Toward A Cleaner Ten Mile River

A Public Report - September 1985

RUMFORD RIVER LABORATORIES Foxboro, Massachusetts 'f?oj e d-- # '8 5 - ;).I . FIie.Gey

Toward A Cleaner Ten Mile River

This report was developed for the Division of Water Pollution Control of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering by Rumford River Laboratories of Foxboro, Massachusetts, under Contract Number 329305455JOBI of March 1985.

A Public Report - September 1985

RUMFORD RIVER LABO RA TORIES Foxboro, Massachusetts Summary

Based on two decades of experience with of the impoundments, eliminating normal bottom control of water pollution in America, environ­ organisms. The adverse impacts of these metals mentalists are emphasizing protection of normal were seen at all levels in the aquatic food chain in biological communities in natural waterbodies as 1984, limiting the numbers and species of algae, the fundamental criteria for developing pollution small aquatic organisms and fish. Copper and control programs. This high regard for aquatic life nickel in the river system came from industrial is a concept being applied throughout Massachu­ discharges, while lead came from industries, road­ setts and nationally. Thus river surveys are being ways and other sources. There were also problems conducted with much more attention to biological with ammonia, ef cess chlorine, and other chemi­ aspects. One of the first such surveys was con­ cals lethal to aquatic life, from some of the waste­ ducted in 1984 on the Ten Mile River System in water treatment plants. Given the recent history of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Analysis of the cooperative action for control of water pollution by results indicated that the overall condition of the local industries and governments in the Ten Mile river had improved markedly in the last decade River Basin, and given the complexity of the due to better treatment of industrial and municipal measures required for a complete restoration of wastewaters. However problems remained with the river, it appears that these problems could be two major aspects: metal contamination by copper, . corrected by a joint effort in the near future. This lead and nickei and over-fertilization of aquatic would require that all involved regard the river as a vegetation by phosphate nutrients. There were living entity, a biological community to be protect­ abnormally high concentrations of metals in the ed. To quote a local industrial publication,"Only river and large residuals of metals in the sediments this ... can make The River live again."

Toward A Cleaner Ten Mile River

page 1 Historical Background page 5 Wastewater Discharges In 1984 page 8 Condition Of The River In 1984 page 15 Analysis & Recommendations page 17 Perspective page 18 Acknowledgments page 19 Bibliography

COVER PHOTO· RESTORED MILL AT HEBAONVILLE Historical Background

The Ten Mile River and its two main tributaries, portions coming from the municipal treatment plants of the Seven Mile and Bungay Rivers, drain 50 square Attleboro and North Attleborough (Figure 3). During miles in southeastern Massachusetts and discharge to low flow conditions the river discharges about 10 million the estuaries of the Seekonk River and Providence gallons per day into the Seekonk River estuary, and River in Rhode Island, eventually flowing into Narra­ over 8 million of these gallons are from wastewater gansett Bay (Figure 1). Towns in Massachusetts in the discharges, 5.7 million coming from the Attleboro sewage Ten Mile River Basin include Plainville, North Attlebor­ treatment plant With only about 15% of the river ough, Attleboro and Seekonk. being clean water available for diluting the wastewaters, The river system was formed about 12,000 years extremely high degrees of wastewater treatment are ago as the continental glacier receded, yielding slow­ needed for this system to approach normal purity. flowing streams of glacial purity, with only a slight slope Additional problems have been caused by settling toward the ocean, creating many natural habitats for of the organic and metallic materials from the various stream and wetland animals and vegetation After discharges into the impoundments created by the many almost 100 centuries of sparse human habitation by small dams along the river. Not only have the sediments hunting bands, settlements began along the river slightly produced obnoxious conditions in the ponds and downstream of what is now the center of Attleboro, eliminated the flood storage capacity of these reservoirs according to archaeological evidence. From temporary but they have also locally raised the general river level campsites established by hunters, this favored location and water table, causing increased infiltration into became the home of agricultural settlers, at the time of sanitary sewers which parallel the river course. This the early Middle Ages in Europe (Figure 2). Most of increased infiltration caused operational difficulties in the banks of the Ten Mile River contain evidence of the municipal treatment plants during rainy periods, campsites and agricultural activity occurring before and also resulted in loss of useful flow capacity in the the 17th century. sewer systems. Flooding occurred quite frequently in After colonization of the region by immigrants the Attleboro area, probably increased by the dams and from Europe and elsewhere, the river was dammed siltation (Figure 2). to provide reliable sources of power, and the valley ln the 1960'sa broad program for control of water eventually became the home of jewelry and metal pollution was initiated in Massachusetts, and high plating industries which used the river for process priority was given to the Ten Mile River because of the water and waste discharges. This activity destroyed severe nature of the metal and organic contamination. the natural environment in the river, and was the Reduction in contamination then occurred relatively forerunner of severe problems with floods and envi­ rapidly in this river system because of a generally ronmental contamination. cooperative and progressive attitude of many local During the early twentieth century the industrial industries. Over the ensuing two decades the Ten Mile discharges created highly acid conditions in the river. In River showed significant improvement in water quality combination with high concentrations of metals and and in health of aquatic biota, especially since the 1970's excess organic pollution, this eliminated most forms of when improved treatment of industrial wastewaters aquatic life from the river during the early twentieth began (Figure 2). The concentrations of hannful metals century. H environmental quality of the river were to be were significantly reduced by controlling and treating the rated from 1 to 10, the rating for the river during this industrial wastes, thus creating conditions in which some period should be 1, the lowest possible value (Figure 2). small aquatic animals were able to survive. In contras~ the rating would probably have been 10 for Due to decreased organic pollution since 1980 the preceding 12,000 years. when the municipalities of North Attleborough and The major population centers of North Attlebor­ Attleboro both began operating advanced systems for ough and Attleboro developed sanitary sewer systems treatment of domestic wastewaters, oxygen levels came and began discharge of partially treated domestic back to norma] concentrations in many areas, and fish wastewaters soon after the Second World War. Lack of could return. Although the general appearance and adequate treatment of these wastes added to the vegetation of the river impoundments remained unat­ problems in the river, especially because of the low tractive due to over-fertilization, this problem was flow in the river system during the summer and fall reduced to more manageable proportions by the instal­ when critical conditions occur for aquatic life. During lation of nutrient removal systems in these new treatment the hot summer months almost all flow in the river is facilities. from these wastewater discharges, with the largest

