Charles River water quality continues to improve through watershed management

March 1998

U.S. Water News Online

AUBURNDALE, Mass. -- In the movie "The Postman," which is set in the next millennium, Kevin Costner scolds his mule for drinking water before he has tested its toxicity level. While the scene draws laughs from the audience, such a scenario might well have been a stark reality in Massachusetts during this millennium if a serious cleanup effort of the Charles River and Boston Harbor had not been made.

In fact, it wasn't long ago that sections of the Charles River carried a high amount of toxic waste. However, a combination of state and federal legislation, research, advocacy, and intensified action have helped to remediate the water resources of the Charles River for the 35 towns and cities within its watershed. Today, 80 percent of the river is safe for swimming during dry weather, as evidenced by former Governor William Weld when he dove into the river fully clothed to celebrate the signing of a statewide river protection law four years ago. And at its Echo Lake headwaters in Hopkinton, the water is drinkable.

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), a key player in the dramatic turnaround, conducts cutting-edge research about the watershed and acts as guardian protector of the river and its tributaries. The group regularly monitors water quality along the entire length of the river and publishes its reports on the Internet at www.crwa.org. These reports help to underscore how critical CRWA efforts are to ensuring healthy water quality and a sustainable water supply. For example:

In Upper Charles communities -- the state's fastest growing region -- CRWA is helping town managers and residents to identify sustainable alternatives to a proposed expansion of the regional wastewater treatment plant and to new public water supply wells, which could tax the available water supply;
Recognizing that storm water is one of the most significant sources of pollution in the Charles River, CRWA is researching the specific impacts of rainwater runoff, advising landowners and municipalities about controlling and cleaning storm water, and providing models for best management practices; and
Along with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CRWA is working to further reduce sewer overflows into the lower basin of the Charles.

In addition, to promote enjoyment and protection of the Charles River, each April CRWA organizes canoe and kayak races for "The Run of the Charles," the second largest boating event on the river next to the "Head of the Charles Regatta." April 26, 1998 marks the 16th annual running of this special event. Approximately 10,000 participants and spectators are expected to converge on the Charles for a day of racing and fun. Professional and amateur racers, aged 12 to 80, hailing from Canada and the United States, will turn out to test their paddle power in five categories: 6- and 9-mile recreational races; a 19-mile marathon; a 24-mile team relay; and the Professional 26.2 mile Canoe Marathon with a winner's purse of $7,500..

"CRWA's value to our community is as precious as the water they seek to protect," says Andrew Wilson, president of Boston Duck Tours, which sponsors The Run of the Charles with support from Boston Edison. "lt's our hope that this race can help raise public awareness of the need for CRWA's ongoing efforts, as well as raise funds to ensure they have the means to do so"

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