CSO Briefing: Ending Sewage Discharges in Rivers
Thank you to all who attended our briefing on combined sewer overflows in Boston-area rivers with Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Save the Alewife Brook, and Mystic River Watershed Association.
This summer, intense, historic rainfall led to record-breaking amounts of sewage being released into our rivers, threatening both public health and ecosystem health. In 2023 alone, 5.3 billion gallons of sewage flowed in Massachusetts waterways––seven times the volume of Walden Pond.
The impacts of CSOs are not felt equally––research shows environmental justice neighbors are more likely to live near sewer overflows, and more likely to face adverse health impacts from unjust exposure to pollution.
If a watershed has two times as many people in poverty, it will on average have 3.4 times as much sewage discharge. If a watershed has two times as many people of color, it will on average have 4.4 times as much sewage discharge.
In this meeting, presenters shared a variety of solutions including new legislation An Act relative to combined sewer overflows (HB.886), filed by Rep. David Rogers and Rep. Adrian Madaro, which is scheduled for a hearing before the Joint Committee on Environment & Natural Resources on October 25, 2023. Additionally, we gave a look at how peer cities are advancing green infrastructure to stop sewer overflows, nature-based approaches that could work right here in Boston.
In case you missed it, watch the full recording here, explore the presentation slides, or read more in excellent articles in WBUR and WGBH.
Presenters included:
Katharine Lange, Policy Director, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance
Dr. Beth Haley, Boston University School of Public Health
Eugene Benson and Kristin Anderson, Save the Alewife Brook
Max Rome, Stormwater Program Manager, Charles River Watershed Association
Nathan Sanders, Harvard University, Berkman Klein Center Affiliate
Patrick Herron, Executive Director, Mystic River Watershed Association
Moderated by Jen Ryan, Deputy Director of Advocacy, Charles River Watershed Association
TAKE ACTION: SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR HB.886!
An Act relative to combined sewer overflows (HB.886), filed by Rep. David Rogers and Rep. Adrian Madaro, is scheduled for a hearing before the Joint Committee on Environment & Natural Resources on October 25, 2023 at 1PM. You can learn more about the bill in the fact sheet here.
Are you interested in giving testimony? Sign up here to testify in person or via Zoom. Testimony is limited to three minutes per person.
EXPLORE THE 2023 SEWER OVERFLOW DATA!
Are there CSOs in your community? Visit CRWA’s Combined Sewer Overflows page to explore the latest data.
Sign up for alerts under the CSO Notification Law for your city/town here.
