The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority announced today that the Effluent Outfall Tunnel for the new Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant will be placed in service on Wednesday, September 6th at 11:00 AM.

Outfall operations will commence with the closing of two large sluice gates that now direct flows from the Metropolitan Boston sewage treatment facilities to Boston Harbor. When the gates are closed, discharge of wastewater plant effluent to Boston Harbor will cease. The gates will be closed at a brief ceremony on Deer Island by men and women who have worked on the Boston Harbor Project since it began in 1989. An additional press advisory will be made available on Tuesday, September 5th, 2000.