UJ
O
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER QUALITY STANDAR
SUMMARY
JOINT PUBLICATION BY
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
MASSACHUSETTS WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
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Pre-face
The information contained herein has been condensed from the
Water Quality Standards, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, prepared by
the Division of Water Pcllution Control and approved by the Federal
Government. This summary is intended for all who have an interest
in the quality of water in the State.
A summary of this type, by design, omits many pertinent details.
For more detailed infoiirtation, consult the Division of Water Pollution
Control or the text of the standards.
December 1971
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SUNMARY OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR
THE INTERSTATE WATERS OF MASSACHUSETTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
•• • 1
Water Uses. * 0I$• . . . . . . . .
Fisheries.... •....... • • • .. . • . • • . • . .• ... 12
Water Quality Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7
Implementation Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Special Problems ......................... 38
LIST OF TABLES
Table
1 Massachusetts Interstate Waters Uses . 7
2 Drainage BasinFisheryc lassjfjcatjons......................... 13
3 Commonweatlh of Massachusetts Water Quality Standards.......... 21
14 Sun rnary Table of Water Quality Criteria for Fresh, Coastal and
Marine Waters. . • • . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 31
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Follows ge
1 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Major Interstate Waters ...,.. 142
Water Quality Standards Adopted by Massachusetts
Division of Water Pollution Control
2 Blackstone River Basin... ..... ...••• •, • *•. ..... •, ..... , 142
3 Boston Harbor..... .... . .. .... .. . . .. .. ...... .. ., .• •, •, • 142
L 1 . Charles River............................... 142
Chicopee River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
6 Concord,Assabet,andSudburyRjverBasjns...................,... 142
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Follows
Figure Page
7 Connecticut River.... ... . ... . •. a. a aaa• aa a a a. a a a a a 142
8 Deerfie].d River Basin . .. .. . . . . . .. . . .. . ... .. . . . 142
9 FarmingtonRiverBasi-fl ............a.a .e .aaeaaa • 1 42
10 French River Basin .............a.a.aa.a.aaaaaa•aaa.a 142
1 1 Hoosic River Basin . . . • • • • a 4 • , • • a . . . . . . . . . . 142
12 Housatonic River Basin ..a.aaaaaaaaa.aaaaoaaaaaa0a a
13 Ipswi.ch River Basin a a a a a a a a. a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 142
11 Kickamuit, Warren and Barrington River aaaaaa,aaa...raa1 12
1 5 Merrimack River Basin . . a . a a a a as a a. a a a a a as a a a a a 142
16 Millers River Basin .a.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaata aaaaaa.aaaaa 142
17 Mystic River Basin a..aaaaaa.aaaaaaaa aaaaaQaaaaaaaaaa 142
18 Nashua River Basin aaaa.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa .aaaaaaaaaa 142
19 Neponset River Basin aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.aaaaaaaaaa aaataa 142
20 North Coastal a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a as a a a a a a a * a 142
21 Parker River Basin a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a , a 142
22 Quinebaug River Basin a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aasaaa a 1 2
23 Scantic River Basin •aaaaaaaaaaa.aaaaaaaaaaataaaaaaaaaa 142
2 Li Shawaheen River Basin a a a a . a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 142
25 South Coastal aa.aaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaataaaa aa 142
26 South Coastal aaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 142
2? Taunton River Basin a aa a aa aa a aa a aa ta aaa aa a a aa aaa a a a aa a a 142
28 Ten Mile River Basin a a a a a a a a a a a a aaaaaa.a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 142
29 Westfield River Basin a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a . 14.2
30 Weymout.h River Basin aa a a a a aa a a a aa •a.•aaa..aaaa..aaaaa a 14.2
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APPENDIX
I State Laws for the Promulgation and
Enforcement of Water Quality Standards
II Interstate Waters th wMch Water Quality Standards
Apply Under the Water Pollution Control A t
III Glossary of Terms
IV Addresses of Water Pollution Control Agencies
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UMNARY OF WATER QUALITY 3TANDkRDS
FOR
TH INT iSTATE WATERS OF MASSAOH1JS TTS
Introduc ti on
In the Water Quality Act of l96 , Congress authorized the
establishment of water quality standards for interstate (including
coastal) waters. The purpose of these standards is to protect and
enhance the quality and productivity of the nation’s interstate waters,
to serve a variety of beneficial uses, such as public water supply,
recreation and protection of aquatic life, and industrial and
agricultural uses. This publication summarizes the standards for the
general information of the public and Federal, State and local officials
as to the uses and associated requirements for interstate waterways.
The Act, which amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
provided for the States to have the first opportunity to establish
standards for their interstate waters, which were then subject to review
and approval by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency 1/.
All of the States, the District of Columbia and the Territories of Guam,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands participated in this landmark effort
to set standards. In the course of establishing the standards, public
hearin were held by the States and other jurisdictions noted above to
give the public an opportunity to participate in setting water quality
objectives and standards.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted standards for its inter-
state waters in June 1967, which were then submitted to the Federal
1/ Prior to 12/2/70, Secretary of the Interior
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Government. Subsequently, certain revisions were made by the Commonwealth
in the original standards, and the Federal Government approved the
standards, as revised, on August 7, 1967. At the request of the Commissioner,
2 J
Federal Water Quality Office) Massachusetts has also adopted a policy to
protect its high quality waters. This antidegradation statement is
presented with the water quality criteria.
The approved standards are thus both State and Federal standards,
enforceable under the State water pollution control statutes and the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act. as amended (Section io). The waters
for which standards were adopted are shown on the maps in Figures 1-30.
The standards consist of three major components: designation of the
uses which interstate waters are to serve, specification of narrative and
numerical criteria to protect and enhance water quality, and specification
of a plan of implementation and enforcement, which includes treatment and
control requirements for municipal, industrial and other wastes discharged
to or affecting interstate waters. These components are discussed in the
following sections; all three are essential to a complete standards
program.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has also classified all its intra-
state waters and applies the same water quality criteria to them that apply
to interstate waters. Information concerning intrastate waters can be
obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control.
The standards are now being implemented. However, there will be
continuing research on water quality requirements for various beneficial
uses and improved collection and evaluation of water quality data. As
more information becomes available and experience with implementing the
2 J Now Administrator, EPA
2
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standards is gained, the standards will be refined and improved to
reflect this new knowledge.
Should more detailed information be required on any aspect of the
standards, it may be obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Water
Pollution Control or the Environmental Protection Agency in Boston,
Massachusetts. Massachusetts is also a member of the New England
Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission which assists the states
of the New England Compact area, the New England States and New lork,
in the administration of their water pollution control programs.
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Compact, which
was approved by Congress and ratified by the legislatures of the seven
states, is the legal instrument for cooperat.ion between the states
in interstate water pollution control matters.
The addresses of these agencies are given in the Appendix.
3
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Water Uses
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts designates the following classes
and uses to be protected in various interstate waters:
Fresh Waters
Class A - Waters designated for use as public water supplies in accordance
with Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Laws’ Character uniformly
excellent.
Class B - Suitable for bathing and recreational purposes including water
contact sports. Acceptable for public water supply with appropriate
treatment. Suitable for agricultural and certain industrial cooling and
process uses; excellent fish and wildlife habitat; excellent aesthetic
value.
Class C - Suitable for recreational boating; habitat for wildlife and
common food and game fishes indigenous to the region; certain industrial
cooling and process uses; under some conditions acceptable for public
water supply with appropriate treatment. Suitable for irrigation of
crops used for consumption after cooking. Good aesthetic value.
Class D - Suitable for aesthetic enjoyment, power, navigation, and certaj
industrial cooling and process uses. Class D waters will be assigned Only
where a higher water use class cannot be attained after all appropriate
waste treatment methods are utilized.
Coastal and Marine Waters
Class SA - Suitable for any high quality water use including bathing
and water contact sports. Suitable for approved shellfish areas.
14
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Class SB - Suitable for bathing and recreational purposes including water
contact sports, industrial cooling, excellent fish habitat, good aesthetic
value, and suitable for certain shelifisheries with depuration.
Class SC - Suitable for aesthetic enjoyment, for recreational boating,
habitat for wildlife and common food and game fishes indigenous to the
region, industrial cooling and process uses.
The general aim in designating uses for particular interstate waters
is to recognize present uses and practicable future uses, to provide where
possible for a variety of uses, and to assure compatibility of standards
with Federal, State and local resource planning. In order to satisfy
the intent of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to enhance water
quality, the standards specifically provide that no interstate waters may
be used solely or primarily for waste assimilation. All interstate waters
must be aesthetically pleasing, and this quality is usually protected by
narrative criteria preventing unsightly or obnoxious conditions, such as
floating debris, oil slicks, unpleasant odors and colors.
Specific use designations for all interstate waters covered by the
standards are provided in Table 1.
5
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WAT L USES
Table I
Interstate Waters
Blacks tone River
Basin
Blacks tone River
Abbott Run Brook
Burnt F amp Brook
Mill River
Miscoe Lake
Peters River
Round Top Brook
Wafluin Lake
Connecticut River
Basin
Connecticut River
Falls River
Deerfield River Basin
Deerfield River
Green ..River
Mill Brook
North River, East Branch
North River, West Branch
Farmington River Basin
Farmington River, West Brand
Hubbard Brook
Pond Brook
Taylor Brook
Valley Brook
French
River
Basin
French
River
Hoosic
River
Basin
3,C
3,C
B
A,B
A,B
A,B
A,B
B,C
C
B, C
B,C
B
B
x
x
x
x
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Hoo sic River
Hoosic River, North Branch
I-Iousatonic River Basin
Housatonic River
Green River
Konkapot River
Hudson River Basin
B
Bash Bish Brook
Kinderhook Creek
B
Under Recreation
Note: X - Indicate8 other t
ani
Lter
XX — Indicates primary
wate
cor
pact
ecr
— See Page J for ex
lana
ion
hes
cia
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
x x
x x x
x x x
xx x
x x x
x x x
onU t r crea ion
at1o
sift
I
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
V
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
xx
xx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
atio s
7
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Table I
Interstate Waters
Kickamuit, Warren and
Barrington River
Basins
Barrington River
Kickamuit River
Palmer River
Runnins River
Warren River
Merrimack River Basin
Back River, Merrimac
Back River, Amesbury
Beaver Brook
Black Rock Creek
Harris Brook
Little iver
Plum Island River
Powwow River
Salmon Brook
Snows Brook
Spickett River
Twcbury Pond
Millers River Basin
Millers River
Binney Hill Brook
Boyce Brook
B. Br. Tully River
Falls Brook
Kemp Brook
L: ke Monomac
Lawrence Brook
Robbins Brook
Scott Brook
Towne Brook
Tully River
x x x x
x x x :
x x x x
x x x x
x x x x
I X X X
I I I X X
I I I X X
I X X X X
x x x x x
x x x x
I X I X X
I X I X X
x x x x x
x x x x x
WATER USES
I
x
I
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
I
x
x
x
x
I
x
x
x
x
x
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
x
I
I
x
x
x
I
x
x
x
x
I
x
I
I
x
I
x
x
x
x
I
x
x
x
x
I
x
x
I
I
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
I
I
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
I
I
I
x
I
I
x
8
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WATER USES
Nashua River Basin
Nashua River
Beaver Brook
Mason Brook
Mine Brook
Nissitissit River
SouJiegan River, South Branch
Walker Brook
Quinebaug River Basin
Quinebaug Rive
Scantic
River
Basin
Scantic
River
Watchaug
Brook
Taunton
River
Basin
Taunton
River
Assonet River
Cole River
Lee River
Taunton River
Matfield River
Mount Hope Bay
Salisbury Plain River
Three Mile River
Ten Mile River Basin
Ten Mile River
Seven Mile River
- Criteria for bacteria (
applies for this classi
other items.
