Water Quality in the Merrimack River
The Merrimack River is a coveted natural resource, connecting and defining communities throughout Northeastern Massachusetts. The river serves as a source of cultural, ecological, and recreational value for all who engage in its many uses. Yet, the interconnected nature of this resource also means that degradation in one location can have impacts on a regional level.
The Merrimack River has a long history of flourishing commerce, trade, and economic growth with its roots in the Industrial Revolution. However, due to limited knowledge on protections against illicit discharges at the time, the revolution inadvertently caused the pollution and degradation of the river. In recognition of this degradation, the Clean Water Act of the early 1970s was passed. This act banned untreated sewage from entering the Merrimack River and established Wastewater Treatment facilities along the river, improving water quality significantly.
While Wastewater Treatment facilities greatly improved conditions, they did not solve all water quality problems associated with the Merrimack. The combined sewer design of these facilities still allows for the proliferation of Combined Sewage Overflow events (CSOs) to occur. These are instances during heavy rainfall when the volume of sewage and rain exceeds system capacity, causing untreated stormwater and wastewater to discharge directly into the river. Other emergent pollutants, including microplastics and Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), also continue to pose a threat to the river’s water quality and the health of those who interface with it.
Formation of the Merrimack River Collaborative
To advance water quality efforts in the Merrimack Valley, MVPC partnered with other regional planning agencies, nonprofits, municipal and elected officials, as well as community groups to form the Merrimack River Collaborative (MRC). Led by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the Merrimack River Watershed Council, and the Northern Essex Council of Governments, the MRC intends to be a clearinghouse of knowledge, data, resources, and funding opportunities related to the river’s water quality, as well as an opportunity to connect municipal leaders with their associated delegation regarding the Merrimack River.
In an effort to formalize the MRC, the group is pursuing legislation which will establish the Merrimack River Collaborative and support efforts to coordinate the monitoring and improvement of water quality along the Merrimack River to enhance the health of river adjacent communities. This legislation Bill S.586/H.905 “An act to create a Merrimack River Collaborative” brought forth by Senator Bruce E. Tarr and Representative Dawne Shand, is currently being reviewed by the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Pending a favorable recommendation, the bill will make its way to the House or Senate Committee on Steering and Policy for its first reading. You can learn more about the bill here, and track its progress!
The MRC represents the lower Merrimack communities of Amesbury, Andover, Merrimac, Dracut, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Salisbury, Tewksbury, and West Newbury. Through formalization and continued collaboration, the MRC hopes to be a resource for the region, connecting Merrimack River communities with funding sources, application support, public education, pertinent data, and a space to work towards regional solutions to water quality related issues.
For more information about MVPC’s work in the environmental space, visit our program page.