1998 Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Protection Plan Summary

The Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Protection Plan Update was developed by the staff of the former MDC Division of Watershed Management in collaboration with the MWRA, the watershed communities, other interested parties, and with coordination assistance from Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc. The plan update was submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on December 31, 1998. The Executive Summary of the plan update is provided below. If you would like to review the entire plan, copies are available at all libraries and town halls in the watershed, or call the Division of Water Supply Protection at (508) 792-7423 for the nearest location of a complete plan.

MDC — A History of Protecting the Reservoirs
MDC has been responsible for protecting the Metropolitan Boston water supplies, the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, since their construction. Historically, MDC has managed, operated, and maintained the water supply system, including its dams and transfer mechanisms, bridges, buildings, and other facilities. A map of the MDC/MWRA Water Supply System is shown below.

History of Watershed Protection
1908: Wachusett Reservoir constructed and filled; MDC makes initial watershed land acquisitions and begins forest management and water quality monitoring.
1946: Quabbin Reservoir constructed and filled; MDC acquires lands to bring total watershed ownership to 107,000 acres.
1984: Division of Watershed Management (DWM) created.
1980-1990s: DWM expands professional staff and watershed programs.
1991: DWM and MWRA develop Watershed Protection Plans (WPPs).
1991-present: DWM implements WPPs.

In 1984, the former MDC Water Division was divided into the Division of Watershed Management (DWM) and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Waterworks Division. Under the DWM organization, the capabilities for watershed protection and management were expanded. The DWM has received significant financial and legislative support. DWM staff have increased in terms of numbers and disciplines (professional engineers, foresters, biologists, certified planners, etc.), and compose a professional, trained team dedicated to watershed protection.

In 1991, DWM and MWRA prepared the Watershed Protection Plans (referred to as 1991 Plans or WPPs) for Quabbin Reservoir/Ware River Watersheds and for Wachusett Reservoir Watershed. These were the first formal written plans for management of the watersheds.

Implementation of the 1991 Plans
Throughout the 1990s, DWM has fully implemented the 1991 Plans, expanding its programs to control pathogens and other contaminants, addressing recreation and public access, wildlife, construction, on-site septic systems, agriculture, spills, and other issues. Comprehensive sanitary surveys were conducted for each basin, forming the foundation for many of DWM's remediation and planning efforts. DWM expanded into a larger role in wastewater management issues in the watershed by working with several towns to assess and plan sewers, and by working with local Boards of Health to identify major problems and solutions with on-site systems. From a history of forestry and management of its own land holdings, DWM has grown into a steward of the entire watershed system, playing a positive role in controlling the land uses and activities of significance.

Characteristics of Reservoirs and Watersheds
Wachusett Reservoir receives more than 50% of its annual inflow from the Quabbin Reservoir; inflows from Wachusett tributaries account for another 30% of its annual inflow. Wachusett Reservoir's elongated shape and large size result in long detention times, and significant dilution and settling of tributary inflows. Almost 90% of the total annual inflow to Wachusett Reservoir enters the reservoir at or above Thomas Basin, a narrow basin of the reservoir bounded on its lower end by the Route 12 bridge, as shown in Figure 2. The constriction at the Route 12 bridge narrows the reservoir from approximately 1,000 feet to 50 feet, and makes Thomas Basin an effective detention and sedimentation basin helping to maintain the high quality of water in the main body of the reservoir.

Water quality of Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs is excellent. Both reservoirs have very crystalline water with low turbidity, bacterial counts, algal densities, and nutrients. The detection of the pathogens Giardia and Cryptosporidium at the reservoirs' intakes has been very low, with no confirmed Cryptosporidium, and no confirmed Giardia samples in over three years.

The Ware River and the tributaries to the reservoirs also have good water quality. Tributaries, like all streams and rivers, exhibit more variation in water quality (generally, reservoirs and lakes often have "cleaner" water quality than their tributaries since the water bodies provide settling). Turbidity and fecal coliform in the tributaries and in the Ware River fluctuate in response to storm flows and other conditions. Wachusett Reservoir tributary fecal coliform spikes can affect reservoir water quality at the upstream end. However, due to the influence of Thomas Basin detention and the long travel time, the water quality at the intake is not affected.

