News release: “A variety of man-made chemicals has been found in the streams and wastewaters that discharge into Lake Champlain. The chemicals found include pesticides, fire retardants, fragrances, detergent degradates, and caffeine. These findings were released today by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The chemicals were found at extremely low concentrations, measuring a few parts per billion. The concentrations were highest in waters released by sewage treatment plants, combined sewer overflows and small urban streams. The lowest concentrations were in larger rivers, an undeveloped stream, and the lake.”

• The USGS report, Wastewater Effluent, Combined Sewer Overflows, and other Sources of Organic Compounds to Lake Champlain, is published in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association.
• More information on the Lake Champlain Basin Program is available here