Small Pox Brook Stormwater Assessment (Salisbury)
Eight Towns and the Bay, in conjunction with the Town of Salisbury, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management's CPR Program, and the U.S. EPA, recently completed a stormwater assessment of major drainage outfalls into Small Pox Brook, as well as the Brook itself. 8T&B and volunteers from the Town sampled thirteen sites along the Small Pox Brook searching for problem sites contributing fecal coliform bacteria and/or total suspended sediment which was thought to be responsible for shellfish bed closures in the downstream Little and Blackwater Rivers.
Data was analyzed, at no cost, by the EPA and verified that the stream is relatively free of both fecal coliform and sediment inputs. It should be noted, however, that at spot stormwater outfall locations, where bacteria and sediment levels were elevated, stormwater Best Management Practices (more diligent street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, and public outreach) are needed.
