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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection promulgates 314 CMR 16.00 pursuant to the authority of the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, M.G.L. c. 21, §§ 26 through 53 including, but not limited to, §§ 27 and 43A, and St. 2020, c. 322, § 2. 314 CMR 16.00 establishes requirements and procedures for notifying the public of sewage discharges and overflows into the surface waters of the Commonwealth to protect and preserve public health. The provisions set forth at 314 CMR 16.04, 16.05, 16.07, and 16.09 are required and enforceable as of July 6, 2022. Compliance with 314 CMR 16.00 does not relieve a person of any other obligations under state or federal law
A Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) is defined as any overflow, spill, release discharge or diversion of untreated or partially treated wastewater from a sanitary sewer system. The discharge or overflow of sewage into a building is not considered an SSO under 314 CMR 16.00.
If you suspect a SSO is occurring please contact Winchester Department of Public Works at 781-721-7109.
Under 314 CMR 16.00 Winchester is required to issue a public advisory notification for
a) any Sanitary Sewer Overflow that discharges through a wastewater outfall, either directly or indirectly, to a surface water of the Commonwealth
b) any SSO that flows into a surface water of the Commonwealth and is the result of the sanitary sewer system surcharging under high flow conditions when peak flows cannot be conveyed to a POTW due to capacity constraints.
c) any SSO that flows into a surface water of the Commonwealth and is the result of a failure of a wastewater pump station or associated force main designed to convey peak flows of one million gallons per day or greater.
When a discharge or overflow occurs, Winchester sends out a public advisory notification. On business days, this website will be updated within four (4) hours of the notification. During weekends or holidays, this website will be updated on the next business day.
You can also see a list of discharge and overflow events on the MassDEP website (click here). This list is updated within 24 hours of when the public advisory notification is sent. Enter Winchester in the Permittee field and click “Search”.
The fastest way to get information is to sign up to receive public advisory notifications as follows:
1) Click this link
2) Follow steps outlined below
Archive of past SSO events
Date of SSO | SSO Duration | SSO Location | Estimate Discharge Volume | Notification Forms |
---|---|---|---|---|
XX, YY, 2022 | X Hours Y Minutes | Upper Mystic | 1,000,000 gallons | Click here |
Websites for Additional Information
Regulatory
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
United States Environmental Protection Agency