Back to reducing nitrogen pollution

New Bedford Harbor

For more than 100,000 people, the Acushnet River estuary, including New Bedford Harbor represents one of the only opportunities citizens from Acushnet, Fairhaven, and New Bedford have to connect with their natural environment.  In fact, more people live within two miles of New Bedford Harbor than any other harbor on Buzzards Bay.  Unfortunately, today, pollution prohibits safe and open public access, use and enjoyment of the Harbor.

Nutrient pollution, together with historic industrial pollution prevents these communities from exercising their legal right to swim, boat, and fish in a clean, safe and healthy New Bedford Harbor.  The Coalition for Buzzards Bay continues to identify and eliminate sources of pollution to the Harbor.

The nitrogen sources to New Bedford Harbor include the Fairhaven Wastewater Treatment Facility, the City of New Bedford’s Combined Sewer Overflow system, and individual onsite septic system in rural Acushnet.  The Coalition seeks to remediate these sources of nitrogen by reducing the amount of nitrogen emitted from the Fairhaven Wastewater Treatment plant, repairing the City’s Combined Sewer Overflows, and working with the town of Acushnet to control growth and address their contribution from homeowner septic systems.