page 1 Figure 1 Orientation Map Of Ten Mile River Basin In Massachusetts and Rhode Island

page 2 DamsOn River, Industrial Contamination r--of River7 Ice Age: I I I r Formationof I Woodland r TenMile RiverI StoneAge: Hunters I by GlacierMelt I HerdHunte rs I Hunters,Fishers and Gatherers andFarmers I 10 -t------.------.------~----- I )( 9 I ~ 8 "O 7 ai-= ~.: ro~ 6 ,, I :== 5 I «l & 4 ::, 3 0 2 1 -+----.------.----, - ---.----.----,----.----,------,----.---.---.-- 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 Centuries BC AD

I 111 I l Constructionof Dams MajorFloods n Atllliro I 1

1700 1800 1900 2000 Years

Figure 2 Graphic Timeline For Drainage Basin Of Ten Mile River From Ice Age To Present page 3 0 5 10 Flow In River In Million Gallons Per Day

en Q) Whitin & Davis e H ilsi ng,.,,e"---~:=I 20 River Miles IV s::. 0 Handy .;.,;.;.;;;.;.~~ en i5 BQ.J.L~L.:....ll.C!L-.::!!!!91~ i :§ C: ::I 15 - ~ od Balfour• Attleboro (II ·;:: Robbins Speedway Brook ti :J, "O C: 10

O River Miles· Seekonk River Estuary Flow In River In Million Gallons Per Day

Figure 3 Proportional Flow Diagram Showing Major Discharges To River During Low Flow Conditions

page 4 Wastewater Discharges In 1984

During 1984 an inspection of the river indicated in the industrial discharges were over 10 times the 21 separate discharges of potentially hazardous waste-­ allowable limits for the river, based on chronic toxicity waters, and 15 impoundments along the mainstream considerations for aquatic organisms or on background of the river (Figure 4). Sampling of these discharges levels in clean water (Figure 5). For example, 10 of the for chemicals was conducted during the summer in 16 major discharges contained copper __concentrations cooperation with the industries and municipalities, and over 10 times the background limit of 20 parts per biological assays of the toxicity of the effluents to aquatic billion. All industrial discharges contained more than organisms were carried out in 1984 and 1985. Copper 10 times the chronic toxic limit for lead, and background and lead were found to be the most important contami­ levels were so high that there must have been nants, and many other contaminantswere at unacceptable significant additional sources of lead in this river concentrations, despite the existence and generally basin, probably from highways. efficient operation of the treatment facilities constructed The biological verification of the chemical data in the early 1970's (Figure 5). was summarized in a "Toxic Quotient", indicating the Copper and other metals are dangerous to aquatic relative biological hazard of the discharge after dilution life because they can be lethaL and at low concentrations in the river. The most hazardous discharges had Toxic they disrupt normal life processes. These metals limit Quotients around 200, while only a few were significantly reproduction and stunt growth of aquatic organisms if below 1.0, a relatively safe indication (Figure 5). These continuously present at concentrations in the range quotients were obtained using the sensitive aquatic of 0.1 to 50 parts per billion, with silver and lead causing organism Daphnia, in 48 hour exposures, assuming adverse impacts at the lowest concentrations, around 1 there were no toxicants in the river upstream of the part per billion. Rapid death occurs from these metals if discharge. However, a complete analysis should include aquatic organisms are exposed to higher levels. Copper the high background levels of toxicants already in the and silver start causing mortality in a matter of hours if river. the concentrations exceed 10 parts per billion. Many of the discharges were toxic at less than 1% The total amount of copper reaching the river of their full strength, according to the results from the from the discharges varied from 10 to 35 pounds per biological tests. Thus the use of treatment technology of day, about 4 tons per year. Lead and nickeL as well as the 1970's on these wastewaters was clearly shown to silver, ammonia and chlorine were also present in toxic be inadequate for the biological health of the river. More amounts in some discharges, and large amounts of recent federal and state policies require that the protec­ phosphates which fertilize vegetation were being dis­ tion of the overall biological structure and integrity of charged to the river by the two municipalities. the river be the basic goal in developing pollution In many cases the concentration of contaminants abatement programs for the nation's waterbodies.