Some Wachusett Reservoir tributaries have elevated fecal coliform and/or nitrate levels, relative to other tributaries. DWM has studied the causes and implemented improvements at these tributaries. Portions of Gates Brook and West Boylston Brook subbasins are affected by on-site septic systems and are being replaced by sewers. Barrier curtains have been installed to provide treatment of Gates Brook. Other improvements are underway at French Brook and Malagasco Brook, which contribute only 1.4% of annual flow to Wachusett Reservoir. Water quality in the remaining tributaries is typical for streams in sparsely developed areas of New England.

The main land uses in each of the Wachusett Reservoir, Quabbin Reservoir, and Ware River watersheds are forest and wetlands, totaling 75% in Wachusett, 93% in Quabbin, and 86% in Ware. The next largest land uses are residential and agriculture. Residential land use is mostly low density and is most extensive in the Wachusett watershed, where housing density tends to be greater near the town centers. Commercial and other land uses are less significant in the watersheds. Although the watershed system is sparsely developed, the level of developed land is lowest in the Quabbin watershed and becomes more developed and populated eastward to the Wachusett watershed.

The Role of the Plan Update
In the years since the 1991 Plan, DWM has progressed in its knowledge of the Wachusett Reservoir and its watershed. Also, within the water supply industry, concern over and understanding of health risks from water supplies has increased. DWM completed many studies increasing the available body of watershed and reservoir data. For the Wachusett Reservoir watershed, DWM and MWRA completed a hydrodynamic study of the reservoir. DWM has also conducted expanded water quality monitoring (including pathogens, studies of other indicator organisms, and biomonitoring), stormwater modeling, various pilot projects such as road Best Management Practices (BMPs), an agriculture inventory, geographic information system (GIS) coverage at a parcel level of detail, wildlife surveys, and sanitary surveys.

The Plan Update uses this knowledge to provide a framework for prioritizing and implementing the complement of watershed protection activities through the definition of water quality goals (see box), articulated watershed protection goals, and defined geographical protection zones. The Plan Update meets the requirement of minimizing the potential for contamination by Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in the source water.

DWM has defined zones for watershed protection: the Reservoir Basin, Central Basin (including the tributary areas to Thomas Basin), and the Worcester Watershed Basin. The Reservoir Basin encompasses the main body of the reservoir and the subbasins immediately tributary to it, and requires the highest level of watershed protection. The Central Basin is the largest land area of the three zones and includes the Stillwater River and the portion of the Quinapoxet River watershed downstream of the Worcester water supply system. Stormwater from this zone enters the Thomas Basin, which functions as a natural settling basin. The Central Basin is important to protect. The third zone is the Worcester Watershed Basin, sometimes called the West Basin. Most of the runoff in this basin is captured and diverted to the City of Worcester water supply system and does not enter the Wachusett system. The City of Worcester owns significant watershed protection lands in this basin. The Worcester basin is a lower priority for protection.

These concepts reflect DWM research in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed system, and applying the prioritized goals and zones allows DWM to formulate a strong protection program matched with the specific conditions and needs of this watershed.

Assessment and Prioritization of Potential Threats
The 1991 Plan included an evaluation and ranking of potential contamination sources. This Plan Update presents an assessment and threats ranking based on DWM's experience, studies concerning contamination sources completed in the last five years, and defined water quality goals.

The ranking, summarized in Table 1, shows some changes reflecting the shift of the water supply industry and federal drinking water regulations towards concern for microbial contaminants that can cause acute illness. While MDC and MWRA remain committed to reducing all potential contaminants into the reservoir, it is clear from drinking water industry research that control of pathogens must be a top concern. Following this, those activities involving potential exposure of human or animal wastes are high priority for control. Conversely, some types of pollution threats (such as underground fuel storage tanks) are highly regulated by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and typically pose a low level risk to large surface water sources.