lif rms
.cat on.
x
x
x
x
x
er J. 0 ml for Clas B ter
Clas C C iter a ap ly
Table I
Interstate Waters
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
xx
xx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
xx
x
xx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
xx
xx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
9
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WATER USES
Tablel
_______ / [ //./j/ / /1/il
Interstate Waters
Coastal Waters
Boston Harbor Basin
Boston Harbor SB, XX X X X X x
Chelsea River SC X X X X X X
Hingham Harbor SA XX X X X X x
Mystic River SC X X X X X x
Neponset River SB XX X X X X X
Quincy Bay BA XX X X X X X
Weir River SB XX X X X X X
Weymouth Back River SB XX X X X X X
Weymouth Fore River SB XX X X X X X
North Coastal Waters
Annisqua ni River SA, B XX X X X X X
Bass River, Beverly SB XX X X X X X
Beverly Harbor, Salem SB XX X X X X X
Crane River, Danvers SB XX X X X X X
Danvers River, Danvers, SB XX X X X X X
Salem, Beverly
Essex River BA XX X X X X X
Gloucester Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Ipswich River BA XX X X X X X
Lobster Cove SA XX X X X X X
Lynn Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Manchester Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Marblehead Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Merrimack River SB, C XX X X A X X
Mill River SA XX X X X X X
North River, Salem SB XX X X X X X
Parker River BA XX X X X X X
Plum Island River BA XX X X X X X
Porter River, Danvers SB XX X X X X X
Rockport Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Salem Harbor SB XX X X X X X
Saugus River SB XX X X X X X
Waters River, Danvers, SB XX X X X X X
Peabody
South Coastal Waters
i arnsf.ab1e Harbor BA XX X X X X X
Bass River BA XX X X X X A
Buzzards Bay BA XX X X X X X
Cape Cod Canal SB XX X X X X x
Cohasset Harbor BA XX X X X X 1
Cotuit Bay BA XX X X X X x
Daxbury Harbor BA XX X X X X x
Eel Harbor BA XX X X X X x
10
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WATER USES
Toblel I
I I.eI
7gI I L! ‘#1
I$I I,,/
I-o4 I.O I g I
I Th I •
I i ‘ I 1
i i &- i4j
0i
I El
I. X øI / I cc i I 1 I
Interstate Waters
— — — — —
South Coastal Waters (cont.)
Falmouth Harbor XX X X X X X
Green Harbor XX X X X X X
Jones River 3A XX X X X X X
Kingston Bay SA XX X X X X X
LeeRiver SA XX X X X X X
Lewis Bay A XX X X X )( X
Little Harbor at Fairnouth SA XX X X X X X
New Bedford Harbor B XX X X X X X
North River 3A,S XX X X X X X
Onset Bay A XX X X X X X
Plymouth Rarboir 3A XX X X X X X
Poponesset Bay A XX X X X X X
Sandwich Harbor ‘3A XX X X X X X
Scituate Harbor <3A XX X X X X X
Wareham River 3A XX X X X X X
Weifleet Harbor $A XX X X X X X
Westport River, East Branch $A XX X X X X X
Westport River, West Branch SA XX X X X X X
Coastal waters to the three-
mile territorial limit SA XX X X X X X
11
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Fisheries
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Water Quality Standards, protect
waters as natural fisheries by setting specific criteria for warm and
cold water fisheries. The specific criteria are minimum limits for
dissolved oxygen content and maximum limits for allowable temperature
increases in Class B and C waters. The numerical values of these limits
are given in Table 3.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Game defines a cold
water stream as one which is capable of sustaining a year round trout
(Saimonidae) population while a warm water stream is defined as one which
is not capable of sustaining a year round trout population. A seasonal
cold water stream is one which must meet the criteria of the B and/or C
standards of quality, and one which is only capable of sustaining an
extremely limited trout population on a year-round basis due to adverse
normal water temperature conditions during the period June 30 through
September 5. Trout fishing in a seasonal cold water stream must be
largely provided by spring and fall plants of catchable trout.
Specific water quality criteria for Class B and C waters are thus
determined by their fishery classification. These are given for inter-
state waters of Massachusetts in the following Table (Table 2).
12
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TABLE 2
DRAGINAGE BASIN F l S}EIRY CUtS SIFICATIONS
NOTE: Consult complete text of Massachusetts Water Quality Standards
for limits and boundaries of the classifications.
Bra age Basin
(Blackstone River Basin)
Blackstorie River
Abbott Run Brook
Burnt Swamo Brook
Mill River
Niscoe Lake
Peters River
Round Top Brook
Wallum Lake
(Connecticut River Basin)
Connecticut River
Falls River
(Deerfield River Basin)
Beerfield River
Green River
Mill Brook
North River, East Branch
North River, West Branch
(Farmim ton River Basin)
Farmington River, West Branch
Hubbard Brook
Pond Brook
Taylor Brook
Valley Brook
(French River Basin)
French River
(Hoosic River Basin)
Hoosic River, North Branch
Hoosic River
(Housatonic River Basin)
Housatonic River
Green River
Konkapot River
(Hudson River Basin)
Bash Bish Brook
Kinderhook Creek
Class of Fishery
Warm ‘water
Warm water
Warn water
Seasonal cold water
t arm ‘ water
Gold water
Warn ‘ water
Warn water
.ana water
Cold ‘water
Seasonal cold water
Cold water
Seasonal cold water
Cold water
Cold water
Cold water
Cold water
Cold water
Seasonal cold water
Cold water
Warn water
Cold water
Cold water
Cold water
Seasonal cold water
Cold
C old
C old
water
water
water
13
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TABLE 2 (Continued)
Drainage Basin
(Kickamuit, Warren and
Barrington River Basins)
Barrington River
Kickamuit River
Palmer River
Runnins River
Warren River
(Merrlmack River Basin)
I rrimack River
Back River, Merrimac
Back River, Amesbury
Beaver Brook
Black Rcck Creek
Harris Brook
Little River
Plum Island River
Powwow River
Salmon Brook
Snows Brook
Spickett River
Tuxbury Pond
(Millers River Basin)
Millers River
Binney Hill Brook
Boyce Brook
East Branch, Tully River
Falls Brook
Kemp Brook
Lake Nonomac
Lawrence Brook
Robbins Brook
Scott Brook
Towne Brook
Tully River
(Nashua River Basin)
Nashua River
Beaver Brook
Mason Brook
Nine Brook
NjSSjt.iSSjt River
Souhegan River, South Branch
Walker Brook
(Quinebaug River Basin)
Quinebaug River
Warm water
Seasonal cold
Seasonal cold
Seasonal cold
Warm water
Warm water
Seasonal cold water
Warm wate r
Cold water
Cold water
Seasonal cold water
Seasonal cold water
Warm water
old and seasonal cold water
Warm Water
Seasonal oold water
Cold water
Warm water
Warm water
Warm water
Cold water
Warm water
Seasonal cold water
Seasonal Oold water
Seasonal cold ater
Warm water
Warm water
Cold water
Warm water
Cold water
Seasonal cold water
Cold water
Seasonal cold and
cold water
Class of Fishery
Warm
Warm
Cold
Warm
Warm
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
114
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TABLE 2 (Continued)
Drainage Basin Class of Fishery
(Scantic River Basin)
Scantic River Cold water
Watchaug Brook Cold water
(Taunton River Basin)
Taunton River Warn -i water
Assonet River Warm water
Cole River Seasonal cold water
Lee River Warnt water
Three Nile River Seasonal cold water
Natfield River Warm water
Salisbury Plain River Warm water
(Ten Mile River Basin)
Ten Mile River Seasonal cold water
Seven Mile River Seasonal cold water
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TABLE 2 (Continued)
Drainage Basin Class of i ’- sherLr
Coastal Waters
(Boston Harbor Basin)
Weir River Seasonal cold water
(North Coast,al Waters)
Ioswich River Seasonal cold
Saugus River Seasonal cold 1 te,
(South Coastal Waters)
Jones River Cold water
16
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Water Quality Criteria
The protection of water quality and uses requires the establishment
of numerical and narrative limits on pollutants which damage these uses.
The water quality criteria in this section reflect the best scientific
judgment available as to the water quality requirements for the assigned
uses. Numerical criteria are used wherever it is reasonable to do so.
However, narrative criteria are also necessary in some cases, particularly
with respect to aesthetic considerations.
Some interstate waters have a higher quality than the minimum levels
assigned for protection of water uses. and the standards seek to protect
this higher quality as much as possible in the face of increasing social
and economic development. Scientific knowledge about the exact water
quality requirements for uses is limited, and by preventing degradation
o± high quality waters, the standards seek to assure optimum, not marginal,
conditions to protect the uses associated with clean waters.
Inasmuch as possible, the Massachusetts standards tailor water
quality criteria to present quality or that quality anticipated to result
from the establishment of high treatment requirements. These criteria
are outlined in Table 3. The standards also contain a statement of
general policy applicable to all waters of the Comnonwealth, including
a statement on controlling degradation of high quality waters.
17
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Water Quality Criteria - General Policy
1. General - To achieve the objectives of the assachusetts Clean
Waters Act and to assure best use of the waters of the Commonwealth,
the following standards are adopted and shall be applicable to all waters
of the Commonwealth or to different segments of the same waters. The
classes shall be assigned by the Division of Water Pollution Control.
In the classification of waters due consideration will be given
to all factors involved, including public health, public enjoyment,
propagation and protection of fish and wildlife, and economic and social
development. Classifications are not intended to permit indiscriminate
waste disposal or to allow minimum efforts of waste treatment under any
circumstance.
