Truro, MA is developing an integrated water resource management plan to assess and protect the town’s water resources. Previous studies assessing drinking water quality found nitrate above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L in two samples. The goal of this project was to analyze waters in the Route 6 area of Truro for nitrogen and recommend management strategies. Samples were collected from wells and surface waters in June and July. Well water nitrate levels ranged from non-detectable to 5.6 mg/L, so no threat to public health is expected. However, concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in surface waters often exceeded 0.10 mg/L, which could lead to eutrophication. Recommendations for future water management include upgrading septic systems or implementing stormwater best management practices.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Geist, Douglas R

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-011416-221453

Advisor

• Plummer, Jeanine D.

Year

• 2016

Sponsor

• Weston and Sampson

Date created

• 2016-01-14

Location

• Truro

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Environmental Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright