There have been two reported accidental releases recently of raw sewage into the Connecticut River in Massachusetts.
An estimated 90,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was released into the river Monday because of an equipment malfunction, according to the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
Last month, a hose broke at a pump station in the town of South Hadley resulting in more than 280,000 gallons of raw sewage going into the river.
A bill has been filed in the Massachusetts legislature that would require sewage system operators to make a timely public notification when a discharge occurs. The notices would be issued online, sent through email and text messages to people who have signed up, and distributed to news organizations and local and state authorities.
WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Andrew Fisk, executive director of the Connecticut River Conservancy.
