Document mpMLLkreQXyx5X9Da56kBbdBB

UNITED STATES AGENCY ONMENTALPROTECTION REGION 1 NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LABORATORY NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA 01863 Date:9/20/2024 Subject:Reconnaissance and Sampling Inspection Report Clean Water Act - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Worcester, MA ANNADigitally signed From:Anna Hatke, Inspectorby ANNA HATKE Date: 2024.09.23 Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD) HATKE 09: 30: 34-04'00 ' Field Services Branch (FSB) Reviewed By:Jerome Keefe, Investigations Team Leader LSASD - FSBDate: 2024.09J. ER2 OM3 E KE0 EF9 E : Di5 gi1 ta: ll0 y 1 sig ne-d 0by4 J'ER0OM0E KE'EF E 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: 07/23/2024 9:05 B. Weather conditions: Overcast, spotted showers approx. 74 F C. USEPA Representatives: Anna Hatke, Michelle Coombs, Ryan Leo D. State / Local Representatives: N / A A. Date / Start time of sampling inspection: 07/24/2024 9:00 ED_019088A_00004973-00001 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection B. Weather conditions: Overcast, spotted showers, approx. 73 F C. USEPA Representatives: Anna Hatke, Ryan Leo, Nafisah Ali 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, Fitzgerald Brook, Poor Farm 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. 07/23/2024 Reconnaissance Inspection Summary On July 23, 2024, EPA Inspectors Anna Hatke, Michelle Coombs, and Ryan Leo 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 Page 2 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00002 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection accompanied by any city or state representatives. The inspection started near Great Brook Valley Park, Worcester, MA at approximately 9:05. At the time of the inspection, the weather was overcast and approximately 74 F. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) for the Worcester Regional Airport (KORH) the last precipitation event prior to the inspection occurred on 7/18, 2024, with 0.02 inches recorded. There was not precipitation recorded within the 72 hours before the inspection. According to the NWS, in the month (to date) of July, the area observed 1.3 inches of rain, which is approximately 52% of the 30-year normal value of 2.49 inches. According to the US Drought Monitor, as of July 23, 2024, Worcester County is experiencing no drought conditions. VII. 07/24/2024 Sampling Inspection Summary On July 24, 2024, Anna Hatke, Nafisah Ali, and Ryan Leo, (" 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 180 Constitution Avenue, Worcester, MA at approximately 9:05. At the time of the inspection, the weather was overcast and approximately 73 F. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) for the Worcester Regional Airport (KORH) the last precipitation event prior to the inspection occurred on 7/23, 2024, with 0.12 inches recorded. There was not precipitation recorded within the 72 hours before the inspection. According to the NWS, in the month (to date) of July, the area observed 1.42 inches of rain, which is approximately 54% of the 30-year normal value of 2.62 inches. According to the US Drought Monitor, as of July 23, 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-08: One circular concrete outfall approximately 3.5 feet in diameter, preceding a roughly 20-foot concrete flume, located at 180 Constitution Avenue. Discharge flow was approximately 10 gallons per minute (" gpm ") into Poor Farm Brook. Sample was collected at the mouth of the outfall. No odor was detected. Color was clear and turbidity was low. Some organic particulates were observed. Dark green algae growth was observed on the concrete flume. Fish were observed in the stream directly downstream of the outfall. LQ-09: One half - circle concrete outfall, approximately 2.5 feet in diameter, located at the beginning of a wetland and at the base of a large shopping center, located at 541 Lincoln Street. Discharge flow was approximately < 1 gpm into a wetland that channeled into an Page 3 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00003 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection 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. Green algae were observed growing on rocks directly downstream of the outfall. The outfall was roughly halfway submerged. * LQ-10: One circular corrugated metal outfall, approximately 4 feet in diameter, preceding a roughly 10-foot concrete slanted pad, located at 481 Lincoln Street. Discharge flow was approximately 5 gpm into an un - named stream, which combines into Coal Mine Brook, which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample was collected at the mouth of the outfall. A slight musty odor was detected, and a slight breeze was noted. Color was clear- brown, and