"New effort to curtail sewage in Boston; Deal to address leakage includes three makeovers" by Beth Daley |
Globe Staff, August 27, 2012
A settlement reached in federal court promises an accelerated attack
on pollution from the labyrinth of pipes under Boston and from pavement
runoff, an effort designed to prevent raw sewage and other pollutants
from reaching area waterways.
Pollution has remained an episodic problem — despite the $5.5 billion
Boston Harbor cleanup — prompting beach closings and deterring those
ready to dip their toes into the water. It is also a significant problem
in fresh water, such as the Charles River, where storm runoff this year
is contributing to blue-green algae blooms that can be a health risk to
humans and animals.
The agreement, reached last week, comes two years after the
Conservation Law Foundation and the US Environmental Protection Agency
sued the Boston Water and Sewer Commission for not acting quickly enough
to stop the pollution, largely from storm drains and illegal sewer pipe
hookups....
Ratepayers will see increases as a result of the settlement....
One major problem is asphalt and concrete: The impermeable surfaces do
not allow rainwater filled with pollution from city streets and
sidewalks to seep into soil, which would allow toxins to naturally
filter out. Instead, the pollution travels on a storm drain highway,
reaching Boston Harbor and other waterways....
--more--"
Also see: There Is Blood Under Boston's Streets
