINGTON
COUNTY
2
BURLINGTON
H
••MM
L_
RANDOLPH
CENTER
'76 '74 '75 '76 '74
R.I.
1
'75
VT.
'76
NEW ENGLAND AVERAGE
1974 > 46.7 ug/m3
1975 «50.3
1976 -50.0
STATE AVERAGE FOR YEAR
-------
NEW ENGLAND
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS
AROOSTOOf
INTRASTATE
0081
DOWN EAST
.TRASTATE
O9)
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
INTRASTATE
1149)
VERMONT
INTRASTATE
ANDROSCOtiGIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
(107)
METROPOLITAN PORTLAND
INTRASTATE
(110)
MERRIMACK VALLEY • SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTERSTATE
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
INTRASTATE
I 119)
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTRASTATE
me)
METROPOLITAN PROVIDENCE
INTERSTATE
NEW HAVEN
SPRINGFIELD INTERSTATE (42)
BERKSHIRE
INTRASTATE
1117)
Non-attainment
Attainment
No data
NEW JERSEY-NEW YORK-CONNECTICUT
INTERSTATE (43)
EASTERN CONNECTICUT
INTHASTATE
(40
Figure 3 - Ozone Attainment/Non-
attainment Status
-------
TABLE 3.
OZONE-MAXIMUM LEVEL, VIOLATION FREQUENCY-ONE HOUR STANDARD TRENDS 1974-1976
700
600
500
400
300
200
NEW ENGLAND SITES
VIOLATION FREQUENCY
MAXIMUM LEVEL
J_HOUR_PRIMARY> STANDARD I60u£/m*
350
300
250
200
o
§
o
70
m
o
"» I
100
100
N.A. N.A.
'74 '75 '76
CONN.
MIDDLETOWN
SITES
'74 '75 '76
MAINE
PORTLAND
SITE a
NO 0, MONITORING IN
MAINE UNTIL 1976
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
WORCESTER
SITE 12
'74
'76
'75 '76
R.I.
PROVIDENCE
SITE 0 SITE II SITE II
'74
'75 '76
VT.
BURLINGTON
SITE 3
50
PROVIDENCE SITE 8(1974) ONLY 51% OF YEAR
SITE 11(1976) START UP 6/78
-------
NEW ENGLAND
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS
AROOSTOOf
INTRASTATE
(1081
DOWN EAST
IMBASTATE
(109)
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
NORTHWEST MAINE
INTRASTATE
(III)
CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTRASTATE
(149)
VERMONT
INTRASTATE
221)
ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
(107)
METROPOLITAN PORTLAND
INTRASTATE
(110)
-1 MERRIMACK VALLEY-SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTERSTATE
(121)
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
INTRASTATE
(119)
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTRASTATE
(118)
HARTFORD- NEW HAVEN fl
SPRINGFIELD INTERSTATE (42|
Non-Attainment
Attainment
No data
METROPOLITAN PROVIDENCE
INTERSTATE
NEW JERSEY-NEW YORK-CONNECTICUT
INTERSTATE (43)
EASTERN CONNECTICUT
INTHASTATE
(41)
Figure 4 - CO Attainment/Non-attainment
Status
-------
TABLE 4.
28
26
24
22
20
18
'6
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
CARBON MONOXIDE-MAXIMUM LEVEL, VIOLATION FREQUENCY-
EIGHT HOUR STANDARD TRENDS 1974 -1976
NEW ENGLAND SITES
(VIOLATION FREQUENCY NOT CALCULATED IN 1974)
• VIOLATION FREQUENCY
[ | MAXIMUM LEVEL
EIGHT HOUR PRIMARY STANDARD 10 mg/m3
120
9 100
3)
i
m 80
60
40
\
'74 *75 '76
CONN.
NEW BRITAIN
(CITY HALL)
'74 '75 '76
MAINE
BANGOR
(CENTRAL ST.)
