Berkshire District has private and municipal wells. The main concerns of the clubs in this district are water testing, how and when; pollutants, fertilizers, salt and chemical testing. Invasive concerns are Loosestrife, Water Lilies and Milfoil. Primary education needs are local water rules and regulations and water conservation.
Central North District has private and municipal wells. Their main concern is dry streambeds, and water bans are imposed. The increase in water demand is the result of population growth. Drinking water threats are from salt runoff, hazardous waste, sewage, septic systems and lawn fertilizer. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, Bittersweet, Norway Maple, Duck Weed and Milfoil. Acton has a Bittersweet/Norway Maple eradication program. And Hudson treats Milfoil yearly. Education concerns are private well pollutants, health, conservation and beavers.
Central South District has municipal wells, reservoirs and a few private wells. The main concern is dry streambeds and many towns have water bans. Water demand has increased due to population and industrial/commercial expansion. Salt runoff and hazardous waste sites are threats to the drinking water. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, Burning Bush, Bittersweet, Milfoil and Water Lilies. Health concerns, fertilizer use and water rules and regulations are primary educational needs. “People need to change water habits and not take the water supply for granted”, Hopkinton G.C.
East Middlesex District This district is mainly on MWRA, but has some municipal and a few private wells. . Drier streambeds are a concern in the district, and water bans are imposed in most communities. Water demand has increased due to population and industrial/commercial expansion. Salt runoff, hazardous waste sites, gas & oil storage are threats to the drinking water. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, Milfoil, Water Chestnuts, Phragmites and False Bamboo. Lexington has a Loosestrife eradication program. Primary education needs include fertilizer from lawns, understanding aquifers, local water rules and regulations and water conservation.
Metro East District Almost every town is on MWRA except for a few municipal wells. Their concerns include dry streambeds, and they would like to have outside water meters to monitor outside watering. Population growth results in increased water demand. Threats include salt runoff, old water pipes, fertilizer/pesticide use and acid rain. Invasive plants include Phyramites, Water Chestnut and Loosestrife. Milton has an eradication program for phyramites in the Neponset River. Primary education needs include health concerns and Local and State Rules and Regulations.
Metro West District The wells are a mix of MWRA, municipal and private wells. Drier streambeds are a concern. Many communities have water bans. Increase in water demand comes from population growth. Threats are from salt runoff, gas and oil storage, old pipes, hazardous waste sites and underground fuel storage tanks and old sewage and septic systems. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, Milfoil, Water Chestnut and Phragmites. Educational needs include local water rules and regulations, health concerns, lawn fertilization.
Northeastern District The principal sources of drinking water are MWRA, municipal wells, reservoirs and private wells. Dry streambeds are a concern, and many communities have water bans. Water demand has increased due to population growth and commercial/industrial growth in some communities. Threats to drinking water include salt runoff, sewage and septic systems, hazardous waste sites and golf courses along the Ipswich River. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, Milfoil, Water Chestnut, Duckweed, False Bamboo and Phyragmites. Educational needs are health concerns, conservation education and local water rules and regulations.
Northern District has mainly municipal and private wells. The concerns in this district are dry streambeds. Many communities have water bans. The increase in water demand is the result of population and industrial/commercial growth. Indicated threats are salt runoff, hazardous waste sites, gas & oil storage, sewage and septic systems. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, False Bamboo, Fanwort. A pilot program by Merrimack College is using beetles to remove Loosestrife in N. Reading. Education should include health concerns and water rules and regulations.
Southeastern District has private and municipal wells and many towns have water bans. The increase in water demand is the result of population and industrial/commercial growth. Salt runoff, lawn chemicals, hazardous waste sites, sewage and septic systems and dry streambeds are their main concerns. Invasive plants include Loosestrife, False Bamboo, Milfoil and Water Chestnuts. Fall River and Swansea have a 5-year monitoring program for the Hornbine Well. Their primary needs are health concerns, lawn care chemical information and local rules and regulations.
