Connecticut River water quality impacted after Holyoke sewage overflow

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP ) – The rainfall in western Massachusetts has led to a sewage discharge in several areas in Holyoke along the Connecticut River on Wednesday.

Six of Holyoke’s ten combined sewer overflow locations have discharged into the Connecticut River over the past four hours. An estimated 1,188,250 gallons have been released into the river. The discharge of rainwater, untreated sewage, or partially treated sewage has stopped.

According to the report from Veolia Holyoke , the estimated volume is calculated by taking the total overflow volume for the last 3 years and dividing it by the total number of overflow events for the last 3 years.

Combined sewer overflows happen because in a few communities along the river, including Holyoke, surface runoff or rainwater goes through the same pipes as sewer systems, overwhelming it during major rain events. These combined sewer systems are designed to release the overflow into the river, rather than having it back up into people’s homes.

Holyoke has taken steps to address discharging pollutants from combined sewer overflow into the Connecticut River, violating federal and state wastewater discharge permits. A plan to separate wastewater and rainwater drainage systems and eliminate the Jackson Street combined sewer overflow is in the works.

The public is advised to avoid the water in communities bordering the Connecticut River, South Hadley, and Chicopee. This includes swimming, fishing, and boating, for 48 hours after the discharge has stopped due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.

Scattered showers are likely on Wednesday afternoon. A few thunderstorms are likely, too. If you have outdoor plans, keep an eye on the radar! It will be humid, with high temperatures in the low 80s. Wednesday night will have showers early becoming partly cloudy with lows in the 60s to low 70s.

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