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.
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• 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
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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.
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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time the entire flow of Fry Brook is withdrawn by the Pawtucket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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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APPENDIX A
Report of Qualitative Biological Survey
of
Fry Brook and Hunt River
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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