When an effluent is permitted to be discharged to the receiving
waters, cognizance shall be given both in time and distance to allow for
mixing of effluent and stream. Such distances required for complete
mixing shall not affect the water usage class adopted.
Recommendations on other waste parameters will constitute a portion
of the continuing effort of the Division as improved standard methods are
developed or revisions consistent with the enhancement of the waters of
the Commonwealth are justified.
Water quality parameters not specifically denoted shall not exceed
the recommended limits on the most sensitive and governing water class
use. In areas where fisheries are the governing consideration and
approved limits have not been established, blo-assays shall be performed
as required by the appropriate agencies.
18
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Antidegradation Statement
“Waters whose existing quality is better than the established
standards as of the date on which such standards become effective
will be maintained at such high quality unless it has been affirmatively
demonstrated to the State that a change is justifiable as a result of
necessary economic or social development and will not preclude uses
presently possible in such waters. Any industrial public, or private
project or development which would constitute a new source of pollution
or an increased source of pollution to high quality waters will be
required to provide the highest and best practicable means of waste
treatment to maintain high water quality. In implementing this policy,
the Secretary of the Interior will be kept advised and will be provided
with such information as he will need to discharge his responsibilities
under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.”
19
-------
TABLE 3
Water Quality Standards
Fresh Waters
Class A - Waters designated for use as public water supplies in
accordance with Chapter 111 of the General Laws. Character uniformly
excellent.
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 75% of saturation
during at least 16 hours of any
2 1 .-hour period and. not less than
5 mg/i at any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None allowable.
floating solids-oil-grease-sci n
3. Color and turbidity None other than of natural origin.
1 . Coliform bacteria per 100 ml Not to exceed an average value of
50 during any monthly sampling
period.
5. Taste and. odor None other than of natural origin.
6. pH As naturally occurs.
7. Allowable temperature None other than of natural origin.
increase
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or
combinations which would be harmful
or offensive to humans, or harm.ful
to animal, or aq.uatic life.
9. Radioactivity None other than that occurring from
natural phenomena.
Class B - Suitable for bathing and recreational purposes including water
contact sports. Acceptable for public water supply with appropriate
treatn nt. Suitable for agricultural, and certain industrial cooling
and process uses; excellent fish and wildlife habitat; excellent
aesthetic value.
21
-------
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 75% of saturation
during at least 16 hours of any
2 1 -hour period and not less than
5 mg/i at any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None allowable.
floating solids-oils-grease-
scum
3. Color and turbidity None in such concentrations that
would impair axiy usages specifically
assigned to this class.
Li.. Coliform bacteria per 100 ml Not to exceed an average value of
1000 during any monthly sampling
period nor 21 .1.00 in more than 20% of
samples examined during such period.
5. Taste and odor None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class and none that
would cause taste and odor in edible
fish.
6. pH 6.5 - 8.0
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase will
increase not exceed the recommended limit on
the most sensitive receiving water
use and in no case exceed 83°F in
warm water fisheries, and. 68°F in
cold water fisheries, or in any
case raise the normal temperature of
the receiving water more than 11°F.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful or offensive
to human, or harmful to animal or
aquatic life or any water use specifi-
cally assigned to this class.
9. Radioactivity None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic life for the
appropriate water use. None in such
concentrations which would result in
radio-nuclide concentrations in aquatj
life which exceed the recommended
limits for consumption by humans.
22
-------
10. Total phosphate Not to exceed an average of 0.05 mg/i
as P during any monthly sampling
period.
11. Ammonia Not to exceed an average of 0.5 mg/i
as N during any monthly sampling
period.
12. Phenols Shall not exceed .001 mg/i at any
time.
Class C - Suitable for recreational boating; habitat for wildlife and
common food. and game fishes indigenous to the region; certain industrial
cooling and process uses; under some conditions acceptable for public
water supply with appropriate treatment. Suitable for irrigation of
crops used for consumption after cooking. Good aesthetic value.
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 5 mg/i during at
least 16 hours of any 2It-hou
period nor less than 3 mg/i at any
time. For seasonal cold. water
fisheries at least 5 mg/l must be
maintained.
2. Sludge deposits-solid-refuse None allowable except those amounts
floating solids-oils-grease- that may result from the discharge
scum from waste treatment facilities
providing appropriate treatment.
3. Color and turbidity None allowable in such concentrations
that would impair any usages specifi-
ca.Uy assigned to th .s class.
i. Coliform bacteria None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
5. Taste and odor None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class, and none
that would ewise taste and odor to
edible fish.
6. pH 6.0 - 8.5
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase will
increase not exceed. the recommended limits
on the most sensitive receiving water
use and in no case exceed 83°F in
23
-------
warm water fisheries, and 68°F in
cold water fisheries, or in any case
raise the normal temperature of the
receiving water more than 1 - °F.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful or offensive to
human, or harmful to animal or aquatic
life or any water use specifically
assigned to this class.
9. Radioactivity None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic life for the
appropriate water use. None in such
concentrations which would result
in radio-nuclide concentrations in
aquatic life which exceed the
recommended limits for consumption
by humans.
10. Total phosphate Not to exceed an average of 0.05
mg/i as P during any monthly sampling
period.
11. Aimnonia Not to exceed an average of 1.0
mg/i as N during any monthly sampling
period.
12. Phenols Not to exceed an average of 0.002
mg/i at any time.
Class D - Suitable for aesthetic enjo3Pment, power, navigation, and
certain industrial cooling and process uses. Class D waters will be
assigned only where a higher water use class cannot be attained after
all appropriate waste treatment methods are utilized.
Item Specifications
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 2 mg/i at any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None allowable except those amounts
floating solids-oils-grease- that may result from the discharge
scimi from waste treatment facilities
providing appropriate treatment.
3. Color and turbidity None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
. Coliform bacteria None in such concentrations that
would. impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
2b
-------
5. Taste and odor None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
6. pH 6.0-9.0
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase will
increase not exceed the recommended limits
on the most sensitive receiving water
use and in no case exceed 90°F.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic life for the
designated water use.
9. Radioactivity None in such concentrations or
combinations which would be harmful
to human, animal, or aquatic life
for the designated water use. None
in such concentrations which will
result in radio-nuclide concentrations
in aquatic life which exceed the
recommended limits for consumption
by humans.
Notes:
1. All wastes shall receive appropriate waste treatment which is defined
as secondary treatment with disinfection or its industrial waste
treatment equivalent except when a higher degree of treatment is
required to meet the objectives of the water quality standards, all
as determined by the Division of Water Pollution Control. Disinfection
from October 1 to May 1 may be discontinued at the discretion of the
Division of Water Pollution Control.
2. Appropriate water supply treatment is as determined by the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
3. These water quality standards do not apply to conditions brought
about by natural causes.
4. Class B and C waters shall be substantially free of pollutants
that will:
(1) unduly affect the composition of bottom fauna
(2) unduly affect the physical or chemical nature of the bottom
(3) interfere with the spawning of fish or their eggs
5. The average minimum consecutive 7-day flow to be expected once in
ten years shall be used in the interpretation of the standards
except where noted.
2
-------
5. The amount of disinfection required shall be equivalent to a free
and combined chlorine resid.uai of at least 1.0 mg/i after 15
minutes contact time during peak hourly flow or maximum rate of
punrnage.
Coastal and Marine Waters
Class SA - Suitable for any high quality water use including bathing
and water contact sports. Suitable ior approved shellfish areas.
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 6.5 mg/i at any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None allowable.
floating solids-oil -grease-sewn
3. Color and. turbidity None in such concentrations that
will impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
L 4 . Coliform bacteria per Not to exceed a median value of 70
ioo and not more than i / of the samples
shall ordinarily exceed 230 during
any monthly sampling period.
5. Taste and odor None allowable.
6. pH 6.8 - 8.5
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase will
increase not exceed the recommended limits on
the most sensitive water use.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinatj 0 8
which would be harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic life or .ihich wou
make the waters unsafe or unsuitable
for fish or shellfish or their
propagation, impair the palatability
of same, or impair the waters for any
other uses.
9. Radioactivity None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic life for the
designated water use. None in such
concentrations which would result in
racilo-nuclide concentrations in aquat
life which exceed the reconm ended
limits for consumption by humane.
26
-------
10. Total phosphate Not to exceed an average of 0.07
mg/l as P during any monthly sampling
period.
11. Ammonia Not to exceed an average of 0.2 mg/i
as N during any monthly sampling
period.
Class SB - Suitable for bathing and recreational purposes including water
contact sports; industrial cooling; excellent fish habitat; good
aesthetic value; and suitable for certain shelifisheries with depuration.
(Restricted Shellfish Areas)
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 5.0 mg/i at any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None allowable.
floating solids-oils-grease-
scum
3. Color and turbidity None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
L 4 .• Coliform bacteria per Not to exceed a median value of 700
100 ml and. not more than 2300 in more than
10% of the samples during any
monthly sampling period.
5. Taste and odor None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class slid none
that would cause taste and odor in
edible fish or shellfish.
6. pH 6.8 - 8.5
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase
increase will not exceed the recommended
limits on the most sensitive water
use.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful to human,
animal or aquatic life or which
would make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for fish or shellfish or
their propagation, impair the
palatability of same, or impair the
water for any other usage.
27
-------
9. Radioactivity None n concentrations or combinations
which euid he harmf’ul to human,
animaL. or aquatic life for the
appropriate water use. None in such
concentrations which would result in
radio-nuciide concentrations in
aquatic life which exceed the
recommended limits for consumption
by humans.
10. Total phosphate Not to exceed an average of 0.07
mg/i as P during any monthly sampling
period.
11. Ammonia Not to exceed an average of 0.2
mg/i as N during any monthly sampling
period.
Class SC - Suitable for aesthetic enjoyment: for recreational boating:
habitat for wildlife and cou non food and game fishes indigenous to the
region: industrial cooling and process uses.
Standards of Quality
Item Water Quality Criteria
1. Dissolved oxygen Not less than 5 mg/i during at
least 16 hours of any 2 1 4-hour
period nor less than 3 mg/i at
any time.
2. Sludge deposits-solid refuse- None except that amount that may
floating solids-oils-grease- result from the discharge from a
scum waste treatment facility providing
appropriate treatment.
3. Color and turbidity None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
14 Coliform bacteria None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class.
5. Taste and odor None in such concentrations that
would impair any usages specifically
assigned to this class and none that
would cause taste and odor in edible
fish or shellfish.
6. pH 6.5 - 8.5
2a
-------
7. Allowable temperature None except where the increase will
increase not exceed the recommended limits
on the most sensitive water use.
