Title page for ETD etd-050306-155834

Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Elbag Jr., Mark A.
URN	etd-050306-155834
Title	Impact of Surrounding Land Uses on Surface Water Quality
Degree	MS
Department	Civil & Environmental Engineering
Advisors	Jeanine D. Plummer, Advisor John Bergendahl, Committee Chair
Keywords	Conductivity pH Dissolved Oxygen UV absorbance Source Water Surface Water Dissolved Organic Carbon Total Organic Carbon Particle Counts Turbidity E. coli Fecal Coliforms West Boylston Brook Wachusett Reservoir source water protection surface water protection
Date of Presentation/Defense	2006-05-03
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Source water protection is important to maintain public health by keeping harmful pathogens out of drinking water. Non-point source pollution is often times a major contributor of pollution to surface waters, and this form of pollution can be difficult to quantify. This study examined physical, chemical, and microbiological water quality parameters that may indicate pollution and may help to identify sources of pollution. These included measures of organic matter, particles, and indicator organisms (fecal coliforms and E. coli). The parameters were quantified in the West Boylston Brook, which serves as a tributary to the Wachusett Reservoir and is part of the drinking water supply for the Metropolitan Boston area. Water quality was determined over four seasons at seven locations in the brook that were selected to isolate specific land uses. The water quality parameters were first analyzed for trends by site and by season. Then, a correlation analysis was performed to determine relationships among the water quality parameters. Lastly, ANOVA analyses were used to determine statistically significant variations in water quality along the tributary.
Files	Thesis_Final_draft2.pdf

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