Document Vjbp93JR4EOb2bXyjoQ8bo6pK
UNITED STATES
AGENCY
ONMENTALPROTECTION
REGION 1
NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LABORATORY
NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA 01863
Date:July 15, 2024
Subject:Reconnaissance and Sampling Inspection Report
Clean Water Act - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Worcester, MA
From:Anna Hatke, InspectorANNADigitally signANNeA dHA TKbE
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Reviewed
By:Jerome Keefe, Investigations Team LeaderDigitally signed by JEROME
LSASD - FSB
JEROME KEEFE KEEFE
Date: 2024.07.16 12:59:53 -04'00 '
To:Todd Borci, Manager
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division (ECAD)
Water Compliance Section 1
CC:Douglas Koopman, Inspector
ECAD
I. Facility Information
A. Facility Name: City of Worcester, MA
B. Facility Location: Worcester, MA
C. Facility Contact: Jay J. Fink, Commissioner, Dept. of Public Works and Parks,
dpw@worcesterma.gov, (508) 929-1300
D. NPDES Permit ID: MAS010002 (MS4)
II. Background Information
A. Date / Start time of Reconnaissance inspection: 05/16/2024 11:02
B. Weather conditions: Rainy, approx. 57 F
C. USEPA Representatives: Anna Hatke, Michelle Coombs
D. State / Local Representatives: N / A
A. Date / Start time of sampling inspection: 05/028/2024 09:45
B. Weather conditions: Sunny, approx. 70 F
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EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection
C. USEPA Representatives: Anna Hatke, Michelle Coombs
D. State / Local Representatives: N / A
E. Federally Enforceable Requirements Investigated: Stormwater discharges and certain
non - stormwater discharges from the Worcester, MA Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
Systems (MS4) are authorized by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small MS4 (hereinafter,
the Permit), issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1. The City
obtained coverage under the Permit with NPDES Permit ID MAS010002.
F. Pollutants Sampled: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs), E.
coli / Enterococcus, Ammonia (nitrogen), Total Chlorine, and Surfactants
III. Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise noted, this report describes conditions at the facility / property as observed by
EPA inspector(s), and / or through records provided to and / or information reported to EPA
inspector(s) by facility representatives and as understood by the inspector(s). This report may not
capture all operations or activities ongoing at the time of the inspection. This report does not make
final determinations on potential areas of concern. Nothing in this report affects EPA's authorities
under federal statutes and regulations to pursue further investigation or action.
IV. Type and Purpose of Inspection(s)
The purpose of the reconnaissance inspection was to locate stormwater outfalls which discharge
into Coal Mine Brook, O'Hara Brook, Fitzgerald Brook, and Lake Quinsigamond, while noting
appearance, presence of flow, and access requirements for one or more sampling inspections.
The purpose of the compliance sampling inspection was to identify potential illicit connections or
illegal discharges within the Worcester, MA MS4 that may adversely impact the water quality in
Coal Mine Brook, O'Hara Brook, Fitzgerald Brook, and Lake Quinsigamond. Samples were
collected from 7 locations in accordance with the FSB Investigations Team Stormwater Program
Plan.
V. Permittee Details
The City of Worcester occupies approximately 38.5 square miles in Worcester County, MA
approximately 39 miles east of Boston, MA. The city shares borders with the municipalities of
Holden and West Boylston to the north, Shrewsbury and North Grafton to the east, Millbury and
Auburn to the south, Paxton, and Leicester to the west. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the
population of Worcester, MA was 206,518.
VI. 05/16/2024 Reconnaissance Inspection Summary
On May 16, 2024, Anna Hatke, Nafisah Ali, and Tori Macleod (" the EPA Inspection Team ")
conducted an unannounced reconnaissance inspection of the Worcester, MA MS4 at the locations
described in Section VIII, including locations described under the map of the sample locations.
They were not accompanied by any city or state representatives. The inspection started near 616
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Plantation St, Worcester, MA at approximately 11:02. At the time of the inspection, the weather
was rainy and approximately 57 F.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) for the Worcester Regional Airport (KORH)
the last precipitation event prior to the inspection occurred on May 14, 2024, with 0.47 inches
recorded. There was precipitation recorded within the 72 hours before the inspection of 0.02 inches
on May 12, 2024. According to the NWS, in the month (to date) of May, the area observed 2.61
inches of rain, which is approximately 146% of the 30-year normal value of 1.78 inches. According
to the US Drought Monitor, as of May 16, 2024, Worcester County is experiencing no drought
conditions.