8. Chemical constituents None in concentrations or combinations
which would be harmful. to human,
animal or aquatic life or which
would make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for fish or shellfish or
their progagation, impair the
palatability of same, or impair
the water for any other usage.
9. Radioactivity None in such concentrations . xich
would be harmful to human, animal
or aquatic life for the designated
water use. None in such concentra-
tions which would result in radio-
nuclide concentrations in aquatic
life which exceed the recommended
limits for consumption by humans.
10. Total phosphate Not to exceed an average of 0.07
mg/i as P during any monthly sampling
period.
11. Ammonia Not to exceed an average of .0
mg/i as N during any monthly sampling
period.
Notes:
1. Coastal and marine waters are those subject to the rise and fall
of the tide.
2. Appropriate treatment is defined as the degree of treatment with
disinfection required for the receiving waters to meet their
assigned state or interstate classification and to meet the
objectives of the water quality standards. Disinfection from
October 1 to May 1 may be discontinued at the discretion of the
Division of Water Pollution Control.
3. The water quality standards do not apply to conditions brought
about by natural causes.
4. The waters shall be substantially free of pollutants that will:
(i) unduly affect the composition of bottom fauna
(2) unduly affect the physical or chemical nature of the bottom
(3) interfere with the spawning of fish or their eggs
29
-------
5. The standards shall apply at all times In coastal and marine
waters.
6. The amount of disinfection required shall be equivalent to a
free and combined chlorine residual of at least 1.0 mg/i after
15 minutes contact time during peak hourly flow or maximum
rate of pumpage.
30
-------
TABLE
Sludge
deposits, solid
refuse, floating
solids, oils,
grease, scum
+. Coliform
bacteria
Not less than 75% of
saturation during at
least 16 hours of any
2l- -hour period and not
less than 5 mg/i at any
time.
None other than of
natural origin.
Not to exceed an
average value of 50
during any monthly
sampling period.
WATER QUALI f CRITERIA
FOR FRESH WATERS
Not less than 75% of
saturation during at
least 16 hours of any
2 1 4-hour period and not
less than 5 mg/i at any
time.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
Not to exceed an
average value of 1000
during any monthly
sampling period nor
2 - OO in more than 20%
of samples examined
during such period.
Not less than 5 mg/l
during at least 16
hours of any 2 1 -f-hour
period nor less than
3 mg/i at any time.
For seasonal cold water
fisheries at least 5
mg/i must be maintained.
None allowable except
those amounts that may
result from the this-
charge from waste
treatment facilities
providing appropriate
treatment.
None allowable in such
concentrations that
would impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
Not less than 2 mg/i
at any time.
None allowable except
those amounts that
may result from the
discharge from waste
treatment facilities
providing appropriate
treatment.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
CO ONWEALTh OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES CO ISS ION
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
1. Dissolved
oxygen
2.
Item CLASS A
CLASS B CLASS C
CLASS D
None allowable
None allowable
3. Color and
turbidity
-------
TABLE (Continued)
6. pH
7. Allowable
temperature
increase
8. Chemical
constituents
None other than that
occurring from natural
phenomena of nat iral
origin.
As naturally occurs.
None other than of
natural origin.
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful or
offensive to humans,
harmful to animal or
aquatic life.
None in such concen—
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class and none
that would cause taste
and odor in edible fish.
None except where the
increase will not
exceed the recommended
limit on the most
sensitive receiving
water use and in no
case exceed 83°F in
warm water fisheries,
and 68°F in cold water
fisheries, or in any
case raise the normal
temperature of the
receiving water more
than L °F
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful or
or offensive to human. or
harmful to animal or
aquatic life or any
water use specifically
assigned to this class.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class, and
none that would cause
taste and odor to
edible fish.
6.0 - 8.5
None except where the
increase will not
exceed the recommended
limits on the most
sensitive receiving
water use and in no
case exceed 83°F in
warm water fisheries,
and 68°F in cold water
fisheries, or in any
case raise the normal
temperature of the
receiving water more
than °F.
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful or
offensive to human, or
harmful to animal or
aquatic life or any
water use specifically
assigned to this class.
None in such concen-
trations that would
impair any usages
specifically assigned
to this class.
6.0 - 9.0
None except where the
increase will not
exceed the recommended
limits on the most
sensitive receiving
water use and in no
case exceed 9001.
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful to
human, animal, or
aquatic life for the
designated water use.
5. Taste and
odor
ClASS B CLASS C CLASS D
Item CLASS A
6.5 - 8.0
-------
TABLE I (Continued)
rltem
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
CLASS D
None other than that
occurring from natural
ohe 1 iornena.
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful to
human, animal, or aquat-
ic life for the appro-
priate water use. None
in such concentrations
which would result in
radio-nuclide concentra-
tions in aquatic life
which exceed the rec-
onmiended limits for
consumption by humans.
Not to exceed an
average of 0.05 mg/i as
P during any monthly
sampling period.
Not to exceed an
average of 0.5 mg/i as
N during any monthly
sampling period.
Shall not exceed .001
mg/i at any time.
None in concentrations
or combinations which
would be harmful to
human, animal, or aquat-
ic life for the appro-
priate water use. None
in such concentrations
which would result in
radio-nuclide concentra-
tions in aquatic life
which exceed the rec-
ommended limits for
consumption by humans.
Not to exceed an
average of 0.05 mg/i as
P during any monthly
sampling period.
Not to exceed an
average of 1.0 mg/i as
N during any monthly
sampling period.
Not to exceed an
average of 0.002 mg/i
at any time.
None in such concen-
trations or combina-
tions which would be
harmful to human,
animal, or aquatic
life for the designated
water use. None in
such concentrations
which will result in
radio-nuclide concen-
trations in aquatic
life which exceed the
recommended limits for
consumption by humans.
9. Radioactivity
10. Total
phosphate
11. Ammonia
12. Phenols
-------
TABLE 13
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES CO ISSION
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
FOR COASTAL AND MARINE WATERS
Item Sit
SB
SC
1. Dissolved
oxygen
2. Sludge deposits,
‘ . solid refuse,
floating solids,
oils, grease,
scum
3. Color and
turbidity
! • Coliform
bacteria per
100 ml
Not less than 6.5 mg/i at any
time.
None allowable
None in such concentrations
that will i.mpair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class.
Not to exceed a median value
of 70 and not more than 10% of
the samples shall ordinarily
exceed 230 during any monthly
sampling period.
Not less than 5.0 mg/i at any
time.
None allowable
None in such concentrations
that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class.
Not to exceed a median value
of 700 and not more than
2300 in more than 10% of the
samples during any monthly
sampling period.
‘Not less than than 5 mg/i during
at least 16 hours of any 2k-hour
period nor less than 3 mg/i at
any time.
None except that amount that may
result from the discharge from
a waste treatment facility
providing appropriate treatment.
None in such concentrations
that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class.
None in such concentrations
that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class.
-------
TABLE 14 (Continued)
Item
SA
SB
SC
5. Taste and.
odor
6. pH
7. Allowable
temperature
increase
.n 8.
Chemical
constituents
None allowable
6.8 - 8.
None except where the increase
will not exceed the recommended
limits on the most sensitive
water use.
None in concentrations or
combinations which would be
harm.ftl to human, animal, or
aquatic life or which would
make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for fish or shell-
fish or their propagation,
impair the palatability of
same, or impair the waters
for any other uses.
None in such concentrations
that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class and none that would
cause taste and odor in
edible fish or shellfish.
6.8 - 8.5
None except where the increase
will not exceed the recommend-
ed limits on the most sensi-
tive water use.
None in concentrations or
combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal or
aquatic life or which would
make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for fish or shell-
fish or their propagation,
impair the palatability of
same, or impair the water
for any other usage.
None in such concentrations
that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this
class and none that would
cause taste and odor in
edible fish or shellfish.
6. - 8.5
None except where the increase
will not exceed the recommended
limits on the most sensitive
water use.
None in concentrations or
combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal or
aquatic life or which would
make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for fish or shell-
fish or their propagation,
impair the palatability of
same, or impair the water
for any other usage.
-------
TABLE 14 (Continued)
None in concentrations or
combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal, or
aquatic life for the designated
water use. None in such
concentrations which would
result in rad.io-nuclide
concentrations in aquatic life
which exceed the recommended.
limits for consumption by
humans.
Not to exceed an average of
0.07 mg/i as P during any
monthly sampling period.
Not to exceed an average
0.2 mg/i as N during any
monthly sampling period.
None in concentrations or
combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal, or
aquatic life for the
appropriate water use. None
in such concentrations which
would result in radio-nuclide
concentrations in aquatic ilfe
which exceed the recommended
limits for consumption by
humans.
Not to exceed an average of
0.07 mg/i as P during any
monthly sampling period.
Not to exceed an average of
0.2 mg/i as N during any
monthly sampling period.
None in such concentrations
which would be harmful to
human, animal or aquatic
life for the designated water
use. None in such concentration
which would result in radio-
nuclide concentrations in
aquatic life which exceed the
recommended limits for
consumption by humans.
Not to exceed an average of
0.07 mg/i as P during any
monthly sampling period.
Not to exceed an average of
1.0 mg/i as N during any
monthly sampling period.
Item
SA
SB
SC
9. Radioactivity
LO. Total
phosphate
11. Ammonia
0 ”
-------
Implementation Plan
The “action t ’ plan of the standards is the plan of implementation
and enforcement. This plan sets forth the requirements for treatment
and/or control of all conventional municipal and industrial waste
discharges in the State which affect interstate waters, specifies the
time within which this is to be accomplished, and contains programs for
dealing with other water pollution control problems. In general, the
standards call for installation of secondary treatment or the equivalent,
or higher, for all municipal and industrial wastes discharged to fresh
waters. For discharges to coastal waters, the standards require a
minimum of primary treatment plus seasonal disinfection. The required
treatment is to be installed by essentially all dischargers by December 1971i.
Information concerning the requirements for any particular discharger
may be obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control.
37
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SPECIAL PROBLEMS
Combined Sewer Overflows
The Cornnonwealth has engaged consulting engineers to study the
problem of pollution from combined sewer overflows during periods of
heavy runoff. The results of the study found the cost of separation of
the combined sewers to be far beyond the ability of the communities to
finance such projects and beyond the scope of the present State and
Federal grant programs to render financial assistance. Separation for
the city of Boston alone is estimated to cost $t 7O million with annual
operation and maintenance costs in the vicinity of $805 thousand. As
a result, the plan of implementation as developed by the Division of
Water Pollution Control presently provides for alleviation of pollution
from combined sewer overflows on a priority basis.
The city of Cambridge has been placed on an implementation schedule
to separate the major portion of what is now a combined sewer system.
