The Untold Story of New England’s Perpetual Environmental Threat: Combined Sewer Overflows 

Presenter

Alisha Regina Taha

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Regine A. Spector, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A17, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 1 (A1-A20) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

This research project investigates the impact of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) on New England rivers and ecosystems, and the public health of environmental justice populations living near these rivers. Many Massachusetts cities operate under a combined sewer system, meaning that both stormwater and wastewater flow into one consolidated pipe which is transported to a wastewater facility. On a dry day, this system works as intended, however during heavy rainfall events, the system breaks down. The volume of stormwater exceeds the capacity of the pipe which overwhelms wastewater facilities and forces them to release raw sewage into local rivers to avoid upstream flooding into homes and neighborhoods. Climate change has increased the number and severity of CSOs, including this past summer 2023, however, most residents do not know about the dangers of CSOs and there is little research on the public health and environmental justice implications of this growing problem. 

  In order to examine how CSO events affect public health and the environment, I conducted in-person video interviews with five NGO watershed leaders from Massachusetts.  Together with other secondary literature and reports, I am directing a documentary that showcases the changing nature and causes of CSOs, and how the public and policy processes can push forward the massive infrastructure improvements that are urgently needed.  I will be screening the documentary in academic and community spaces across the state of Massachusetts to raise awareness about this problem and bring about policy change on this issue.

Keywords

Climate Change , Public Health , Environmental Justice Communities

Research Area

Environment Effects on Ecosystems

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