For more than 35 years, Salem Sound Coastwatch has monitored the health of our local waters and now has three volunteer-powered water quality programs: Clean Beaches & Streams, Water Quality & Tributaries, and the Sustained Estuarine Continuous Water Quality Array for Long-term Science (SECWQALS). Each program has an approved EPA QAPP (Quality Assurance Project Plan) that outlines procedures for sample collection and testing, as well as annual volunteer trainings.
These efforts track bacteria levels in stormwater outfalls, coastal streams, and harbor sites to help municipalities identify pollution sources and address aging or failing infrastructure. This year, 30 volunteers donated 444 hours and collected 544 water samples in Manchester, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Marblehead.
Clean Beaches & Streams runs for six weeks from June through August, focusing specifically on uncovering where contaminants enter the water. By sampling outfall pipes and streams at low tide, the highest bacterial concentrations are captured before ocean dilution occurs. High results often follow rainstorms, when runoff from streets, roofs, and other impervious surfaces washes pollutants, including pet waste, into storm drains that discharge directly into the Sound. For this reason, it is recommended not to swim 48 hours after heavy rain.
This summer’s testing showed improvement in some locations, but there are still hot spots in every municipality within the Salem Sound Watershed. SSCW is working with the municipalities to mitigate these problems. More information and results can be found on our website. Watch our Underwater in Salem Sound lecture: Drains, Pains, and Coastal Water Quality.
Identifying pollution sources is only half the work; preventing them is the next step! That’s where Greenscapes North Shore comes in. Stormwater runoff is a major factor in water quality, and a key focus of the MS4 stormwater permit. While our water quality programs detect problems, Greenscapes focuses on prevention, educating residents, schools, and municipalities about everyday actions that reduce stormwater pollution before it reaches our rivers and ocean. From proper pet waste disposal to minimizing fertilizers, managing leaves, and adopting sustainable landscaping practices, Greenscapes helps our communities make small changes that lead to cleaner beaches, healthier habitats, and more resilient watersheds. Together, these programs connect the science of monitoring with the power of public action.