page 5 unicipal & Industrial Discharges

:· I I ': ' . . I. ~ 200 I .l . I I ..J 0 ,I I c,i TEN MILE RI EH P':l0FILE ,. I I I :E . Cl) ··160 I I ' I > Bungay River 0 ! ii I . .0 I. I ~ -I 120 Gi I I DodgevilleI ' Pond I CII I Seven Mile River IL Speedway Brook 80 I -C: I Central Pond I I .2 I I & -('Q ...,~~Tiiuiirniiier Reservoir aj 40 1 w I MASSACHUSIETTS!RHODE ISfANO Plainville N.Attleboro Attleboro Se,konk Pawtucket Seekonk 0 River River Miles 22 2 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 Estuary TMDI-TMD2 TM03 TM04 TMOSTM06 . TMOJ TMIOTMII TMIZ TMl3 TM14 Tlll15 TM16 TMIJ 0 Testing Stations 1984 TM07A TM08 TMD9 JMOBA

Figure 4 "Cl Ten Mile River Profile ()Q"' (1) "' With Details Of Discharges & Impoundments Contaminant & Concentration In Effluent

Whiting & Davis 8 Hllslnger 40 8 Handy & Harmon(NA) 130 10 Balfour ( NA) 25 8 Randall 60 7 8 North Attleboro STP 2000 7 4 0 Walton & Lonsbury 30 7 9 0 Mt. Vernon Sliver 10 21 "'GI ...Cl Balfour (Attleboro) 43 7 2

- Indicates highly toxic coiicentratlon for aquatic life, more than 1 O times the allowed limit for discharges

Figure 5 Concentration Of Metals & Acute Toxicity Of Major Discharges On Ten Mile River, 1984 page 7 Condition Of The River In 1984

