WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF BOSTITCH, INC., FRY BROOK AND THE HUNT RIVER EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND JULY 23, 24, 25, 1974 SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION I NEEDHAM HEIGHTS, MASS. ------- • TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures Page I List of Tables Page II Page I • CONCLUSIONS . .•• . . II. INTRODUCTION...... ......... •...•. . • . . . ........ ...3 III. STUDY AREA........ IV. WATER QUALITY SM4PLING ACTIVITIES.. . . . .... . . . . . . . 8 V• SURVEY RESULTS...... .•. ... ... .. . ... .. . ... ..... .•lO VI. DISCUSSION . •.. . 16 APPENDICES APPENDIX A — Report of Qualitative Biological Survey APPENDIX B — Comparison of Effluent Sampling Data ------- LIST OF FIGTJRES Page Figure 1 - Fry Brook Survey Sampling Stations 5 Figure 2 - Fry Brook Survey Major Discharges 7 Figure 3 - Average Streainf low at Fry Brook Survey 17 Sampling Stations Figure 4 - Average Cyanide and Metals in Water Samples 20 Figure 5 - Total Phosphorus and Metals in Sediment Samples 23 I. ------- LIST OF TABLES 11 13 15 19 Page Table 1 — Abbreviations Used in the Report 2 Table 2 - Results of Field Measurements Table 3 - Results of Laboratory Analysis of Water Samples Table 4 - Results of Laboratory Analysis of Sediment Samples Table 5 - Comparison of Survey Data II. ------- CONCLUSION S 1. The Metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) discharged during the survey by Bostitch, Inc., do not adversely affect the water quality of Fry Brook or the Hunt River in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. 2. Cyanide concentrations in Bostitch discharge 002 were sufficiently high to possibly adversely affect the biota of Fry Brook. 3. It was not possible to evaluate the quality of the biota of Fry Brook in relation to the Bostitch discharges because of the overwhelming effects of the East Greenwich Dairy discharge. 4. During the week, in the summer months, approximately 257. of the time the entire flow of Fry Brook is withdrawn by the Pawtucket Concrete Company. 5. The discharges from Bostitch, Inc. have not adversely affected the biota of the Hunt River in the locations examined. 6. It is unlikely that the metals concentrations in Bostitch discharge 002, as measured during the survey, are sufficient to adversely affect the biota of Fry Brook. 1. ------- TABLE I ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE REPORT Abbreviation Temp pH DO Comp CF S 1/sec mg/i ug /1 ug/gm Total P PPM PPB Cd Cr Cu Ni Pb Zn Description temperature of the sample field pH dissolved oxygen composite sample cubic feet per second liters per second milligrams per liter micrograms per liter micrograms per gram total phosphorus parts per million parts per billion cadmium chromium copper nickel lead zinc Units of Measure degrees centigrade (°c) standard units milligrams per liter cubic feet per second .liters per second mg/I as phosphorus mg / I mg/i mg/i mg/i mg/i mg / I Symbols preceding a number denote the following: J = estimated, value not accurate K = less than L = greater than R = results not reported — = no sample collected S = not present in measurable amounts ------- II. INTRODUCTION On July 23, 24 and 25, 1974, and August 6, 1974, the Surveillance and Analysis Division conducted a field survey to evaluate the water and biological quality of Fry Brook and the Hunt River in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Select segments of Fry Brook and the Hunt River were e amined to determine if they are affected by the wastewater discharges from Bostitch, Inc., in particular, their discharge desig- . nated as 002. This discharge contains industrial process water discharged from cadmium, nickel, and zinc plating after final