Today, the Saugus
River is used upstream for municipal water supply, downstream for commercial
fishing operations, and in between for recreational fishing and boating,
open space, and recreation along its banks. However, the river is also
subject to outfalls for combined sewage overflows (CSO's), industrial
waste, and storm drainage.
In 1982,
the Massachusetts Divison of Water Pollution Control established for
the Saugus River a water quality rating of B, suitable for fishing and
swimming, but not drinking. The 1982 study found the river "subject
to increased pollutant loadings from stormwater runoff."
In 1989-1990,
the baseline assessment of the Saugus System, conducted by Hudsonia
Limited, determined the Saugus River may be exceeding limits for a B
rating, indicating greater pollution impact.
