A presentation about water quality and shellfish areas in Buzzards Bay. Presented by Neil Churchill of the Massachusetts Dept. of Fish & Game during the Buzzards Bay Coalition's 2014 Decision Makers Workshop series. Learn more at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/DecisionMakers

1. Sanitary Surveys
By
Neil Churchill

2. A sanitary survey is required before an
area can be opened or to keep an area
opened for the harvest of shellfish.
• Components
– Shoreline Survey
– 15 sets of water samples per
classification station over a three year
period
– Written Report
2

3. • Extent of shoreline to be surveyed
– Determine boundaries of the survey area
• Survey the study area for pollution
sources
• Types of pollution sources:
– Man-made active (point source)
– Man-made passive (point source)
– Marine (both point and non-point)
– Natural (both point and non-point)
Initial Determination of Area
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4. Is there any evidence of discharge?
How far is source from the water body?
Is the pollution source impacting the water body?
Is the source direct or indirect?
Point or Non-point ?
Is it a dry weather or wet weather problem?
Determine flow rate.
Sample the discharge.
Calculate bacterial loading.
Map (location by GPS) all sources and record
characteristics of each source. Take a picture!
Source Determination
4

5. • Sump pumps
• Pool discharges
• Failing septic systems and/or systems too
close to the water’s edge (50 feet).
• Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Industrial discharges
Man-made Active
5
Evaluation – Characterize land use - farms,
industry, unique uses, etc. Identify drainages and
any other types of pollution sources.

6. • Pipes, roof drains, etc.
• Runoff from roads and other hard
surfaces
• Storm drains and illegal connections into
the drain pipe
• Dumpsites and other Garbage Containers
Man-made Passive
6
Evaluation – Characterize land use and any other
types of pollution sources. Can use a Smoke Test or
Optical Brightener Test to try to locate the illegal
connection).

7. • Animals – dogs, cows, marine mammals,
other wildlife
• Waterfowl
• People
• Marshes, streams & wetlands
Natural
7
Evaluation - Record the presence of wildlife and if
possible estimate numbers and types.

8. • Marinas
• Mooring Fields
• Boats which are large enough to hold a
Marine Sanitary Device.
Marine
8
Evaluation - Evaluate marinas and mooring fields
(use a separate form for this).

9. Runoff Source – Hard Surfaces
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10. Runoff Source - Soft surface
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11. Types of pipes
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12. Pipe with signs of Discharge
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13. Hidden Pipe
13

14. Not so hidden pipe
14

15. Storm Drains
15

16. Outhouse with piped discharge to
ground
16

17. Example of the Other Category
17

18. An example of an open leeching
field
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19. Roof Drains
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20. Streams from wetlands
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21. During shoreline surveys you count only the
boats that are large enough to hold an MSD
(≥20’)
21

22. On smaller boats MSDs can be found located
under the center console
22

23. Marinas - small
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24. Marinas – Large
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25. Animals
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26. Contact Information
Neil Churchill
Division of Marine Fisheries
1213 Purchase St Third Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
1-508-990-2860 ext 125
FAX 1-508-990-0449
Neil.Churchill@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/marinefisheries