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Y, <br /> 11 I <br /> PROPOSAL FOR <br /> MASHPEE RIVER WATER QUALITY STUDY- COLIFORM BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION +��4 Al <br /> Submitted to the Mashpee Planning Board <br /> May 15, 1996 <br /> Submitted by the Mashpee Shellfish Department �r+ u1��1 <br /> Richard H. York, Jr., Shellfish Constable ail + to <br /> The Mashpee River was clean enough last month for the Massachusetts Division of <br /> Marine Fisheries (DMF) to open the section from Orsini Beach down for shellfishing during the �F`. <br /> month of April. North of Orsini Beach is permanently closed to shellfishing even if it is clean. ;� '+' <br /> Samples analyzed by the Mashpee Shellfish Department confirmed the low counts in April. On <br /> 1 <br /> May 1 after heavy rain, the counts were more than 10 times the limit for shellfishing and just <br /> under the limit for swimming. The limit for shellfishing is 14 fecal coliforms per 100 milliliters <br /> (ml)of water, and the limit for swimming is 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml. Based on past data,the i a <br /> DMF had already scheduled the whole river to be closed again on May 1 until further notice. <br /> dy 9 Y � <br /> Membrane filtration methods are approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency <br /> forthe analysis of bacteria in water samples. Using standard methods, water samples are ! , <br /> collected in sterile containers, measured volumes of the water samples are filtered through <br /> sterile membrane filters to catch the bacteria, and the filters are incubated in specific media 11111# <br /> (nutrients)to grow colonies of bacteria for counting. The counts are recorded in terms of colony <br /> u1� <br /> forming units (CFU)which form from one or more bacteria cells. Membrane filtration methods • <br /> are used in the Mashpee Shellfish Department's Water Quality Laboratory. We have tested the <br /> Microsure membrane filtration method and analyzed samples split with the DMF. The results <br /> were comparable. The Microsure method is accurate and easily used for a wide range of total "0 <br /> and fecal-coliform bacteria levels. <br /> K-V Associates identified 56 runoff and discharge points where water could enter the ! <br /> Mashpee River in a 1987 report to the Mashpee Planning Department entitled "Sources of <br /> Bacteria and Nutrient Contamination into Mashpee River, Santuit River and Shoestring Bay". <br /> Apparently,these were not sampled for coliform contamination. <br /> This proposal is to test the 56 runoff points identified in the K-V report plus 4 locations in ��a►�,f�!11 <br /> tl�e River for a total of 60 stations. Each station will be sampled 4 different days making a total <br /> 0240 samples. The number of samples collected could be less if water is not flowing from <br /> "me of the runoff points identified in the K-V report. In the event that new runoff points are .x_14-" <br /> Identified, 10 additional sample kits will be ordered bringing the total to 250 samples. <br /> � R.YA. <br /> Mashpee Shellfish Department personnel and the Water Quality Task Force volunteersalt <br /> . <br /> will conduct the study. In addition to the total and fecal coliform bacteria numbers,we will be <br /> recording water temperature, salinity, and weather conditions Including recent rainfall. At times, <br />