CT Lawmaker Urges Fix For River Overflows

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — State Rep. Tami Zawistowski is asking Massachusetts’ two U.S. senators to push for federal action on recurring sewage overflows into the Connecticut River, arguing western Massachusetts communities deserve the same urgency given to the recent Haverhill sewage emergency.

In a July 14 letter to U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, Zawistowski, R-East Granby, cited an overflow announced by West Springfield earlier this month. More than 6.1 million gallons of untreated wastewater entered the Connecticut, Chicopee and Mill rivers after heavy rain June 30, according to the letter.

The discharge was a mixture of rainwater, untreated sewage and other waste. The letter said local health officials advised people to avoid contact with the affected waterways for 48 hours because of elevated bacteria and other pollutants.

Combined sewer systems use the same pipes to carry stormwater and sewage. During large storms, that flow can overwhelm older infrastructure, leading to wastewater releases into waterways rather than a backup in streets, homes and businesses.

Zawistowski asked the senators to formally inquire with the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies about the western Massachusetts combined sewer overflows; swiftly review any related request for emergency or infrastructure help from Springfield, Holyoke, West Springfield or Gov. Maura Healey; and support long-term federal investment to fix the aging systems.

The request follows a separate emergency in Haverhill, where sewer pipes broke during a June 26 rainstorm. Markey and Warren asked four federal agencies July 2 to be prepared to quickly review any federal-aid request after an estimated 8 million gallons of untreated wastewater per day entered the Merrimack River until the break was repaired July 1.

On the same day as Zawistowski’s letter, U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan and Seth Moulton asked the EPA for long-term federal support for Haverhill’s wastewater infrastructure.

Zawistowski has previously pressed officials on upstream discharges. In December, she met with Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and other Massachusetts officials about reducing sewage overflows that travel downstream toward Connecticut.

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