Along with testing of the wastewater discharges, diluted down to 8% of its natural condition This is a complete survey of the river system was conducted reported as the Sediment Toxicity Index, the dilution during the summer of 1984, assessing biologicaL required before 50% of certain microorganisms can chemical and physical aspects of the river and its survive a 30 minute exposure (Figure 7). A large index impoundments. The populations of algae, microorgan­ such as 100%, indicates the discharge is only mildly isms, insects, mollusks and fish were studied in the toxic, whereas a small index of 1% or 5% indicates river and its tributaries. The vertical and horizontal high toxicity. distribution of temperature, oxygen, metals, biota and An increase in copper was noted in the river near other parameters were measured in the several im• Hebronville in absence of any known discharges. This poundments along the river. may have come from eroding sediments behind the The results of the 1984 surveys were encouraging Hebronville dam, but the amount of copper entering The acid level in the river was normal with a mean pH the river was as large as another industrial discharge slightly above 7, highly suitable for aquatic life. This (Figure 7). contrasted sharply with the low pH around 5, found in Although warm-water fish were present in the a survey during the Depression (Figure 6). The low river, such as chain pickerel and red-fin pickerel (Figure pH in 1937 was due to acid wastes from the metal and 8), the number of species and the numbers of fish were jewelry industries. Acidity had been brought to near far less than would be expected, based on the size and normal by 1973 when most of these industrial wastes geography of the river system Only Central Pond in were given the best treatment available at that time. Seekonk had a fairly normal number of species, still less Suspended solids were also high in 1937, about than a dozen (Figure 9). Even these fish populations 11 parts per million This had become worse by 1973 were limited in numbers and their flesh contained because additional solids came from the municipal noticeable amounts of heavy metals, especially lead. sewage of North Attleborough and Attleboro, reaching Further downstream, oxygen levels were observed a mean value of 14 (Figure 6). However in 1980 new below the 5 parts per million standard needed to avoid treatment plants began operating in both municipalities, fish deaths in the summer. Concentrations of 2, 3 and reducing the suspended solids in their discharges 4 parts per million were found at times, throughout the below 5 (Figure 5). The results were evident in the low Teaches of the river below Attleboro (Figure 9). It was suspended solids found in the river in 1984, about 5 disturbing that the relatively clean upstream impound­ parts per million, nearly the same as the amount found ments such as Fuller and Falls Ponds also contained in clean water upstream of all discharges (Figure 6). limited fish communities. They may have been limited Metals, even after dilution in the river, were at by background levels of copper and lead which might very harmful concentrations, especially copper and prevent normal reproduction and survival lead (Figure 7). Under normal conditions, adverse The variety of small aquatic organisms which impacts on aquatic biota would occur at concentrations form the food supply for fish and other larger animals, of copper above 6 parts per billion, and this value was was quite limited in the urban areas, in comparison to exceeded at every sampling station on the river, reaching the clean water communities found upstream and in maxima over 100 parts per billion. Other metals found Central Pond (Figure 9). The river in North Attlebor­ in harmful concentrations included lead at 40 to 100 ough and Attleboro had only half the normal variety of parts per billion and nickel at 10 to 100 parts per organisms, and these were primarily groups noted for billion. The mean concentration of lead in the river was their tolerance to metals. Biological community struc­ over 60 parts per billion, significantly higher than the tures in the entire river from West Bacon Street in amount recorded in 1981, less than 20 parts per billion Plainville to its terminus in the Seekonk River in East This increase was not entirely due to industrial discharges Providence showed some evidence of adverse impact, as the lead concentrations in the cleanwater stations, in comparison to healthy rivers in New England. above any discharges, were also high in 1984, averaging Careful analysis of the community structures of 40 parts per billion, compared to virtually zero in 1981. aquatic organisms in the Ten Mile River indicated that The surveys in the impoundments showed high definite toxic stress was occurring where the river concentrations of metals in the sediments, and in some crossed West Bacon Street in Plainville, at the inlet to areas, no bottom organisms (Figure 7). Copper and Falls Pond in North Attleboro, and in Speedway Brook nickel content exceeded 2000 parts per million in the in Attleboro. Below and even above the two municipal sediments. When biologically tested for toxicity, the treatment plants the aquatic communities were "filter­ sediments showed severe adverse effects on biota,. feeding" assemblages, typical of streams receiving high especially in the impoundments downstream of Attleboro loads of particulate organic matter. At the Olive Street center. In Central Pond the sediments showed toxic crossing South of Attleboro Center, the structure of the impacts on microorganisms until the sediment was biotic community indicated a combination of toxic

page 8 unicipal & Industrial Discharges

:J'2 00 I I I I cri !TEN MILE RIVER PROFILE I I I ' ~ Cl> 160 ! I ~ ! I .J:l c{ .,. 120 I [ (I) (I) I u. Hebronville Pond --r:: 8 0 0 :;: Ill t 4 0 w

0

ACID IONS • pH 2 ------+-- --+-

0;---;---+---t---1----r-----i---+-----i---+----t 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 River Miles

1-- - -+---1- --+-- --+--+- - ~ - --+---+- - --+-- r30 SUSPENDED SOLIDS J-t- -t

.,_--+---+--+----+---+--+----+-----+--+----t-0 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 River Miles Figure 6 Long Term Trends In Acidity & Suspended Solids In Ten Mile River, 1937-1984 page 9 Metal Concentration In Ten Major Discharges In Parts Per Billion ___ .,....__ Cu 2000 Ni 1300 Copper (Cu) Pb 60 Cu 1600 Whiting & Davis Lead (Pb) 630 Nickel (Ni) 130 Cu 80 Ni 130 Pb 20 Ni 7000 Cu 160 Pb 60 Handy& Harmon Cu 720 Ni 460 Pb 20 Randall Pb 40 Balfour I u 12000 Ni 1710 Robbins Pb 100 Leavens

River Miles 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 0 792 773 268 0 Metals In Sediments 7 191 1600 950 2160 In Parts Per Million 7 176 192 180 201 ifFuller Falls Dodgeville Hebronville Central Pond Pond Pond Pond Pond

Toxic Index of Sediments

Fuller Falls Dodgev i lle Hebronville Central

Metal Concentration In The River 2oo"T"---,----,---,-----,--....,.--...,.---.----.----,---.,....--.,....---,,, ai 150 I \ .2:a: ._g I \ c:: I - co C ._ I 0 Cl) .: Q. 100 f! (/) --+:- -+-·- .. t: OPPER C ftl ~ Q. -, I CC O­ ~"'""T ♦-" --+------ti U

