Is Hopedale Pond polluted?
As mentioned above, the turbidity of the pond contributes to a perception that the water is “dirty” or “polluted.” In fact, the Board of Health monitors water quality for a multitude of bacterial agents & pollutants on a regular basis during the summer months, and over the years the water quality of the pond has been consistently excellent for swimming purposes. A Fall 2003 ecology project on water quality at the Pond conducted by the 6th grade class of Mrs. Dunn and Mr. Aw also revealed (much to the surprise and amazement of nearly the entire class), what many Townsfolk have known for generations – that Hopedale Pond is a clean, healthy body of water, and a resource that deserves to be preserved, protected, and utilized. The link to this study has been changed but as soon as we can get the article we will post it here.
