Point- Source Pollution and You!

     The Winooski River is a vital artery draining a huge portion of Vermont and providing many services to humans and biota alike. While past ignorance has set the Winooski’s vitality back efforts are being made to slowly but surely make up for some of the past damage done. Dams are being removed, banks reinforced, and the neighbors of the Winooski are finally beginning to realize what goes on in their backyards and fields has a very real and direct affect on the quality of their environment and the resources it provides. Unfortunately there is a still a lot of work to be done. Erosion from the development of riparian areas and excessive nitrate and phosphorous pollution are continuing, and in some cases increasing issues in some areas. Beyond these non-point source pollutants the Winooski also faces threats from point source pollution though not nearly at the same river wide affects.

The Cabot Creamery located on the banks of the Winooski River

     In 2005 several gallons of ammonia were spilled from the Cabot Creamery and made their way into the upper Winooski resulting in the death of thousands of fish and macroinvertebrates on about a seven mile stretch or the river downstream of the factory. While the spill was found to be a result of negligence and not an intentional dump the damage was done and entire communities on that section of the Winooski were devastated. Even worse this incident has not been the only such accident at the Cabot factory. In 1983 a similar ammonia spill resulted in the death of the same stretch of river.

     As a result of this more recent spill the Cabot factory agreed to pay a 50,000 dollar fine as well as another 50,000 dollars to fund environmental projects. Cabot has also agreed to train workers to better handle hazardous chemicals like ammonia. Luckily according to local river guides and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife the river is slowly recovering. As the ammonia dissipated, local fish and macroinvertebrates returned to the area and after just a year or two after the spill the area has almost entirely restored itself to its previous condition. Fortunately the Winooski is a large river and it bounced back from its toxic exposure quickly. However this incident illustrates how the things we enjoy everyday (like cheese!) can indirectly affect the water systems like the Winooski which we all rely upon.

Sources:

 The Upper Winooski Recovers 

Cabot Creamery Ammonia Spill