The initial construction phase will be completed within 5 years (1976)
with the remainder of the work to be completed during a 15-year construc-
tion progr in. The city of Boston will be ordered by the Division to
remove several overflows within the bathing areas of the city. In
addition, the city will be required to eliminate dry weather flow
presently overflowing into the Reserved Channel, Fort Point Channel
and the Atlantic Avenue shoreline and to eliminate all overflow from the
Dorchester Interceptor, Moon Island.
The cities of Somerville and Chelsea will be ordered to renovate
and rehabilitate the tide gates and other overflow structures
38
-------
appurtenant to their individual systems. The Division iill also require
these cities to hire consultants to evaluate their sewerage systems and
to prepare reports on the present condition of the systems and necessarj
improvements.
Eutrophication
The limitation of nutrients as a step in maintaining a proper
ecological balance of Massachusetts waters has been recognized as a
problem of paramount concern in recent years with even greater implica-
tions for the future. Massive programs of waste treatment will unquestion-
ably magnify weed and algae growth problems throughout the Commonwealth
because of the inability under conventional methods of waste treatment
to remove algal nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus.
Massachusetts has taken the first step to control this problem by
including limits of phosphorus in the standards of water quality adopted
by the Division of Water Pollution Control. The present plan of
implementation does not provide automatically for the construction of
nutrient removal facilities, but the Division does propose to make this
a requirement in critical areas with the possibility of establishing
research and demonstration projects to provide for new and improved
methods of nutrient control and corollary programs of weed and algae
harvesting.
39
-------
Watercraft Waste Disposal
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has taken cognizance of the
problems of controlling the discharge of wastes from pleasure watercraft,
and considers the problem significant and deserving of early definition
and corrective action. The Commonwealth believes that some means of
watercraft waste treatment and/or control must be developed which will
either effectively eliminate the discharge of waste (no effluent device)
or which will adequately treat the waste to render it acceptable for
discharge to the surrounding waters (controlled effluent device). The
Commonwealth further believes that because the watercraft cruise in
waters of adjacent states, there should be uniform interstate requirements
and regulations.
Toward control of this problem, the Commonwealth approved Chapter 693
of the Acts of 1970 which require the adoption of rules and regulations to
control or prevent the discharge of wastes from watercraft and further
required the licensing of marinas. (See Chapter 21, Section 27 (8) arid
Chapter 91, Section 59B in Appendix I).
40
-------
RIVER BASIN MAPS OF WATER Q JALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
MASSACHUSETTS WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
NOTE: The following maps indicate by name only the larger of the
interstate streams. To determine if a stream, which is not
shown, is an interstate stream consult the Water Uses Table
or apply the definition as given in Appendix III.
-------
NOTE
See following poge for index of waterways.
HOOSIC RIVER
BASIN
HOUSATONIC
RIVER BASIN
COAS TAL
WATERS
QUINUAUI
RIVEA
BASIN
RIVER BASIN
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
CAPE COO
- ‘I
C)
C
“I
MAJOR INTERSTATE WATERS
-------
INDE X OF MAJOR INTE I STATE WATI RWAYS
B1 cksthne River Basin Figure 2
Bosthn Harbor Figure 3
Connecticut River Basin Figure 7
Hoosic River Basin Figure 11
Housat.onic River Basin Figure 12
Merrimack River B 3ifl Figure iS
North Coa3tal Basin Figure 20
South Coastal Basin Figures 25, 26
Taunton River Basin Figure 27
Thames River Basin Figure 22
-------
OXFORD
INTERSTATE STREAwS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Blackstone River
Mill River
Peters River
BLACKSTONE RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
WEST
HOLDEN
BOYLSTON
‘ - ‘I
SI
4
012345
LIII II
‘WE ST BOROUGH
MILES
TON
PAIL FORD
RHODE ISLAND mJftNr
Miscoe Lake
Burnt Swamp Brook
Abbott Run Brook
Round Top Brook
WolIum Lake
AD8OT
RUN 0* ’.
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
FIGURE 2
-------
4
2
MILES
ATL Y
0
3
INTES$T*TE WATENS
WITH FEDENALLY APPNOVED
WATER SUALITY STARDARCI
•tldsl PortloiW of
Boston Horbor
BRA INTREE
BY
WEYNOUTH I
STANDARDS
WATER QUALITY
ADOPTED
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
BOSTON HARBOR
CLASSIFICATION
WATER GJALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © © ( 3 3 ®
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
HINGHAN
‘I
- -
/
0
— — —
BOSTON
NILTO
/
QU INC V
FIGUIE 3
-------
NGTON ‘
4
0 2 345
II I
MILES
ASHLAND
HOPKI NION
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
CHARLES RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASS F$CATION
si -WOOD
ALL WATUS WITHIN
THIS RIVEN •ASIN ARE
INTRASTATE WATERS
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FIGURE 4
-------
4
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
CHICOPEE RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF ICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ®
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
0 5 10 5
MILES
FIGURE 5
I - -
‘I
L--
-J---
ALL WATERS WiTHIN
THIS RIVER SASIN
ARC INTRASTATE WATERS
-------
4
0 I 2 34 5
MILES
ALL WATERS WITHIN
THIS RIVER BASIN
ARE INTRASTATE WATERS
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
CONCORD, ASSABET, a SUDBURY RIVER BASINS
CLASS IF ICATION
GRAF TON
ICK
UPTON
Sh ERBORN
)
HOLLI STON
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
FIGURE 6
-------
4
VERMONT
012345
L £&
MILES
Connecticut River
— Falls River
SPRINGFIELD
r sT
SOUTHWICI(
LONG-
___ ! ‘ ig
MEADOWS
L_ _____
CONNECTICUT —
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
CONNECTICUT RIVER
CLASS IF ICAT ION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ®
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
ii
MONTAGUE I
I— %_ - -
LJ
r
GRANBY
-
INTERSTATE STR(AMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FIGURE 7
-------
—J
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Deerfield River
Green River
MIII Brook (Monroe)
North River East Br.
North River West Br.
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
DEERFIELD RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® ©
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
012 345
ii 1111
MILES
VERMONT
FIGURE 8
-------
4
Farmington River , West Br.
Hubbard Brook
Pond Brook
BLANDFORD Taylor Brook
Valley Brook
SOUTHWICK
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
FARMINGTON RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSiFICATION
BECKE r
0I 2345
MILES
—J
INTERSTATE STREAMS WITH FEDERALLY
APPROVED WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
GRANvI LLE
CON NEC TI CUT
FIGURE 9
-------
, rIAi STRLAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
French River
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
FRENCH RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF ICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSII1CA7ION
MILES
RHODE ISLAND
4
0 2 345
AUBURN
/
/
/
CONNECTICUT
FIGURE 10
-------
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Hoosic River) North Br
Hoosic River
4
012345
A I LJ
MILES
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
HOOSIC RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ©
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
]
FIGURE 11
-------
I
4
01234
Li
MILES
L4J
I
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY S1ANDAF D -
—CHANGE OF C ASSFIC. TtON
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Housatonic River
Green River
Konkopot River
ELD HUDSON RIVER BASIN
Boshbish Brook
Ktnderhook Creek
HIRE
BECKET
tdONT RE V
OTIS
8ASH8ISH
CONNECTICUT
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
HOUSATONIC RIVER BASh
FIGURE 12
-------
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
IPSWICH RIVER BASIN
4
012345
L L
MILES
INTERSTATE WATER$
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY 3TANDARDS
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © © c
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
‘ GEORGETOWN ROWLEY
E4N
ESSEX
BEVERLY
Tidal Portion of
Ipswich Rivør Basin
FIGURE 3
-------
4
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Barrington River
Kickamuit River
Palmer River
Runnins River
Warren River
0 I 2 3
1 -J
MILES
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
CKAMUIT, WARREN & BARRINGTON RIVER BASINS
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
FIGURE 4
-------
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED SY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
MERRIMACK RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
Mirrimock Rivr
Spick.? Rivsr
LstUi Rivr
Pew ow Rips’
1.vsc Sro•k
PI I d RI r
Slock Rock Cr k
Horns ‘ock
Sock ( Msnl.mc )
Sock Ri .r (A.sbury)
Tvzbwy Psad
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - (A) ® © €) ( ( )
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
01234
L LJ1
MILES
SACK
SNOWS IN
NASAIS SIL
4
“C,
I ’
TER$?AtE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
TER •UALITY STANDARDS
FIGURE 15
-------
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
MILLERS RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
Binney Hill Brook
Boyce Brook
Falls Brook
Kemp Brook
Lake Monomoc
Lawrence Brook
Millers River
Robbins Brook
Scott Brook
Towne Brook
Tully River
E. Br. Tully River
o I 2 345
LIII U
N LE S
FIGURE 16
-------
4
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Tidol Portion of
Mystic River
0 2 3
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
MYSTIC RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ®
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
FiGURE 17
-------
4
NASHUA RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ®
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
SEE TABLE
NEW HAMPSHI
INTERSTATE STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Nashua River
Nissitissit River
Souhegun River, South Br.
Mason Brook
Beaver Brook
Mine Brook
Walker Brook
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
FIGURE 18
-------
o I 2 345
MILES
I NCY
i INTERSTATE *A1LI .e
I WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
I WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Tidal Portions of
Neponset River Basin
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
NEPONSET RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF CATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © © 3
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
DOVER’
1
FOXBOROUGH
FIGURE 9
-------
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED SY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
IWrEI$TATE WATERS
WITH PEDERALLY APPROVED
WATU UALITY STANDARDS
NORTH COASTAL
CLASS IF CAT ION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - (A) ® © © €) @‘ ®
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
012345
LA LJ LJ
MILES
I
.4TLA VTIC OC(A
Tidal Wotrs
FIGURE 20
-------
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
PARKER RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF ICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © ( ) ( )
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
IUT R$TAT( $TIt* $
WITH PIMNALLY APPNOVU
WATIN QUALITY $TANDARD$
Tidol Portioø of
Porkor Rivor losim
Plum IslaNd Rjysr(Tidol)
4
0 I t 5 4 5
WE ST
NEWBURY
.4TL4NTIC
QCEAN
BOXFORD
FIGUIE 21
-------
INTERSTAT( STREAMS
WITH FEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARD$
Quinebaug River
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
QUINEBAUG RIVER BASIN
CLASS IFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
012345
MILES
FIGURE 22
-------
4
INTERSTATE STNEAMS
WITH FIDERALLY APP 0VEO
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Scantic River
Watchaug Brook o
MILES
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
$CANTIC RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF ICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ®
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
I 2
—————-‘
EAST
CONNECTICUT
FIGURE 23
-------
4
012345
II IL U
MILES
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
SHAWSHEEN RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF CATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ®
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
ALL WATERS WITHIN
THIS RIVER BASIN
ARE INTRASTATE WATERS
FIGURE 24
BI
LINCOLN
-------
4
012345
L1 Li LJ
MILES
INTISITATE WATERS
WITH PIDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDAROS
Tdol Wotsi.
