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All this groundwater resides underground in aquifers – the zones in sediments and rocks that contain enough water to be useful and transmit water rapidly enough to be practical for pumping. Groundwater and surface water are linked, especially in water systems where aquifers are “unconfined,” which means the top of the aquifers (the water table) is open to infiltration from rain and melting snow, as is the case in Boxborough.
In Boxborough, the aquifers consist of both thin layers of sand and gravel that glaciers deposited at the end of the last ice age about 12,000 years ago, and hard bedrock which is made of metamorphic rock called gneiss. In sand and gravel aquifers, water fills pore spaces between the grains. In the gneiss, which has no pore spaces between grains, water moves through fractures. The locations of these fractures can be hard to predict. Since most of Boxborough’s wells are in bedrock, they often need to be deep to be sure to hit enough fractures to provide reliable water flow.
Tom noted that wells not only need to yield enough water for a homeowner’s use, but also good-quality water. Elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, arsenic, and uranium are common in water that originates in Boxborough’s bedrock, but the quantities are too small to be of concern.
A very common contaminant in groundwater is nitrates, usually from fertilizers used on lawns and from septic systems. Hydrocarbons like gasoline come from leaking tanks and spillage, and industrial chemicals can be introduced through spills and poor disposal practices. Disposal of chemicals is now regulated much more than in the past, but those chemicals that were spilled or buried in the early 20th century, for example, can now be making their way into wells. Remember that 100-200 year residence time for a molecule of water?
So what is a responsible well owner to do? Tom recommends an annual check-up, including your well cover or cap, by a licensed well contractor. A water quality test for nitrates and coliform bacteria should be done annually by a certified laboratory, and tests for other elements should be done every few years. You should receive written reports and review them to see if there are any changes over time. He also advises keeping a clean zone at least 50 feet wide around your well—no kennels or other possible sources of contamination.
Tom’s talk generated a great buzz among attendees, and he generously stayed for questions and answers that lasted nearly as long as his presentation. Here are several recommended websites for homeowners with private wells.
www.ngwa.org National Groundwater Association
www.wellowner.org Information for private well owners
www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/sitesloc Reported contamination sites and spills
www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/privatew.htm Mass. private well guidelines
www.epa.gov/surf/ U.S. EPA “Surf Your Watershed”
By Rita Gibes Grossman
One of the least understood natural resources in Boxborough is water, although we all depend on it being there in our private wells. Since conservation land plays an important role in maintaining this vital resource, the BCTrust has chosen to focus on water in this issue. Probably the biggest impact that conserved land has on the health of our water supply is reduced development, which in turn reduces the opportunity for contaminants to enter our ground water supply.
The guest speaker at our annual meeting this year was Tom Phelan, a hydrogeologist, who helped us better understand the factors affecting groundwater in Boxborough and the steps we can take to protect our water supply. I encourage everyone to read the article about his presentation on page 3 and explore the web sites listed there for more information. On behalf of the Trust, I would like to thank Tom for his wonderful presentation, Anne Gardulski for inviting him, and Ruth and Simon Bunyard for hosting this event. Thanks also to everyone who came, especially those who brought culinary delights.
I also want to recognize and thank two departing members of the BCTrust board: Jeff Fuhrer and David Koonce. Jeff served on the board for seven years, two of those years as president. David, served on the board for nine consecutive years, the most allowed under our term limit by-law. We’re fortunate that both Jeff and David will continue to work with the board on the land subcommittee.
Two other members are also leaving active service on the board, although they will continue to volunteer. Many thanks to David Bull, our clerk for the past two years, and to Francie Nolde, member of the land subcommittee, for all of their contributions over the past four years.
I want to express my great appreciation for the work of all the board members and associates who tirelessly go about the business of the Trust. Their willingness to volunteer makes possible the publication of Common Ground, the design and timeliness of our web site, and all of the conservation activities of the board.
I extend a warm welcome to new board member Jim Comolli of Sargent Road, a microbiologist by education. Jim brings us management experience as well as an understanding of the less visible residents of our natural habitats.
Finally, to all of the students at Blanchard Memorial Elementary School who participated in our annual T-shirt design competition and the writing contest: thank you! And congratulations to the three winners, whose entries are featured in this issue.
This fall, the BCTrust plans to celebrate our tenth anniversary. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming activities.
