NEW ENGLAND

Parsons Creek

Rye, NH

 

FBE has conducted annual bacteria sampling and water quality monitoring at high-risk recreation sites in Parsons Creek, an impaired tidal stream and estuary in Rye, NH, since 2013. This ongoing project also involves community outreach and the development of public health signage to raise awareness among residents and visitors to the watershed. FBE has employed additional source identification methods in Parsons Creek, including canine source tracking, testing for co-indicators (ammonia, nitrate, and optical brighteners), nutrient analysis, PhyloChip® bacteria source testing, and mtDNA analysis (pollution source genetic markers). These combined efforts have identified several contamination sources, informing community mitigation actions.

 

Spruce Creek

Kittery, ME

 

FBE has been assisting the Town of Kittery with tracking sources of fecal indicator bacteria in the pathogen impaired Spruce Creek since 2005. Our work with the town has been guided by five successful 319 grant implementation phases through the Maine Department of Environmental Protection; this work has included bracket sampling of tributaries, canine scent tracking along beaches and throughout storm drain networks, and outfall sampling. Spruce Creek is an ecologically and economically significant estuarine resource in southern Maine, and the goal is to identify and remediate stormwater pollutants from developed areas in the watershed. FBE completed a watershed management plan update for the Creek in 2024 and continues to complete baseline monitoring of the estuary each summer using continuous loggers and grab sampling.

 

Ogunquit River & Riverside Beach

Ogunquit, ME

 

FBE has worked with the Town of Ogunquit, ME and the Ogunquit Conservation Commission to help track sources of fecal indicator bacteria to the pathogen-impaired Ogunquit River. Source tracking has included watershed-wide sampling of the Ogunquit River and its tributaries during both wet and dry weather conditions for Enterococci, as well as canine scent detection to identify sites with human waste present. FBE updated the watershed management plan in 2013 and helped secure funding for four phases of 319 implementation work from 2014 to present. Implementation efforts have included installation of stormwater controls on commercial, residential, and municipal properties, technical assistance visits to residential properties, smoke testing and updating of the septic/sewer database, and targeted public outreach. FBE continues to work with the town on annual baseline monitoring of the river.