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View of Cambridge from Boston overlooking the river

Ten Year Sewer and Drain Infrastructure Plan

The City has developed a strategic plan to manage the infrastructure improvements of the sewer and storm water mains, manholes, catch basins, pumping stations and CSO outfalls that carry waste and storm water to treatment plants and discharge locations. This 10-year plan serves as a guidance document to prioritize construction and rehabilitation of these complex systems.

The goals of the 10 Year Plan are to:

  1. Address high-risk infrastructure conditions
  2. Remove inflow/infiltration (I/I) from sewer systems
  3. Eliminate sanitary sewer overflow (SSOs) and reduce CSOs
  4. Manage stormwater quality and quantity
  5. Reduce flooding and protect neighborhoods
  6. Address fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the sewer system
  7. Conduct operation and maintenance activities

Projects are prioritized by considering:

  • Aging infrastructure reaching the end of its service life and needs replacement or rehabilitation
  • Planned private development projects
  • Climate change impacts
  • Public health impacts
  • Available budget/funding
  • Projects planned as part of the 5 Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan
  • Regulatory initiatives and enforcement actions or permit requirements that change

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the City's sewer system is already separated from stormwater drains?

Cambridge's sewer system is approximately 55% separated, where sewage goes directly to the MWRA for treatment and the stormwater discharges directly into Alewife Brook or the Charles River. The remaining system is combined sewer, where the sewer and stormwater share a common pipe  and can be directed to the MWRA for treatment during dry and wet weather, and to the Alewife Brook or the Charles River during wet weather CSOs. 

What is a CSO?

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) act like a relief valve allowing sewerage to discharge into waterways preventing sewerage backups into homes, businesses and streets. Cambridge’s combined sewer system ties into the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's (MWRA) wastewater collection system which is treated and discharges at Deer Island. During periods of heavy rain both MWRA and Cambridge’s wastewater systems can become overwhelmed by rainwater releasing CSOs into both the Charles River and the Alewife Brook.

Combined System (left) versus a Separated System (right)

Diagram of a Combined Sewer SystemDiagram of a separated sewer system

 

Page was posted on 3/18/2019 6:10 PM
Page was last modified on 6/17/2024 12:25 PM
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