VII. 05/28/2024 Sampling Inspection Summary
On May 28, 2024, the EPA Inspection Team conducted an unannounced compliance sampling
inspection of the Worcester, MA MS4 at the locations described in Section VIII. They were not
accompanied by any city or state representatives. The inspection started near 616 Plantation St,
Worcester, MA at approximately 9:45. At the time of the inspection, the weather was partly sunny
and approximately 70 F.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) for the Worcester Regional Airport (KORH)
the last precipitation event prior to the inspection occurred on 05/28/2024 with 0.00 inches
recorded. There was precipitation recorded within the 72 hours before the inspection, on May 27,
2024, of 0.66 inches. According to the NWS, in the month (to date) of May, the area observed 7.01
inches of rain, which is approximately 220% of the 30-year normal value of 3.19 inches. According
to the US Drought Monitor, as of May 28, 2024, Worcester County is experiencing no drought
conditions.
The sampling locations described in Section VIII were field screened using test kits for ammonia
(nitrogen), surfactants, and total chlorine. In - situ measurements for specific conductivity, salinity,
and temperature were also measured using a YSI water quality meter and recorded. Field data
were recorded on field data sheets. Samples were delivered to and analyzed for E. coli,
Enterococcus, and PPCPs at the EPA New England Regional Laboratory (NERL) in North
Chelmsford, MA. Table 1 below summarizes the sampling and analytical data.
VIII. Description of Sampling Locations (in order of collection time)
Photographs depicting each sample location are included in Appendix A of this report.
* LQ-01: One of two circular concrete outfalls on either side of a large rectangular culvert,
approximately 3 feet in diameter located at 616 Plantation Street. Discharge flow was
approximately 20 gallons per minute (" gpm ") into Coal Mine Brook. Sample was collected
at the mouth of the right - side outfall, looking up - stream. A light sewage and musty odor
was detected. Color was clear and turbidity was low. No floatables were observed. Dark
green algae growth was observed on the inside of the concrete pipe. Trash was observed in
the stream directly downstream of the outfall. Outfall sampled was chosen based on the
Worcester, MA stormwater sewer system map.
* LQ-02: One circular concrete outfall located at the base of a stone wall beside a
construction site, approximately 4 feet in diameter located at 382 Plantation Street.
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Discharge flow was approximately 5 gpm into an unnamed stream / brook. Sample was
collected at the mouth of the outfall. A musty odor was detected. Color was clear and some
particulate matter was observed. Foam clusters were observed coming from the mouth of
the outfall. The outfall was three - quarters submerged.
LQ-04BS: In - stream sample of Fitzgerald Brook discharging into Lake Quinsigamond
collected at 240 Coburn Avenue. The sample was collected approximately 5 feet from the
Northern bank of the stream at the mouth of a stone culvert outflow approximately 50 feet
downstream of LQ-04B. A sewage odor was detected. Color was clear - brown, and turbidity
was low. Foam was observed coming out of the culvert and collecting in an eddy directly
downstream. Dark brown algae growth was observed on the rocks and stream bed directly
downstream of the culvert. Trash and grass clippings were observed in and around the
stream directly downstream of the culvert.
LQ-04B: A singular circular clay outfall approximately 1 foot located on the inside of a
concrete stormwater conveyance structure on the East side of a stone wall culvert at 240
Coburn Avenue. Discharge flow was approximately < 1 gpm into Fitzgerald Brook. Sample
was collected at the mouth of the outfall. A smaller pipe adjacent to the outflow was
observed with no flow. A sweet earthy smell was detected. Color was clear and turbidity
was low. No floatables were observed. Dark brown algae growth was observed on the
inside of the outfall pipe as well as on the bottom of the concrete conveyance structure.
Trash and grass clippings were observed upstream of the outfall. A duplicate sample was
taken at this outfall location.
LQ-05: One of two circular concrete outfalls, approximately 2 feet in diameter located at
5 Suntaug Road. Discharge flow was approximately 2 gpm into Lake Quinsigamond.
Sample was collected at the mouth of the left - side outfall, looking up - stream. A slight
brackish and rank odor was detected. Color was clear and turbidity was low. No floatables
were observed. Green algae growth was observed on the inside of the concrete pipe as well
as the flume leading directly into Lake Quinsigamond. Outfall sampled was chosen based
on the Worcester, MA stormwater sewer system map.
LQ-06BL: One of two circular concrete outfalls on either side of a larger circular concrete
culvert, approximately 3 feet in diameter located at 10 Crane Street. Discharge flow was
approximately 1 gpm into an unnamed stream discharging into Lake Quinsigamond.