* tR QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED SY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
SOUTH COASTAL (CAPE AREAI :
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
FIGUIE 25
-------
—.—%
-- -c
FREE TOWN
INTERSTATE WATERS
WITH PEDERALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY $TANDANDS
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
SOUTH COASTAL
CLASS I FICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © © 3
CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
o 2345
LJ U U
MILES
ATLANTIC
O (AN
FIGURE 26
-------
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® i!j © I
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
4
- 2345
NTCRSTATC STREAMS
WITH PEDEftALLY APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
TAUNTON RIVER BASIN
Tounton River and Tidal Tribe
Asson•t River (tidal)
Cole River (tidal )
Lee River (tidal)
Three Mile River(tidol)
Kickomuit River (tidal)
Matfi.Id River
Salisbury Plain River
FIGURE 27
-------
4
tNT(RSTATC STREAMS
WITH FCD [ RAL Y APPROVED
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Ten Mile River
Seven Mile River
0 I 2 3
MILES
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
TEN MILE RIVER BASIN
CLASS IF CATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
FiGURE 28
-------
OTIS
I
TOLL AN D
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY I
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
WESTFIELD RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATION
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® © J
—CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
1
4
o 2 345
LJ L IL
MILES
ALL WATERS WITHIN
THIS RIVER RABIN
ARE INTRASTATE WATERS
HOLYOKE
FIGURE 29
-------
0 I 2 3 4 5
/
/
INTERSTATE WATERS STOUGHTON,
WITH EDENALLY APPROVED /
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ‘ AVON
Tidal Portion of
Wsymouth Rivir Basin
MILES
BosroN
TER QUALITY STANDARDS
ADOPTED BY
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
WEYMOUTH RIVER BASIN
CLASSIFICATiON
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - ® ® © ©
— CHANGE OF CLASSIFICATION
HARBOR
MILTON
p
CANTON
‘S
ROCKLAND
ABINGTON
FIGURE 30
-------
APPENDIX I
EXCERPTS FROM
MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN AT S ACT
AUTHORIZING THE STABLISHMENT AND FORC 24ENT
OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
(As Amended Through the Acts of 1971)
-------
M ASSACH USETTS
CLEAN WATERS ACT
Chapter 21 of the General Laws as amended
AND
RELATED WATER POLLUTION
CONTROL LAWS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Water Resources Commission
Division of Water Pollution Control
I—1
-------
CHAPTER 685
1 HE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX
An Act Establishing A Water Pollution Control Division In The Department Of
Natural Resources
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its pcrpose,
which is, in part, to provide funds immediately for a water pollution control
program for the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emer eiicv
law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience and public
health.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Genera! Court
assem bled, and by the authority of the same, as folio ws.—
SECTION 1. Chapter 21 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding after
section 25, under the caption DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL,
the following sections:—
SECTIONS 26 through 58: See Massachusetts Clean Waters Act
SECTION 2. The classification of the various waters of the commonwealth and
the standards of water quality established therefor, as appearing in rules and
regulations adopted by the department of public health, to prevent pollution and to
secure a sanitary protection of such waters and all orders, actions, suits and in-
junctions relating to pollution abatement shall continue in full for, e and effect as if
adopted by the division of water pollution control under the appropriate provisions
of chapter twenty-one of the General Laws, as appearing in section one of thi. act,
and shall remain in effect until amended, modified or repealed by said division of
water pollution control.
SECTION 3. Wherever in any general or special law reference is made to the
authority to administer water pollution abatement or control laws, such authority
shall, on the effective date of this act, be vested in the division of water pollution
control
1—2
-------
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 21 § 27
§ 27. Powers and duties of division
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the division to enhance the quality arm
vahie of water resources and to establish a program rer the prevention, control, and
abatement of water pollution. Said division shall:
(1) Eneourag’ the adoption and execution by cities and towns, industries and
other users of the waters of çhc commonwealth, and hr co-operative groups of mu-
nicipailties and industries, of plans for the prevention, control and abatement of
water pollution.
(2) Co-operate with appropriate federal agencies or the agencies of other states, or
with interstate agencies in matters related to water quality control, and shall receive
and dispense such funds from any such agencies as may be available for the preven-
tion, control and abatement or vater pollutiOn. ai(l division shall also co-operate
with and assist departments. beards, officials and institutions of the commonwealth
or Its political subdivisions that may be concerned In any way with problems f
Wutet Pollution.
(3) Conduct a program of study and research and demonstration, by itself or In
co-operation with other governmental agencies, relating to new and improved methods
of pollution abatement or n:3re efficient methods of water qitabty control, including
the treatment, neiitraiizati’.n and stabilization of s ’. vage and industrial waste and
the disposal thereof by treatment Or disposal plant, sewer systems, pumping stations,
or acceleration flow or by other methods, facilities or equipment so as to Insure
cleaner waters In the coastal watars, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds of the C01fl
monwealth.
(4) Adopt standards of water quality which shall he applicable to the various
waters or portions of waters of the comniori vealth. and a plan for the implciiienta
tion and enforcement of tme standards so adopted for the various waters. Said
standards of wat& quality shall he established to protect the public health, enhance
the quality of water, and carry out the provisions of sections twenty-six to fmfty,
inelusive. Such standards as shall relate to tile pildic health shall not be adopted
without the written approval of the commissioner ef publIc health.
(5) Examine periodically the water quality of the various coastal waters, rivers,
streams, lakes and ponds of the eomnmonwcalth, or separate portions of such waters,
and publish the results of such examinations together with time standard of water
quality established for tile various waters or portions thereof.
(6) prepare and keep current a comprehensive plan, which shall be approved by the
water resources commission, for the abatement of existing pollution and the preven-
tion of further pollution in the waters of the commonwealth, by the installation.
use and operntioo of praet cal facimities and methods for controlling water pollutiofl.
recognizing different reiui: ments for different waters and for different segments
of the same waters.
(7) Arrance for personnel engaged in the work of water pollution prevention and
abatement to take courses designed to instruct employees of water pollution control
facilities, inclu(imIig sewage treatment and disposal systems, in the latest and most
efficient methods of water pollution control and the latest developments in the opera-
Lion and maintenance of plants and facilities for the prevention or abatement ot
water pollution.
(8) Adopt, amend, or repeal after hearing from time to time, with the approval of
the water resources commission, rules and regulations which it deemns necessary
for the proper administration of thc laws relative to water pollution control and
to the protection of the quality and value of water resources, including regulations
to control or prevent the discharge of sewage, garbage or other waste material
from watercraft of any type. including houseboats; provided, however, that no such
regulation which requires the installation of equipment on any such watercraft shall
take effect prior to May the fifteenth, nineteen hundred and seventy-one. Such
rules and regulations as shalt relate to the public health shall not be adopted with-
out the written approval of the commissioner of public health. Except as other-
wise provided in this chapter. any person violating any rule or regulation issued
under the authority of sections twenty-six to fifty-three, Inclusive, shall be pun-
ished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
(9) RequIre submissions for approval of reports and plans of abatement facilities
or any part thereof, and inspect the construction thereof for compliance with the
approved idu .
[ —3
-------
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
10) Undertake immediately, whenever there is spillage, seepage or other
discharge of oil into any of the waters of the coiiinioziwealtli or into any offshore
waters svtnch may result in damage to the waters. shores or ii itUral resources
utili,ed or enjoyed by citizens of the commonst ealth to cause said spillage, seepage
or discharge to he contained and removed by whatever nedod it considers best.
Chemicals shall not be used in the clean-tip operation of oil spills tnilcss their use
has been authoriied by the division, and if a public water supply or hetlfish heds
may be affected, by the department of public health.
In this clause, the word ‘‘oil’ shall mean insoluble or partially soltible oils of
any kind or origin or in any form including, hut not limited to, crude or fuel oils.
lube oil or sludge, asphalt, insoluble or partially insoluble derivatives of mineral,
animal or vegetable oils.
The division sitall tleternnne the person responsible for causing such spillage,
seepage or discharge and the names of all pesons svho oxvned or controlled t lie oil
or who owned or controlled or leased the vessel, tank, pipe, hose or (it her container
in which the oil ss as located when the spillage, seepage or discli trgc occurred. Said
l)C i shall he joittly and severally liable to the eotnmonwe iltlt for all costs and
expenses incurred by the division in making such investigation, and in containing
antI removing the oil, and shall he jointly and severally liable to lie coinniutweittth
for all ilaniages done to natural and recreatHnal resources, including ill costs of
restoring damaged areas to their original condition, and to any other person for any
damages to his real and personal property Ihie person responsible for causing such
spillage, seepage or discharge shall he punished by a fine of not inure than ten
thousand dollars for each day stich spillage, seepage or discharge continues, or by
imprisonment for not more than two years om both.
pon request of the director, the attorney general shall bring an action to
recover ill costs and expenses incurred for such invcstigation, coui tiunlcnt,
rc itos il a id restor it ion.
Such costs and expenses shall he recovered in an action of tort, and shall he
rhitcd tet tie account from which said stints iii money had been iilviineed 1,1(1
ii.tv, ‘ ,uhjtct to appropriation, he expended by the division for lie purposes set
I i I i iii tttis clause. In any such action the conirnonwe ilth may also seek recovery
er ill loss tint &l;mniage to t he natural and recreational resources of the coin-
i i i ue s ‘‘alt I i
Any owner or operator of a vessel, vehicle, railroad car or fouil t u’.c(: ft,r the
production. processing transportation, t ransfer or 5 ii rafte (if oil shall, as ‘on as he
has knowledge ot any sucfl spillage, seepage or discharge of oil into or ad acc , 1 U)
wale s of the coniniomtwcalth, promptly notify the director r>1 the dix isbn or his
representative of such discharge. Any person who fails so to nolfy the Uircc U r or
his representative ot such discharge shall be ptiiiiskted by a fine i ,I not more lean
five I tiou.sa(d diollar,,
Sl(’IlUN 42. Discharge into Water iii (‘oitm ,cutiou of lst ih,li,ltcel Siatoleid’.