Table 1 Updated Ranking of Potential Sources
Potential Source of Contamination	Priority
Wildlife - Birds	High
Wildlife - Aquatic Mammals	High
On-Site Septic Systems	High/Moderate once sewers complete
Agriculture	High
Highways and Railways	High Potential (spill)/Moderate
Stormwater	Moderate
Recreation	Moderate
Local Land Uses/Activities	Moderate
Private Forestry	Low
Unauthorized Activities	Low
State Regulated Sites/Activities	Low
Erosion	Low

Effectiveness of DWM Watershed Protection Programs
MDC and MWRA are committed to a strong watershed protection program for the Quabbin/Ware/ Wachusett system (regardless of what treatment system is used). DWM has adopted a three-tiered approach to watershed protection:

1. Protect the most sensitive areas through ownership or agreements with land owners;

2. Work with watershed communities to protect resources while accommodating community needs.

3. Correct existing sources that could cause or have caused contamination of any waters in the system.

Direct Control through Land Ownership
Direct ownership of critical land in the watershed ensures maximum control over land use, and provides the best protection of water quality.

DWM has in place an aggressive land acquisition program to add to the protected acreage. A GIS-based land acquisition model was developed to determine and prioritize which remaining undeveloped parcels might offer the greatest protection to water quality. Annual land acquisition priorities are based on the results of this model. Since 1985, 17,000 acres of land have been added to MDC holdings to increase protection. The percentage of MDC-owned land in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed has increased from 7.9% in 1985 to 25.5% in 1998 (29.6% including the reservoir itself). MDC currently owns 42% of the total watersheds (Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, and Wachusett Reservoir), and owns all the high-risk lands (those directly surrounding the reservoirs). Figure 4 shows a composition of MDC holdings in 1985 and 1998. As the map illustrates, MDC has tripled its acreage in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed since the 1980s.

In addition to the land held by MDC, over 18,000 acres in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed are protected from development by many other organizations and government agencies which own and maintain land as open space. This includes other state agencies, notably the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), town conservation land including other water suppliers, privately-owned lands in Chapter 61 status, and parcels held by land trusts and conservation groups.

Table 2 summarizes the MDC-owned and other protected lands in the watersheds. The sum of MDC-owned and other protected lands totals over 51% of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed lands, and about 63% of the total watersheds.

Table 2 MDC and Other Protected Open Space Open Space as a % of Watershed*
Watershed	MDC-Owned	Other Protected**	Total Protected	Total Protected and WsPA Regulated
Quabbin	57	18	75	83
Ware	37	20	57	70
Wachusett	22	29	52	69
Total	41	22	63	75

In the next five years, DWM objectives are to continue acquiring lands with the $8 million per year in Watershed Protection Act funds, applying FY1999 funds exclusively on Wachusett, and thereafter applying the funds to purchases among the three watersheds. DWM will maintain the methods and processes it has developed for the identification and prioritization of parcels, and for survey, legal aspects, and transfer of the parcels. Also, DWM will prepare a 10-year Land Management Plan addressing all MDC-owned lands in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed, and including forest and non-forest components. The Land Management Plan will document the foresters' inventory of forest composition and condition on MDC lands, and detail the schedule for needed management (such as regeneration, cutting, reforestation, and fire access roads) to establish and maintain a diverse, multi-layered forest which will promote long-term water quality protection. The Land Management Plan will address vegetation management policies and practices on non-forested land, such as the shoreline of the reservoir and fields. The plan will spell out mowing frequency and grass height for various areas, a policy for reforestation of newly acquired parcels, monitoring of conservation restrictions, and the lease (permit) policy.

DWM will continue the Ranger program to patrol, educate, and enforce in the watershed and near the reservoir. Rangers will continue to implement the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Public Access Plan (MDC, 1996), and will improve the tools for public access control, including installing additional easy-to-understand signs throughout the watershed and developing brochures.

DWM will continue and expand its contact with other owners of protected open space, including maintaining an up-to-date inventory of such lands and their management practices. DWM will pursue a Care and Control Agreement with DFW, and conservation restrictions or other interest in the major holdings by the City of Worcester and the Town of Holden. Also, DWM will continue to provide assistance to keep Chapter 61 lands in that protected status and work with owners of forested tracts of land to develop professional forest management plans.