“The earth is common ground…gradually the idea is taking form that the land must be held in safekeeping, that one generation is to some extent responsible to the next.”
E.B. White
One way to support the BCTrust in its mission of preserving and protecting Boxborough’s undeveloped land is to make a financial contribution. The Trust is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, so your contribution is fully tax-deductible and qualifies for company matching. Another way is to volunteer your time and talents. If you believe in our mission and would like to learn more about what you can do to help, please contact any member of the board. Opportunities to participate vary in nature and in time, from several hours per month to a few per year.
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Private Wells Don’t Give Us
a Pass on Water Conservation
by Glynis Hamel and Tara Zantow
Every summer the newspapers run stories on drought, water bans, and water conservation. In Boxborough, where all household water comes from private wells, we're tempted to think that these stories don't apply to us. It’s true, our wells are privately owned. But the water they tap into is not. Our well water is a public resource, and Boxborough faces the same challenge as its neighbors: the amount of available potable water is decreasing. A brief look at the water cycle and the interconnection between groundwater and surface water explains why.
When rain falls, much of the water runs across the surface of the land toward a stream, lake, or river. The rest of the rainwater percolates into the ground. Gravity causes this groundwater to move toward discharge areas, where it seeps or flows out into a wetland or other surface body of
water. Evaporation from surface water and transpiration by plants puts moisture back into the atmosphere, where it condenses into rain to begin the cycle again.
Used by permission from the Massachusetts Audubon Society
The water cycle suggests that the amount of water in the system remains constant. However, whenever water becomes contaminated, the amount of usuable water is reduced. And as area populations grow, the demand for water increases. In his presentation at the BCTrust Annual Meeting, Dr. Tom Phelan noted that most residents of Boxborough draw their water from aquifers located in fractured bedrock beneath their property.
What can each of us do? First, we need to stop thinking of water as an unlimited resource. Then we need to take action, specifically:
- Eliminate practices that contribute to groundwater contamination.
- Reduce the amount of water we use.
The most important step Boxborough homeowners can take to significantly mitigate the effects of both contamination and decreasing supply is to reduce the size of our lawns. One of the leading contributors to groundwater pollution comes from the fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides we apply to our lawns. Add to that the amount of water used to keep the lawn green and lush, and you have a double-barreled threat to the water supply.
Here are some other measures you can take to reduce your water consumption:
- Maximize the use of natural vegetation whenever possible. Replace areas of lawn with native plants—shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses, flowers, and groundcovers. Since native plants have adapted to the rainfall conditions in New England, most thrive, once established, without supplemental watering.
- Mow grass to a height of 2-3". Longer grass tolerates drier conditions and is better able to recover from insect damage and fend off disease. And here's an idea—don't water your lawn at all! Spring rains keep a lawn green without water from a sprinkler. If the lawn turns brown later in the summer, that's just the natural tendency of grass to go dormant in times of drought. The grass is not dead, and will green up again as soon as the rains return.
- OK, if not watering your lawn seems too radical a step, do it in a way that provides the greatest benefit to the health of the grass, and is more water-conscious to boot. Water deeply and infrequently—a total of 1" of water a week (including the amount contributed by rainfall) in the early morning. Watering in the heat of the day means that more water is lost to evaporation than actually reaches the lawn.
- Apply mulch to landscaped beds to reduce evaporation, and add compost to the soil to increase water retention.
- Collect rainfall in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae from taking up residence) and use the collected water for your flowerbeds. The systems now on the market are quite sophisticated with hose attachments and overflow valves.
- When washing your car, wet it down, then use a bucket of water to do the actual washing. A spray from the hose is needed again only for the final rinse.
- Instead of hosing off walkways, decks, or patios, use a broom or blower to keep these areas clean.
For its part, the BCTrust places a high priority on working to preserve land parcels that are adjacent to aquifers, recharge areas, and surface water—wetlands, ponds and streams—to help protect our town’s valuable water resources.
The following websites are the primary sources for this article:
www.assabetriver.org/streamwatch/groundwaterrtour.pdf
www.epa.gov/region01/eco/drinkwater/water_conservation_residents.html
www.mass.gov/envir/mwrc/pdf/Conservation_Standards.pdf
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3034/
http://earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/groundwa/groundwa.html#RechargeAreasandDischarge
Glynis Hamel and Tara Zantow are members of the BCTrust. Glynis is an occasional contributor and Tara is a former editor of this publication.
