HARPSWELL, MAINE

In partnership with the Town of Harpswell, FBE conducted water quality sampling and analysis in critical shellfish harvesting waters and contributing freshwater tributaries located throughout Harpswell, ME. The sampling effort was made to determine possible sources of fecal contamination within coves, which is frequently leading to shellfishing flat closures or conditionally approved harvesting. The FBE monitoring effort included microbial source tracking which indicated that septic systems, pet waste, and wildlife were potential contamination sources. With the results FBE can inform future monitoring efforts and create numerous recommendations for reducing bacteria levels near the Harpswell shellfishing flats. 

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​To read about similar projects, check out the Pollutant Source Tracking page.