Regulatory Control Through WsPA
The Watershed Protection Act (WsPA) was passed in 1992, providing unique protection to the Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, and Wachusett Reservoir watersheds. The WsPA has been fully implemented since early 1995. The Act and its regulations (350 CMR 11.00) regulate land uses and activities in two critical areas, shown in Figure 5. Within 400 feet of the reservoirs and 200 feet of tributaries and surface waters (the Primary Protection Zone), any alteration is prohibited. Note that MDC owns nearly 100% of the lands within 400 feet of the reservoir, and much of the tributary buffers as well. Between 200 and 400 feet of tributaries and surface waters and on certain other lands (the Secondary Protection Zone), specific activities are prohibited, and all development is scrutinized. A total of 12,305 acres in the Wachusett watershed are regulated by the Act.

DWM staff work to administer the WsPA and its regulations, ensuring a buffer area between future development and watercourses and prohibiting land uses of concern within protective zones. In 1996 and 1997, DWM received and acted on 258 WsPA applications in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. Generally, about one-quarter of applications are for new construction; one-half are for accessory uses, additions, or redevelopment; and one-quarter are requests for opinions on how a property is affected, with no activity proposed.

DWM has found the WsPA to be a strong tool to prevent development of the most sensitive buffer lands (the Primary Protection Zone), and to control development and prevent improper activities in the expanded buffer lands. In the next five years, DWM's primary objective for the WsPA is to continue to implement, enforce, and uphold all provisions of the WsPA and its regulations.

Maximize Protection Provided by Body of State/Local Regulations
MDC and MWRA have developed a protection strategy which supplements the direct ownership of the most sensitive lands by working with state agencies, communities, and individual landowners to ensure that the strong protection afforded by state and local environmental regulation is fully utilized. With this philosophy, MDC is at the forefront of a new approach to watershed management: forming true partnerships with watershed communities and using incentives and technical assistance to accomplish effective water quality protection.

Enforcement of State Regulations State laws and regulations apply throughout the Wachusett Reservoir watershed and act as a significant control against potentially polluting activities on private lands. Selected state environmental regulations are listed in Table 3 below:

Table 3 Selected State Regulations Providing Watershed Protection
Act/Regulation	Relevance
Title 5	Regulates the siting, design, and inspection of on-site systems; provides a means for attaining adequate function from existing systems (via inspection at property transfer)
MEPA Regulations	Requires comprehensive environmental assessments and public review of major projects
Wetlands Protection Act	Restricts the alteration and/or filling or wetlands; requires review of all projects within 100 feet of wetlands or within floodplains
Rivers Protection Act	Establishes buffer zones around rivers and streams; within these buffers, development criteria apply
Stormwater Policy	Address stormwater from development projects under the existing WPA Notice of Intent process
Forest Cutting Practices Act Regulations	Requires filing of a cutting plan; mandates unaltered buffer strips; provides operational standards including stream crossings

In addition, state agencies regulate activities and facilities that have potential to introduce contaminants to the environment, including Pesticide Regulations, Solid Waste Regulations and Massachusetts Contingency Plan (hazardous materials spill sites). MDC and DEP work together closely and are formalizing their procedures to cooperatively ensure compliance of these environmental regulations. DWM is on site in the watershed, and can act as the "eyes and ears" for DEP to provide field visits to properties and facilities, guidance to landowners on how to comply with the regulations, and enforcement documentation to DEP.

Within the next five years, DWM aims to finalize its enforcement protocol with DEP (which is now in draft form), to assist other agencies in fact-gathering, to exchange information, and to expedite enforcement where needed.

Technical Assistance and Education
DWM's ongoing program of technical assistance and outreach program to watershed town boards, who oversee many land use regulations, includes many elements:

* Growth management planning and land use studies;
* Review, revision, and/or development of by-laws, subdivision and other regulations;
* Regular attendance at Board of Health and Conservation Commission meetings for the five watershed towns (Holden, Princeton, Sterling, West Boylston, and Boylston) comprising 85% of the watershed, and attendance at meetings of other boards (Selectmen, Planning Board) and other watershed towns upon request or when there is an agenda item important to DWM;
* On-site reviews of development projects (proposed and underway); and
* Presentation of workshops on planning topics to local boards and the public.

Over $400,000 in direct funding and many hours of DWM staff time have been committed to technical assistance. These resources have affected every town in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed.