I ‘ ‘ mutt V
Wlmoeser directly or ii tir&’ctly throws, drains, ruts or disetiarpe’s or pemiults
the discharge into the wimteis of the contmiteuiweouttli oipiinic or innu clinU n1 t1cr
tsliichi sl ll cause, or contribute to, a condition in ciin1r ivcieti’ii of tic taieiltiel,
m&toptcd by the tis sion sti ull lie punished by a lute of not more than uiic tlioit ,i I
dollars. Lacli day such violation contimidics shall bc a separate offense, l)urtislmhlc
by a like fine. For the purpose of this section and sections liii ty-thmcc Lu forty-six
iriclticixe, the voids ‘whoever and ‘‘person’’ shall include political suhdi’ .isinn of
the (‘oiiinmonwca!tl and poitdic corporations.
SI c’l’lON 13. Discharge of Sewage or Industrial Wastes; Permit; Injunction
No person shall make or permit a outlet for the discharge of sewage or in-
tlimstrial waste or wastes, or the effluent therefrom, into any of the waters of the
coin niomiwealth nor shall he construct or operate a disposal system for the
discharge of sewage or indu t rial or other wastes or the effluent therefrom into the
waters of the commonwealth without first obtaining a permit, which the director is
hereby a tuthorized to issue, subject to such conditions as he nitty dcciii necessary to
imisure cofliphilmilCe with the standards established for the waters affected. Whoever
violates this section may he enjoined from contimloming such violahoii, as provided in
section forty-four.
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
§ 44. Notice of contravention of water quality staxu&ards; order to cor-
rect; hearing
Whenever it appears to the director that there is a discharge of sewage or in-
dustrial, commercial or other wastes into the waters of the commonwealth or that
oil, debris or other niarerial has been deposited in or adjacent to the waters of
the Cofllninnwealth which is causing or contributing to, or Is likely to cause or
contribute to, a condition In contravention of the standards of water quality adopted
for said vatirs, or which is not In accordance with the plan adopted by the division
for the Implementatjon and enforcement of said standards for said waters, or
which is in contravention of any rule or regulation of the division, the director
shall notify the person making or permitting such discharge or deposit in writing
of said discharge or deposit and shall, in this or in a subsequent written notice,
order that said person correct the condition complained of in accordance with a
schedule set forth therein, Said order shall inform the alleged violator of hi
right to request, within thirty days, a hearing under the provisions of chapter
thIrty A, but if no such request is made within thirty days. said person shall be
(kPmed to have consented to the order. If said person requests a hearing, the
director or his designee shall within a reasonable time hold a hearing under the
provisions of said chapter thirty A. The director may reissue such order as Is
warranted.
§ 45. Regulation of sewerage systems and water pollution abatement fa-
cilities to insure adequate treatment of waste; submission of
records
The division may require by order a city, town, district, person or any other
entity maintaining a sewerage system or water pollution abatement facility to
provide and operate such facility in such a manner as is in Its opinion necessary
to insure a(lequate treatment prior to discharge to the waters of the common-
wealth. The division may adopt rules and regulations governing the operation and
maintenance of waste treatment facilities and may require the periodic submission
of records to it.
§ 46. Judicial review; jurisdiction; injunction; findings of director as
prima fade evidence
All orders, permits or other determinations of the director, except those con-
sented thereto, shall he subject to judicial review as provided in chapter thirty
A. The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce any such order,
permit or determination, and the provisions of sections twenty-six to fifty-three.
Inclusive, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder. The superior court may,
if the public health, safety and interest so requires, enjoin any action or remedy
any pollution prior to the final determination of any administrative proceeding or
appeal therefrom. In any action so brought, any findings of the director shall
be prima fade evidence of the facts found therein.
§ 50. Terminals; licenses; inspection; rules and regulations; fees;
penalty
The division shall have the power to license all terminais in the commonwealth
for the loading or discharge of petroleum products from vessels, and zany issue rea-
sonable rules and regulations in connection therewith for the purposes of protc ctmng
the pul,lie safety and for preventing the spilling of the liquids into the waters of
the commonwealth.
The division shall inspect periodically hoses, gaskets, tanks, pipelines and other
equipment to make certain that they are in go.d operating condition, and may order
the renewai of any of such equipment found unfit for further use,
The divi iun may require by rules and regulations that suitable equipment be
readily availahic to remove from the waters of the commonwealtu any petroleum or
chemical liquids spilied or discharged therein.
The division may require time payment of reasonable fees, designed to cover the
costs incurred by the above inspections and Its other duties.
Whoever oprates such n terminal without a license (rotim the division shall be
pnnishd I a fine of one hundred dollars p r day during suca period of unauthor-
ized operation.
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DEPARTMENT O1 NATU1 AL ISOUL C S
SECTION 50A. Oil Terminals, Pollution Prevention, Penalty
Notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty, every owner or operator of an
oil terminal or wharf shall employ a trained crew and have a plastic or wooden
boom which is capable of encircling any ship or vessel depositing oil into tanks or
other receptacles at such terminal or wharf, and which is designed to prevent
seepage, overflow or excess oil from polluting or contaminating any lake, river,
harbor, tidal water or flats. If the director finds that because of the negligence of
such owner, operator or one of his agents or servants repeated seepage, overflow or
excess oil has contaminated any lake, river, harbor, tidal waters or flats he shall
require every such owner or operator to encircle every ship or vessel depositing il
at his wharf or terminal with such a boom. The authority granted to the director
under the preceding sentence shall not he construed to diminish his powers to
regulate and control oil spillage, including his power to require the use of booms,
granted by section fifty. The owner or operator of any such wharf or terminal shall
remove any oil held within such boom prior to a ship or vessel leaving the same.
Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not
more than one thousand dollars. A license issued under section fifty to operate a
terminal may be revoked for violation of any of the provisions of this section.
SECTION 50B. Oil Vessel; Posting of Bond, and Financial Responsibility
Any vessel, whether or not self-propelled, in or entering upon the waters of the
commonwealth for the purpose of discharging or receiving a cargo of any bulk
petrrdeum product in the commonwealth shall post a bond with the division of at
least twenty-five thousand dollars payable to the commonwealth. Said bond shall
be in a form apl roved by the division antI may hr oht rrd iII(livi(tUa!ly or jointly
by the vessel, its owner or agent, Its charterer, or by th U owner of operator of the
terminal at which the vessel discharges or rtccivc. said pttl oleutt i products. If the
division determines that oil, as defined in cl tiise (10) ot rctioii tacitly sesen, ha ,
been discharged into the waters of tIre coiirnronwe )tli from soul vr ’ ,scl, ito: tmnd
shall be forfeited to the extent of the costs incurred by the dis iaiur iii
and removing said oil, to the extent of da nirrge en used to the not, at arid
recreational resources of the commonwealth, and to the extent of any hic i .‘. i ’ ,,
unccllectahlc fines levied against the operators of said vessel for siuhati li of any
laws relating to water pollution abatement, The remedies provided in this se tim
shall be in addition to all other remedies available. No boird shall be eleascd
without certification by the division flint the vessel has not been-a Source of oil
pollution. Other evidence of financial responsibility which is satisfactory to tIle
division may be accepted by the division in lieu, of bonding. Any vessel in the aateis
of the comnionwealth for the purpose of discharging, or which receives, cargo of
bulk petroleum products in the cotnnionwcahh without being bonded as provided
in this section, or without having submitted other evidence of financial respon-
sibility acceptable to the division, and the owner, agent and charterer of said vesSel,
and the operator of any terminal which receives or discharges such cargo from or
to a vessel not so bonded, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five
thousand dollars.
The superior court in equity shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of
this section.
SECTION 52. Waste Oil Disposal; Peimits
No one shall engage in the business of collecting waste oil or shall dispose of
waste oil in any waters of the coni,nuonwealth, without a permit from the division.
Said pemnhit shall not he granted unless the division is satisfied that such disposition
will not result in furlher poiltition.
The division shall consult with and advise persons- engaged or intending to
engage in the bnsines of disposing of waste oil as to the most appropriate and best
method of disposal. It shall conduct a program of study and research and
demonstration, relating to new and 1n1 1 )roved methods of waste oil disposal.
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SECTION 57. Chemical and Other Hazardous Wastes; Handling and Disposal of
The members of the water resources commission individually and the com-
missioner of the department of public safety shall sit as a board for the purpose of
insuring that certain chemical and other hazardous wastes are safely and properly
handled and disposed of. Said board shall investigate the handling and disposal of
said wastes and shall coordinate the activities of the agencies represented by the
members of said board.
Where said board finds that the powers delegated to said agency are in-
sufficient, it shall have the power to adopt such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to protect the public and its environment from the effects of unregulated
handling and disposal of said wastes. The board shall delegate to the most ap-
propriate agency represented by its members responsibility for the administration
of its regulations. Nothing in this section or section fifty-eight shall diminish or
interfere with the responsibilities of any other agency.
Said board shall, after a public hearing, adopt rules and regulations —
1. identifying substances which, because of t.heir chemical, radioactive.
flammable, explosive or other characteristics, constitute or may reasonably be
expected to constitute a danger to the public health, safety or we4fare or to the
environment and which should be handled and disposed of only by licensed
hazardous waste disposers. Mercury, beryllium, compounds thereof, and such
other elements and compounds as may be listed from time to time by said board,
shall not he dumped in any of the waters of the commonwealth;
2. specifying in what manner said wastes may be handled or disposed of,
requiring that various types of said wastes be segregated from one another, be
neutralized or otherwise rendered harmless prior to disposal and be suitably
contained:
3. specifying the location at which said substances may be disposed of both
within or without the commonwealth in order to prevent damage to any natural
resoturce utilized or enjoyed by the public, or to the environment;
4. establishing reasonable exceptions when competent scientific evidence
satisfies the board that the substances and quantities involved do not constitute a
threat to the public and its environment:
5. setting reasonable license and inspection fees: and
6. such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of this section and section fifty-eight.
SECTION 58. Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Wastes; Licensing of
No person including the originator thereof shall handle or dispose of such
hazardous wastes as are specified by said board without a license from the division
of water pollution control. Said license shalt be subject to such terms and con-
ditions as the division deems advisable in accordance with the regulations adopted
by said board, including the condition that such handling or disposal receive the
specific approval of one or more of the agencies represented b ’ the members of
said hoard.
A violation of this section or of section 57 or any regulation adopted
thereunder shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars. or by
imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than six months, or both.
The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce the provisions of said
sections and to remedy any violations thereof, including injunctive relief.
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PUBLIC WAYS AND WO1 KS 91
§ 59. Discharge of petroleum products into or on lakes, rivers or tidal
waters
Whoever pumps, discharges or deposits, or causes to be pumpcu, discharged or de-
posited, into or on the waters of any lake or river or into or on tidal waters and
flats, any crude petroleum or any of its products or any other oils or any bilge
water or water from and receptacle containing any of the said substances, in such
manner arid to such c: tent as to be a pollution or contatnitiation of said waters
or flats or a nuisance or be injurious to the public health, shall be punished by a
fine of not more than one thousand dollars; but this section shall not be construed
to prohibit the use of oil for the extermination of mosquitoes or other Insects. The
provisions of this section shall be enforced by the department of public safety and
by all other officers authorized to make arrests.
