Sewage ends up in our waterways due to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) – In a combined sewer system, the same pipe carries rain from the streets and wastewater from homes and businesses. This system is workable in dry weather, but when it rains the system cannot handle the excess, and the overflow discharges into our rivers.

An Act to eliminate combined sewer overflows in Massachusetts waterways (H. 1046) – filed by Rep. Greg Schwartz  and Rep. Dave Rogers – calls for ending combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Massachusetts waters by 2050, with interim targets.  

This bill is currently before the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and needs their support to move through the legislative process, so ask the committee members to report H. 1046 favorably out of committee.