• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • Close

Dig Bos

The Dig - Greater Boston's Alternative News Source

SEWAGE NOTIFICATION BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE

Written by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN Posted January 9, 2021 Filed Under: News, News to Us, NEWS+OPINIONS

Via Facebook.

According to officials, the act is a step toward environmental protection and the preservation of public health.


The Massachusetts House and Senate enacted a bill on January 8 called “An act promoting awareness of sewage pollution in public waters.” It is now waiting for governor Charlie Baker’s signature. According to a press release from the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, the bill will provide progress in protecting public health, the state’s water quality, and upgrading an outdated water infrastructure. It will let residents know when there is sewage discharge in their area and local waterways, which they previously would not have been alerted about.

“Massachusetts residents have a right to know if there is sewage in their rivers, especially this year when we’ve turned to nature for safe recreation and peace of mind,” said Julia Blatt, executive director of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, in a press release. “Mass Rivers appreciates the leadership of the bill’s sponsors, senator Jehlen, representative Campbell, and representative Provost on this issue, and we are thrilled to see it approved by the legislature. Passing of this bill is an important step toward raising awareness of this problem, bringing our water infrastructure out of the nineteenth and into the twenty-first century.”

According to Bill H.4921, a public advisory will describe in plain language the location of sewage outfalls, the time and date of discharges, the estimated volume of discharges, waters and lands affected, precautionary measures the public can take, and more. No later than two hours after the discovery of a discharge, a permittee must issue a public advisory and describe, in text or email, the details of the discharge. They must also send information to news organizations near the outfall. Particularly during the time of the coronavirus, sanitation of waterways is an important concern.

“With a COVID-19 connection to sewage, this legislation becomes more critical to preserve public health,” said representative Linda Dean Campbell. “Many citizens have fought for this for years – and they will now be able to receive individual notification of sewage spills. State government has a responsibility to ensure that our residents and local leaders are notified of public health concerns.”

 

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
+ posts

Shira Laucharoen is a reporter based in Boston. She currently serves as the assistant director of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. In the past she has written for Sampan newspaper, The Somerville Times, Scout Magazine, Boston Magazine, and WBUR.

    This author does not have any more posts.

Filed Under: News, News to Us, NEWS+OPINIONS Tagged With: Charlie Baker, Environment, legislation, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, sewage

WHAT’S NEW

Massachusetts Bill, Victim Advocates Call For Coordinated Date-Rape Drug Response

Massachusetts Bill, Victim Advocates Call For Coordinated Date-Rape Drug Response

Report: Fewer Youth Transition Out Of Massachusetts Foster Care System

Report: Fewer Youth Transition Out Of Massachusetts Foster Care System

State Wire: Activists Urge Congress To Raise Debt Ceiling, Resist Spending Cuts

State Wire: Activists Urge Congress To Raise Debt Ceiling, Resist Spending Cuts

Dancing On Banana Peels: Life On Lifetime Parole In Massachusetts

Dancing On Banana Peels: Life On Lifetime Parole In Massachusetts

Justice Department Completes Vetting Of Rachael Rollins

Justice Department Completes Vetting Of Rachael Rollins

AG Investigating BPD To Determine If “Gang Unit” Engages In “Unconstitutional Policing”

AG Investigating BPD To Determine If “Gang Unit” Engages In “Unconstitutional Policing”

Primary Sidebar

LOCAL EVENTS

AAN Wire


Most Popular

  • AG Investigating BPD To Determine If “Gang Unit” Engages In “Unconstitutional Policing”
  • Over Yondr: Are Cell Phone Pouches At Shows Liberating, Dangerous, Or Annoying?
  • Deep Cuts Brings Sandwiches, Craft Beer, And Live Music To Medford
  • Daring Greatly: TikTok Star Alden McWayne (aka Gucci Pineapple) On Scheming And Dreaming
  • Dead As Ever: Meet The Rising Dark Star Of Boston’s Jam Band Scene

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Customer Service

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an email blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: sales@digboston.com To reach editorial (and for inquiries about internship opportunities): editorial@digboston.com