A Tale of Two Reservoirs

Home , Chicopee Valley Aqueduct, Quabbin Reservoir

Source Water Protection

Sharon C. Long, Jeanine D. Plummer, and Patricia Austin

Source Water Characterization and Action to Protect meet strict water quality standards prior Metropolitan Boston to disinfection to adequately protect the public health of the user community. Introduction supply reservoir via the Cosgrove The constituent of primary concern to wo reservoirs, the Quabbin and the Intake where the water is carried to the MA DCR is waterborne pathogens. Wachusett, and their associated the distribution system. The Quabbin These are monitored through enumeration watersheds provide the majority Reservoir also serves as the terminal of fecal indicator bacteria. The MA Tof drinking water for 47 communities, supply reservoir for approximately 95,000 DCR manages many activities as part of 2.2 million people and 5,500 industrial people in three western Massachusetts its SWP program including long-term users in the metropolitan Boston area. communities that obtain their water monitoring of fecal indicator bacteria, The drinking water system is managed through the Chicopee Valley Aqueduct. current and on-going sanitary surveys, by the Massachusetts Water Research The Massachusetts Water Resources and targeted microbial source tracking Authority (MWRA) while the source Authority (MWRA) is responsible for studies. The characteristics of the systems’ water is managed by their partner treatment and distribution of water from two reservoirs are markedly different agency, the Massachusetts Department of these reservoirs. and require different SWP strategies. Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR) Source water protection (SWP) In 2010, the MWRA/MA DCR source Division of Water Supply Protection. A for the reservoirs that serve the city water protection program was awarded schematic of the water system is shown of Boston, MA is a priority of the MA the American Water Works Association’s in Figure 1. The Quabbin Reservoir DCR since this water supply is currently (AWWA) Exemplary Source Water water is transferred to the Wachusett operating under a filtration waiver as Protection Award for these efforts. Reservoir through the Quabbin Aqueduct. part of the Surface Water Treatment The Wachusett Reservoir is the terminal Rule. This means the raw water must

Figure 1. Map of the MWRA Water System (MWRA, 2011).

Fall 2011 / LAKELINE 33 The Quabbin Reservoir be reflected in water quality variations a two-dimensional water quality and The Quabbin Reservoir has a 412 over time. hydrodynamic model of the reservoir. billion gallon capacity, a surface area In the early 1990s, it was noted Evaluation of currents demonstrated that of approximately 40 mi2 (100 km2), that total and fecal coliform densities contaminants (coliforms) introduced into and 187 mi2 (485 km2) of watershed appeared to be steadily rising, albeit the water approximately two miles from area. Approximately 57 percent of the within the same order of magnitude, in the CVA could be transported to the CVA watershed land is MA DCR-owned and samples collected at the Chicopee Valley within one to two days. Through the a total of 75 percent of the watershed Aqueduct (CVA). A multiple component coliform die-off studies, surface decay land is protected between MA DCR study was initiated to determine the coefficients of approximately 3.2 to 6.6 ownership and agreements with private potential cause(s) of this trend including per day were calculated, and 0.75 per day owners for limited development and forestry and land use evaluations. at depths of 10 to 20 m. recreational activities. The majority of Among these components, the MA Prior to this study, gulls were this land is classified as forest. Full body DCR, in collaboration with University allowed to roost in any location that contact recreation, such as swimming, of Massachusetts (UMass) researchers, they chose. This included areas of open is prohibited in the Quabbin Reservoir. conducted a water quality modeling water as little as 100 yards from the The water quantity and quality issues and watershed management study for CVA. Not surprisingly, this location for this reservoir revolve around wildlife the CVA. The contaminants of concern along with wind speed and direction and forestry management. The MA DCR for this study were total coliforms and were significant factors in the variability implements and frequently updates its fecal coliforms. The troublesome source of coliform concentrations reaching the forest management and land use plan of coliforms near the aqueduct was CVA. Therefore, MA DCR established a for the Quabbin Reservoir watershed. identified to be gulls roosting on the water 5 kilometer (approximately 3.1 mile) gull Long-term monitoring of total coliform overnight. exclusion zone from the CVA. The gull and fecal coliform densities from 18 The UMass study included an roosts are pushed to beyond this distance tributaries to the reservoir and the analysis of the overall water budget for using boats and sirens as part of the MA Chicopee Valley Aqueduct provide the the reservoir, a field study of currents DCR’s gull harassment program. MA DCR with a frame of reference for in the vicinity of the CVA, and a field Because waterfowl populations understanding water quality. Changes in study of coliform die-off within the have proven to be a significant culprit in microorganism loading to the reservoir reservoir. The water budget for the microbial contamination to the reservoirs, are naturally associated with season and reservoir included measured inflows, the MA DCR has initiated a water supply precipitation events. Changes in forest outflows, and net daily reservoir effective gull study. Figure 2 shows MA DCR staff cover, composition, and health may also yield. These data were used to calibrate preparing to capture gulls for tagging.

