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Sewage discharge law correct step for public health (Editorial) Updated Feb 24, 2021; In Sept. 2019, a malfunction at a Springfield pump station triggered 90,000 gallons of untreated sewage released into the Connecticut River. Two months earlier, in South Hadley, a split in an 8-inch bypass led to a discharge of 284,193 gallons of raw sewage into the river. The bill requires operators to alert local boards of health within 2 hours of any sewer spill and also provide updates every eight hours until the spill is contained. The signing of this bill is a major victory for public health and tran...

As climate change increases flooding, Mass. likely to see damaged-property costs surge, report says Advocates call for plans to manage a retreat from low-lying coastal areas By David Abel Globe Staff,Updated February 22, 2021, 12:01 a.m. Email to a Friend In January 2018. the Brant Rock section of Marshfield suffered at high tide during a blizzard.John Tlumacki By mid-century, nearly 50,000 homes a year in Massachusetts will face a substantial risk of structural damage from flooding, an 11 percent increase from today, according to a report. As sea levels rise and storms become more powerful ...

Sen. Patricia Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat involved in the bill's passage, said that the law will help people stay safe by letting them know when sewage that may carry bacteria or viruses is in the water where they plan to kayak, fish or otherwise engage in recreation.

During the final hours of the legislative session, the Massachusetts House and Senate enacted, An Act promoting awareness of sewage pollution in public waters. The bill now sits on Gov. Charles Baker’s desk, where he has 10 days after the bill’s enactment to sign it. This is an important step in protecting public health, our state’s water quality, and upgrading outdated water infrastructure. H.4921, sponsored by Rep. Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen), Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), and Rep. Denise Provost (D-Somerville), will require water suppliers to establish a public notification sys...

Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law on Tuesday a bill that will require cities and towns to send, at minimum, email or text alerts to residents if sewage or industrial waste has been or is being discharged into local harbors, rivers and coastal waters. The Massachusetts River Alliance, a Cambridge-based nonprofit, called it an "excellent step" toward protecting public health and water quality.  “Massachusetts residents have a right to know if there is sewage in their rivers, especially this year when we’ve turned to nature for safe recreation and peace of mind,” said Julia Blatt, ex...