§ 59A. Tort liability for discharge or deposit of crude petroleum or prod.
ucts; double damages
Whoever, by himself or his agent, so negligently pumps, discharges or deposits any
crude petroleum or any of its products or any other oils or any bilge water or
water from any receptacle containing any of the said substances into or on the
waters of any lake or river or Into or on tidal waters or flats in such manner as
to cause damage to the property of another shall be liable in tort to the person
whose property is so damaged In double the amount of the damages sustained by him.
The use 01 oil for the extermination of mosquitoes or other insects on the waters
of any lake or river or on tidal waters or fiats declared to be a breeding place of
mosquitoes or other Insects, by a town, City or mosquito control project acting under
chapter two hundred and fifty-two or any special law, shall not be deemed to be
a violation of the provisions of this section, provided such use of oil conforms to
the rules and regulations promulgated by the pesticide board.
§ 59B. Marinas; licensi’g by divisior, of water pollution control; re-
striction ; term; reneval; fees
Effcet re 3rc i 13,
No marina shall be operated without a licence ksued by the divisi ri of water
pollution controL . Said divkioii sl..ill not issue any such license unless such marina
provides (1) adequate facilItl for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage
or other sanitary waste, as said division may specify, Including facilities for the
purging out and cleaning of holding tanks, the contents of which shall be then
disposed of In such manner as not to be discharged into or near any waters of
the commonwealth, unless such discharge is to a municipal sewerage system or
to an adequate sewage treatment or disposal facility approved by the division of
water pollution control; (2) adequate and conveniently located dockside toilet
facilities for the use of the occupants of watereraft; and (3) adequate and con-
enicntly located trash receptacles or similar devices designed for the disposal
of litter and refuse.
Any license Issued under this section shall be for a term of one year and may
be renewed annually. The fee for such annual license shall be fifty dollars and
the fee for a renewal of such license shaU be ten dollars.
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CHIMES AGAINST PUBLIC hEALTh 270 § 16
§ 16. Disposal of rubbish, etc. on or near highways and coastal
or inland waters; penalties; applicability to dumping
grounds; enforcement
Whoever places, throws, deposits or discharges, or causes to be
placed, thrown, deposited or discharged, any trash, refuse, rubbish or
debris on a public highway or within twenty yards thereof, or in or
upon coastal or inland waters, as defined in section one of chapter
one hundred and thirty-one, respectively, or within twenty yards of
any such water, or on property of another without permission of the
owner thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two
hundred dollars. If a motor vehicle is used in committing such nui-
sance a conviction under this section shall forthwith be reported by
the court to the registrar of motor vehicles, and the registrar may
suspend the license of the operator of such vehicle f’or not more than
thtrty da , and if it appears from the records of-the registrar of. mo-
tor vehicles that the person so convicted is the owner of the motor
vehicle so used, the registrar may suspend the certificate of registi’a-
tion of said vehicle for thirty days.
The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any
dumping ground approved under section one hundred and fifty A of
chapter one hundred and eleven or by other appropriate public au-
thority.
This section shall be enforced by natural resources officet’s, by
the director of the division of motorboats or his authorized agents, by
harbormasters and assistant harbormasters, by members of the state
police and inspectors of the registry of motor vehicles and by city,
town and metropolitan district commission police officers.
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APPENDIX II
INTERSTATE WATERS TO WHICH WATER QUALITY STAIWABDS APPLY
UNDER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT
as amended by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of
1961—(Public Law 87—88), the Water Quality Act of 1965—(Public Law
89—234), the Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966— (Public Law 89—753),
and the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970—(Public Law 91—224).
Appendices:
Water quality standards, under Section 10 (c) (1) of the Act are to be
established for, and made applicable to, interstate waters or portions
thereof within the State.
1. T e term “ir tcrstate watcr ,” as defined in Section 23 (e) o the
Act, r. eans all rivers, lakes, and other waters that flow across or form
a part of State boundaries, including coasta. waters.
2. Within this definition, waters chat flow across or form a par: of
State boundaries are subject to the provisions of Section 10 (c) (1) of
the Act.
3. Waters that flow across or form a part of the ir.ternati nal bo nd—
ary between a State and foreign country are interstate waters withLn the
meaning of the definition provided in Section 23 (a) of the Act and sim arly
subject to the provisions of Section 10 (c) (1) of the Act.
4. Coastal waters subject to the provisions of Section 10 (c) ( o
the Aet are the ocean waters along straight coasts, the waters along n ..entec
coasts which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tides, and the wa :er
of the Great I. kes.
5. As notcd above, the definition of “interstate waters” is in tar s
of water bodies——”rivers ,“ “lakes” and “other warers”——and is not limited
to only those portions of these water bodies at the point at which they
flow across or form a part of State bou. .daries. In effect, therefore,
water quality standards are to be established fo and made applicable to
the entire stretch of the interstate waters within a State.
6. Tributaries of interstate waters, which are not in themselves nter—
state waters, are not subject to the requirements of subsection 10 (c’, (..)
of the Act. However, it is important to note that the discharge of any
matter into such tributaries which reaches interstate waters and reducea
the quality of such interstate waters below the established water qua y
standards is subject to abatement under Section 10 (c ( of the
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APPENDU TIT
Glossary of Terms
Coliforrn Bacteria - for many years the best indicator of the sanitary
quality of water has been an estimate of the density of colifcnti bacteria.
More recently, tests have been developed for the determination of fecal
coliform and fecal streptococci, which give a better indication of the
concentration of bacteria in waters which may be harmful to human health.
Bacterial concentrations originate primarily from municipal waste treatment
plants, sanitary sewers, storm drains, vessels and agriculutral wastes.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.) - The quantity of oxygen utilized
in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter in a specified time and at
a specified temperature. Waste discharges containing high levels of B.O.D.
will deplete oxygen supplies in receiving waters.
Disinfection — the killing of the larger portion (but not necessarily
all) of the harmful and objectional microorganisms in, or on, a medium by
means of chemicals heat, ultraviolet light, etc. Clorination is the method
commonly employed in sewage treatment processes.
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) - the oxygen dissolved as a gas in sewage,
water or other liquid usually expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/i),
parts per million (ppm) or percent saturation. Adequate dissolved oxygen
levels are necessary in waters to protect fish and other aquatic life and
to prevent offensive odors. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations are generally
due to excessive organic solids discharged as a result of inadequately
treated waste (having high B.O.D.); excessive algal growths may cause vastly
fluctuating dissolved oxygen levels, and other factors such as temperature
and water movement have an impact on dissolved oxygen levels.
Interstate Waters - Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
interestate waters are defined as:
1. rivers, lakes and other waters which flow across or form a
part of State or international boundaries:
2. waters of the Great Lakes;
3. coastal waters-—whose scope has been defined to include ocean
waters seaward to the territorial limits and waters along the
coastline (including inland streams) that are influenced by
the rise and fall of the tide.
pH — the index of hydrogen ion activity, used as an indication of
acidity or alkalinity in water. The pH of most waters ranges from 6. to
8. , and most uses of water, such as aquatic life propagation, prosper at
these levels. In most cases, a pH outside this range is due to discharge
of industrial wastes or decaying organic vegatation.
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Pollution - the addition ol’ sewage
harmful or objectionable material to water at a concentration or in
sufficient quantity to result in measurable degradation of water quality.
Pri r and Secondary Contact Recreation — also called Whole-body
Contact Recreation, Primary Contact Recreation includes uses of water
such as swimming, water skiing and skin diving. Secondary Contact
Recreation, also called Partial—body Contact Recreation, includes
such recreational uses as boating and fishing.
Primary Treatment - may be defined as that process or group of
processes capable of removing a high percentage of floating and settleable
solids. This is the first major treatment in a sewage treatment works
and generally removes from 30 to 65 percent of the suspended solids
and 30 to )40 percent of the 5—day biochemical oxygen demand.
Secondary Treatment - may be defined as that process of group of
processes capable of removing virtually all floating and settleable
solids, generally from 85 to 95 percent of the 5 day biochemical
oxygen demand, and a similar level of removal of suspended solids in
untreated waste. The equivalent treatment may generally be define.i
as that process or group of processes achieving maximum practicable
removal of solids, oils, grease, acids, alkalis, toxic materials,
bacteria, taste and odor causing materials, color and any other ob-
jectionable constituents contained in untreated waste to produce on
effluent equivalent to that obtained from secondary treatment of
sewage or the effluent from the most efficient treatment facilities
in current use for any specific category of industrial waste.
Sewage - (1) the water supply of a community after it has been
used and discharged into a sewer, (2) wastewater from the sanitary
conveniences of dwellings, business buildings, factories and other
institutions.
Sewage, Combined - a sewer which carries both sanitary sewage and
surface or storm water with or without industrial wastes.
Sewer, Combined - a sewer which carries both sanitary sewage and
torm drainage. At times of heavy rainfall, the capacity of combined
sewers may be exceeded and sewers will overflow. The overflow will
bypass the sewage treatment plant and the combined wastewaters will be
discharged directly into stream without treatment of any kind. This
is a problem in many older cities in the United States, and there
are various programs to deal with it.
Solids, Settleable - suspended solids which will subside in
quiescent water, sewage or other liquid in a reasonable period.
Solids, Suspended — solids that either float on the surface of, or
are in suspension in, water, sewage or other liquids and which are
largely removable by laboratory filtering.
Temperature — extreme temperatures primarily affect the aquatic
life use of waters. While temperature is affected by natural conditions,
man has a significant effect by the construction and operation of
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darns and the discharge of cooling waters from industrial processes,
particularly power generation.
Toxic Materials - these may include hundreds of compounds present
in waters due to industrial wastes, runoff from farm lands where
pesticides have been applied and other causes which are harmful to
human, plant, animal and aquatic life.
Warm--and Cold-water Fish - warm-water fish include black bass,
sunfish, catfish, gar and others; cold-water ftsh include salmon and
trout, whitefish, miller’s thumb and blackfish. The temperature
factor determining distribution is set by adaptation of the eggs to
warm or cold water.
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APPENDIX IV
Addresses
Environmental Protection Agency
John Fitzgerald Kenrie r Federal Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203
Massachusetts Water Resources Corn iission
Division of Water Pollution Control
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
Executive Secretary
New England Interstate 1ater
Pollution Control Commission
607 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1972—700-714 63
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