pesticide warning photo

"Pollution"

oil in Fore River photo
Petroleum in the Fore River (photo F. Marina Schauffler)

Visit the Nonpoint Source Pollution Page

Did you know that the Maine Bureau of Health has issued Fish Consumption Advisories for all the state's rivers? Details

 

What can you do to help reduce river pollution? Look at solutions.
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Find out about how mercury in rainfall contaminates Maine's rivers and lakes.
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dead fish photo
Dead salmon

 

View the latest water quality data for each watershed on the EPA's state of Maine web page.

 

Anglers--Lakes Environmental Association needs your fish! 
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 Once upon a time, old Mainers will tell you, noxious fumes from rivers like the Kennebec and the Androscoggin literally peeled the paint off riverside buildings. Downstream from paper mills the rivers ran colored from the dyes. Things have come a long way since that bleak era, but rivers in Maine still suffer from  significant pollution.


 "Don't Eat the Fish"

The most insidious threat today comes from invisible but highly-toxic substances like mercury, dioxin, and PCBs. Fish taken from rivers throughout the entire state have been found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury, largely due to airborne emissions from vehicles and industry. 

Many stretches of Maine's rivers are contaminated with dioxin, which is highly hazardous to humans and other organisms. PCBs, though banned since the 1970s because of links to cancer, remain a problem in many waterways. These and other toxic substances not only hurt wildlife but also pose a serious threat to humans. 


A Poisonous Brew

"Non-point source" pollution, or contamination which can't be traced to a specific site, contributes the majority of pollutants to Maine waters. Runoff from highways, parking lots, municipal waste water systems, forestry lands, lawns, and countless other places washes chemicals, pesticides, household wastes, and other effluent into streams and rivers, creating a poisonous brew which concentrates downstream in major rivers and coastal estuaries. 

Organic matter from fertilizers and sewage causes heavy algae growth in many waters, lowering oxygen levels needed by fish and other aquatic life.  


Solutions

What can we do to reduce pollution in Maine's rivers?

Most importantly, we need to be conscious of our own role in contributing to river pollution in many everyday activities: using toxic household or lawn/garden chemicals which end up in rivers, for example. 

Here are some ways you can make a difference:

  • Minimize household toxic substances, such as bleach (a source of dioxin), drain cleaners, oil-based paints, etc. When you do use toxics, dispose of them responsibly--many towns collect hazardous waste regularly. For more information on disposal contact the Maine Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-452-1942.

  • Limit pesticide use in your yard and garden--don't assume that because a product is legally sold that it's safe for the environment. Consider alternatives such as Integrated Pest Management (call your local University of Maine Cooperative Extension program or Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association at 622-3118 for details.)

  • Minimize driving and electricity consumption, both of which contribute to airborne pollution that ends up in rivers.
To find out more about paper and the environment, and how your choices as a consumer can encourage sound practices in the paper industry , visit the Rethink Paper site.
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