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WMA water withdrawal Summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E5)
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- NPDES wastewater discharge summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E2)
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WMA water withdrawal Summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E5)
*System-wide withdrawal, all sources are not necessarily in this segment. ** A project to make improvements to the water supply was recently funded (Appendix F, DWSRF - 1697) NPDES wastewater discharge summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E2)The Pond Street Water Treatment plant in Hanover is authorized to discharge filter backwash water to Old Pond Meadow to Third Herring Brook (MAG640043). This facility has two cement-lined lagoons to collect backwash water and usually only discharges when the lagoons are full and the sludge has settled (Billings 2005). The facility was required to monitor whole effluent toxicity tests as part of their general permit. Two tests were conducted (July 2001 and 2002) that indicated chronic toxicity and elevated concentrations of both aluminum and total residual chlorine. However, alterations to normal operating procedures to collect 24-hour composites resulted in test results that were non-representative of typical operations. Actual discharge duration and volume are currently unknown. Use AssessmentAquatic LifeHabitat and FlowIn-stream habitat in Third Herring Brook near Tiffany Road/East Street, Norwell/Hanover (Station THB-C), was comprised primarily of runs with limited riffle area. The brook was channelized in the upper half of the stream reach sampled (SaintOurs 2000). Smelt spawning habitat in Third Herring Brook includes the area downstream from River Street to the tidal zone (approximately 345m). The brook provided excellent spawning habitat – the channel provided a series of high quality riffles and pools, there were no passage impediments, the riparian buffer was undisturbed and provided good canopy cover (Chase in preparation). An additional 200 m reach of the brook, although not being utilized in 1994/1995, was also identified as potential spawning habitat. BiologyAlthough no RBP III analysis was conducted, relatively low macroinvertebrate abundance was documented in the brook near Tiffany Road (SaintOurs 2000). Smelt, adult lamprey, blueback herring and alewives were observed in Third Herring Brook in 1994 and/or 1995 (Chase in preparation). Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling was also conducted in Third Herring Brook near Tiffany Road/East Street, Norwell/Hanover (Station THB-C), in May 2000 (SaintOurs 2005). Chemistry – waterIn 2001 DWM conducted water quality sampling at one station (TH101) on Third Herring Brook at the Tiffany Road/East Street crossing, Norwell/Hanover (Appendix A). In-situ measurements of DO, % DO saturation, temperature, pH, conductivity, and TDS were recorded on seven occasions from June to October. Samples were collected on four occasions for total phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen, chloride, alkalinity, and hardness with one additional sampling event for the nutrients. The results are summarized below. Dissolved oxygen and percent saturation DO measurements ranged from 4.1 to 6.1 mg/L with the percent saturation ranging from 46 to 64%. These data represent both daytime and pre-dawn sampling events. Given the large wetland system upstream from the sampling reach, these conditions are considered to be naturally occurring. Temperature The maximum temperature was 22.5ºC. pH, hardness, and alkalinity The pH of Third Herring Brook was low ranging from 5.7 to 6.3 SU (n=7). Hardness ranged from 34 to 52 mg/L while alkalinity ranged from 8 to 20 mg/L. (n=4). Conductivity Specific conductance ranged from 293 to 369 µS/cm (n=7). Ammonia-nitrogen The concentration of ammonia-nitrogen in Third Herring Brook was low ranging from below detection to 0.13 mg/L (exclusive of qualified data). Total phosphorus The total phosphorus concentrations measured in samples collected from Third Herring Brook ranged from 0.040 to 0.062 mg/L (n=5 with an average concentration = 0.05 mg/L). The Aquatic Life Use for Third Herring Brook is assessed as support based primarily on the in-situ water quality data, the excellent condition of spawning habitat and best professional judgment. Although DO, DO saturation and pH measurements were low, these conditions are considered to be naturally occurring. Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and AestheticsDWM conducted bacteria sampling (fecal coliform, E coli. and Enterococci) in Third Herring Brook at the Tiffany Road/East Street crossing, Norwell/Hanover (Station TH101), between July and October 2001 (Appendix A, Table A7). The three fecal coliform bacteria samples collected during the primary contact recreational season (1 April to 15 October) ranged from 410 to 730 cfu/100 ml. The geometric mean of all four fecal coliform bacteria counts was 309 cfu/100 ml. With the exception of a metal cable from a fence noted during one of the surveys, no other objectionable odors, deposits or any other conditions were observed by DWM personnel near the Tiffany Road/East Street crossing, Norwell/Hanover (Station TH101), during the surveys conducted in Third Herring Brook between June and October 2001 (MassDEP 2001a). The Primary Contact Recreational Use for Third Herring Brook is assessed as impaired because of elevated fecal coliform bacteria counts. Although the source(s) are currently unknown, elevated counts were found during both dry and wet weather sampling conditions. Suspected sources include discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. Both the Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic uses are assessed as support, however, based on the limited fecal coliform bacteria data and the lack of aesthetically objectionable conditions. Third Herring Brook (MA94-27) Use Summary Table
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