DWM also conducts various education and outreach efforts aimed at the general public, watershed residents and visitors. DWM's Director is the state coordinator of Water Education for Teachers, or Project WET, a program to train teachers in environmental curricula. DWM Rangers conduct education programs in watershed schools, and interpretive programs for adults in the field. From 1996 to the present, 88 educational/interpretive programs have been held in the watersheds, with an estimated 4,360 participants.

Over the next five years, DWM will continue to provide direct technical assistance and comment on proposed developments at town board meetings and to develop and provide training workshops. Also, DWM will continue administering existing planning grants and plans to develop and implement a formal grants program to maximize watershed benefits from these funds. DWM will continue its array of educational programs, increase the interpretive and on-site programs, and develop informational materials and develop a public Resource Center, a repository for watershed scientific, sociological, and historical data.

Controlling Potential Pathogen Sources
Minimizing the risk of waterborne disease from pathogens is a top water quality goal for the Metropolitan Boston water supply system. DWM has prioritized the control of land uses and conditions that may represent pathogen sources. Generally, potential sources of waterborne disease include human waste (sewage discharges, recreation), and animal populations (wildlife, farm animals, and domestic animals). DWM is actively participating in controlling these sources by minimizing potential for deposition of wastes in the watershed, and then minimizing their transmission to the reservoir.

DWM has successfully developed the Bird Harassment Program, now viewed as a model for others. Prior to 1992, roosting gulls were causing elevated fecal coliform in the reservoir. DWM's program has dramatically reduced the fecal coliform counts at the intake. The Bird Harassment Program uses a variety of noisemakers, distress calls, and visual objects to disturb birds landing or roosting on the reservoir. The harassment focuses on the defined Bird Control Zone, covering the area of the reservoir from the intake to the narrows, as shown in Figure 6. In addition to harassment, DWM biologists have successfully reduced the attractiveness of certain areas as habitat for birds, food sources, and nesting populations of geese and gulls.

DWM has defined an Aquatic Wildlife Pathogen Control Zone, in which DWM conducts surveys for and removes animals of concern (beaver and muskrat). DWM is also modifying habitat to reduce attraction of the species to the area.

Within the next five years, DWM will continue to control the occurrence of gulls, geese, and other waterfowl in the Bird Control Zone through a combination of harassment, nest disturbance, and removal, and will expand its use of habitat modification methods. DWM will survey for and remove muskrat and beaver within the Aquatic Wildlife Pathogen Control Zone. Also, DWM biologists and engineers will continue to study the prevalence of pathogens in wild species, develop and use methods to identify pathogens as either human or non-human, and continually reassess the risk posed by wildlife sources and methods to control them.

DWM recently completed a review of agricultural sites in the watersheds and identified potential BMPs that could be implemented. The inventory determined that most "agriculture" sites within the Wachusett Reservoir watershed have a small number of animals; typically a house with a barn and one or two horses. Using this survey and direct knowledge of the watershed, DWM has identified 12 sites as high priority, based on location and/or number of animals. Several of these high priority sites have already received technical or grant assistance from Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and from DWM for BMP implementation.

In the next five years, DWM aims to implement agricultural BMPs at the high priority sites in the watershed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA), the federal NRCS, DEP, and landowners. DWM's role will include participation on an Agricultural Advisory Group. DWM will also develop and implement an approach to assess and remediate, if needed, water quality issues from small-sized animal operations (e.g., backyard horse paddocks).

The watersheds have no point sources of wastewater (e.g., industrial or wastewater treatment plants), but areas of on-site septic systems were identified in the 1991 Plans as concerns that could impact water quality. Resources were quickly focussed on these areas, and remediation measures are being implemented. DWM worked with the communities of Holden and West Boylston to identify solutions to localized, severe septic system problems, and completed a Wastewater Facilities Plan in 1995. Design of most of the sewer phases is now complete, and the first phase of sewers is now being built. When the sewer project is completed, about 40% of the homes in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed will be sewered to the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement Facility (discharged outside the watershed). DWM will complete construction of the Holden and West Boylston sewer projects in 201.