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
BOSTON
(KENMORE SO.)
'74 '75 '76
MASS.
SPRINGFIELD
(E. COLUMBUS AVE.)
'74
'76
'75
N.H.
MANCHESTER
(MERRIMACK ST.)
'74
'76
•75
R.I.
PROVIDENCE
(DORRENCE ST.)
'74 '75 '76
VT.
BURLINGTON
(S.WINOOSKI AVE.)
-------
NEW ENGLAND
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS
AROOSTOOK
INTRASTATE
008)
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY
INTERSTATE
MERRIMACK VALLEY-SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTERSTATE
(121)
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTRASTATE
die)
NEW HAVEN
SPRINGFIELD INTERSTATE (42)
Attainment
Recorded violation
data to be evaluate^
No data
METROPOLITAN PROVIDENCE
INTERSTATE
(120)
NEW JERSEY- NEW YORK • CONNECTICUT
INTERSTATE (431
EASTERN CONNECTICUT
INTRASTATE
(41)
Figure 5 - NO2 Attainment/Non-attainment
Status
-------
TABLE 5
NEW ENGLAND SUMMARY - Main Stem and Major Tributary River Mileage
Meeting Federal and State Standards
State
1. Connecticut
2. Maine
3. Massachusetts
4. New Hampshire
5. Rhode Island
6. Vermont
Miles
Assessed
409
1930
1474
1298
329
1103
Miles I
1977
Miles
207
1204
410
591
211
686
leetin
1977
%
51
62
28
46
64
62
Class
1976
Miles
173
1151
356
562
211
686
"B" Fishabl<
1976
%
42
60
24
43
64
62
2/Swimmable
% Change
+ 8
+ 2
+ 4
+ 3
0
0
Miles *
1977
Miles
207
1753
480
596
303
708
[eeting
1977
%
51
91
33
46
92
64
State W;
1976
Miles
173
1714
450
564
303
708
iter Quality Standards
1976
%
42
89
31
43
92
64
% Change
+ 8
+ 2
+ 2
+ 3
0
0
Total
6543
3309 51% 3139 48%
+ 3%
4047 62% 3912 60%
+ 2%
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Connecticut 1977
Major Water Areas
(Including mains tern
& major tributaries)
Connecticut
Farmington
French
L> „.'• •'% 5 ,i .
Hockanum
Housatonic
Naugatuck
Pawcatuck
Pequabuck
Quinebaug
Quinnipiac
Shetucket
Thames
Yantic
Total
%
Total
Miles
Assessed
69
54
6
17
80
35
11
15
42
34
18
17
11
409
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
23
54
0
2
80
20
0
3
0
7
7
0
11
207
51%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
23
54
6
17
80
35
0
15
42
34
18
17
11
352
86%
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
23
54
0
2
80
20
0
3
0
7
7
0
11
207
51%
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
46
0
6
15
0
15
11
12
42
27
11
17
0
202
49%
*Water
quality
problems
3,6
6
2, 5, 6
2, 3, 5,6,
3,6
1,2,4,5,6
2,5,6
2,3,5,6
2,5,6
l;l'5
2,3,5
5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M= Municipal
I- Industiral
CS- Combined Sewers
NFS - Nonpoint Source
M, I, CS
M
M, I
M, I, NFS
CS
M, I, CS, NFS
M, I
M, I, NFS
M,I, NFS
M
M,CS, NFS
M, I, CS, NFS
I, CS
*Water quality
problems
1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Maine 1977
Major Water Areas
(including mains tern
& major tributaries)
Penobscot
Kennebec
Androscoggin
St. John
Salmon Falls
(Piscataqua)
Saco
St. Croix Mains tern
& Monument Bk.
