A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial > Key Issues in the Trial > Woburn Industrial History > Impact of Industry on the Aberjona Watershed

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# Impact of Industry on the Aberjona Watershed

## Overview

In the Late 1600s Woburn's first tanning industry began production. Soon after the construction of the Middlesex canal connecting Woburn and Boston, industrial development in Woburn surged. The earlier industries were primarily tanneries and piggeries, both of which produced large volumes of waste products that were disposed proximal to the industries. The industries were located along the banks of the Aberjona River in order to provide water for manufacturing processes. Additional information regarding Woburn's industrial history can be found on the key issues of the trial page Woburn Industrial History. For information regarding the current condition of the Aberjona River, click the link to the Mystic River watershed

## The Aberjona River River Watershed And the Woburn Toxic Trial

The Defense placed considerable emphasis on the historic water quality impacts from the tanneries and chemical industries that have occurred throughout the watershed's documented history. The defendants had several experts available to testify regarding the occurrence of known carcinogens attributed to historical industries throughout the Aberjona River River Valley. Part of their strategy was to downplay the impacts resulting from the use of chlorinated solvents on the properties of Beatrice and Grace.

## The Aberjona River Watershed and the Mock Trial

A key issue that will be part of the mock trial will be related to the historic contamination present throughout the industrial areas located within the Aberjona River Valley. While the defense team can use this information as a strategy to deflect responsibility for the contaminants in Wells G & H. Proving the connection between contaminants found on the Beatrice and Grace properties and the impacts to Wells G & H is one of the challenges that the plaintiffs must complete.

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