Pollution prevention

Reducing Nitrogen Pollution

toxic pollution

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Pollution Prevention

Buzzards Bay suffers from many different forms of pollution originating from a variety of sources. 

While nitrogen pollution generated by the watershed’s expanding population—primarily through inadequate wastewater disposal and fertilizers—is the greatest long term threat to the ecological health of Buzzards Bay and its more than 30 harbors and coves, high bacterial contaminations from raw sewage and stormwater runoff cause beach closures as well as shellfish bed closures. 

Furthermore, the Bay faces ongoing toxic pollution threats from oil transport and industrial activities. By serving as the Northeast’s petroleum highway, more than two billion gallons of oil are shipped through Buzzards Bay annually, risking hazardous oil spills.  The Bay also suffers from incremental industrial, residential, and agricultural toxics as well as historical industrial pollution around New Bedford.