Presumpscot
Mousam
TOTAL
%
Total
Miles
Assessed
379
325
320
351
157
230
87
58
23
1930
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
180
200
150
269
120
212
47
21
5
1204"
62%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
364
263
314
308
157
227
77
58
11
1779
93%
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
364
263
314
289
157
227
77
51
11
1753
91%
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
15
62
6
62
_
3
10
7
12
177
9%
*Water
quality
problems
4,5,6
4,5
1,2,5,6
2,5,6
5,6
1,5,6
5,6
5,6
3,5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M= Municipal
1= Industiral
CS= Combined Sewers
NPS = Nonpoint Source
M,I
M,
M,I
M,I,NPS
M
M,I
I
1
M,I
M
*Water quality 1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
problems 3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Massachusetts 1977
Major Water Areas
(including mains tern
& major tributaries)
Blackstone
Boston Harbor
Buzzards Bay
Charles River
Chicopee
Connecticut
Deer field
Farmington
French-Quinebaug
Hoosic
Housatonic
Ipswich & Parker
Merrimack
Millers
Nashua
Sub-totals
Total
Miles
Assessed
107
44
45
80
111
68
70
18
57
43
96
67
115
57
103
1102
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
36
0
37
1
49
6
38
18
19
17
26
34
4
17
5
319"
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
68
20
45
51
70
52
60
18
38
25
69
67
86
48
53
791
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
36
7
37
1
72
6
44
18
23
20
31
34
4
17
5
367
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
71
37
8
79
39
62
26
0
34
23
65
33
111
40
98
735
*Water
quality
problems
1,2,3,5,6
1,2,3,5,6
1,5,6
1,2,3,5,6
2,3,5,6
1,2,3,5,6
2,6
-
2,5,6
1,2,3,5,6
1,3,5,6
6
2,3,5,6
2,4,5,6
5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M» Municipal
IB Industiral
CSB Combined Sewers
NPS = Nonpoint Source
M,I,CS
M,I,CS,NPS
M,I
M,I,CS,NPS
M,I
M,I,CS
M,NPS
-
M,I,NPS
M,I,NPS
M.I.NPS
NPS
M,I,CS
M,I
M,I,CS,NPS
•
*Water quality
problems
1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Massachusetts (cont'd)
Major Water Areas
(including mains tern
& major tributaries)
Subtotals
North River
SuAsCo (Sudbury ,
Assabet , Concord)
Taunton
Ten Mile
Westfield
TOTALS
%
Total
Miles
Assessed
1102
21
86
134
38
114
1474
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
319
12
0
18
4
69
410
28%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
791
21
77
100
25
109
1102
75%
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
367
12
0
35
4
74
480
33%
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
735
9
86
99
34
40
994
67%
*Water
quality
problems
2,5,6
3,5|6
1,2,3,5,6
1,2,3,5,6
2,5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M= Municipal
I- Industiral
CS= Combined Sewers
NFS - Nonpoint Source
M,NPS
M.NPS
M,I,CS,NPS
M,I,NPS
M,I
*Water quality
problems
1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp,
3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
etc.);
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of New Hampshire 1977
Major Water Areas
(Including ma ins tern
& major tributaries)
Androscoggin
Connecticut
Merrimack
Piscataqua & Coastal
Saco
TOTALS
%
Total
Miles
Assessed
65
470
488
181
94
1298
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
42
104
262
90
94
591
46%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
50
452
463
181
94
1239
96%
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
42
104
267
90
94
596
46%
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
23
367
222
91
0
702
54%
*Water
quality
problems
2,5,6
