Excess nutrients, such as phosphorus, in our rivers can lead to reduced oxygen levels and an overabundance of algae and other aquatic plants. These conditions negatively impact water quality, habitat for fish and other aquatic life, and even recreational opportunities.
Calculation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a method used to set a maximum amount of a given pollutant that is allowed to enter a specific waterway in order to meet desired water quality standards. The TMDL for a river is used to reduce the pollutant to a target level by regulating discharges from known sources.
In 2023, the Stewardship Council provided the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) with project funding to begin the process of updating the draft Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Nashua River (which was originally issued by the MA Department of Environmental Protection- MassDEP- in 2007). This project covers a variety of actions, including among others, seeking additional funding and initiating nutrient sampling in the watershed to support the TMDL update.
In May 2024, a partnership of the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) and the NRWA submitted a 604(b) grant application to fund a project under the US Clean Water Act. The NRWA also established a nutrient-sampling program, collecting surface water samples at six sites, once per month from May through September 2024. These samples were analyzed by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) for the following parameters: nitrate/nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and total phosphorus.
The Council’s seed money provided NRWA with the resources to move through the 604(b) application process, and in May 2025, DEC, NRWA, and their partners were awarded a 604(b) grant from the MassDEP.