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Show least part of the costs incurred in the provision of these benefits. Similar action should be encouraged for all phases of water resources development with which detriments are associated. 3. Extent of Federal Government Concern with Pollution Control The Problem Whether or not Federal action on pollution abate- ment is a. necessary part of a comprehensive water resources plan for the basin. The Situation The dense population and industrial concentra- tion in tlie lower reaches of the Connecticut, the high recreational importance of the river, and the potential fish resource all tend to make pollution abatement a major concern in parts of this basin. The problem is particularly significant between Holyoke and Long Island Sound, the reach of the river with the greatest industrial and population concentration, although there is also much to be done in reaches above Holyoke. The prospects for abatement of domestic sewage in this critical reach of the river are good. In recent years an increas- ing number of the large riverside communities have installed sewage treatment works and most of the remainder have plans for such facilities. Hart- ford, Springfield, Amherst, and Greenfield now pos- sess sewage treatment plants. Holyoke, North- ampton, and Chicopee are the only large cities in the basim without some form of treatment. Other smaller communities which contribute raw sewage to the river in significant amounts are Westfield, West Springfield, South Hadley, Deerfield, and Montague. Progress to date has not been reassuring in con- trol of industrial waste. Industry depends almost entirely -upon streams for direct disposal. These wastes ar-e of infinite variety and a partial list might include wool scourings, acids, alkalies, and process, cooling, and rinsing water from paper, textile, and metal products industries (copper, zinc, brass), and many others. The greatest volume, perhaps, is from Holyoke, where 40 million gallons of wastes are discharged daily. Much of the latter is non- poisonoii-s to aquatic organisms but has a high bio- chemicaL oxygen demand, as shown by a sag in the dissolved, oxygen profile below Holyoke. The same condition occurs below nearly all the major manu- facturing communities in Massachusetts and Con- 492 necticut. The Black River of Vermont also is in a polluted condition. The problem of water quality reacts adversely on future industrial expansion. Established in- dustry which grew up with the problem and con- tributes to it may be irritated with the situation but still bears with it. New industry seeking a loca- tion is less apt to look with equanimity on sites requiring the use of polluted water, and to them the condition is a discouraging factor. The question of continued availability of su- perior and cheaper ground water supplies upon which some industries depend is related to the problem in a minor way. Eventual depletion of these supplies may add somewhat to the pollution problem of river water in those localities where it now is used. Similarly municipal supplies, now ob- tained from protected watersheds in the vicinity of the larger cities, may have to depend more in the future on presently polluted streams. The northern two-thirds of the Connecticut Basin is attractive vacation land with its scenery, game fishing, hunting, boating, and swimming. Most tourists arrive in summer, when warm water and low flow may combine to produce critical stream conditions. New Hampshire and Vermont recognize the importance of clean water in nurtur- ing their recreational industry by forbidding pol- lution of all lakes. Although some progress has been made, as at Springfield and Hartford, industrial pollution abatement progress is retarded by two things: insufficient funds for survey and educational work by the State and interstate agencies, and resistance by industry on the ground that an already pre- cariously balanced competitive position will be made untenable by strict waste treatment require- ments. Conclusions Although all basin States have pollution control programs, present pollution abatement efforts are not complete except in the northern part of the basin, where authorities are sensitive to the effects on the vital recreational industry. Even there the recreation industry itself creates local problems which may be troublesome, particularly in winter. Control of the river for multiple-purpose uses will alleviate pollution by increasing flow during certain periods. However, a more effective pro- gram is needed. This should include research in use of waste discharges, and the establishment of various goals of improving stream quality. Federal |