2,4,5,6
2,5,6
2,5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
D= Domestic
!•• Industiral
CS- Combined Sewer a
NFS » Nonpoint Source
D,I,CS
D,I,CS
D,I,CS
D,I,CS
*Water quality 1. Harmful: gij^tatfee-s;; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
problems 3. EutrophUcetib^jiatential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depliMftotij 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
TABLE 6
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Rhode Island - 1977
Major Water Areas
(including ma In stem
& major tributaries)
Blacks tone
Moo sup
Moshassuck
Naragansett Bay
Pawcatuck
Pawtuxet
Woonasquatucket
Total
%
Total
Miles
Asser.st'd
89
25
17
117,764
Acres
115
60
23
329
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(fishable/
swimmable)
standards
or bo tier
48
25
8
107,959
acres
94
28
8
211
64%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or bt-tter
by 1983
54
25
10
112,832
acres
103
30
13
235
71%
Miles now
meeting
State
water qual ily
standards
76
25
14
107,959 acres
111
56
20
303
92%
Miles not
meeting
State-
water qual ity
.standards
13
0
3
9,805
4
3
3
26
8%
* Water
qua lily
problems
5,6
-
5,6
6
5,6
5,6
5,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M= Municipal
1= Tndustiral
CS= Combined Sewer s
NPS = Nonpoint Source
M, I, CS
-
M, NPS
M, I, CS, NPS
M, I
M, I
M, NPS
*Water quality 1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
problems 3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY
State of Vermont 1977
Major Water Areas
(including ma ins t era
& major tributaries)
Bat tenkill , Walloomeai
Hoosic
Poultney .Mettawee
Otter Creek
Lake Champ lain
Missiquoi
Lamoille
Winooski
White
Ottaquechee
West , Williams , Saxton
Deerfield
Connecticut
Stevens , Wells , Waits
Passumpsic
Lake Memphremagog
Black , Bart on , C lyd e
TOTALS
%
flotal
Miles
Assessed
i 46
44
83
25
88
90
115
69
65
76
34
238
16
47
67
1103
Miles now
meeting
Class B
(flshable/
swimmable)
standards
or better
25
36
70
19
61
21
72
54
19
71
24
153
6
20
35
686
62%
Miles
expected to
be Class B
or better
by 1983
43
40
76
20
82
69
95
59
38
74
34
170
12
28
61
901
82%
Miles now
meeting
State
water quality
standards
27
38
77
23
20
14
85
59
37
74
16
172
6
25
35
708
64%
Miles not
meeting
State
water quality
standards
19
6
6
2
67
70
30
10
28
2
18
66
10
22
32
388
35%
*Water
quality
problems
1,2,5,6
2,6
2,5,6
2,3,5,6
2,3,6
2,3,5,6
2,3,5,6
2,6
1,2,6
2,3,6
2,3,6
1,2,5,6
6
1,2,3,5,6
2,3,6
Source of Water
Quality Problems
M= Municipal
I- Industiral
CS- Combined Sewers
NFS - Nonpoint Source
M,I
M
M.NPS
M,NPS
M,I
M.NPS
M,I
M,I
M,I
M.NPS
M
M,I
M,I
M,I
M.NPS
*Water quality
problems
1. Harmful Substances; 2. Physical Modification (Suspended Solids, Temp., etc.);
3. Eutrophication potential; 4. Salinity, acidity, alkalinity;
5. Oxygen depletion; 6. Health Hazards-(coliform)
-------
Table 7
PROGRESS TOWARD STATE CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
PRIVATE APPLICATORS
COMMERCIAL APPLICATORS
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
//
1
f .
/
/
1 1
/
f ,
'/
c
T
/,
/
/'
> ,'
/
/
/ /
f
/
{ f\
/
M
i
« 1
/,,
/
/ f
/
t\
}
/
/
' i
/
1.
LA
/
I
i
m
~T
f ,
'/
i
a
1
/
y
/
/ /
/
//
/
f j
/
/
/ .1
f /
/
r
/
V
—
r
1
/
/ ,'
V /
Ci
— —
7 — :
ME
Z
/y
/
/
M.
nrj ,
' yi j / j 7 ^t
/ \ Y f\—" / i
A NH RI VT
Figure 2 Progress Toward State
Certification of Pesticide Applicators No. estimated in State plan -
Ho. Certifiable May 1, 1977 -
. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977 701-582/149
------- |