Meghan Hodges
Boston's Charles River has gone from being a national embarrassment for its pollution to a pristine river teeming with wildlife. In 1965, the river was so dirty that The Standells wrote a song about it. The river's revival began in the 1980s when conservationists and the EPA sued the state of Massachusetts over wastewater pollution levels. This resulted in federal oversight of $4.5 billion in mitigation projects, including a waste-treatment facility and the repair of 100 miles of sewage pipes and storm drains. Since 1995, municipalities have reduced sewage-contaminated stormwater flows, eliminating over 48,000 gallons of sewage-contaminated stormwater flowing into the river per day. The level of bacteria in the Charles has dropped significantly over the past 30 years, and the river is now safe for recreational boating virtually all the time and safe for swimming 70% of the time. However, there are still challenges, such as stormwater runoff from commercial and industrial properties, cyanobacteria blooms, and the impacts of climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution sources | Raw sewage, rainwater, stormwater runoff, industrial waste, human waste, other debris, oil |
| Polluting substances | E. coli, cyanobacteria, heavy metals |
| Water quality | Safe for recreational boating virtually all the time, safe for swimming 70% of the time |
| Water quality grade | C-plus in 1999, A-B in recent years |
| Water quality trends | Improving, with a significant drop in bacterial levels over the past 30 years |
| Pollution prevention efforts | Reducing illicit sewage discharges to storm drain systems, reducing Combined Sewer Overflows, eliminating stormwater pollution |
| Organizations involved | EPA, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Mass DEP, Charles River Watershed Association, Rocky Mountain Institute, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, CLF, Conservation Law Foundation |
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What You'll Learn
Sources of pollution: sewage, stormwater, industrial waste
The Charles River has faced significant pollution from sewage, stormwater, and industrial waste. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Clean Charles River Initiative, aiming to improve water quality and make the river fishable and swimmable. This initiative has successfully reduced sewage discharges and stormwater pollution, improving the river's health.
Sewage pollution has been a persistent issue for the Charles River. Illicit connections between sewage systems and storm drains resulted in contaminated stormwater flowing into the river. Since 1995, efforts by municipalities and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) have reduced these illicit connections, eliminating more than 48,000 gallons of sewage-contaminated stormwater per day. The 2005 settlement between the EPA and MWRA further reduced sewage discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) to the river.
Stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and climate change continue to threaten the progress made in improving the river's health. The EPA and local partners have tackled stormwater pollution through various projects, reducing sewage contamination. However, stormwater runoff still impacts the river's ecosystem, and community scientists monitor the river's conditions and collect data to identify long-term trends.
Industrial waste has also contributed to the pollution of the Charles River. In 1998, the EPA reached a settlement with Genzyme, requiring them to conduct water quality studies in the river. Additionally, the EPA has proposed penalties for wastewater treatment violations, and in 2006, the Mirant Kendall Power Plant in Cambridge received a new discharge permit, advancing protections for the river. These actions have helped address industrial waste pollution in the Charles River.
Overall, the Clean Charles River Initiative, partnerships between federal and local agencies, and community efforts have led to significant improvements in water quality. The river is now safe for recreational boating and swimming most of the time, and the ongoing work to address sewage, stormwater, and industrial waste pollution continues to restore the health of the Charles River ecosystem.
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Bacteria levels: E. coli and cyanobacteria
Bacteria levels in the Charles River have been a significant concern for decades, with E. coli and cyanobacteria blooms impeding safe recreation. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been monitoring the river closely and has made notable improvements since 1995.
The EPA's efforts have focused on reducing illicit sewage discharges and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). These initiatives have been successful, with the elimination of more than 48,000 gallons of sewage-contaminated stormwater flowing into the river daily since 2004. This has resulted in a river that is now safe for recreational boating most of the time and swimming 70% of the time. The 2024 Three Rivers Report Card, which includes the Charles River, awarded grades ranging from A to C+, showing vast improvements in the river's health.
However, stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and climate change continue to threaten the progress made. E. coli levels remain a concern, with the Charles River Watershed Association's (CRWA) E. Coli Dashboard tracking concentrations since 2005. Over 80 community scientist volunteers collect water samples monthly from 35 sites along the main stem and two tributaries of the Charles River to monitor E. coli levels.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green or toxic algae, are naturally occurring microorganisms in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Excess phosphorus from stormwater runoff and warmer temperatures cause cyanobacteria populations to explode into toxic blooms, releasing dangerous cyanotoxins. These blooms pose a severe threat to public health, are fatal to pets, and harm the ecosystem. With climate change, cyanobacteria blooms are becoming more frequent and severe, and the Charles River has experienced blooms almost every summer for the last decade. When a bloom is identified, the Department of Public Health issues an advisory, and signs are posted along the river.
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Water quality reports and grades
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been working together to monitor and improve the water quality of the Charles River, which flows into Boston Harbor. The EPA has been evaluating and grading the river's water quality since 1995.
The grading system used by the EPA takes into account several factors, including bacterial levels, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The grades range from A to F, with A indicating that the river meets swimming and boating standards nearly all of the time, and F indicating that it fails to meet these standards most of the time.
In 2024, the EPA, in collaboration with the CRWA, expanded their assessment method to include six individual water body segments of the river, including two tributaries. This change was made to provide a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the river's water quality. The six segments that are now assigned grades are the Upper Watershed (Hopkinton to Medfield), the Upper Middle Watershed (Sherborn to Dedham), the Lower Middle Watershed (Newton to Waltham), the Lower Basin (Watertown to Boston), the Stop River, and the Muddy River.
