Audit Finds Pollutants Contaminating Severn River
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A new study says thousands of pounds of pollutants are running into the Severn River, and that many residential and commercial drainage systems that should be stopping the contamination are in disrepair.
The Severn River Preliminary Watershed Audit says fish and shellfish could be harmed as a result.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the privately funded study was released on Friday.
The drainage systems were developed to stop the chemicals and to collect and cleanse rainwater. But the audit says many of these systems are outdated and ineffective. The study says some of the pollutants that should be stopped by the drainage systems are allowed annually into the river because of the state of disrepair.
Officials say private groups should be more active in monitoring filtration systems.
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