turbidity was low. Some organic particulates were observed. Trash was strewn around the outfall and directly downstream. Froth was seen at the base of the concrete pad, downstream of the outfall. * LQ-11UP: One of two circular concrete outfalls on either side of a concrete wall, approximately 1.5 feet in diameter, emptying onto a concrete conveyance, located at 25 Laselle Avenue. This confluence of discharge from both outfalls is joined downstream by the discharge from LQ-10. Discharge flow was approximately 20 gpm. Discharge contributes into Coal Mine Brook, which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample was collected at the mouth of the left - side outfall, looking up - stream. A sewage odor was detected. Color was clear- brownish - yellow, turbidity was low, and some suspended organic particulates were observed. Light rainfall began during the sampling at this outfall. Outfall sampled was chosen based on the Worcester, MA stormwater sewer system map. LQ-12: In - stream sample from the inside of a concrete stormwater conveyance structure on the East side of a stone wall culvert at 240 Coburn Avenue. The flow from the concrete conveyance structure is joined immediately downstream by Fitzgerald brook, convening into one stream, which discharges into Lak Quinsigamond. Sample was collected approximately 3 feet prior to the confluence. An earthy sewage smell was detected. Color was clear and turbidity was low. No floatables were observed. Dark brown algae growth was observed on the bottom of the concrete conveyance structure. Trash and grass clippings were observed upstream of the outfall. Fitzgerald Brook, prior to the confluence was mostly non - flowing. * LQ-13: One circular concrete outfall approximately 2.5 feet in diameter located at North High School- 150 Harrington Way that empties out onto a concrete flume approximately 3 feet long. The outfall was located at the base of an elevated parking lot. Discharge flow was approximately < 1 gpm into wetland that feeds into Fitzgerald Brook which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample was collected at the mouth of the outfall. A notable sour and musty odor was detected. Color was clear - but slightly brown. Turbidity was low and no suspended particulates were observed. Sand was observed to be piled at the base of the concrete flume. LQ-14: One circular concrete outfall at the base of a stone wall, approximately 3.5 feet in diameter located approximately.08 miles Southeast of 376 Coburn Avenue on an unpaved road and parallel to the commuter rail. Discharge flow was approximately 2 gpm into an unnamed stream that discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample was collected at the mouth of the outfall. No notable odor was detected. Color was clear- brown and some suspended particulates were observed. Garbage was observed to be instream directly downstream of the outfall. Page 4 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00004 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Map of Sample Locations Note: the locations on the map were estimated using Google Earth and are used for display purposes only. Page 5 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00005 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection LQ-08 LO-07 LO-09 LQ-10 LO-09B LO-11 LQ-13 LQ - 12 LO-14 LQ-15 Note: LQ-07: Outfall was inaccessible. LQ-09A / LQ-09B: Only one outfall identified and labeled as " LQ-09 ". LQ-11: No flow. " LQ-11UP " taken upstream of LQ-11. LQ-15: Outfall was inaccessible. Page 6 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00006 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Table 1: Summary of Sampling and Analytical Data Site IDLQ-8LQ-09LQ-10LQ-11UPLQ-12 Location Sample Date 07/24/2024 07/24/2024 07/24/2024 07/24/2024 07/24/2024 Sample Time 9:05 9:47 10:20 11:20 12:25 Coordinates North42.308207 42.292486 42.293418 42.290417 42.263929 (decimal degrees) West-71.771581 -71.770181 -71.777243 -71.776333 -71.759341 Salinity, ppt. 0.6 1.8 0.5 0.1 0.1 YSI Meter Temperature, C 17.7 17.3 18.9 25.6 18.8 Conductivity, 1213 3374 1009 224.8 123.5 Ammonia 0.25 0.0 0.25 0.15 0.25 Field TestTotal Chlorine 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.020.03 Kits (mg / L) Surfactants 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.15 0.5 Bacteria E. coli 626 1302 3080 30 -9678 (MPN / 100mL) Enterococcus30510457204611 Cotinine 2.5 0.54 18 3.6 62 Acetaminophen 26 ND 220 ND 300 Paraxanthine 5.5 ND 120 ND 62 PPCPs (ng / L)Atenolol ND ND 21 ND 6.5 Caffeine 13 6.0 1600 5.3 680 Abbreviations and Notes: Metoprolol ND ND 5.9 ND 4.6 Diphenhydramine 0.52 ND 17 ND 7.6 Carbamazepine 0.61 ND 0.44 ND 2.0 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 21.0 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 RI, 