In addition, DWM has several ongoing projects to aid Boards of Health and DEP in addressing the remaining localized problems with on-site systems. These projects include working with the Wachusett Board of Health Coalition, developing an institutional and financial framework for a wastewater management district, implementing pilots of on-site alternative systems as watershed examples of such technologies, and beginning development of an on-site septic system database. DWM plans on continuing to develop more information concerning the condition of on-site systems and approaches to remediation, expand public education, and evaluate the agency's role in long-term management of on-site systems.

Stormwater BMPs
Stormwater is not a contamination source itself, but is a conduit for pollutant transport to tributaries and reservoirs. DWM recognizes stormwater management as an opportunity to use physical barriers and processes to provide "pretreatment" of watershed flows prior to water entering the main body of the reservoir, supplementing the source controls described above. Thomas Basin is an example of a natural stormwater barrier, providing detention time for about 90% of inflows to Wachusett Reservoir.

DWM is completing the Wachusett Reservoir Stormwater Management Study, including modeling of subbasin stormwater loads and evaluation of BMPs. The study showed that overall, pollutant loads from Wachusett watershed are relatively low, with the exception of several subbasins; and reiterated that pathogens are the highest priority, with nutrient loading and sedimentation secondary concerns.

DWM has installed or implemented several BMPs to control stormwater. Most notably, DWM has installed barrier curtains within Gates Brook Cove, in the reservoir. Results to date show settling of solids and visible water quality improvement. A stormwater infiltration basin was also built adjacent to the Cosgrove intake. In 1994, DWM completed, with Tom Scheuler of the Center for Watershed Protection, a report that assessed different BMPs and discussed design parameters for sediment forebays (which were recommended in the 1991 Plan). From 1991-95, DWM and DEP conducted a study of the Sterling filter beds. DWM is assessing the possibility of using wetland treatment cells for highway stormwater discharges.

The DWM's primary objective for the stormwater program in the next five years is to prepare an annual Wachusett Stormwater Project List, bringing all the elements together in the context of monitoring and modeling results, and prioritizing the projects with an implementation schedule. The List will include stormwater BMPs on MDC property and priority BMPs organized by subbasin. Additional elements of DWM's approach to stormwater include encouraging town-wide Stormwater Plans and conducting future studies and mapping initiatives necessary to support stormwater controls.

These actions have and will continue to result in water quality improvements in the reservoir and in tributaries.

Reduction in Risk of Spill and Provision of Response Capability
Since 1991, DWM has conducted several initiatives to reduce risk of an accidental spill, primarily associated with highways and railways, and to ensure adequate response capability. DWM staff have identified drainage systems on roads near the reservoir, and have evaluated structural controls. DWM constructed a large infiltration basin along Route 70 north of the Cosgrove intake, which is capturing solids from road runoff, as well as providing protection in the event of a transportation-related spill. Table 4 lists DWM-initiated highway drainage projects.

In 1998, DWM completed the Transportation Release Controls Study. The study surveyed the risks of runoff and accidental spills from roads and railways, and made recommendations to reduce existing risks. DWM has also continued contact with the railway owner, Guilford Railroad, and is working to attain implementation of various structural improvements to the railways.

DWM recently completed the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Study which evaluated and made recommendations for improvements in the Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) of individual watershed communities. DWM has taken a role of providing technical assistance and some supplemental funding to the towns on emergency response, and being "in the loop" for communication of emergencies. DWM has organized MDC's position within the system of communication with state and local emergency responders; DWM staff are on call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week via beeper for any incidents in the watershed. DWM also has funded purchase of response equipment.

In terms of specific sites of past releases, DWM has worked with DEP on underground storage tanks (USTs), landfills, and individual sites (such as gas stations) covered under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). DWM has UST data from the Wachusett Task Force and receives notification of any leaks. All landfills in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed have been closed and capped and continue to be monitored; DWM has monitored the landfill closures and risk assessments and receives monitoring data. DWM has coordinated with DEP and through its sanitary surveys to investigate all known contaminated sites and hazardous waste generators.

