Meghan Hodges
The Mystic River has long been a site of environmental concern. Decades of industrial development have contaminated its waters, and the river has been described as an open sewer. The river runs through Everett, East Boston, and Chelsea, areas with more working-class, immigrant, and Black and Brown residents. In contrast, the Charles River, which was once equally polluted, has undergone a remarkable transformation due to extensive cleanup efforts. Today, the Charles River is a recreational haven for runners, kayakers, and sailors. The Mystic River, on the other hand, remains polluted by industrial waste and sewage overflow, with its shores lined by power plants, factories, and salt piles. Climate change is exacerbating the issue, bringing more frequent and intense rain events that overwhelm the sewage system and result in the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. Despite the Clean Water Act of 1972, which sets water pollution limits, the Mystic River continues to face the challenge of enforcing pollution standards and ensuring environmental justice for the communities it serves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water quality | Poor in urban tributary streams, but good in the main stem of the Mystic River between the Route 16 Bridge and the confluence with the Inner Boston Harbor |
| Pollution sources | Bacterial contamination, excess nutrients (phosphorus), combined sewer overflows (CSOs), illicit discharges, sewage, bacteria, viruses, phosphorus, nitrogen, surfactants, toxic pollutants, industrial waste, other debris |
| Efforts to improve water quality | EPA-funded projects, green infrastructure, constructed wetlands, infiltration trenches, tree trenches, stormwater runoff reduction, removal of trash and leaves, reduction in pesticides and fertilizers |
| Social and economic context | The Mystic River region is divided along racial and economic lines, with more working-class residents, immigrants, and Black and Brown people when compared to the Charles River region |
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What You'll Learn
Stormwater runoff and bacterial contamination
The Mystic River, which runs through Everett, East Boston, and Chelsea, is a poster child for environmental inequality. Unlike the nearby Charles River, which has undergone extensive cleanup efforts, the Mystic remains heavily polluted. The river is contaminated by industrial facilities and power plants along its shores, as well as traffic and chemical exposures.
One of the primary sources of pollution in the Mystic River is stormwater runoff. When precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground, it can pick up various pollutants, including sediments, oil, nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. These pollutants then flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a nearby water body, such as the Mystic River. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that contaminants in stormwater runoff cause over half of the pollution in our waterways.
Bacterial contamination is a significant issue in the Mystic River watershed. Elevated bacteria levels are caused primarily by illicit discharges from storm drain systems that are not composed entirely of stormwater. These illicit discharges often include sewage, bacteria, viruses, phosphorus, nitrogen, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants. Pet waste is also a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in the river.
Phosphorus, in particular, has been identified as a chief culprit for dramatic algae blooms during the summer months. These "blue-green" algae blooms are a form of bacteria known as Cyanobacteria, which can release toxins when they die. To address this issue, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) has been conducting a major phosphorus study since 2017 to measure the amount of phosphorus entering the system and its effects.
In addition to bacterial contamination and excess nutrients, stormwater runoff also contributes to physical changes in the river. The increased volume of water can alter the river's flow and width, impacting the settling of pollutants and the ecological health of the river.
To mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff and bacterial contamination, various initiatives are being implemented. The EPA-funded Advancing Community Resilience to Cumulative Climate Impacts in the Mystic River Watershed project collects geospatial data, water and air measurements, and other environmental information to identify areas at higher risk of climate challenges. The Mystic River Watershed Association advocates for the use of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, and constructed wetlands, to catch water before it enters drains, removing pollution from reaching the river.
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Pollution from combined sewer overflows
The Mystic River has long been heavily polluted. Power plants, factories, salt piles, and other industries line its shores, and the river runs through Everett, East Boston, and Chelsea, home to more working-class residents, immigrants, and Black and Brown people. Decades of development have created numerous environmental hazards, with traffic and industrial facilities polluting the air, contaminating wetlands, and threatening wildlife and people.
One key source of contamination in the Mystic River is pollution from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). During heavy rainstorms, stormwater and household/industrial wastewater are collected in the same pipes and conveyed to a wastewater treatment plant. However, the system can become overwhelmed and release the excess liquid into the closest water body, in this case, the Mystic River, to avoid sewage backups onto streets or into basements.
CSOs are particularly harmful as they discharge wastewater containing untreated human waste, industrial waste, and other debris into the river through stormwater pipes. This has led to high levels of bacteria in the river, which is a top priority for the Mystic River Watershed Initiative to address. Illicit discharges, which are any discharge from a storm drain system that is not entirely composed of stormwater, are a significant contributor to bacterial contamination. These illicit discharges often include sewage, bacteria, viruses, phosphorus, nitrogen, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 established water pollution limits and mandated states to set water quality standards. However, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has repeatedly granted variances to certain municipalities, allowing them to bypass these standards. This has delayed necessary water quality improvements and subjected residents, especially those in socially vulnerable populations, to harmful pollution. Climate change is also exacerbating the issue, as more frequent and intense rainstorms are making CSOs a more common occurrence.