Figure 2. Gull Count Program. Photo: Dan Clark, DCR, Division of Water Supply Protection.

34 Fall 2011 / LAKELINE The gulls are then tracked for seasonal movement patterns between feeding and roosting sites, movement between reservoirs, and movement between reservoirs and “alternate roosts.”

The Wachusett Reservoir The Wachusett Reservoir has a 65 billion gallon capacity, a surface area of approximately 6.5 mi2 (17 km2), and 108 mi2 (280 km2) of watershed area. In contrast to the Quabbin reservoir, approximately 29 percent of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed land is owned by the MA DCR and a total of 53 percent of the watershed land is protected with limited development and recreational activities. The Wachusett Reservoir watershed can be subdivided into 49 subwatersheds based on hydrological features. Routine water quality samples are collected from 34 stations on 22 tributaries and from four stations on the reservoir. All water from the Quabbin Figure 3. Evidence of beaver activity at French Brook. Photo: Larry Pistrang, DCR, Division of Water Reservoir passes through the Wachusett Supply Protection. Reservoir before it enters the Cosgrove Intake where it is then transported to service communities in the eastern part of the state. Source water protection is more complex for the Wachusett Reservoir, which has significantly more development and human activities in the watershed. The source water protection program for the Wachusett Reservoir includes monitoring of total and fecal coliforms (locations described above), periodic review and revision of sanitary surveys for each subwatershed, and focused source studies using fecal source tracking for coliform “hotspots.” Fecal source tracking studies, in collaboration with UMass and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researchers, have involved tributaries such as Beaman Pond Brook, French Brook, Malagasco Brook, and West Boylston Brook. For these studies, hydrologically based sampling locations were selected to isolate probable coliform sources determined through sanitary surveys and land use analysis Figure 4. Residential influence in West Boylston Brook. Photo: Larry Pistrang, DCR, Division of Water via GIS. These sources included dense Supply Protection. residential development served by septic systems, a dairy pasture, a horse stable, flow conditions. Water quality monitoring E. coli, enterococci), and fecal source and wildlife, among others. Figures 3 included physical measurements tracking targets (sorbitol-fermenting and 4 show examples of potential water (water temperature, flow, particles), Bifidobacteria, Rhodococcus coprophilus, quality influences in the subwatersheds. chemical measurements (conductivity, coliphages and their genotypes). The sampling design included all four dissolved oxygen, organic carbon), For each of the subwatershed studies, seasons and both dry and wet weather indicator organisms (fecal coliforms, the relative contributions of development

