What Can I Do?

YOU can help reduce pollution in rivers, streams, Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay .

Get Educated
The Charles River Watershed Association
2391 Commonwealth Ave.
Auburndale, MA 02166
http://www.crwa.org

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

251 Causeway Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
http://www.state.ma.us/envir/

The Massachusetts Audubon Society

208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
http://www.massaudubon.org
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)
100 First Avenue
Charlestown, MA 02129
http://www.mwra.com

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Office
251 Causeway Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
http://www.state.ma.us/czm/ro.htm

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
59 Temple Place, Suite 304
Boston, MA 02111
http://www.savetheharbor.org/home.html

Don't litter!

Anything washed down a storm sewer goes directly into a river, stream, or the Harbor. This includes waste, oil, pesticides, litter, and pet droppings. Pollutants spilled on the ground will wash into storm sewers when it rains or will soak into the earth until they reach groundwater. Polluted ground water can contaminate drinking water. This has happened to well water in some Massachusetts communities which had to close their wells.

 

Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly

Pouring hazardous materials into the sewage system can be as dangerous as pouring them right into the Massachusetts Bay. Wastewater treatment does not remove most household, automotive, or lawn and garden hazardous chemicals. These chemicals can also corrode the sewer pipes.

Automotive Products
Oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, batteries,gasoline


Cleaning Products
Cleaners for the toilet, oven and
drain. Metal polish, spot remover,
floor wax.

Workshop products
Paint, rust preventatives, wood preservatives, solvents, glues, debreasers, photo chemicals, wood stains.
Lawn and Garden
insecticides, weed killers, lawn chemicals
Other stuff
Shoe polish, rat poison, insect spray, mothballs, pool chemicals, flea collars, aerosol sprays.
 

 

You can prevent or reduce damage from hazardous products that you use:

Source Reduction
Buy what you need. Use safer alternatives. For example, use baking soda instead of harsh cleaners to clean sinks.

Proper Use
Read the labels and follow directions. Use sparingly.

Reuse/Recycle
Share leftovers with others. Return your motor oil to place of purchase or to a community waste-oil collection site. Bring used batteries to a battery recycler (contact your town's Department of Public Works).

Safe Disposal
Bring materials to your community household hazardous waste collection sites.

 

Return to Top

 

 

 

K-12 MIT Sea Grant Credits Home Wastewater History Why Treat Wastewater Sewerage System Outfall Wastewater Treatment Glossary Introduction