CRWA publishes new phosphorus web page (11/11/2008)

The Charles River Watershed Association has published a new page on phosphorus in the Charles and how residents in the watershed can minimize their contribution.

While bacteria from Combined Sewage Overflows (CSO) during heavy rainfall have long been the main focus of water quality concerns, phosphorus is quickly rivaling it as river enemy #1.  The CRSC’s first planned swimming race, planned for 2006, was cancelled due to an unusually strong cyanobacteria bloom [Boston Globe].  Microcystis cyanobacteria can produce toxins called microcystins which are potentially dangerous under certain conditions.

Please give their page a look, it has some excellent info.