Ornamental Native Plants for Wet Areas
By Glynis Hamel
Many yards in Boxborough have areas that are always wet. For this issue of Common Ground, our Q&A column recommends a variety of plants that thrive in these conditions. Before you plant in any wetland area, even on your own property, please contact the town Conservation Commission (ConsCom) to find out if any restrictions apply.
Q: Are there any native plants that grow in soil that is constantly wet?
A: Yes! There are dozens of native plants that enjoy having wet feet. For early
spring blooms try Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris). The golden yellow flowers
are a sight for sore eyes amidst the lingering browns and grays of winter. Marsh Marigolds need saturated soil and full or partial sun. Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) provides gorgeous color later in the spring, and attractive, arching foliage throughout the summer. It also likes full sun, but tolerates light shade. For a tropical look in late summer try Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos). Of shrubby habit, this native hibiscus produces flowers that are hard to forget: crepe-y textured white, pink, or red blooms can grow to the size of large saucers. The plant is long-lived and likes full sun.
No discussion of native plants suitable for wet areas would be complete without
mentioning Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). The reddest of reds, the flowers
of this late-summer bloomer act as a magnet for hummingbirds. Although Cardinal
flower prefers sun, it will also bloom in light shade.
Q: What about areas that are wet in the spring, but dry out in the summer?
A: The Camas Lily (Camassia leichtlinii or C. cusickii) finds such conditions
ideal. Grown from a bulb planted in the fall, the Camas Lily produces spires of
spectacular purple-blue flowers in the spring. After its seeds mature the plant
goes dormant, and thus benefits from being planted with a companion such as the
Royal Fern (Osmunda regales). Ranging from 3-6 feet tall, this vase-shaped fern
provides a dramatic focal point in the garden. Both Camas Lily and Royal Fern
prefer full sun.
Q: The wet area in my yard is shaded. What will grow there?
A: Wet shade provides perfect conditions for the beautiful Maidenhair Fern
(Adiantum pedatum). This standout fern produces airy foliage on delicate black
stems. Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus), reminiscent in both flower and foliage of
the non-native astilbe, grows upward of 3 feet. Its creamy-white flowers attract a
never-ending parade of bees and other pollinators in June. Goat’s Beard is
dioecious (male and female flowers grow on separate plants). Another shade-lover is
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), which produces an unusual hooded flower
under a three-leaved canopy. Its club of bright orange-red berries, produced in the
fall, can be seen from afar.
Q: Can anything survive once the cold weather arrives?
A: The native Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) holly! It is a rather unremarkable shrub in the spring and summer, but come fall its bright red, perfectly-round berries blaze forth, often remaining clustered along the branches until February. No wet garden should be without this spectacular shrub. Male and female plants are needed for pollination.
Q: How about something really different?
A: If you have a large, boggy area, try False Hellebore (Veratrum viride). The 2-foot-long, pleated leaves of this plant look positively prehistoric. And if your taste tends toward the carnivorous, grow Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) whose leaves form “pitchers” into which unsuspecting insects fall and drown. The pitcher plant produces beautiful, globular maroon flowers in June, and is easy to grow.
Sources:
Bill Cullina, “The New England Wildflower Society Guide to
Growing and Propagating Wildflowers,” Houghton-Mifflin, 2000.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, “The Shady Border,” C. Colston Burrell,
guest editor, 1998.
Glynis Hamel lives in Acton and is an occasional contributor to Common Ground. She has grown all of the plants she cites in this article.
The BCTrust held its annual meeting on March 24 at the home of Ruth and Simon Bunyard, with 30 members in attendance. Board president Rita Grossman welcomed all and conducted a short business meeting, as required by BCTrust bylaws. Following the meeting, Thomas J. Phelan, an environmental engineer who works at Geosyntec in Acton, provided an overview of Boxborough’s aquifers: “Under the Rocks and Stones/There Is Water Underground.” For a report on his presentation, see page __.