treatment. Sampling centered around this discharge because the company plans to tie all other waste discharges, except 002, into the East Greenwich sewer system. Bostitch, Inc. fabricates staples, nails, and a wide variety of staplers and nailing guns. 3. ------- III. STUDY AREA The area studied in this survey encompasses Bostitch, Inc. and the route along which its wastewater discharges flow from their point of discharge to an unnamed stream, thence to Fry Brook and the Hunt River. (See Figure 1) The sampling Stations are: STATION ___________ TFBOO1 DESCRIPTION Unnamed stream tributary to Fry Brook upstream of Bostitch discharge 002 Bostitch discharge 002 Unnamed stream tributary to Fry Brook downstream of Bostitch discharge 002 Fry Brook upstream of confluence with tributary from Bostitch Fry Brook downstream of tributary from Bostitch at Route 4 Bridge Hunt River at Frenchtown Road Bridge Hunt River at Route 1. Bridge BOS OO2 TFBOO2 FBROO1 FBR OO2 HR 000 1 HR0002 4. ------- FRY BROOK SURVEY SAMPLING STATIONS FIGURE 1 FBROO1 TFBOO1 B0s002 TFBOO2 ------- There are four discharge points (as shown in Figure 2), other than Bostitch discharge 002, which are significant in this survey. The first two are Bostitch discharges 003 and 004 which enter the unnamed tributary to Fry Brook upstream of discharge 002 and sampling station TFBOO1. Discharge 003 is the effluent from Bostitch’s domestic wastewater treatment system (trickling filter and sand filters) and 004 is the effluent from the tumbling and peening process. Another discharge of significance is that from the East Greenwich Dairy. This wastewater enters Fry Brook between sampling stations FBROOI and FBROO2, contains solids, organic material (BOD) and coliform bacteria. Figure 2 also indicates that water is withdrawn from Fry Brook several hundred yards upstream of its confluence with the Hunt River. Water is pumped from Fry Brook by Pawtucket Concrete Company for washing sand. Wastewater from this washing enters lagoons which intermittently flow to the Hunt River downstream of the confluence of Fry Brook and the Hunt River. 6. ------- BOSTITCH INC. DISCHARGES 002 003 004 FRY BROOK SURVEY MAJOR DISCHARGES 0 p * tA \GN Ce 1 ‘38 29 MILS U1M GRID AND 1970 MAGNETIC V \ ‘ ,4 \\\• :ç. o . T JL - -=== - / Cem’$. d. E A S T .# 49 Nichols / ENW ICH cI - Drive-ipi Theat r • a_- - - L I US llIII c- BMO9 t - / EAST GREENWICH DAIRY DISCHARGE PAWTUCKET CONCRETE CO. DISCHARGE WITH UPSTREAM INTAKE BROWN & SHARPE CC DISCHARGE (FoI NER) FIGURE 2 ------- IV. WATER QUALITY SAMPLING ACTIVITIES The sampling stations and parameters measured were chosen to describe the physical and chemical water quality conditions of Fry Brook, the Hunt River, and the effluent from Bostitch discharge 002. This discharge contains metals, solids, and surfactants. The East Greenwich Dairy will tie its discharge into the East Greenwich sewer system and was not sampled for this reason. Composite samples were collected at each station for all labo- ratory analyses except oil and grease; a single grab sample was taken for oil and grease analysis. The composite period was six hours each day. Station B0S002 was composited proportional to the discharge flow; all other stations were composited by collecting a constant volume of sample each hour. Dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature measurements were completed in -the field. All water samples were preserved in the field according to EPA Methods of Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes. Full chain of custody procedures were followed during sample collection, transport, and analysis. 