Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently commended the efforts of citizen scientists involved in monitoring the water quality of the Merrimack River. EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash praised the collaborative work, stating, "Without good science, how can we protect human health and the environment?"
Senator Ed Markey emphasized the importance of citizen science in water quality monitoring, stating, "We can't manage what we don't measure, and we can't treat what we don't know." Markey expressed gratitude to all volunteers for their role in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment in Massachusetts.
Curt Rogers, Executive Director of the Merrimack River Watershed Council, highlighted the significance of the partnership with EPA in conducting intensive water monitoring. Rogers emphasized the critical role of the sampling program in identifying areas of concern for pathogens like E. coli and Enterococcus, which impact recreation and wildlife.
The Merrimack River and its watershed serve as a vital recreational resource for numerous communities and millions of people in New England. The watershed also plays a crucial role as a primary drinking water source for a significant population in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
In an effort to enhance water quality monitoring, EPA developed an interactive StoryMap showcasing important themes such as flooding risk and water quality risks from developed land in the Merrimack River Watershed. Additionally, EPA and its partners are working to streamline the process for organizations to store water quality monitoring data in the Water Quality Portal for accessibility to scientists, policymakers, and the public.
For more information on water quality monitoring resources for the Merrimack River, interested individuals can visit the EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/merrimackriver/water-quality-monitoring-resources-merrimack-river.