During the business meeting, members voted to renew the terms of all current BCT board members and recognized two departing members: David Koonce and Jeff Fuhrer. David has served as the liaison with the Conservation Commission since the founding of the Trust. In addition to providing expertise on native vegetation and trees, he has played a key role in obtaining self-help grants from the state to aid in conservation land purchase. Jeff, a former board president, was also acknowledged for his leadership contributions. Rita thanked both for their dedicated service to the Trust during their tenures. Rita also welcomed two new volunteers: Mitzi Weil and Libby Reichlen. Mitzi assists in event planning and Libby handles publicity.
In her report on the BCTrust’s financial performance during fiscal 2006, Rita said the Trust received 93% of its funding from memberships and 7% through fundraising events. Operating expenses in 2006 were focused in three areas:
Overall, the Trust’s finances remain strong, although there was a small operating loss for the year resulting from costs associated with engineering expenses for property under consideration for acquisition.
Highlights of the BCTrust’s accomplishments during the past year:
Annual BCTrust Writing Contest: Odes to our wetlands!
Forty-seven students who attend Blanchard Memorial School in Grades 3, 4, and 5 participated in the fifth annual BCTrust Writing Contest. This year, they were asked to write an essay or poem about the beauty of Boxborough’s wetlands and the importance of preserving this diverse habitat.
The BCTrust congratulates all the students who submitted entries this year. Three members of the BCTrust board served as judges: Hugh Fortmiller, Rita Grossman, and Diane Torres. This year’s winners are all fourth graders:
Linnea Millen, The Song of the Wetlands
Joshua Xiong, Wetlands: A Valuable Resource
Margaret Follett, Wetlands: A Home
Honorable mention goes to the following students: Kate Flaherty, Emma Waligory, and Brook Blackshaw from Grade 4, and Gabrielle Diorio from Grade 3.
As always, the BCTrust thanks Principal Maryellen Driscoll and all the administrators and teachers at Blanchard for their partnership in our community and for supporting the contest each year. For their help with this year’s contest, the BCTrust gives special thanks to the following teachers: Karen Reaves,
Sheila Owen, Mary Sperazzo, Erin Whyte, Phyllis Luck, Lauren Grady, and Lawrence Follett.
The Song of the Wetlands
By Linnea Millen
Grade 4
Marshes, swamps and bogs --
The perfect home for fish, bugs, and even frogs.
RIBBIT!!
Wetlands too, are,
A plant, moss and valuable soil zoo.
DIG, DIG!!
Depressions in the ground --
That's where wetlands are found.
Between dry land and the edges of water in streams, rivers, lakes and coastline --
Oh, that water is mighty divine.
WHOOSH!!
Slowly and slowly
Day by day,
These noises decrease ever so lowly,
Why are they going away?
It's because
Mosquitoes, flies and unpleasant smells
Make many people want to yell.
For they think the wetlands are all gross
Because of the bacteria, organisms and odors they host.
But they are wrong.
They forget,
The very song
The wetlands sing, still yet.
RIBBIT!!
DIG, DIG!!
WHOOSH!!
Save the wetlands, and you will save these sounds!
There is still time for the wetlands to be around!
HOORAY!
Wetlands: A Valuable Resource
By Joshua Xiong
Grade 4
Wetlands are a valuable natural resource. They act like giant filters to protect the earth's ecosystem.
When it rains, the rainwater runs through many places and picks up sediment, toxic pollutants and other wastes. If that rainwater flows through a wetland before it enters a river or stream, some of these pollutants are trapped by the roots of the plants or buried in the soil. The tiny microorganisms decompose the toxic materials and change them into less harmful materials. In that way, wetlands protect the ecosystems downstream.
Some of our wetlands refill the water underground. In our town, most people get their drinking water from underground water in wells. Wetlands help to make our drinking water cleaner.
Wetlands reduce the amount of harmful substances that enter a stream, pond or lake. It makes our drinking water cleaner. They are truly amazing natural resources. It is important to protect our wetlands so they can have their maximum capacity to absorb harmful sediments and pollutants, and we can enjoy the beautiful ponds, clean streams, and most of all, clean drinking water.
Wetlands: A Home
By Margaret Follett
Grade 4
Dragonflies with colored wings,
The beavers swimming 'round,
Blue herons sit atop the rocks
Patiently gazing down.
Rain drops splashing on the pond
Make ringlets on the wave.
Expanding ripples softly glide
Till quietly they fade.
With them fade the animals,
They now are safe at home.
Curled up tight in warm dry dens,
The beavers in their dome.