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. Page 7 of 21Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00007 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Table 1: Summary of Sampling and Analytical Data, cont. Site IDLQ-13LQ-14 Location Sample Date 07/24/2024 07/24/2024 Sample Time 12:54 13:47 Coordinates North42.262834 42.257660 (decimal degrees)West -71.766319 -71.758855 Salinity, ppt.0.00.2 YSI Meter Temperature, C21.716.0 Conductivity, 77.8 507 Field Test Kits (mg / L) Ammonia 0.25 0.25 Total Chlorine 0.03 0.00 Surfactants 0.75 1.0 Bacteria E. coli 512 1302 (MPN / 100mL) Enterococcus 3448 1607 Cotinine 3.8 18 Acetaminophen 3.0 46 Paraxanthine 6.1 23 PPCPs (ng / L) Atenolol ND 4.5 Caffeine 240 170 Metoprolol ND 2.6 Diphenhydramine ND 3.6 Abbreviations and Notes: Carbamazepine 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 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 / 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; 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. Page 8 of 21Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00008 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection 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 Page 9 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00009 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Appendix A Photograph Log Page 10 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00010 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 1: LQ-08 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 9:05) Stream located near 180 Constitution Avenue, discharging into Poor Farm Brook, upstream of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 11 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00011 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 2: LQ-09 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 9:47) Stream located near 541 Lincoln Street, discharging into a wetland with contributes into Coal Mine Brook, upstream of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 12 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00012 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 3: LQ-10 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 10:20) Stream located near 481 Lincoln Street. discharge contributes into Coal Mine Brook, which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 13 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00013 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 4: LQ-11UP (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 11:20) Stream located near 25 Laselle Avenue Combined discharge contributes into Coal Mine Brook, which discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 14 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00014 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 5: LQ-12 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 12:25) Stream located near 240 Coburn Avenue, discharging into Fitzgerald Brook, upstream of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. LQ-12 flow is indicated by blue arrow'A '. Flow from Fitzgerald Brook is indicated by blue arrow ' B '. Page 15 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00015 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection op Photo 6: LQ-13 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 12:54) Stream located near North High School- 150 Harrington Way, discharging into a wetland which contributes into Fitzgerald Brook. Fitzgerald Brook discharges into Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 16 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00016 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Photo 7: LQ-14 (photo taken 07/24/2024 at approx. 13:47) Stream located near 376 Coburn Avenue, discharging into an unidentified brook, upstream of Lake Quinsigamond. Sample point is indicated by a red X. Page 17 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00017 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Attachment A Laboratory Report for Source Tracking Analysis Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch Pages: 16 Page 18 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00018 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Attachment B Laboratory Report for E. coli Analysis Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch Pages: 4 Page 19 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00019 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection Attachment C Laboratory Report for Enterococcus Analysis Author: LSASD Laboratory Services Branch Pages: 4 Page 20 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00020 Worcester, MA (MAS010002) EPA MS4 Compliance Sampling Inspection End of Report Page 21 of 21 Sampling Inspection Date: 05/28/2024 ED_019088A_00004973-00021