0 E River Miles 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 · 5 4 2 0

Figure 7 Copper, Lead & Nickel Concentrations In Ten Mile River, Including Major Discharges & Sediments, With Index Of Sediment Toxicity To Microorganisms, 1984

page 10 j ~,,,_,, . I Figure 8 Chain Pickerel, One Of Two Pickerel Species Found In Cleaner Waters Of Ten Mile River System

stresses and an overly rich organic environment effect of rooted vegetation is that it decreases local The general appearance of the upstream reaches velocities of flow, especially near the edges of a pond, of the river near Plainville was markedly more appealing thus promoting stagnation and increased sedimentation than that of the impoundments downstream of the in those areas. wastewater discharges, near Seekonk and into Rhode The effect of the recently installed phosphate Island, giving graphic and persuasive proof of the removal systems showed clearly in the drop in chloro­ damage being done by the wastewaters (Figure 10). phyll concentrations in the river from 1973 to 1984 The impact of this pollution on esthetic and economic (Figure 11). The amount of chlorophyll is a good values was obvious in the type of residential development quantitative measure of the mass of algae present, even along the river, with spacious single-family homes better than counts of actual algae cells which are highly upstream, compared to crowded developments along clumped and produce very erratic numbers. The drop the banks in the downstream portions of Attleboro. in chlorophyll between 1973 and 1984 from means of Rehabilitation of these old riverside mills for housing or 36 parts per billion down to 10 parts per billion other uses will not really be successful until the river (72% reduction) occurred parallel with the drop in itself is rehabilitated phosphates in the river from means of 0.82 parts per A major impediment to the final restoration of the million down to 0.35 parts per million (57% reduction), river was the large residual of fertilizing phosphates in due to the new municipal treatment plants. the discharges of the municipal sewage treatment It is possible but expensive to further lower the plants. Simple application of 1970 technology for concentrations of phosphates in the river, to the required phosphate removal resulted in discharges containing 1 levels. It will require not only improved removal in the _to 3 parts per million phosphates, compared to upstream municipal plants, but also control of seepage from' values of 0.2 parts per million, and truly desirable septic systems and lawn fertilizers in residential areas. values below 0.05 parts per million. Thus the river These latter items contributed to the high background in 1984 contained excessive phosphates, lower than of phosphates at the clean water stations, and their those of 1973 before the new municipal treatment correction should be the responsibility of the local plants began operation, but still high enough to stimulate communities. excessive growth of aquatic vegetation and algae There was an unexplained increase in phosphates (Figure 11). in the river near Hebronville. The pond was temporarily A primary effect of the excessive vegetation empty at the time of the 1984 survey and it is possible resulting from over-fertilization by phosphates was that the phosphates were leaching out of scouring seen in the wide swings in oxygen concentrations in the sediments, but the increase seemed unusually large for impoundments, often dropping to 2 or 3 parts per this explanation (Figure 11). million which is dangerous to fish. Another important

, .. page 11 FISH DRAWING BY LINDA NORWOOD nicipal & Industrial Discharges

J 200 en TEN MILE RIVER PROFILE :E ' i Q) 160 > I 0 J:l < ai 120 Q) !=. C 80 0 lc.m,:L, :;:: ca Turner Reservoir > wQ) 40

0

24 ...... -.....,...,...--,-----,----,-----,---,-----,---.,.....---,---...----,----, 20

.. Q) a. ,n t:: &. .!: C I Maximum - & 5 --Lower Allowable Limit- - , ~ L ---. . -- o Mean 'ti --+-----i - - -+-- - +------j ---+- --t---f-- - -+ - -+----+ - -- -t------t _:__Minimum i -+-----+----t----}--I I o o+--.....j---+---+------+---.---+---+------+---1---' 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 . o River Miles Figure 9 Dissolved Oxygen, Numbers of Fish Species, And Richness Index For Ten Mile River, 1984

page 12 a. Falls Pond in the upper portion of the river basin is attractive and popular for recreation.

Figure 10 The Contrast Between An Upstream Pond & A Downstream Pond

b. Central Pond in the lower reaches of the river is choked with weeds and contains heavy residual contamination. page 13 PHOTOS BY PAUL METCALF Wetherells Pond

Falls Pond

Mechanics Pond CHLOROPHYLL AND ALGAE IN IMPOUNDMENTS

Hebronvllle Pond

I .!.Mlle•~- <•""''••"" Fuller Pond 108

Farmers Pond I · Dodgeville Pond Seekonk River Est uary

._.100PPB I 4 . ./ Chlorophyll In Parts Per Bllllon

~ Number of Algae Cells Per Mllllllter "-..../ ..,.. (Recorded 1984 In Pond) Legend · '

2 .0 C ~ 1.75 = :ii: 1.50 ..Q) 0. Cl) 1.25 t: Ill 0. 1.0 C Cl) 0.75 ..::I 1973 0 -a,0 .50 I Cl) 1984 0 .c 0.25 0.

