MWRA monitors the water quality of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay. Treated wastewater discharges from 43 communities were relocated from the Harbor into the Bay in 2000, after treatment was improved. As a result, the Harbor is cleaner while the Bay has not been degraded. See the What's New page for the latest water quality information.

Monitoring: Massachusetts and Cape Cod bays.

Measuring: Nutrients, organic material, toxic contaminants, pathogens, and solids.

Goals: Fulfill requirements of the NPDES discharge permit to assess the impacts of MWRA sewer system and treatment plant discharges on Massachusetts and Cape Cod bays.

BOSTON HARBOR, TRIBUTARY RIVERS, BEACHES

Monitoring:		Boston Harbor Beaches
		Quincy, Hingham, and Dorchester Bays;
		Charles River
		Mystic River/Alewife Brook
		Neponset River

Measuring: Nutrients, pathogens, dissolved oxygen, temperature, & water clarity in the harbor.

Goals: Assess CSO impacts on affected water bodies and track environmental effects of pollution reduction efforts.

NPDES DISCHARGE MONITORING

Monitoring: MWRA's discharge permit requires monitoring of effluent from the Deer Island Treatment Plant and several CSO treatment facilities in the Boston area.

Measuring: Nutrients, pathogens, metals, organics, solids, pH, oil and grease and toxicity.

Goals: Comply with the Clean Water Act, control water pollution from discharge of treated sewage.