June 13, 2003
MWRA to Discuss Phased CSO Control Options
Incremental Approaches to CSO Control to Be Pursued
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority will hold a public meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the Curley Community Center in South Boston from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (6:45 PM for general review and informal questions) to discuss phased, or "modular," approaches to control combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges. These phased approaches would not require a large 600-million-gallon per day pump-out facility in the initial implementation phase.
The meeting is part of the MWRA's study of alternatives to control CSO discharges that affect North Dorchester Bay/Carson Beach and the Reserved Channel. The MWRA began the reassessment in September 2001 and will conclude it in early winter following one additional public meeting in the fall. The Curley Community Center is located at 1663 Columbia Rd. (M Street entrance) in South Boston.
Phase I of the reassessment evaluated dozens of technologies and sites for CSO control facilities. MWRA worked with interested parties to narrow these down and presented four main control options at a public meeting in June 2002, then discussed further narrowing down of these at the last public meeting in December, as Phase I of the reassessment wrapped up. MWRA spokesman Jeffrey McLaughlin said, "Community opposition to a large pump-out facility and the extraordinary associated cost has led to support for MWRA developing phased implementation approaches that follow-up on options identified in Phase I of the reassessment. It seems that many interested parties appreciate the advantages of a modular approach. It would allow MWRA to quickly achieve a high level of CSO control, while monitoring the beaches to confirm the incremental water-quality benefits. Another key point is that the phased approaches we are looking at preserve the option of CSO elimination in the future."
Two main phasing concepts will be presented at the meeting on June 26: a revised Interceptor Relief concept (formerly Option 1) and a Consolidation Tunnel with Storage (Option 2). MWRA staff will describe the two proposed approaches, providing information on level of CSO control, constructability, cost, and community and land use impacts. MWRA seeks input on the concept of a phased approach to CSO control and on specific aspects of the two proposed phasing options.
For more information, please email or call Jeffrey McLaughlin, MWRA Public Affairs, at 617-788-1170.