With river’s pollution problems identified, next comes the fix

I enjoyed the updated review account of the gradual decay of the waterways and estuaries that have contaminated the Westerly, Pawcatuck and Stonington rivers as reported, “Pawcatuck River, Little Narragansett Bay in need of a cure for poor water quality” (July 19).

The nuisance alga, Claudophora, apparently has taken over the area by its overgrowth of the bottom community and has limited the growth and well-being of marine organisms.

The article referred to the nitrogen-laced runoff as the probable cause of the increased nutrients present for the nuisance alga to proliferate. Apparently stormwater runoff is still utilized or allowed to enter waterways without any treatment. Waste treatment plant effluents, although largely treated to the available state standard levels, are still capable of introducing huge volumes of nitrogen-based pollutants at low concentrations, which are available for the growth of nuisance algae. Nevertheless, programs should be underway to manage the distribution of stormwater drainage so that the discharge can be treated before entering the environment. In addition, wastewater effluents from treatment plants should be improved to meet the drinking water standards.

Without these types of efforts, estuaries appear to be doomed.

Donald E. Leone Sr. Norwich