22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 River Miles

Figure 11 Concentration Of Phosphorus In Ten Mile River, With Algae & Chlorophyll Values For September, 1973 & 1984

page 14 Analysis

Although noticeable progress had been made in the downstream impoundments with excessive nutrients restoring the Ten Mile River during the previous and vegetation The excessive algae and vegetation in decades, it was still receiving two to eight tons of copper impoundments in the downstream portions of the river annually from wastewater discharges in 1984. Fish had valley caused continuing problems with maintenance returned to the downstream impoundments on the of proper oxygen levels in the river, a prime necessity river but their flesh contained undesirable amounts of for fish survival Refinements in operation of the mu­ lead, copper and other metals. Accumulation of metals nicipal treatment plants in North Attleborough and in the organic sediments of the several impoundments Attleboro could bring phosphate concentrations down presented a hazard not only for aquatic life in the river to more acceptable values and raise mean oxygen but also for the estuarine and marine life downstream in levels, thus stabilizing oxygen conditions for fish and Narragansett Bay, a highly attractive recreational and probably improving metal removal at the same time. natural resource area Shellfish which are common in Although the fish populations were abnormally the Bay may bioaccumulate copper by factors of 20,000 limited and had elevated levels of metal in their tissues, to 30,000. Thus the metal problem in sediments of the it is likely that they can be brought to a healthy Ten Mile River impoundments might also have wide­ condition by further control of metal discharges and spread impact across state lines after heavy rainfall and subsequent restoration of the river biota upon which scouring floods. they depend for food However the increasing concen­ The conclusions drawn from chemical analyses of tration of lead in the river since 1981, and the likely the water were confirmed by biological assays of the high levels oflead in the blood of people in urban areas, wastewater dischargesand the river, and by examination indicate a present potential for public health problems, of the structure of biological communities in the in addition to the dangers to aquatic life. streams and impoundments. All of the informa.tion Several unexplained anomalies were noted in the pointed to a river containing biological communities river conditions in 1984, especially in the Dodgeville under toxic stress from excessive amounts of copper and Hebronville areas. Large fluctuations in pH levels and other metals. Aquatic organisms, because of their were noted in the impoundments despite normal small size and total immersion in water, are even more acidity in the river, and despite a lack of algae which sensitive to copper and other metals than are people, might affect the acidity. Also large increases in copper when the standards are expressed in terms of mass of and phosphates occurred in the Hebronville area metal per volume of water. Thus the standards for upstream of the Attleboro sewage discharge. While this metals in the river must be more stringent than drinking may be partly due to scouring of sediments from the water standards for human consumption, as human temporarily empty pond, the large magnitude of these consumption of metals in drinking water is limited by increases indicated the need for another examination of the amount of water a person can drink. the river at this point Analysis of the data also pointed to a problem in