Fall 2011 / LAKELINE 35 and land use activities were successfully also site-specific components. Focused Sharon C. Long assessed. Statistical analyses demonstrated studies were funded by the MA DCR and is the Director of that one measure each of particulate conducted by University researchers to Environmental matter (turbidity, particle counts), identify and define activities within each Microbiology with organic matter (total and dissolved reservoir watershed that were contributing the Wisconsin State organic carbon, UV254 absorbance), and to microbial loadings. Prior knowledge Laboratory of Hygiene indicator organisms (fecal coliforms, from sanitary surveys and historic and a Professor of Soil E. coli, or enterococci) were adequate monitoring allowed for the study approach Science at the University for characterizing water quality. to be tailored to the specific reservoir or of Wisconsin Madison. However, in order to fully understand watershed location. The collaborative variability in microbial loadings within a efforts among the utility, management Jeanine Plummer is an watershed, monitoring programs should agency, university researchers, and private Associate Professor in include schemes to collect and analyze landowners contributed to the success Civil and Environmental samples each season and under different of the source water protection studies Engineering precipitation conditions. Analysis of described here. at Worcester fecal source tracking targets from Polytechnic Institute samples over a number of hydrologic Further Information in Massachusetts, and seasonal conditions is suggested For further information about MA where she has been for source water protection. Diffuse and DCR programs and the specific research for 12 years. She transient microbial sources in the study studies summarized here, the following also holds the Schwaber Professorship in watershed often resulted in non-detects references may be accessed: Environmental Engineering and is Director of for the source tracking targets. Negative Garvey, E., J.E. Tobiason, M. Hayes, the Environmental Engineering Program. results (i.e., samples that did not contain E. Wolfram, D.A. Reckhow and J.M. source tracking microorganisms) for a Male. 1998. Coliform transport in a Patricia Austin is an single sampling time should be viewed pristine reservoir: Modeling and field Environmental Engineer as inconclusive; however, repeated studies. Water Science and Technology, for the Massachusetts negative results over time under different 37(2): 137-144. Department of hydrologic conditions can provide Long, S.C., E.J. Shafer, C. Arango, and Conservation and evidence that a source is being controlled C. D. Siraco. 2003. Evaluation of three Recreation, Office adequately. In each one of these watershed source-specific indicator organisms of Watershed studies, positive source tracking results for watershed management. Journal of Management. Patricia provided evidence of the contribution of Water Supply: Research & Technology - has worked for the DCR a specific source. This allowed the MA AQUA, 52(8): 565-576. for 23 years, focusing on the watershed DCR to enter into negotiations with land MWRA. 2011. How the MWRA Water protection program. x owners to apply changes or improvements System Works. Available at: http:// that would reduce the amount of microbial www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/ contaminants entering the reservoir. For watsys.htm. Accessed: May 5, 2011. example, in the instance of the horse _____ . 2007. Quabbin Reservoir NALMS Address Updates stable, fencing was relocated to keep watershed system land management . . . we need your help! the animals and manure further from plan 2007 – 2017. Available the tributary. The levels of microbial at: http://www.mass.gov/ We have an ongoing problem indicators downstream of this site were dcr/watersupply/watershed/ with outdated postal mailing and subsequently significantly reduced. documents/2007QuabbinLMP.pdf. electronic (e-mail) addresses. _____ . 2001.Wachusett Reservoir Members can go online to correct Source Water Protection as a watershed system land management their own information now and are Tailored Approach plan 2001 – 2010. Available at: http:// encouraged to do so. Please tell Overall, the site-specific study and www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/ management efforts for the Quabbin and watershed/wachlmp.htm. your friends and colleagues who Wachusett Reservoirs have resulted in Plummer, J.D. and S.C. Long. 2007. are NALMS members to check and reducing the levels of coliforms in routine Monitoring source water for microbial update their records. If they are monitoring samples. In some instances, contamination: Evaluation of water not getting LakeLine or the NALMS these efforts have stabilized or reversed quality measures. Water Research, e-newsletter, something is wrong. If long-term monitoring trends showing 41(16): 3716-3728. they don’t have access to fix their increasing coliform microbial loadings _____ . 2009. Identifying sources of to these reservoirs. The award-winning surface water pollution: A toolbox own contact info, they can call source water protection program for approach. Journal of the American the office at 608-233-2836 to get the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs Water Works Association, 101(9): 75- changes made. This goes for postal included a number of common but 88. service mail addresses as well.

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