8. ------- SEDIMENT SAMPLING Sediment samples were collected in the vicinity of each stream sampling station. Approximately one liter of sediment was collected in a plastic bag and then placed on ice for field storage and shipment to the laboratory. These samples were collected to determine the relative quantities of each metal in the sediment collected at each station. BIOLOGICAL SAMPLING Qualitative biological evaluations were made at sampling stations FBROO1, HR000I, and HR0002 to determine the type and quality of the biota of the Hunt River within the study area. Fry Brook station FBROO2 was not surveyed because it was observed to be in a very degraded state (biologically) by the wastewater discharges from the East Greenwich Dairy. FLOW MEASUREMENTS Streamf lows were measured by averaging the stream cross sectional areas and velocities. Station BOSOO2 had a 600 V-notched weir which was used; FBROOI was measured using the California Pipe Method where Fry Brook flows through a culvert pipe. 9. ------- V. SURVEY RESULTS FIELD DATA: Table 2 lists the results of the field measurements. There was no rainfall in the study area during the sampling period and streamflows were visibly decreasing. On July 25, 1974 the discharge BOSOO2 was notably reduced because the company was reducing production in preparation for their summer shutdown. Field measurements were not taken at station TFBOO2 on July 24 and station FBROO2 on July 25. LABORATORY DATA: Table 3 lists the results of the laboratory analysis of the water samples. Table 4 lists the results of the laboratory analysis of the sediment samples. 10. ------- TABLE 2 WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FRY BROOK EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND Results of Field Measurements STATION DATE FLOW TIME TEMP WINKLER PH DISSOLVED °C OXYGEN Standard l/sec(cfs) mg/i Units TFBOO1 072374 4.8 (.17) 0900 21.5 3.0 8.0 1045 23.0 4.0 7.0 1225 24.0 3.3 8.5 072474 5.0 (.18) 0820 19.0 2.8 9.5 0910 21.0 3.5 8.2 1000 22.0 5.0 7.5 1100 21.0 3.9 7.4 1200 24.0 3.8 9.0 1255 22.5 3.5 9.1 072574 2.6 (.09) 0920 20.0 2.6 7.9 1020 21.0 4.2 7.4 1115 21.5 4.4 7.2 ___________ 1315 22.5 4.1 7.0 4.1 (.14) — BOSOO2 072374 4.4 (.15) 0825 27.0 - 4.5 (.16) 0935 28.0 9.9 5.6 (.2) 1030 29.0 9.5 5.6 (.2) 1100 29.0 9.5 5.6 (.2) 1210 29.0 6.0 5.6 (.2) 1300 29.0 9.2 072474 4.4 (.15) 0835 24.0 9.5 5.6 (.2) 0920 25.0 9.3 5.6 (.2) 1030 26.0 9.4 5.6 (.2) 1100 25.0 9.4 5.6 (.2) 1225 25.5 9.5 5.6 (.2) 1300 25.0 9.3 072574 3.0 (.1) 0820 19.0 9.1 3.4 (.12) 0900 19.0 9.2 4.4 (.15) 1005 19.5 9.1 1.8 (.06) 1100 19.5 9.1 1.8 (.06) 1225 19.0 9.0 2.5 (.08 ) 1310 18.5 9.0 4.5 (.16) — 1/ Average of three days measured values. ------- TABLE 2 (continued) Results of Field Measurements DATE STATION TFBOO2 FLOW 1/sec (cfs) T IME TEMP. oc WIN KLER DISSOLVED OXYGEN mg / I PH Standard Unit s 072374 12.3 (.44) 1130 21.0 6.9 8.7 1250 22.5 7.1 8.8 1440 23.0 6.1 8.5 072474 9.7 (.34) 072574 6.8 (.15) 1040 1240 1440 17.5 19.0 19.0 8.3 8.4 7.9 8.7 8,8 8.4 9.6 (.31) FBROO I 072374 8.6 (.30) 1110 15.6 7.8 5.6 1240 16.0 7.7 8.1 1430 19.0 7.7 7.1 072474 8.6 (.30) 1435 18.0 9.9 7.1 072574 3.5 (.12) 1030 1230 1430 16.0 17.0 17.0 11.4 8.7 7.9 5.9 6.5 6.2 1/ 6.9 (.24) .BR0O2 072374 13 (.46) 1040 1300 1450 19.0 20.5 21.0 Ki KI Ki 6.8 6.9 6.9 072474 17.5 (.62) 1500 19.5 . K1 6.8 072574 16.9 (.59) — 15.8 (.55) HR0001 072374 163 (5.8) 1130 1335 1500 21.5 23.0 23.0 7.8 7.9 7.9 6.0 6.4 6.3 072474 143 (5.0) 0930 1130 1330 19.5 21.0 21.0 8.0 8.2 8.0 6.9 6.4 6.8 072574 124 (4.4) — 0940 1135 20.0 20.5 8.0 8.1 6.8 6.8 143.3(5.1) HROOØ2 072374 363 (12.8) 1345 20.0 7.3 5.9 1530 21.0 7.5 6.1 072474 356 (12.4) 1000 1200 1405 18.0 18.0 19.0 . 