Sewer Systems

Final Determinations for CSO Variances for Lower Charles River/Charles Basin and Alewife Brook/Upper Mystic River

Response to Public Comments on Tentative Determinations to extend variances for Combined Sewer Overflow discharges to Charles River and Alewife
MS Word 71 KB | PDF 62 KB

Charles River Variance Determination
MS Word 76 KB | PDF 65 KB
Charles River Variance Fact Sheet
MS Word 2 MB | PDF 215 KB

Alewife Brook Variance Determination
MS Word 65 KB | PDF 61 KB
Alewife Brook Variance Fact Sheet
MS Word 3 MB | PDF 366 KB

About the Sanitary Sewer Program

MassDEP's responsibility for ensuring that sewer systems comply with the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act and its regulations.
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Sanitary Sewer Overflow Form

Form to be used to notify MassDEP of an emergency overflow, bypass of wastewater or a backup of sewage into a building.
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Regulations

Includes revisions promulgated in January 2007: streamlined state permit and approval requirements for sewer connections, sewer extensions, and industrial wastewater management.
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Policies and Guidance

CSOs, sewer systems, and related guidance documents.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a combined sewer overflow, what communities should do, and what Massachusetts is doing to control CSOs.
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Flooding and Sewage Back-ups: Home Care Guide

Protecting your home and family from disease-causing pathogens in the event of a flood or sewage back-up.
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