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Report: 77 Percent Of Connecticut Rivers and Streams In Fair Condition

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Samaia/River%20and%20Stream%20Miles%20In%20Connecticut.mp3

More than half of the nation's rivers and streams are in poor condition, according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Things aren't as bad in Connecticut. 

Fifty-five percent of the river and stream miles in the country have been vulnerable to flooding, erosion and pollution. And they are suffering from high nitrogen, mercury, and bacteria levels.
 
The EPA found that 23 percent are in what it considers "fair" condition for aquatic life.
 
In Connecticut, that number is much larger. 
 
"About 77 percent were good or healthy and around 23 percent were kind of in the poor category," said Chris Bellucci, an analyst with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection where information was collected to contribute to the National Rivers and Streams Assessment. 
 
One thing that does line up with the overall findings --  the unhealthy water is in heavily populated areas. 
 
"In the past we've had sewage treatment plants in those areas. Historically, we have a lot of industries in those areas. And we have a lot of impervious land cover that contributes pollutants to streams. In other words, it sort of disrupts the hydrologic cycle and causes a lot of runoff from parking lots and roof tops, and buildings and such." 
 
The Pequabuck in Bristol and the Naugatuck River in Waterbury fall into the poorer category. But Bellucci says both have improved in condition since clean up plans were put in place after The Clean Water Act.  

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.