FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2026
Contact: Carly Sherman, Communications Manager
Email: csherman@crwa.org
BOSTON, MA – The public comment period for the Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Plan (Draft Plan) released by the City of Cambridge, City of Somerville, and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ended on October 30, 2026. The Draft Plan is required under the federal Clean Water Act, which mandates that municipalities with combined sewer systems develop and implement a CSO Control Plan to manage and mitigate the environmental impacts of CSOs.
As of mid-October, 861 individuals from 83 Massachusetts communities submitted comments on the Draft Plan, with over 85% of comments advocating for a higher level of control than MWRA has proposed, and calling for the elimination of combined sewer overflows. For example:
“The Charles River is one of Boston's greatest treasures. It is home to the world-renowned Head of the Charles Regatta, which brings thousands of international athletes, spectators, and millions of dollars in economic activity to our region every year. Imagine the embarrassment if a major rainstorm occurred just before the event and raw sewage was floating in the river… While upgrading our infrastructure may require additional investment today, it is a lasting solution that will protect public health, the environment, and this iconic river for generations to come. It's time to stop allowing sewage to be dumped into the Charles River.” - Yvonne, Watertown, MA
“My daughter sails on the Charles River all summer. She should not have to worry about contracting disease when learning to sail. Recreation on the river provides meaningful opportunities for students, campers and adults. Why would we continue to risk the health of the river and the health of our communities by allowing dumping? Please make the Charles River finally and completely free from toxic overflows.” - Zweli, Roxbury, MA
“I love the Charles River and am writing to ask that you stop using it as an open sewer. We have a once in a generation opportunity to invest in our infrastructure and end the disgusting practice of dumping sewage in our beloved and heavily recreated water bodies… I ask that you select the highest level of control, no CSOs in the 2050 25-yr storm as the target for the Final Long Term Control Plan for the Charles River.”- Pamela, Norfolk, MA
In its comment letter, CRWA offers numerous arguments to buttress its claim that the Draft Plan should be rejected, including:
Clean Water Act Compliance: MWRA’s Draft Plan allows CSOs to persist indefinitely, falling short of the federal Clean Water Act's objective to eliminate pollutant discharges and failing to support designated recreational uses such as swimming and boating.
Outdated and Backward-looking: The Draft Plan calls for an investment of over $1 billion in infrastructure that will be outdated by the time construction is complete (in the 2060s). MWRA’s analysis failed to account for projected climate change impacts, which will bring more frequent and intense rainstorms to the region, causing more sewage overflows. CRWA calls for a more thorough analysis that accounts for the cost of rebuilding outdated infrastructure in the future.
Overlooked Alternatives: MWRA’s own fiscal analysis for CRWA’s preferred alternative for CSO elimination would cost less than $8 additional per month per household. These clean water investments would unlock tremendous long-term public health, ecological, and economic benefits for the region. Moreover, the Draft LTCP fails to explore effective options that would modernize our regional sewer system, such as sewer separation, expanded green infrastructure, and regional system management. CRWA calls on MWRA to explore the affordability of these alternative approaches.
Alignment with Commonwealth Priorities: Achieving higher levels of CSO control reinforces key state commitments to environmental justice, climate resilience, public health protection, biodiversity, and modernizing critical water infrastructure. CRWA urges MWRA to ensure its Plan aligns with state laws, policies, and goals.
“Residents across Massachusetts have spoken, and their message is clear: we deserve and demand a sewage-free Charles River," said Emily Norton, Executive Director of CRWA. "This comment period has been a powerful momentum builder. Our community advocacy continues with strong optimism, and we will keep fighting together until the Charles is sewage-free."
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The mission of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase climate resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity across the watershed.