6.7 7.0 7.2 6.2 6.1 6.5 072574 343 (12.1) 1005 1225 1400 19.0 20.0 19.5 6.5 7.4 7.1 6.5 6.6 6.4 354 (32.4) If 1/ Average of three days measured values. ------- TABY WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FRY BROOK EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND Chemical Laboratory Analysis Results of Water TIME DEPTH OIL & GREASE TOTAL TOTAL (Ft.) PHOSPHORUS CYANIDE mg/i mg/i Samples TOTAL* TOTAL* TOTAL* TOTAL* CADMIUM mg/i ug/l CHROMIUM ugh , NICKEL ugh LEA]) ugh Ds002 072374 Comp 0.08 30 25 60 20 072474 Camp — 180 89 80 40 072574 Comp 0.04 20 59 K20 60 FBOO2 072374 Camp 0.6 2.60 0.05 072574 Comp 0.5 - 0.04 — a a a 072374 072474 072574 072474 Camp Comp Comp 0935 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 — - — 0 0.09 a — K0.Oi a 1(0.01 — K4 1(4 1(4 — 1 (2 1(2 K2 — K20 K20 1(20 — 20 20 20 - 072374 072474 072574 072474 Comp Comp Camp 0950 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 a — a 12.3 6.72 - - — . 0.02 - 1(0.01 — 8 10 6 7 5 3 1(20 20 100 — 20 20 20 072374 Camp a 0.03 — - — — — * These results are based upon atomic absorption analysis. Based upon examination of X—ray fluoresence spectra of samples from station BOSOO2 for copper and zinc the following concentrations were estimated to be contained in the discharge: B 0S002 ____ Copper (ppb) Zinc (ppb ) 120 500 150 600 FATION DATE FBOO I 072374 072474 072574 0900 0940 Culvert Culvert — Culvert 0 6.08 0.02 0 • 04 a a a BROO1 BROO2 R0001 R0002 072374 C omp 0.31 Date 072374 072474 072574 190 400 ------- TABI (continued) WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FRY BROOK EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND Chemical Laboratory Analysis Results of Water Samples STATION DATE TIME DEPTH RESIDUE, TOTAL NONFILTERABLE RESIDUE, VOLATILE (Ft.) NONFILTERABLE mg/i mg/i TFBOO I 072374 Coinp Culvert 10 1 072474 Camp Culvert 10 8 072474 Camp Culvert 14 8 BOSOO2 072374 Camp Pipe 14 4 072474 Camp Pipe 28 15 072574 Cornp Pipe 12 4 TFBOO2 072374 Comp 0.6 5 2 072474 Camp 0.5 J6 J2 072574 Camp 0.5 5 4 FBROO1 072374 Camp 0.6 8 1 072474 Camp 0.5 5 2 072574 Camp 0.5 5 4 FBROO2 072374 Camp 0.6 16 5 072474 Comp 0.5 64 34 072574 Camp 0.5 43 30 HR0001 072374 Comp 0.5 .5 4 072474 Comp 0.5 6 4 072574 Comp 0.5 5 3 11R0002 072374 Comp 0.5 10 2 072474 Camp 0.5 10 7 072574 Camp 0.5 9 6 ------- DATE TABL. TIME WATER QUALITY AND BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FRY BROOK EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND Chemical_Laboratory Analysis of Sediment Samples PERCENT PERCENT TOTAL CADMIUM* 072374 0910 MOISTURE VOLATILE PHOSPHORUS ug/gm SOLIDS uglgm DRY WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT 35.3 0.793 1020 14.8 41.8 7 48 072374 1345 40.1 3.42 1360 14.4 16.3 9 48 072374 1330 63.1 3.86 160 K0.1 13 9 23 072374 1405 49.0 5.56 1480 9.8 9.9 7 55 STATION LFBOO I £FBOO2 E’BROO I BR002 EIR000 I EiR0002 * These CHROMIUM* NICKEL* LEAD* uglgm ug/gm ug/gm DRY WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT 072374 072374 1235 1255 84.4 13.6 291 0.1 2.8 7 27 42.8 2.28 195 0.3 3.6 3 15 results are based upon atomic absorption analysis. ------- VI. DISCUSSION STREAMFLOWS (See Figure 3) During the water quality and biological surveys it was observed that the wastewater discharges from Bostitch were a major portion of the flow of the tributary to Fry Brook. The flow at station TFBOOI and the flow from discharge BOSOO2 are approximately equal. During the study the flow at station TFBOO2, plus the flow of Fry Brook at station FBROO1, constituted 99% of the flow of Fry Brook at station FBROO2. The Fry Brook flow was approximately 45% of the 99% during the study period. As the wastewater discharges from Bostitch (003 and 004) are tied into the municipal sewer system, the flow in the tributary to Fry Brook will be reduced and its waste constituents will, accordingly, receive less dilution in Fry Brook. Water is withdrawn from Fry Brook by the Pawtucket Concrete Co. downstream of sampling station FBROO2. The company pumps about 47.2 1/sec (1.65 CFS) for 6-7 hours during the day for 5 days each week for washing gravel. At the time of the stream survey Fry Brook was flowing at an average rate of approximately 14.1 1/sec (0.5 CFS); thus, approximateLy 28.2 1/sec (1 CFS) of water was flowing into Fry Brook from the Hunt River while gravel washing was being done at Pawtucket Concrete Company. The company has excavated a canal between their plant and the Hunt River to allow water to flow from the river into Fry Brook. 