Rivers and other bodies of water in Massachusetts for years have struggled with deteriorating conditions following heavy rains, which overwhelm systems that handle sewage and also send polluted stormwater runoff into open waters.
Sections of the three major rivers flowing into Boston Harbor received poor grades, including Cs and some failing marks, according to new report cards that cite impacts from millions of gallons of dirty sewage and stormwater releases.
There's been"vast overall improvement" for the Charles, Mystic and Neponset rivers compared to past decades, and some other swaths of waterways notched A and B grades in the report cards. But climate change could hinder that progress -- and disparities in water access and quality are evident in communities of color where residents are low-income and language isolated, according to the report from the Environment Protection Agency , Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic Watershed Association and Neponset River Watershed Association.
"Today's report card of water quality in the major urban rivers of Boston and surrounding communities underscores that when communities, governments at all levels, and organizations come together, we can solve long-standing environmental and equity challenges to create healthier rivers," EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash said in a statement.
Rivers are graded based on the percentage of time that E. coli bacteria concentrations are safe for recreation and precipitation data. For the Charles River, the recreation health score incorporates two additional threats, combined sewer overflow discharges and the presence of cyanobacteria blooms, which can harm people, animals or the environment by taking oxygen and nutrients away from other organisms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Longtime Boston principal used school funds for Barbados trips, feds sayA former Boston public school principal has admitted to wire fraud over tens of thousands of dollars of school money and using it to pay for all-inclusive trips to Barbados for her and her friends, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Naia Wilson, 60, has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of wire fraud and pay the $38,806 back, the Massachusetts…
Consulte Mais informação »
Boston police, mayor react to video of officer falling off playground slideBoston police and Mayor Michelle Wu are addressing a video that’s been shared widely on social media showing an officer who was hurt on a slide at City Hall Plaza. The officer, who appears in the video to be in full uniform, suffered minor injuries, according to a representative for the department. He was treated using his own medical insurance,…
Consulte Mais informação »
Boston council defends £1.1m Afghan housing projectWhat's the council's response to criticism over the new Afghan housing project?
Consulte Mais informação »
Here's How the Stunning Supermoon Looked Around the WorldPhotos of the Aug. 1 Sturgeon Supermoon—from Boston to Brazil.
Consulte Mais informação »
‘Anarchy': Increase in violence at Mass. and Cass exacerbates area's woesDespite efforts to clean up Boston’s troubled Mass. and Cass area, it is still rife with crime, and violence has spiked in recent weeks. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday that the situation has become dangerous enough that even outreach workers are not feeling comfortable anymore. Sue Sullivan, the executive director of the Newmarket Business Improvement District, which works to…
Consulte Mais informação »