Due to the overwhelming rain received over the past 18 hours, partially treated sewage is being discharged to an unnamed tributary of the West River. The overflow is expected to continue for about 10 hours.
The town is not discharging raw sewage. It is discharging sewage that has passed through several of the sewage treatment steps. The partially treated sewage that is being discharged is sewage that has bypassed the treatment plant’s sand filters, which is the last step in the town’s sewage treatment process. Also, not all the sewage treated at the plant is bypassing the sand filters.
The Wastewater Division estimates that 2,500 gallons of partially treated sewage has been discharged so far and that 25,000 gallons will be discharged over the duration of the overflow event. The partially treated sewage flows from the discharge pipe located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 43 Maple Avenue into an unnamed tributary to the West River and into the West River.
Avoid contact with these water bodies for 48 hours after the discharge or overflow ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.
More information on discharges and overflows can be found on the town’s website on the Department of Public works page. Please contact Ed Dela Motte, Water and Wastewater Superintendent, at [email protected] or 508-529-3993 if you have any questions.
