Cambridge Water Department Water > Watershed > Source Water Protection Program > Source Water Quality Monitoring Program Source Water Quality Monitoring Program Given the City’s lack of ownership and control of most watershed lands, water quality monitoring is a necessary and effective means of identifying sources of pollution and tracking water quality changes over time. The Watershed Division relies on the sound scientific information gathered from the monitoring program to guide its watershed management practices. The primary goal of the Cambridge Source Water Quality Monitoring Program is to ensure that water withdrawn from Fresh Pond Reservoir for treatment is as free as possible from contaminants, thereby minimizing the costs of treatment and protecting overall water quality. Specific objectives of the program are to: Monitor the condition of source waters in the Cambridge drinking water supply system; Determine where, when, and how water quality conditions are changing over time; Identify actual and potential problems related to source water quality; Evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent or remediate water quality problems; Ensure that all applicable water quality goals, standards, and guidelines are being met; and Provide for rapid response to real-time and emerging problems. The Cambridge water quality monitoring program consists of the four major elements shown. To learn more about the CWD Drinking Water Source-Area Monitoring Program, follow the links below or check out the Water Quality Monitoring Program Handout: Routine Dry Weather Sampling Details the dry weather (base flow) sampling procedure, for monitoring the standard conditions of the watershed. Event Based (Wet Weather) Surface-Water Monitoring Details the event based (wet weather) sampling procedure, for monitoring storm water runoff and construction effects. Continuous Record Surface-Water Monitoring In partnership with the USGS (United States Geological Survey). Data Management, Interpretation, Reporting, and Review Analysis of watershed data. Watershed What's New Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From? Source Water Protection Program Source Water Quality Monitoring Program Routine Water Sampling Event Based Surface Water Monitoring Continuous Record Surface Water Monitoring Data Management, Analysis, Reporting, and Review Stormwater Management Site Monitoring Emergency Response Planning Natural Resources Restoration Partnership Development Infrastructure and Properties Regulations Watershed Points of Interest Interactive Map Watershed FAQ Page Watershed Photo Galleries Staff HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? Information for: Select a topic Permits Water Main Leak Repair History Fluoride in Cambridge Drinking Water Water Testing What is Water Hardness Water Quality report Water Supply Fresh Pond Reservation Water Bill Information Emergencies I'd like to: Select one Pay My Water Bill Tour Opportunities Water Service Issues Fresh Pond Reservation Apply for a Permit Get a Permit for Fresh Pond Test My Water Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From? Water Dept. Divisions: Select one Administration Division Distribution Engineering Water Operations Division Water Board Watershed SAM CORDA MANAGING DIRECTOR Cambridge Water Department 250 Fresh Pond Parkway Cambridge MA 02138 Phone: 617-349-4770 Fax: 617-349-4796 Contact Us Hours Monday: 8:30am-8pm Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-5pm Friday: 8:30am-12pm Email: CWD@cambridgema.gov Cambridge DHSP on Facebook Cambridge Center for Families on Twitter Download Forms Fresh Pond Reservation Use Permit Tour Request Senior Discount Program Additional Forms and Documents FAQs Drinking Water Quality Fresh Pond Reservation Water Bill Water Service Issues or Emergencies Watershed Programs High Reads Leaks and Meter Replacement Source Water Protection Volunteer at Fresh Pond Water Resource Monitoring Water Department Divisions Administration Distribution Engineering Treatment and Operations Water Board Watershed Management Water Quality Reports 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 to 2003 © 2021 City of Cambridge, MA Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Site Map SERVICESENERGY REDUCTION & RENEWABLE ENERGYPROJECTSFRESH POND RESERVATIONPROGRAMSWATER BILL INFOPERMITSWATER BOARDABOUT US Calendar Contact Us News Site Map Cambridge Home Page Text Size: A A A Search