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Publication Microbial Source Tracking - An Overview(2003-12-05) Long, SharonWith ever increasingly specific and sensitive diagnostic methods for infectious diseases, it has become recognized that different sources of microbial inputs/contamination to drinking waters are related to different potentials for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Coupled with the renewed emphasis on source water protection and watershed management under the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, many drinking water utilities may be looking towards tools that allow them to discriminate among potential microbial contamination sources in their watersheds. The use of microbial source tracking (MST) tools can also provide a utility with information so that corrective actions can be applied in a more effective and costefficient manner. Even though research into MST methods has spanned several decades, there is no consensus on the best or most reliable method to date. Application of MST tools within a source water protection plan depends on the goals and questions asked by the plan. Two general microbial indicator approaches to MST methods have been studied: the species-specific approach and the organism-specific approach. The species-specific approach looks to quantify microbial indicators associated with a specific "species" of contamination such as human or non-human. The organism-specific approach looks at a single organism such as E. coli and relates subtypes to the various hosts (human and different animal species). The organism-specific approach typically involves development of a geographically relevant library or database of isolates against which unknowns are compared. A third MST approach is to look for chemical markers indicative of sewage or humanrelated wastewater. This presentation will provide an overview of the methods currently being researched and applied. The information provided will include the state of development of each method, some of the strengths and limitations of each method, and the investment in training and equipment needed should a utility decide they want to implement such a method.Publication Potential Movement of Pesticides Related to Dissolved Organic Matter from Fertilizer Application on Turf(2003-12-05) Li, Kun; Xing, BaoshanTurf grass systems - including golf courses, turf farms, parks and lawns - are the most intensively managed lands in the United States. Establishment and maintenance of high quality turf grass usually imply substantial inputs of water, nutrients, and pesticides. The impacts of these inputs to groundwater and surface water are a major concern of public and government agencies with over 17,816 golf courses in the U.S. and more than one new golf course opening every day (National Golf Foundation, 2002). Recent results from various facets of agricultural research have indicated very significant effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the increased mobility of pesticides through soils to groundwater. These findings may have important ramifications to the golf turf industry in that the frequent use of certain organic fertilizers and amendments may actually enhance rather than inhibit movement of certain pesticides through highly managed greens and tee areas having a high level of sand incorporated into profiles. This is not only a regional, but also a national problem. The Northeast is more susceptible due to the coarse texture of soils in general. There is a significant amount of research devoted to the efficacy of organic fertilizers currently on the market such as NatureSafe, Milorganite, Sustain and Ringers, some containing as much as 3.5 % DOM (water extraction). Organic fertilizers are considered slow release materials with low burn potential and are often applied at higher rates compared with soluble inorganic fertilizers. Higher application rates could easily result in higher loading of DOM into soil profiles. In addition, high density and much more root turnover in turf grass ecosystems could directly contribute to the pool of natural DOM, which could affect the behavior of pesticides in soil and water.Publication Groundwater Natural Resources Damages Assessment: A New Restoration Tool for Massachusetts(2007-04-07) Young, Dale C.; Pelto, Karen I.The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ ground and surface waters are interconnected and renewable hydrological resources whose protection and restoration are critical to insure the availability of safe and potable drinking water for current and future needs; promote sustainable and equitable development; and sustain water-dependent ecosystems. Groundwater restoration encompasses a wide range of strategies to develop, protect, maintain and conserve current and potential drinking water supplies as well as offset ecological impacts related to diminished water quantity or quality. Natural resource damages assessment (NRD) is a legal tool available to compensate the public for injury to groundwater resulting from the release of contaminants by restoring groundwater resources and the services they provide. In 2008, a $1 million NRD settlement with Textron Systems Corporation, a defense contractor that conducted weapons testing in a section of the Massachusetts Military Reservation, compensated the public for natural resources and services lost due to Textron’s release of contaminants in a major groundwater recharge area for the Cape Cod Sole Source Aquifer. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will describe the groundwater NRD assessment and restoration planning process. Over the coming year, groundwater restoration projects will be implemented to achieve one or more of the following objectives: Protect the quality of current and potential drinking water supplies by protecting aquifers, recharge areas, and watersheds, including environmentally sensitive lands and critical habitats; protect the quantity of current and potential drinking water supplies by implementing measures to conserve water, reduce losses of clean water to aquifers, and provide quality recharge to aquifers, including offsets that also mitigate impacts to water-dependent ecosystems; or integrate planning and management of current and potential drinking water supplies and wastewater treatment, with an emphasis on the efficient use of land, energy, and water and regional or multi-community benefits.Publication Hydrologic Alteration in the Connecticut River Basin(2007-04-07) Lutz, Kim; Zimmerman, Julie; Letcher, Ben; Nislow, KeithWe examined the spatial distribution of hydrologic alteration among the Connecticut River and its 44 major tributaries as a tool for watershed-scale conservation planning and to assist in development of strategies for mitigating threats to aquatic ecosystems in the basin. Specifically, we (1) examined the spatial extent and distribution of hydrologic alteration by developing indices of potential flow alteration for individual watersheds, (2) analyzed data from US Geological Survey stream gages with sufficient periods of record (i.e., at least 20-years pre- and post- dam construction) to determine the types and degree of hydrologic alteration, and created unimpaired flow data sets for rivers of conservation interest that did not have sufficient flow data, (3) analyzed hourly flow data over a 9-year period to examine diurnal flow fluctuations below hydropower dams compared with reference sites and identify individual sites that had short-term flow variability that was higher than expected for reference locations and (4) Examined the authorized water withdrawals and discharges in the Connecticut and Massachusetts portions of the Connecticut River watershed. Our results form the basis for flow restoration plans, both to protect areas with low risk for hydrologic alteration and to develop strategies to mitigate threats in higher-risk watersheds. These analyses will be used to prioritize restoration efforts based on hydrologic analyses and presence of conservation targets (species and natural communities of conservation interest), and select locations eligible for more detailed site-specific hydrologic and ecological studies.Publication Developing Massachusetts Water Policy(2003-12-05) Honkonen, KarlThe presentation will discuss how the following topics will be integrated: (1) Statewide Water Policy - how will EOEA and its agencies devise new policy in the current Administration; (2) Water Assets - this project focuses on water resources found within 131 Massachusetts towns around I-495; (3) Instream Flow - what is being done to determine flows needed to sustain stream flow, water quantity, and quality, Watershed Planning - using the watershed approach to determine environmental priorities.