Located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, Lake Quinsigamond is a recreational body of water bordered by Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Grafton. In summer months when aquatic recreation is in high demand, contributions from streams and outfalls present challenges with water quality due to stormwater runoff in the largely urbanized bordering towns, as well as other point and nonpoint source pollution, resulting in beach closures and a lack of access to aquatic recreation for many people, some of whom have few other options available.
The Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association (LQWA) is a volunteer-run organization founded in 1984 that aims to bring attention to the issue and enhance the quality of life in and around Lake Quinsigamond, Flint Pond, and Shirley Pond. Since its commencement in 2020, this monitoring project has utilized bi-weekly sampling from late spring to early fall at several strategic locations in and around the lake in order to monitor E. Coli levels in the watershed, with minor annual changes to site locations based on new information concerning upstream conditions.
Data collected from this project is provided to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to aid in long-term assessment of water quality in and around Lake Quinsigamond. Data is also provided to the town of Shrewsbury and the city of Worcester to encourage action on their part to improve water quality.
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