16. ------- FIGURE 3 AVERAGE STREANFLOW AT SAMPLING STATIONS FRY BROOK SURVEY JULY 23, 24, 25, 1974 .3 96. 339. 12— — 283. . 8— C ,) U ) ,t -4 I ‘ J.69. 113 2_ .56. 0 TFBOOI BOSOO2 TFBOO2 FBROO1 FBROO2 HR0001 HR0002 SAMPLING STATIONS ------- The streamfiow conditions, as measured during the study period, are indicative of the seasonal low flow and were probably below the median flow for July. The U. S. Geological Survey reports that “after about July 10 streamf low in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and most of southern New Hampshire declined to below-median levels ex- cept for occasional rises caused by local shower activity”. WATER QUALITY During the study period, dissolved oxygen (D.0.) levels were at least 70% of saturation at all stations but two. Station TFBOO1 demonstrated D.0. Levels at between 30% and 50% of saturation. Up- stream of this station the tributary receives effluent from the company’s domestic wastewater treatment unit and from the “tumbling” processes in the plant. It is likely that the effluent from the domestic wastes treatment has sufficient oxygen demand to keep D.C. levels low in the stream at station TFBOOI. At station FBROO2 D.0. levels approach zero due to the organic loading upon the stream from the discharge from East Greenwich Dairy. These conditions of low D.0. will be alleviated when the three discharges, referred to above, tie into the East Greenwich sewer system. Table 5 compares metals and cyanide concentrations in the Bostitch discharge 002 and Fry Brook at sauipling stations FBROO1 and FBROO2 with EPA criteria for maximum acceptable concentrations for support of freshwater acquatic life, U. S. Public Health Service drinking water standards, and historical mean concentrations typical of New England waters for the period 1962 to 1967. The comparison is confined to Fry Brook because it is the primary area of concern ------- U. S. P. H. S. DRINKING WAT ER STANDARDS CYANIDE CADMIUM CHROMIUM NICKEL LEAD COPPER ZINC PHOSPHORUS COMMITTEE OF WATER QUALITY CRITERIA 4 3/ (1972) — NOTE: ALL CONCENTRATIONS ARE IN n 1 .iter FRY BROOK SURVEY RESULTS EPA STANDARD MEAN CONCENTRATIONS ACCEFrABLE FOR IN AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS FRESHWATER NEW ENGLAND WATERS FBROO1 BOSOO2 FBROO2 AQUATIC LIFE / 1962 - 1967 / 1(0.01 0.060 KO.015 .005 — 1(0.004 0.076 0.008 O3 .005 1(0.002 0.057 0.005 .05 .006 KO.020 0.053 0.046 - - 0.020 0.040 0.020 .03 .017 — 0.15* — — .015 — 0.50* — — .096 0.09 6.72 .044 .01 .01 .50 .05 1.0 5.0 .2 .01 .05 .05 1.0 5.0 C) 0 P h cn * These results are based upon examination of x -ray fluorescence spectra and are estimated concentrations. 1. “Proposed .Criteria for Water Quality”, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C., October 1973. 2. “Proposed Water Quality Information”, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C., October 1 .973. 3. “Public Health Service — Drinking Water Standards”, U. S. Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D. C., 1962. 