NORTH ADAMS -- North Adams Green Drinks, a gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m., at Freight Yard Pub.
At 6:30 p.m., there will be a presentation by Richard Doucette and Felipe Aedo, reporting on their bacterial pollution study of the Hoosic River.
This research was done as part of their studies with Dr. Elena Traister of the Environmental Studies Department at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. They tracked sources of bacterial pollution to the Hoosic River through water quality field sampling and laboratory analysis of E. coli, and ambient water quality parameters.
Virtually the entire length of the Hoosic River is listed on the Massachusetts Year 2010 Integrated List of Waters as impaired for bacterial pollution. Throughout a five-month sampling period, they collected over 400 individual water samples from 109 distinct sites, and quantified the presence of E. coli in each sample utilizing the Colilert method. They identified 11 point sources of bacterial pollution, including nine municipal storm water pipes and two agricultural operations.
Upon completion of bacterial source tracking, they presented their results to area partners including public officials, grassroots environmental organizations, undergraduate students and faculty.
This project was funded through a 604b grant from the EPA and the Massachusetts DEP
Green Drinks in North Adams is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Northern Berkshire Transitions.
Information about North Adams Green Drinks: Jane Winn at BEAT, janemailto: jane@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321.
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