Feb 25, 2021 Transparency is essential for democracy. Itâs also pretty important for public health. So we can all be relieved that sewage systems tipping raw and partially treated effluent into our rivers and oceans will be made to alert the public within two hours of a spill, and provide regular updates until the discharges end. The Legislature passed the law last month, and Gov. Charlie Baker put his name on it last week. Regulators have a year to sort out details of the law, which doesnât actually take effect until the middle of 2023. But, as Sen. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, said during the virtual bill-signing, itâs an important start.