On December 27, 2012 the Mystic River Watershed received a dousing of 2.3inches of rainwater. The result was a degradation of water quality due to overwhelmed sewer and stormwater infrastructure. According to reporting from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), 3.9 million gallons of contaminated rainwater – untreated sewage mixed with rainwater – were released into the Mystic River during this storm. These Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) occurred in Medford and Somerville. SSOs represent a public health concern due to the possible presence of e.coli and other bacteria associated with fecal material that can cause illness, yet at present there is no mandatory public notification of these events by the operator.
Take Action! Can you advocate for public notification of SSO occurrences? Download, personalize, print and mail the MyRWA SSO letter here.
Join MyRWA’s advocacy effort for clean water today! Email Beth to get involved.
