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Sewage Floods Boston Brook: Officials Opt for Cheaper Fix
22 Apr
Summary
- Officials approved a cheaper plan, allowing continued sewage discharges.
- A resident fell ill after kayaking in the brook post-rain.
- The proposed plan costs $1.28 billion, passed to ratepayers.
Ann McDonald fell ill after kayaking in Alewife Brook near Boston several weeks after a 2024 rainstorm, attributing her sickness to sewage discharges. Environmental advocates are urging officials to commit to modern, separate sewer systems for waste and storm runoff to prevent such incidents.
Despite these calls, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) approved a more conservative plan in February. This $1.28 billion proposal aims to reduce sewage discharges but is expected to permit continued pollution during heavy storms, a decision criticized by groups like Save the Alewife Brook.
The MWRA's plan involves storage tanks and infrastructure improvements, targeting elimination of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) for a typical year's rainfall. Full sewer separation, which would prevent all discharges, was deemed too expensive and disruptive by the authority.
Activists argue this approach treats waterways as "open sewers." The MWRA states the plan balances environmental benefits with actual water quality improvements and cost for ratepayers. A final plan is anticipated in January 2027 after a public comment period.
