A collection of cities on the North Shore (and across Massachusetts) have historically combined sewer systems where both wastewater and stormwater come through shared pipes. During heavy rains, the excess flow bypasses the treatment plants where it is supposed to be cleaned and is instead discharged into local bodies of water to prevent backups in people’s homes.
combined sewage overflows
Posted inEnvironment
Western Mass. cities working to prevent sewer overflows amid funding challenges and intensifying rain
All three cities have made multi-million-dollar efforts in recent years to prevent sewer overflows, but as climate change continues to worsen heavy rain events, inevitable overflow events are working against their progress.
Posted inOpinion
It’s time to give the Mystic River watershed the same clean-up we gave Boston Harbor
For the first time in a decade, we have a chance to write a new roadmap that should include eliminating combined sewage overflows.