The grades for the Charles River have shown improvement over the years. In 2021, different segments of the river received varying grades, with the middle reaches receiving an A and the Muddy River receiving a C-. The 2024 Three Rivers Report Card, which includes the Charles River, showed grades ranging from A to C+, indicating significant improvements compared to previous decades.
The improvements in water quality are a result of the dedicated efforts of various organizations and individuals. The CRWA, for example, has a robust community of volunteers who regularly collect water samples, track pollution, and monitor water chemistry. Their data is essential for understanding the river's ecosystem and making informed decisions about water quality standards.
While there have been notable advancements, challenges still remain. For instance, high levels of E. coli and cyanobacteria have been detected at potential swimming sites, which can cause health issues such as abdominal cramps, headaches, and rashes. Additionally, stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and climate change continue to pose threats to the river's health and hinder progress toward making the river swimmable.
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Efforts to improve water quality
Since the early 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its partners have been working to improve the water quality of the Charles River. The Charles River Initiative, launched in 1995, has made significant strides in reducing pollution and improving water quality. The initiative has involved federal, state, and local agencies, as well as non-profit groups, private institutions, and citizens.
One of the key efforts has been to reduce illicit sewage discharges and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). The municipalities of the lower Charles River, including Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Brookline, Watertown, and Waltham, have worked to reduce sewage-contaminated stormwater flows through illicit storm drain connections. This has resulted in the elimination of over 48,000 gallons of sewage-contaminated stormwater flowing into the river per day since 2004. In addition, the settlement between EPA and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) in 2005 significantly reduced sewage discharges from CSOs to the river.
The EPA and its partners have also utilized sound science and cutting-edge technologies to determine the causes of pollution and poor water quality. This has included studies and reports conducted by various organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Mass DEP, Charles River Watershed Association, and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. The data collected by community science volunteers and analyzed by the EPA and MA DEP has been crucial in setting and enforcing water quality standards.
The efforts to improve water quality in the Charles River have shown positive results. The level of bacteria in the river has dropped significantly over the past 30 years, and the river is now safe for recreational boating virtually all of the time and safe for swimming 70% of the time. The EPA has been issuing report cards for the Charles River since 1995, and in recent years, the river has earned grades ranging from A- to B+.
Despite these improvements, there are still challenges to overcome. Stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and climate change continue to threaten progress towards making the river swimmable for all. Additionally, there are problems with excessive amounts of nutrients, especially phosphorus, entering the river. The EPA and its partners remain committed to addressing these challenges and further improving the water quality of the Charles River.
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Impact of climate change on pollution
The Charles River has historically been heavily polluted, with sewage and rainwater flowing into it from old drainage pipes in Boston Harbor. In 1965, the water was so dirty that a song was written about it. Since then, there have been significant improvements in water quality, with the river now safe for recreational boating most of the time and safe for swimming 70% of the time. This is due to the efforts of various organizations, including the EPA, to reduce illicit sewage discharges and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). However, challenges remain, with stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and climate change threatening progress toward making the river swimmable.
Climate change has a significant impact on pollution, creating a vicious cycle with negative consequences for human health, ecosystems, and agriculture. Climate change can directly influence the type and level of pollutants in the environment, and the resulting pollution can further exacerbate climate change. For example, air pollutants such as methane and black carbon are short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) that contribute to global warming and ill health. Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter, warms the atmosphere by absorbing sunlight, accelerating the melting of snow and ice. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 84 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2) and a precursor to the air pollutant ozone. Ozone and black carbon affect weather patterns, reduce agricultural yields, and threaten food security.
The deposition of nitrogen, sulfur, and ozone from air pollution reduces the services provided by natural ecosystems, such as clean water, biodiversity, and carbon storage. Additionally, climate change can worsen air quality by increasing the concentration of ground-level ozone, which is formed when pollutants emitted by vehicles and industrial facilities react with sunlight. Warmer temperatures can also increase the formation of smog and worsen air quality, particularly in urban areas.
Climate change can also impact water quality. For example, changes in precipitation patterns can affect the dilution of pollutants in water bodies, and more frequent and intense storms can increase the risk of sewage overflows and stormwater runoff, leading to higher levels of water pollution. Climate change can also alter the circulation patterns of oceans and impact the distribution of marine species, potentially affecting the health of marine ecosystems.
Addressing climate change and pollution together can provide a "win-win" strategy for both health and the environment. Reducing air pollution can lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and mitigate the near- and long-term impacts of climate change. Additionally, improving water quality can help restore natural ecosystems and enhance their ability to absorb and store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Charles River has improved significantly in water quality and is now safe for recreational boating virtually all of the time and safe for swimming 70% of the time. However, it is still prohibited to swim in the river unless given permission by the state.
The river was polluted by raw sewage and rainwater that flowed from old drainage pipes in Boston Harbour.
Since 1995, municipalities and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) have reduced illicit sewage discharges and sewage-contaminated stormwater flows into the river. Local conservation groups also convinced the Army Corps of Engineers to protect 8,000 acres of wetlands in the Upper Charles watershed.
Stormwater runoff from commercial and industrial properties with large paved surfaces, such as parking lots, contributes a disproportionate amount of polluted runoff to the river. Climate change also poses new challenges, with rising temperatures increasing the likelihood of harmful cyanobacteria or algae blooms.
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) collects water samples, measures temperature and depth, and records river conditions at 35 sites along the river and its tributaries. This data is used to identify long-term trends and study the impact of stormwater pollution and sewage overflows.