Recommendations

In the Ten Mile River, with extremely low summer The town of North Attleborough should also begin a flows and a high proportion of wastewater discharges, program of source reduction for copper in their drinking contaminants in these discharges must be further water system, perhaps to include additional adjustments restricted to protect the aquatic life, necessitating the to the pH and reduction of copper piping. Attleboro issuance of more stringent discharge permits. The should soon complete its control of improperly managed primary pollutants to consider in the discharge permits industrial discharges presently connected to the munic­ for both industrial and municipal discharges are ipal sewer system In addition both municipal treatment copper, lead and nickel Ammonia and phosphorus plants will have to improve their phosphate removal must also be reduced from some discharges. Local systems, preferably in a manner which will also enhance effects from chlorine in effluents should also be corrected, metal removal and post-aeration of the effluent from the North Improvements initiated through the new round Attleborough and Attleboro treatment plants should be of discharge permits will not completely restore the resumed river, particularly with respect to the downstream Industries can meet the new limitson contaminants impoundments. Reduction of copper in the river will by source reduction in their process streams, by addi­ probably result in increased algae populations in these tional treatment, or by connections to the municipal impoundments. Thus problems with nutrients and sewers after adequate pretreatment of their wastewaters. algae dynamics should again be evaluated in the river page 15 after the metals have been reduced to acceptable and contaminants from the main river flow. Removal of levels. The possibility of nutrient dilution by augmenta­ color would be a considerable improvement esthetically. tion of low summer flows should be investigated by Mapping of sediments and analysis of the dam structures evaluating existing and potential reservoir sites in the would be a necessary first step in developing such a upper reaches of the drainage basin for storage of clean river basin plan. flows from winter and spring storms. This kind of A Ten Mile River Commission could conduct reservoir site might also be useful for increased drinking cost-effectiveness analyses in regard to reduction of water supply. algae and vegetation in the impoundments and thus The impoundments along the river are potentially improvement of the river for fish, comparing dredging attractive resources. Their proper rehabilitation and of the sediments versus increased chemical removal of management could become an esthetic and even an phosphates in the treatment plants. Detoxification and economic asset to local communities. This is especially dispersal of sediment from the impoundments could true in the lower reaches of the river where fish also be best evaluated with regard to the entire river populations are returning. and where recreational use basin, evaluating new provisions in the federal Superfund has already begun Fishing, boating and even swimming for hazardous wastes, or special legislative action. sites could be created in convenient proximity to the Considerable capacity for sludge incineration and land several communities along the river. Property values in disposal of residues exists at the Attleboro treatment Attleboro and Seekonk might be considerably enhanced plan~ although these installations are not yet operating, by rehabilitation of the impoundments. Flooding up­ This capacity might also be used for other treatment stream of these dams occurs fairly frequently and the plants in the basin and perhaps even for disposal of high water tables cause increased filtration into sanitary some of the sediments in the river impoundments. sewers, especially in North Attleborough. This problem Careful consideration should be given to extraction of is exaggerated when the normal flood storage capacity the large amounts of metal including copper, silver and of the impoundments is eliminated by deposition of gold, which have accumulated in the deeper sediments sediment. The sediments in these impoundments con­ during the early part of this century. tain high concentrations of metals which should be Control of contaminants from roadway and urban detoxified, probably by state or federal efforts which runoff throughout the river basin should also be might involve dredging. Thus removal of sediments initiated to minimize background levels of contaminants would have several advantages. in the river, especially lead and phosphorus. The Although there is little precedent for it in a river as unusual density of interstate highways in the river basin small as the Ten Mile, formation of a river district or with 4 major roads and 3 interchanges may be respon­ commission might be useful to coordinate the treatment sible for the widespread and increasing concentrations of wastewater discharges and to evaluate and manage of lead, both in the water and in the flesh of fish. Open the numerous impoundments located in the several land in the cloverleaf intersections of the interstate municipalities and two states. The following ideas for highways might be investigated for passive treatment of innovative approaches to correction of the river's contaminants in the roadway runoff, and even for problems deserve more thorough exploration if the augmentation of low river flows. river is ever to be truly restored. Revenue for rehabili­ A survey of the headwaters of the basin should be tation might be obtained by installation of hydro­ initiated to determine the cause of sporadic high values electric generators in the higher dams, especially those of copper, and the high values of lead and other downstream of the major discharges which would contaminants in the upstream portions of the river provide steady flows. The hydraulic energy available in system. The elevated metal concentrations in the fish the impoundments might also be utilized for power to should be investigated to determine whether there is a effect local improvements in the river such as aeration, public health risk sediment removaL and even removal of residual color ' ' page 16 Perspective

For the woodland hunters who gathered at cam Jr sites several hundred years ago along the Ten Mile River, a reverent stewardship of the land and water was part of their way of life. The original North Americans .who fished these rivers would not pollute or damage them, the rivers being their sour.ce of food, drink and cleanliness. But the concept of stewardship of the river escaped the immigrant and industrialized society which displaced the original North Americans. Nineteenth century Americans dammed the river to extract energy for mills and metal shops. After one hundred centuries of crystal clarity and biological harmony, the river was converted into an acid bath in a f~w, short years.

"Millshad to be built And so TheRiver beganto die Children ... abandonedone stinking pool after another ... Pondswhere trout and bass once lurked . . . yielded bullheads,then nothing.Trash accumulated... It becameno more than an open dumpingground" (Balfour,1967).

As the American economy recovered from the Second World War and people had time again to sit on the banks of the rivers and to row boats on the mill ponds throughout America, they were appalled at the desecration Their awareness gave birth to a new concept among those responsible for our public health and our environmeitt, that engineers had to design wastewater treatment plants to fit the needs of the river, not just to satisfy short-term economical considerations. The river was more than a stream for dilution of wastes, it was acomplex and balanced community of water, plants and animals which required protection. Action finally began, based on this concept Bi 1973 the acid level of the Ten Mile River was again tolerable to fish. and in 1984 it had returned to a normal level suitable for living things. This improve­ ment took a full generation, but it is hardly finished. Residues of waste remain, some are still being poured into the river. So the movement must Continue.

To quote again, ". . . ii does not have to stay dead.Now . . . we see the incalculableworth of our vanishingnatural resources. We see the vital necessityfor cleanwater ... It is morethan beingable lo swim and fish and picnic in nearbygreen acres ... it is a value that exists in the heart . . . whose name is civic pride. Only this ... can makeThe River live again ( Balfour, 1967). ·

The purpose· of this public report is to encourage those Who would- be faithful stewards of our rivers. It is a small report, regarding a small river. But it reflects the slow, steady progress made in this last generation, and offers some hope Jor the generations to come. page 17 Acknowledgments

