Sanitary SurveysBy

Neil Churchill

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

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• 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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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

• 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

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Evaluation – Characterize land use - farms, industry, unique uses, etc. Identify drainages and any other types of pollution sources.

• 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

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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).

• Animals – dogs, cows, marine mammals, other wildlife

• Waterfowl

• People

• Marshes, streams & wetlands

Natural

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Evaluation - Record the presence of wildlife and if possible estimate numbers and types.

• Marinas

• Mooring Fields

• Boats which are large enough to hold a

Marine Sanitary Device.

Marine

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Evaluation - Evaluate marinas and mooring fields (use a separate form for this).

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Runoff Source – Hard Surfaces

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Runoff Source - Soft surface

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Types of pipes

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Pipe with signs of Discharge

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Hidden Pipe

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Not so hidden pipe

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Storm Drains

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Outhouse with piped discharge to ground

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Example of the Other Category

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An example of an open leeching field

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Roof Drains

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Streams from wetlands

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During shoreline surveys you count only the boats that are large enough to hold an MSD (≥20’)

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

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Marinas - small

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Marinas – Large

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Animals

Contact InformationNeil Churchill

Division of Marine Fisheries1213 Purchase St Third Floor

New Bedford, MA 027401-508-990-2860 ext 125

FAX 1-508-990-0449Neil.Churchill@state.ma.us

www.mass.gov/marinefisheries