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31SDbb 0270 B33B 0 ^ Ksr BLUEFISH RIVER ii£ U3n*W OKWESSS* SEns cf «-:'SS»^, SYSTEM SEPTIC , REMEDIATION PROJECT APR 1 11987 A Problem With a History S hellfish harvesting has long been a commercial and recreational staple in the town of Duxbury. Approximately $700,000 worth ofshellfish are harvested annually. However, these shellfish beds are being threatened by bacterial conta- mination. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) closed portions of the softshell clam beds at -the mouth of the Bluefish River in 1984 and 1991 due to high fecal coliform bacteria counts. Today, 85 acres remain closed containing an estimated $244,000 worth of shellfish. Because of the importance of Grant Award Ceremony: (7 to r) Friend Wiler, Selectman, Town ofDuxbury; Trudy Coxe, shellfishing in Duxbury, researchers Secretary ofEnvironmental Affairs; and Les Smith, Chair, Baywide Committee. DMF from the walked the shores and tested the waters of the Bluefish River searching for sources of bacterial conta- buildings, two of which are residential, Seeking a Solution mination. The scenic Bluefish River is a are of historical significance. The Cable shallow, mile-long tidal river that drains Because the houses were built on House, built in 1869, served as the into the northwest portion of Duxbury a salt marsh, the owners could not hope terminus for the French Atlantic Cable. Bay, which forms the northern part of The Drew House, built in 1826, is now to construct a septic system that would the tri-town Duxbury, Kingston, meet minimum wetlands setback orground- the headquarters of the Duxbury Rural Plymouth embayment. Much of the water separation regulations. Therefore, and Historical Society. Unfortunately, river is surrounded by marshes that the the houses are built on filled salt marsh the town was faced with either declar- town has set aside for wildlife conserva- ing these historical buildings uninhabit- which floods regularly, overburdening tion. But the watershed also contains able, or constructing a costly system to their septic systems, and sending residential and light commercial areas, pump the effluent from the buildings sewage into the river. The problem was all of which are potential pollution DMF away from the river basin. They decided severe enough that the closed the sources. shellfish beds at the mouth of the river on the latter option. In 1993, the Baywide The researchers found that the Committee, an advisory committee until the septic systems could be fixed. highest concentrations of bacterial pol- comprised of representatives from lution were originating from three Duxbury, Kingston, and Plymouth, buildings on Washington Street at the received a $32,000 grant from the mouth of the Bluefish River. All three Massachusetts Bays Program to review a owners whose land the system will Planning for the Future list ofpreferred alternatives and to design traverse. and bid the preferred alternative to elim- The Duxbury Town Meeting Capitlizing on its new knowledge and inate the pollution and hopefully allow authorized a $150,000 bond to construct experience, the town has also built a the town to reopen the shellfish beds. the new system. The town will fund similar shared septic system at Snug 25% of the cost through increases in Harbor. Like the Washington Street Sharing Remediation shellfishing license fees. The owners of houses, the properties are built on reclaimed marsh land where the water the three houses will pay back the The town chose to build a “shared” remaining costs through betterments table is high. Sewage from these build- sewer/septic system designed by Weston ings will be pumped to a leaching area assessed to their property. Construction and Sampson Engineers, Inc. of Peabody, MA. Effluent from the three was completed in June, 1996. underneath a local golf course. Construction of this system began at the buildings will first flow down to a same time as the Washington grinder pump. The pump sends the Street project. It will be funded ground-up sewage through a 2.5 inch completely by betterments pressure main to a septic tank. A pressure assessed to the properties dosing system will distribute effluent involved. throughout the leaching field. To proceed with the project, the town needed the cooperation of local land owners. The nonprofit South Shore Conservatory of Music, whose system also required The softshell clam (Mya arenaria) is one of several popular shellfish upgrading, generously allowed harvested near shore in Massachusetts the town to use its property and Cape Cod Bays. Local sources of pollution, however, keep thousands of acres of productive as a leaching field. The beds closed to harvesting in order to prevent human town also has worked contraction of viral and bacterial diseases. out easement and covenant agree- ments with property Your Role More Information For more information on the Nonpoint source pollution includes the pathogen pollution discussed above plus Bluefish River septic system toxics from other sources, such as motor oil. It is a product of our modem lifestyles. remediation project, please There is a lot that you can do to ensure a cleaner and healthier coast by making simple contact Joe Grady, Conservation changes in your daily habits. Please help us reduce nonpoint source pollution now. Adminstrator for the Town of • Maintain your septic system Duxbury, at (617) 934-1104. Or, call the Massachusetts Bays • Encourage your community to protect land close to waterways Program at: to catch rain and to filter polluted water • Properly dispose of used motor oil 447-BAYS (800) • Always use pump-out stations to dispose of boat sewage, and never throw garbage overboard • Replace toxic chemicals you use in your home, on your yard, and at work with environmentally safe alternatives The Massachusetts Bays Program • Limit impervious surfaces in your yard 100 Cambridge Street, Room 2006 MA Boston, 02202 Printedon Recycled Paper The Massachusetts Bays Program is a Cooperative Venture ofthe Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Office of Coastal Zone Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England.