In 2022, the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failure to procure permits that would reduce the discharge of stormwater pollution—an existing regulation in the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA). Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), consisting of stormwater and household wastewater, are what is causing said pollution. Ideally, CSOs would not enter the river, but instead flow through underground tunnels known as storage tunnels, a system utilized by the majority of cities today. CSOs have infiltrated local waterways such as the Charles River, Mystic River, Neposit River, and Alewife Brook for over 150 years. Now, almost four years after its establishment, the case has finally been addressed.
Just a few weeks ago, on February 25th, the MWRA voted to only allow for the release of CSOs during “heavy rainstorms,” with three or more inches of rain (which has recently become more and more frequent because of global warming). All other discharges will go to CSO storage tanks, which, while they are effective, are nowhere near as accommodating as storage tunnels. The question of how low the taxpayer cost will be is particularly controversial. Installing a tunnel and virtually eliminating CSOs would only cost $82 more per year for ratepayers than the current system. That is less than two dollars per week per household. In a recent article by the CWRA, Executive Director Emily Norton commented, “For less than the cost of a Dunkin’ iced coffee per month, we could have a sewage-free Charles River. Instead, our political leaders voted to continue to use it as a toilet, forever.”
For decades, the state of local waterways has been depressing, to put it mildly. The abundant litter lining the banks of the Mystic River, for instance, repels wildlife. Perhaps this is not an immediate concern of the MWRA or the EPA, but the amount of CSOs in the Boston area is incredibly disproportionate to the rest of Massachusetts. A map of the CSOs in Massachusetts from MassDEP shows thirty-plus different sewage systems that experience CSOs and pollute the surrounding waterbodies. Much of our sewage system has not changed since the 1800s.
Sofia Medlenka ’26 told the Register Forum, “It brings me so much joy to see all of the nature and life around [the Charles] and to think that it could be damaged by all of our waste … makes me so sad.” Additionally, school sports are affected by the state of the water. Crew and sailing practices are canceled during the event of a combined sewage overflow, which, as explained, will only happen more as storms become more frequent and extreme.
AP Environmental Science Teacher Ms. Tobe Stomberg shared her reaction, stating, “I simply don’t understand the politics of it all.” She claims to have noticed increased “tension” between the MWRA and local watershed associations such as the CWRA.
Following the decision on February 25th, the CRWA launched a “Cut the Crap” campaign in which individuals may sign an online petition provided on the CRWA website to be sent to the local government. Citizens are notably taking a stand against the pollution through the unification of organizations, committees, and neighbors. Now it is up to the MWRA to respond to the backlash.
This article also appears in our March 2026 print edition.