Sample was collected at the mouth of the left - side outfall, looking up - stream. No notable
odor was detected. Color was clear and some suspended particulates were observed. Off-
white foam was observed coming from the outfall and collecting directly downstream of
the outfall.
* LQ-06BR: One of two circular concrete outfalls on either side of a larger circular concrete
culvert, approximately 1.5 feet in diameter located at 10 Crane Street. Discharge flow was
approximately 5 gpm into an unnamed stream discharging into Lake Quinsigamond.
Sample was collected at the mouth of the right - side outfall, looking up - stream. No notable
odor was detected. Color was clear and some suspended particulates were observed. Foam
was observed coming from the outfall and orange staining was observed on both the inside
of the outfall pipe and on the rocks directly downstream of the outfall.
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Map of Sample Locations
Note: the locations on the map were estimated using Google Earth and are used for display purposes only.
Belmont StBelmont DX
LQ-01
St
plantation
LQ-04A
LQ-04BS
LQ-04Bark
Ave
Belcourt Rd Lake
Lake Park5
Quinsigamont
innovations
Dominion RdLake
LQ-02Grafton StAParvking Feam
LQ-05
Belmont StBelmont St
Lake
Quinsigamo
LQ-03
O
Me dow
GrafforLQ-06A
Belmont StLQ-06BL
LQ-06BR
C
sw
toff
Note:
LQ-03: No flow
LQ-04A: No flow
LQ-06A: Outfall was 80% submerged and no flow was observed / water was stagnant
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Table 1: Summary of Sampling and Analytical Data
Site IDLQ-01LQ-02LQ-04BSLQ-04BLQ-05
Location Sample Date 05/28/24 05/28/24 05/28/24 05/28/24 05/28/24
Sample Time 9:59 10:42 11:53 12:20 13:00
Coordinates North42.2909 42.2803 42.2640 42.2641 42.2446
(decimal
degrees) West-71.7600 -71.7638 -71.7592 -71.7592 -71.7472
Salinity, ppt. 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2
YSI Meter Temperature, C 16.5 21.6 15.0 13.1 17.4
Conductivity, S / cm 1363 784.0 428.3 177.3 376.4
Field Test Kits
(mg / L)
Ammonia 0.20 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Total Chlorine 0.10 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02
Surfactants 0.40 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Bacteria
E. coli 2747 3466 9678 16 308
(MPN / 100mL) Enterococcus1674 1850 886 31 355
Cotinine 9.1 4.0 7.3 5.6 2.1
Acetaminophen 530 3.7 260 ND 300
Paraxanthine 50 2.2 43 53 21
PPCPs (ng / L)
Atenolol ND ND ND ND ND
Caffeine 170 63 570 24 160
Metoprolol ND ND ND ND ND
Diphenhydramine 2.5 ND 1.9 0.75 ND
Abbreviations and Notes:
Carbamazepine 5.1 ND 0.77 ND ND
1. The coordinates listed in Table 1 were derived from the map created in Google Earth, therefore the coordinates are estimates of the actual locations.
N / A: Not Analyzed
ND: Not Detected above Reporting Limit
E. Coli / Fecal Coliform: Red 10,000 col / 100ml, Orange > 1,260 col / 100ml, Yellow > 235 col / 100ml, Black < 235 col / 100ml
Entero: Red 1,000 col / 100ml, Orange > 350, Yellow > 61 col / 100ml, Black < 61 col / 100ml
NH3: Red 6 mg / L, Orange > 0.5 mg / L, Yellow > 0.25 mg / L, Black < 0.25 mg / L
Cl2: Red 1.0 mg / L, Orange > 0.3 mg / L, Yellow > 0.02 mg / L, Black < 0.02 mg / L
Surfactants: Red 1.0 mg / L, Orange > 0.5 mg / L, Yellow > 0.25 mg / L, Black < 0.25 mg / L (may give false positive at salinity greater than 1 ppt)
PPCPs: Red 100x the RL, Orange > 10x the RL, Yellow > 3x the RL; Black < 3x the RL *
* See Reporting Limit (RL) values for each compound in attached Laboratory Report for Source Tracking
EPA notes while there are currently no numerical standards to compare pharmaceutical results against, it is EPA's experience that acetaminophen is the single best bacterial source
tracking compound of those listed above, and any detection of this compound may indicate a source of sanitary sewage. With respect to all of the above compounds, when a sanitary sewage
source is present, depending on the type of source, distance from the sample location, and the strength of the source, concentrations of these compounds may range from the low ng / l range
up to thousands of ng / L.
