Presumpscot River Dye Study to Begin September 2nd, 2008

(Westbrook, Maine - August 29, 2008) Scientists and engineers from EPA's New England Regional Laboratory, together with staff from Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP), will conduct a dye tracing study on the Presumpscot River, in the vicinity of Westbrook during the week of September 2nd. The purpose of these studies is to track the rate of flow and dispersion of water. The study area will encompass the Presumpscot River from the Gorham, Westbrook border through Westbrook Center and to the tidal waters in Portland. MEDEP will use dye study data as well as water quality data being collected by MEDEP the same week for modeling the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the Presumpscot River. U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) will also be conducting flow measurements at 4 stations along the Presumpscot River in support of this project.

Dyes typically used for testing water flows will be released the morning of September Second in the Presumpscot River in the vicinity of the River Meadow Golf Club. As a result of the dye release, portions of the Presumpscot River in Westbrook may turn reddish in color for a brief time; however, the dye is not harmful to people or the ecosystem.

For more information on TMDLs, see the website link http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/intro.html.
For more information on the safety of Rhodamine WT, see the website link http://www.problemsolved.com/rkchemist/reference_library/HVAC_water/msds/Rhodamine_WT.pdf

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