This report was developed for the Division of Water Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution ControL the federal Pollution Control of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Agency, the Lawrence Experiment Environmental Quality Engineering by Rumford River Station of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Laboratories of Foxboro, Massachusetts, under Contract Quality Engineering. the Environmental Research Laboratories Number329305455JOBI of March 1985. in Lexington, Massachusetts and Duluth, Minnesota of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the Environ­ It was intended that this report foster general public mental Engineering Program of the University of Massachu­ understanding of the water pollution problems of the Ten setts. This report is largely a summary of the written and Mile River, thus it should not be considered a scientific or verbal analyses of this large body of data by the scientific legal document. It is simply an outline of the major findings personnel of these environmental groups. Official summaries encountered in field surveys by state and federal agencies of the complete data on the Ten Mile River are in the during 1984 and 1985, in a cooperative program assisted by govemtnent reports and files listed in the bibliography, and the industries and by the consulting engineers and operating scientific publications are planned for the future. The assistance personnel of the North Attleborough and Attleboro sewage and encouragement of Mr. Thomas McMahon, Dr. Russell treatment plants. These firms and municipaJ employees Isaac, Mr. Alan Cooperman, Mr. Paul Hogan and other collected and provided valuable data and offered advice in members of the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution development of a plan for overall improvement of the ControL as well as staff Ofthe federal Environmental Protection river, thus this report reflects many of their suggestions. The Agency office in Boston, are greatly appreciated. However data were collected and analyzed jointly by personnel of the any errors or omissions in this report are my own responsibility.

William R Jobin, Sc.D. Director Rumford River Laboratories Foxboro, Massachusetts September, 1985

ARTIFACT RENDERINGS BY WILLIAM 5. FOWLER GRAPHICS & TYPOGRAPHY: PAUL METCALF page 18 Bibliography

Many of the reports listed here are in the process of being published, while others are already finalized. Thus the listiTlgis divided into (a) preliminary reports from the 1984- 85 Ten Mile River Survey which are available in draft form, (b) printed reports which are available through state or federal agencies, and (c) published reports which are more widely available. The sources are also listed for each of the three groups.

a. Preliminary reports from the 1984-85 cooperative h Printed Reports survey on water pollution in the Ten Mile River. Copies of these draft reports, prepared in February 1985, are available (18). Ten Mile River Water Quality Data - 1984, through: Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control (DWPC). (19). Ten Mile River Basin Water Quality Survey and Mr. Paul Hogan Wastewater Discharge Data 1964, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1973, Technical Services Branch DWPC. These are also available separately. Division of Water Pollution ControL DEQE (20). Ten Mile River Basin Water Quality Analysis, 1968 and Commonweclith of Massachusetts 1973, DWPC. Lyman School, Westview Bldg. (21). Ten Mile River Basin Water Quality Management Plan, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 1975, DWPC. Tel (617) 366-9181 (Westborough Exchange) 727-6983 (Boston Exchange) c. Published Reports

River Survey AuthorS (DWPC (22). "Sources of Pollution - Ten Mile River Valley, 1937". Program Element except ilS noted) Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Federal (1). Overview Paul Hogan Works Program Administration. Available at Mass. (2). Wastewater Discharge Inventory Robert Kubit State House Library. (3). Stream Hydraulics Keith Anderson (23). "1894 Attleborough. Attleboro 1978, Hub of the (4). Wastewater Discharge Sampling Kim Simpson and Jewelry World", 1979 by Paul H. Tedesco, Bradford and Daniel Murray, EPA Bigelow, Danvers, Mass. Available at the Attleboro Public (5). Onsite Ulboratory Procedures Pat Austin Llbrary. (6). Data Management and Storage Margo Webber (24). "Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, Attleboro, (7). lmpoundment Studies Paul Hogan and Massachusetts'', 1980, by Whitman and Howard, Inc. Alice Rojko 45 William Street Wellesley, Mass. 02181. (8). Biomonitoring - Fish John Jonasch (25). "Will This River Llve Again?", 1967. The Balfour (9). Biomonitoring - Invertebrates Arthur Johnson Craftsman, Volume 7, Number 9, May, Attleboro, (10). Toxicity Testing - Effluents Michael Bilger, EPA Massachusetts. (11). Toxicity Testing - River Peter Nolan. EPA (26). "A bio-geochemical survey: copper and nickel in (12). Toxicity Data Analysis Gerald Szal Mercenaria mercenaria,. relative to concentrations in the (13). Consultant Contracts Michael Connor, EPA water column m-a New England estuary" 1984, Douglas on Chronic Toxicity Testing Cohen, MS thesis at University of Rhode Island Graduate of Effluents and River School of Oceanography. (14). Fish Flesh Contamination Michael Murphy (27). Early American artifacts were reproduced from the (15). Simulation Modeling Edward Woo, EPA report: "The Indian History of Attleboro", September 1969, (16). NPDES Permit Program Steven Silva, EPA by Dr. Maurice Robbins, published by the City of Attleboro (17). Biological Toxicity of Sediments Paul Hogan and the Chamber of Commerce of Attleboro.

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