In the next five years, DWM aims to eliminate all untreated direct discharges to the reservoir by a combination of rerouting drainage out of the watershed, and constructing treatment cells and detention basins. Through expansion of a database of materials being transported, and coordination with the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Railway Administration, DWM also will assess rerouting options, and implement and enforce operational changes to reduce potential risks from transportation of such materials through the watershed. DWM will continue coordinating with the Massachusetts Highway Department and local Departments of Public Works to improve stormwater quality from highway and road drainage.

DWM also will continue to maintain its emergency response capabilities, will maintain a database of generators and volumes of stored hazardous materials, and will work to reduce stored volumes of hazardous materials by coordinating with DEP and educating watershed businesses. In the next five years, DWM will continue to monitor known release sites, develop a status report for all recorded releases of hazardous materials to the watershed, and continue to develop relationships with Licensed Site Professionals.

Benefits of Monitoring Program
DWM conducts extensive routine water quality monitoring in the reservoirs and watershed locations, and collects non-routine samples to support enforcement actions. Data collected include physical parameters, chemical parameters such as nutrients, and microbiological parameters. MWRA's Deer Island laboratory provides low-level nutrient analyses for DWM watershed samples; these methods have not been readily available through commercial laboratories and are essential for long-term understanding of nutrients in the system.

DWM also monitors for pathogens and algae. Several years ago, DWM began to supplement water quality monitoring with biomonitoring to better understand water quality of tributaries; these results show that the tributaries' biota are indicative of good water quality.

DWM has also initiated research that may prove to be very important to the understanding of the watershed and water system. DWM funded the University of Massachusetts to test the application of various analytical methods and parameters to differentiate between contamination from humans and contamination from animals. Initial reports have been promising. The work is focused on three tests: Bifidobacteria, Rhodococcus coprophilus, and F specific RNA coliphage.

DWM has been conducting sanitary surveys in the watershed since 1988. In 1997, DWM refined its survey approach to conduct a very comprehensive survey at the subbasin level. DWM developed an expanded method, pulling in data from field surveys, other DWM staff, other agencies, and town records. The surveys are important to understand the significance of potential sources of contamination and to set priorities among and within the various watershed protection programs.

In the next five years, DWM will continue its routine monitoring which will be planned annually; pathogen monitoring; algae monitoring; and special studies. DWM's special studies include any additional water quality sampling needed to investigate and/or document water quality issues throughout the watershed, such as a long-term study of the impact of sewering on tributary fecal coliform, and studies of stormwater quality from different land uses. DWM will conduct its expanded sanitary surveys on a rotating schedule so that there is a complete investigation of every subbasin every five years.

Research to Better Understand Reservoir
Since the 1991 Plan, DWM and MWRA have increased the information available on the reservoir hydrodynamics and watershed hydrology. Hydrodynamic modeling of Wachusett Reservoir was conducted. In conjunction with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), DWM has installed flow gages and groundwater level monitoring wells.

In the next five years, DWM will continue to collect tributary and stormwater flow data. In addition, DWM aims to further the hydrodynamic studies, to improve times of travel estimates, and to work towards development of water quality models of the reservoirs.

Action Plan
The Action Plan summarizes DWM's anticipated watershed management activities for the next five years. The Action Plan also shows target schedules for the activities. During the five year period covered by this plan update, DWM is likely to make adjustments to the Action Plan and target schedules of individual activities, in response to any shifts in priorities, external factors such as actions by other agencies and additional knowledge concerning the Reservoir and the effectiveness of watershed management methods.

Additional References
This plan update provides summary information of the DWM's watershed program, including history, current status, goals, and activities planned for the next five years. More detailed information on a particular topic may be obtained from MDC or the references listed below:

Commitment to Water Quality Protection
This Plan, together with professional staff and financial resources, represents a state-of-the art watershed protection program. DWM has an advanced understanding of the water quality, hydrology and hydrodynamics of the reservoir, potential sources in the watershed, stormwater loads, and processes affecting tributary importance to the reservoir. With this on-site knowledge of the watershed system, DWM has crafted a program that meets the specific needs of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. The Plan Update effectively protects and preserves the water quality of Wachusett Reservoir.

If you would like to review the entire plan, copies are available at all libraries and town halls in the watershed, or call the Division of Watershed Management at (508) 792-7423 for the nearest location of a complete plan.