In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s sewer and drainage systems, emphasizing a long-term planning document that outlines projects over the next decade. This document, updated every three years, aims to address the complexities and costs associated with sewer and drainage infrastructure, particularly focusing on improving water quality in the Charles River and Alewife Brook.

The city’s sewer system, originally constructed in the late 1800s as a combined sewer system, has undergone significant changes since the 1970s when the Clean Water Act prompted a separation initiative. Currently, approximately 55% of the city has been separated, while 45% still relies on combined sewers. The city maintains 115 miles of separated sanitary sewer, 78 miles of storm drains, and 43 miles of combined sewers, with seven combined sewer overflow (CSO) points that discharge into local water bodies during heavy rainfall.

To manage these systems, the city employs both in-house staff and contractors for maintenance, including pipe repairs and cleaning. Recent investments in green infrastructure, such as the Alewife wetlands and bio basins, aim to further mitigate stormwater impacts.

A significant focus of the meeting was the development of a new combined sewer overflow control plan, in collaboration with the city of Somerville and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). This plan, required by state environmental regulations, is set to be drafted by December 2025 and finalized by December 2026. The planning process includes creating a unified computer model for the sewer systems of the three communities and establishing a \"typical year\" of rainfall that incorporates climate change projections.

The meeting highlighted the importance of public participation in the planning process, with future discussions set to present project alternatives aimed at reducing CSO volumes and improving overall system capacity. These initiatives are expected to evolve into construction projects that will enhance the city’s resilience against flooding and improve water quality in local waterways.