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Table 1: Summary of Sampling and Analytical Data, cont.
Site IDLQ-06BLLQ-06BR
Location Sample Date 05/28/24 05/28/24
Sample Time 13:48 13:50
Coordinates1 North 42.2387 42.2387
(decimal
degrees) West -71.7506 -71.7506
Salinity, ppt. 0.1 0.2
YSI MeterTemperature, C14.214.4
Conductivity, S / cm 211.8 40.36
Field Test Kits
(mg / L)
Ammonia 0.15 0.25
Total Chlorine 0.00 0.00
Surfactants 0.25 0.25
Bacteria E. coli39 8
(MPN / 100mL) Enterococcus31ND
Cotinine ND 1.4
Acetaminophen ND ND
Paraxanthine ND 2.9
PPCPs (ng / L)
Atenolol ND ND
Caffeine ND 14
Metoprolol ND ND
Diphenhydramine ND ND
Abbreviations and Notes:
Carbamazepine ND 0.41
1. The coordinates listed in Table 1 were derived from the map created in Google Earth, therefore the coordinates are estimates of the actual locations.
N / A: Not Analyzed
ND: Not Detected above Reporting Limit
E. Coli / Fecal Coliform: Red-10,000 col 100ml, Orange > 1,260 col / 100ml, Yellow > 235 col / 100ml, Black < 235 col / 100ml
Entero: Red 1.000 col / 100ml, Orange 350 col / 100ml, Yellow > 61 col / 100ml, Black < 61 col / 100ml
NH3: Red 6 mg / L. Orange > 0.5 mg / L, Yellow > 0.25 mg / L, Black < 0.25 mg / L
Ch2: Red 1.0 mg / l, Orange > 0.5 mg / L, Yellow > 0.02 mg / L, Black < 0.02 mg / L
Surfactants: Red-1.0 mg / 1, Orange > 0.5 mg / L, Yellow > 0.25 mg / L, Black < 0.25 mg / L (may give false positive at salinity greater than 1 ppt)
PPCPs: Red 100x the RL, Orange > 10x the RL Yellow,> 3x the RL; No Pink < 3x the RL *
* See Reporting Limit (RL) values for each compound in attached Laboratory Report for Source Tracking
EPA notes while there are currently no numerical standards to compare pharmaceutical results against, it is EPA's experience that acetaminophen is the single best bacterial source
tracking compound of those listed above, and any detection of this compound may indicate a source of sanitary sewage. With respect to all of the above compounds, when a sanitary sewage
source is present, depending on the type of source, distance from the sample location, and the strength of the source, concentrations of these compounds may range from the low ng / l range
up to thousands of ng / L.
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IX. Appendix
Appendix A: Photograph Log
X. Attachments
Attachment A: Laboratory Report for PPCPs (Source Tracking) Analysis
Attachment B: Laboratory Report for E. coli Analysis
Attachment C: Laboratory Report for Enterococcus Analysis
End of Report
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Appendix A
Photograph Log
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Photo 1: LQ-01 (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 9:59) Stream located near 616 Plantation St,
discharging into Coal Mine Brook, upstream of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red
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Photo 2: LQ-02 (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 10:42) Outfall located near 382 Plantation Street,
discharging into the unnamed stream uphill of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample points are indicated by a red
X.
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Photo 3: LQ-04BS (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 11:53) Stream located near 240 Coburn Ave, is
Fitzgerald Brook which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. In - stream Sample points are indicated by a
red X.
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Photo 4: LQ-04B (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 12:20) Outfall located near 240 Coburn Ave,
discharging into Fitzgerald Brook which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample points are
indicated by a red X.
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Photo 5: LQ-05 (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 13:00) Outfall located near 5 Suntaug Road,
discharging into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample points are indicated by a red X.
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Photo 6: LQ-06BL (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 13:48) Outfall located near 10 Crane Street,
discharging into an unnamed stream that discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample points are
indicated by a red X.
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Photo 7: LQ-06BR (photo taken 05/28/2024 at approx. 13:50) Outfall located near 10 Crane Street,
discharging into the unnamed stream that discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample points are
indicated by a red X.
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Attachment A
Laboratory Report for
Source Tracking Analysis
Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch
Pages: 16
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Attachment B
Laboratory Report for
E. coli Analysis
Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch
Pages: 4
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Attachment C
Laboratory Report for
Enterococcus Analysis
Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch
Pages: 4
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End of Report
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