Page 2 - John Macone News Today

NEWBURYPORT — The Merrimack River Watershed Council is applauding a federally imposed settlement that requires Lowell to reduce sewage discharges into the Merrimack River.

PLUM ISLAND — Folks could be doing double takes as they walk along the beach on Sunday should they be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of “The Sturgeon King”

Officials in communities along the Merrimack River are concerned after learning that major rainstorms led to more than 2 billion gallons of sewage overflowing into the river last year –

LOWELL — This time, next year, the long-delayed and much-anticipated sewer separation project in the city’s Centralville neighborhood will be in the bid phase, followed by a multiyear construction project that is estimated will cost up to $200 million.

Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of educational columns about fostering environmental stewardship and leadership coordinated by ACES — The Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards.

LOWELL — The city has been assessed a $200,000 civil penalty by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for violating provisions of the Clean Water Act associated with combined sewer overflows, said Aaron Fox, the executive director of Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, also known as Duck Island.

The Five Minute Read highlights things to do, places to go and people to know in the Greater Lowell area. Have news to share? Send it to mgilbert@lowellsun.com.

The Conservation Law Foundation reached an agreement with Schnitzer Steel over heavy metal pollution going into the water.

LOWELL — The Department of Planning and Development’s Economic Development Office invites the public to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Project Pop-Up: Lowell, Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., 51 Market St.

Editor’s note: This is an ongoing series focused on the impact and future of dams, canals and fish passages in our communities.