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Phosphorus and algal blooms
The Mystic River watershed suffers from bacterial contamination and excess nutrients, primarily phosphorus, entering the river from stormwater. Phosphorus pollution is one of the primary water quality problems in the Mystic River watershed. Phosphorus is a nutrient that, in excess, can cause algae and aquatic plants to grow out of control, leading to major disruptions in the ecosystem. This includes toxic cyanobacteria blooms, excessive growth of invasive aquatic plants, and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, which can lead to "fish kills".
Phosphorus is an essential element and a core building block of organic molecules, necessary for all life, including humans, plants, and animals. While phosphorus itself is not toxic, too much of it can have a range of negative impacts on the natural ecosystem. One of the primary consequences of phosphorus pollution is the promotion of algae blooms. Algae require phosphorus to grow, and when there is an abundance of this nutrient, they can proliferate unchecked, causing problems for the ecosystem.
One particular type of algae, cyanobacteria, can cause additional issues. When cyanobacteria grow excessively, they can release toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife. Furthermore, it is not just microscopic algae that depend on phosphorus; larger plants also rely on this nutrient. Thus, an overabundance of phosphorus can lead to the unchecked growth of invasive aquatic plants, disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
The primary source of phosphorus in the Mystic River watershed is stormwater runoff from residential and urban areas, as there are no wastewater treatment plants or major agricultural areas nearby. By reducing runoff, the amount of phosphorus entering the river can be decreased. Best management practices (BMPs) such as rooftop gardens, rain gardens, bioswales, and constructed wetlands can help mitigate phosphorus pollution. Additionally, stormwater trenches serve as a low-cost, effective green infrastructure solution, helping to reduce pollution in the river.
The relationship between phosphorus and algal blooms has been a subject of scientific investigation. In the 1960s, Canada and the United States experienced a significant increase in algae blooms in the Great Lakes. Scientists conducted controlled experiments, such as the Experimental Lake Area (ELA) study, to identify the primary cause of these blooms. By introducing different ratios of suspected algae-producing ingredients, including phosphorus, scientists were able to conclude that phosphorus was the main culprit.
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Social and economic inequality
The Mystic River has been heavily polluted by industrial facilities and traffic. The river's pollution is a result of decades of development, with over 100 large oil tanks, a power plant, an airport, and major highways and roadways in the area. The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized watershed in New England, making it especially vulnerable to stormwater pollution.
This pollution disproportionately impacts low-income, minority, and linguistically isolated communities. The river runs through Everett, East Boston, and Chelsea, which are home to more working-class residents, immigrants, and Black and Brown people. These communities are exposed to various climate and chemical stressors, such as urban heat islands, flooding risks, and chemical exposures from industrial facilities and traffic.
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) has been working to address these issues since 1972. They collaborate with 13 towns and cities in the watershed to reduce stormwater pollution and educate communities. MyRWA also works with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue yearly water quality report cards for the Mystic River Watershed, which are based on baseline bacteria data.
Despite these efforts, the Mystic River remains polluted. This is partly due to structural inequities in land use and pollution, where sewage spills impact vulnerable communities the most. Additionally, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur when wastewater containing untreated human waste, industrial waste, and other debris is carried through stormwater pipes and discharged into the river. While EPA enforcement efforts have stopped over 31,000 gallons per day of sewage from being discharged into the watershed through illicit connections, annual discharges from CSOs are still measured in the millions of gallons, posing dangers to people, habitats, and wildlife.
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Climate change and industrialisation
The Mystic River, which flows from the Mystic Lakes in Winchester to the Tobin Bridge and Boston Harbor, has been assaulted by industrialisation and development for centuries. The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanised in New England, and its history is intertwined with that of American industry. The river has suffered from industrial waste, sewage, and other pollutants, threatening wildlife and people.
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) was founded in 1972 in response to poor water quality. The association works to protect and restore the watershed, and it is currently leading a project called Advancing Community Resilience to Cumulative Climate Impacts in the Mystic River Watershed. This three-year project, funded by a $1.3 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to collect geospatial data, water and air measurements, and other environmental and demographic information to identify areas at higher risk of exposure to climate challenges.
Efforts to improve water quality in the Mystic River Watershed are ongoing. The science subcommittee under the Mystic River Watershed Initiative Steering Committee coordinates water monitoring, while the water quality working group has identified priorities such as reducing SSOs and nutrient loading. The Mystic River is also a part of the broader EPA efforts to support environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities. Community groups and scientists have been working together to design solutions that prioritise the most vulnerable residents.
Despite the challenges posed by climate change and industrialisation, there is hope for the Mystic River. The river is cleaner today than in the last century, and it offers a hidden treasure of beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities. Conservationists and community organisations are dedicated to reversing the ravages of industrialisation and ensuring a positive future for the river and the communities that depend on it.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Mystic River is polluted.
The Mystic River suffers from bacterial contamination, excess nutrients, and phosphorus entering the river from stormwater.
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground, picking up sediments, oil, nutrients, and other pollutants, which flow into a storm sewer system or directly into the river.
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) was founded in 1972 in response to poor water quality and has been working to improve water quality ever since. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also funding a project to support community resilience to climate impacts in the Mystic River Watershed.
The Mystic River Watershed Association is working to assess water quality conditions and identify potential pollution sources. While some sections of the Mystic River have good water quality, it is recommended to refer to their guidelines and reports for specific activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing.