4. Water Quality Criteria , 1972, A Report of the Committee on Water Quality Criteria, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C., 1972. ‘1 r 1I ------- FIGURE 4 AVERAGE CYANIDE AND METALS IN WATER SAMPLES FRY BROOK SURVEY 1974 BOSOO2 FBROO2 SAMPLING STATIONS JULY 23 — 25, 80 7O - 60 50 — 40 — 30 — 20 — Ni Pb 10 — 0 FBROO I ------- of the study. At station FBROO2 concentrations of the metals - cadmium, chromium and lead, are less than the EPA maximum allowable concentrations for support of freshwater aquatic life and should not cause any toxic conditions in Fry Brook or the Hunt River. Copper and zinc concentrations in the effluent (BOSOO2) are less than drinking water standards and when they receive dilution in Fry Brook they should not. adversely affect water quality in Fry Brook or the Hunt River. The nickel con- centration is higher than a value of .010 mg/liter which was found to be typical of North American rivers by U. S. Geological Survey researchers W. H. Durum and J. Haffty (1963). However, it should not adversely affect water quality because nickel is not known to be toxic at low concentrations in water. Cyanide levels at Fry Brook at station FBROO2 may be sufficiently high to adversely affect water quality and biota. This situation may be magnified when the Bostitch discharges 003 and 004 and the East Greenwich Dairy discharges are eliminated, thus reducing the dilution of the cyanide in Fry Brook. In Appendix A the metals concentrations in Bostitch discharge 002, as determined during this study, are compared to metals concentrations in discharge 002 as reported by the State of Rhode Island and by Bostitch, Inc. The comparison reveals a great discrepancy which must be considered when utilizing this report. Total phosphorus levels at Stations TFBOO1 and FBROO2 are high and are attributable to the discharges from Bostitch’s domestic waste effluent and the East Greenwich Dairy effluent, respectively. When these dis- charges are eliminated total phosphorus concentrations should eventually be similar to those in Fry Brook at station FBROO1 and the Hunt River ------- at station HR000I. The last two water quality parameters of interest here are suspended solids (total nonfilterable residue) and oil and grease. Here again the significantly high values are found below the East Greenwich Dairy Discharge at station FBROO2. These levels should also be reduced similar to those at station FBROO1 when the tie—in of the dairy discharges is complete. SEDIMENTS Metals and total phosphorus concentrations in sedimeits are indica- tive of the wastewater discharges upstream of the sampling stations. Metals and phosphorus discharges from Bostitch discharges 004 and 003, respectively, are represented by concentrations of metals and phosphorus in the sediments at station TFBOO1. These discharges combined with discharge 002 from Bostitch are represented by metals and phosphorus concentrations at stations TFBOO2 and FBROO2. Metals concentrations for lead and nickel in sediments of the Hunt River at station HROO1 are greater than those at station HROO2, the most downstream station within the study area. These are attributable to the former metals discharges from Browne and Sharpe, Inc., upstream of station HR0001 on the Hunt River. BIOLOGY The qualitative biological survey produced results which indicate that wastewater discharges from Bostitch, Inc. have not damaged the biota of the Hunt River in the area studied. The segment of Fry Brook, between the point where it receives water from the unnamed tributary carrying wastewater from Bostitch and its confluence with the Hunt River, was not examined by the biologists 22. ------- because by merely observing the stream it was obviously severly degraded biologically by the discharges from East Greenwich Dairy. In the area of station FBROO2, the entire stream was choked with slime. Therefore, this segment of stream cannot be used to evaluate the effects of Bostitch discharges on stream biota. 23. ------- 60 z rsl 50- Pb Pb F L I 0 O t -JU) I) r io 20— Cd ‘-3 P 10- C l , TFBOO2 FBROOI FBROO2 HR0001 HR0002 SAMPLING STATIONS -. Pb Pb P Cd TFBOO 1 Cl ------- APPENDIX A Report of Qualitative Biological Survey of Fry Brook and Hunt River East Greenwich, Rhode Island ------- RESULTS OF QUALITATIVE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY The memorandum in Appendix A reports the results of the qualitative biological survey of Fry Brook and the Hunt River in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The unnamed tributary to Fry Brook from Bostitchwas observed to be dry at its confluence with Fry Brook on August 6, 1974. The Bostitch plant was shutdown at this time and, therefore, was contributing no significant flow to the tributary. The survey does not reveal any damage to the biota of the Hunt River in the area of station 11R0002. ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Division of Surveillance and Analysis 240 Highland Avenue, Needham Heights, Mass. 02194 JECT: Qualitative Biological Survey of DATE: September 3, 1974 Fry Brook and Hunt’s Brook in Rhode Island M: Arthur F. Johnson , 7 ,c(7/ Biology Section .h, f i fl Allen Ikalainen Surveillance Branch ____ Howard S. Davis and Dr. T.N. Spittler The unnamed tributary of Fry Brook that receives the wastes of Bostitch Company (Station TFB—002) was dry at its confluence with Fry Brook during the survey conducted on August 6, 1974 by Arthur F. Johnson and Peter H. Nolan. Upstream, at control station FBR—00l, a small fish was observed and a qualitative search for invertebrates on the clean rocky substrate exposed Coleoptera of the Psephenidae family (riffle beetles), Trichoptera (caddisfly), Castropoda (snails), chironimids (midgefly) and Hirudinea (leeches). Hunt’s Brook, upstream of its confluence with Pry Brook (Station HR—000l), has a bottom comprised of large stones with a small percent of gravel (5%) and sand (5%). Two kinds of small fish were collected at this station of good water quality biologically, Cyprinidae (minnows) and Ameiuridae (bullheads) and an abundance of Ephemeroptera (mayf lies), Trichoptera (caddisfly), planarians (flatworm), Coleoptera (beetles), and chironimids (midgefly). Downstream of Bostitch Co. at Station HR—0002 on Hunt’s Brook, two types of fish were collected, the American eel of the Anguillidae family and a pickerel of the Esocidae family. Submerged vegetation covered about 10% of the gravel, sand and mud bottom with abundant eniergent vegetation along ------- 2. the banks. Excellent water quality is indicated from the wide variety of benthos listed during a qualitative search: Ephemeroptera (mayfly) Trichoptera (caddisfly) Odonata (Dragonfly) Castropoda (snails) Pelecypoda (clams) Megaloptera (fish flies) Hirudinea (leeches) Chironimidae (niidgefly) This qualitative biological field survey of Fry Brook and Hunt’s Brook does not indicate any damage to the biota from the waste discharged from the Bostitch Company in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. ------- APPENDIX B COMPARISON OF EFFLUENT SAMPLING DATA FOR DISCHARGE 002 BOSTITCH, INC. EAST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND 18 mg/i .060 mg/i .076 mg/i .057 mg/i .15* mg/i .50* mg/i 0.0 mg/i 0.20 mg/i 0.03 mg/i 0.04 mg/i 0.40 mg/i 105 mg/i 0.25 mg/i 1.25 mg/i 0.50 mg/i 0.50 mg/i i.0 mg/i * These results are and are estimated i Average of 3-day’s — 6 hours composite sampling 2. Median values of 2 to 4 hour composite sampies collected from 9/i7/58 to 6/27/73 3. Average of 2 years of testing by Bostitch PARANET ER EPA ’ DATA STATE OF RHODE ISLAND DATA BOSTITCH DATA Total Suspended Solids Total Cyanide Total Cadmium Total Chromium Total Copper Total Zinc based upon examination of x—ray fluorescence spectra concentrations. ------- |