EPA 2016 National Nonpoint Source Training Workshop
Boston, Massachusetts: Growing Pains of a City
John P Sullivan P.E. Chief Engineer Boston Water and Sewer Commission October 31, 2016 Boston 1630
View from the State House 1857 City Expansion Introduction of Public Water Supply 1848 Boston Main Drainage System
Improvements made during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s
History of Sewer System
• 1876 - Major improvement with Boston’s First Sewer System • 1889 – Metropolitan Sewerage District formed to construct regional sewers. • 1919 - Metropolitan District Commission takes control – major water Quality problems • 1940 - Three treatment plants recommended: Nut, Moon and Deer Island • 1952 – Nut Island Primary constructed • 1968 – Deer Island Primary constructed and untreated sewage discharge ends • 1969 – Man lands on the moon (Moon Island plant not built) • 1977- Boston Water and Sewer Commission created • 1985 – Massachusetts Water Resources Authority created MWRA Sewer Area Deer Island Treatment Plant Dramatic Improvements In Bacterial Water Quality
1987-1998 (Before Secondary Treatment 1999 - 2003 (After Secondary Treatment and South System transfer) and New Outfall) Elevated bacteria around outfalls, rivers, Inner Most of Harbor well within swimming criteria, Harbor, shoreline most remaining problems in rivers
Average Enterococcus counts in Boston Harbor CSO Control Completed Combined Sewers, Sanitary Sewers and Drains 75% of the city is separated – Purple: Combined – Red: Sewer – Green: Storm Drain 2016
Secondary Treatment – Completed
CSO LTCP – Completed
MS4 – The Adventure Begins BWSC Collection System
• 1448 miles of sewer and drain pipes • (249 miles combined, 612 miles sanitary, 587 miles storm drain) • Sewers range from 8 inch to 108 inch • Drains range from 12 inch to 240 x 186 inch • 5 stormwater pump stations • 4 sanitary pump stations • 417 outfalls • 46,376 manholes
Boston Stormwater Management • Total Maximum Daily Load (2007) – Phosphorus: Upper & Middle/Lower Charles River • Consent Decree (2012) – Update Stormwater Model – Create BMP Implementation Plan – Implement 3 Pilot Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development (“GI/LID”) Projects • Central Square, Audubon Circle, City Hall Plaza Extensive Planning to Understand Stormwater Pollution
Extensive Open Space GI/LID Obstacles in Boston Commission does not own land for GI/LID • Need to work with other agencies and entities – Department of Public Works – Department of Transportation – Boston Parks and Recreation Department – Boston Public Schools – Boston Redevelopment Authority • Need to work with private property owners BWSC GI/LID Projects • Central Square – East Boston • Audubon Circle • City Hall Plaza • 5 Boston Public Schools • Daisy Field Conceptual Exercise • Three Tributary Areas – Canterbury Brook, Lower Stony Brook, North Beacon
BPS Kennedy Health Careers Academy GI/LID Improvements
Audubon Circle Central Square
Tree trenches with porous pavers
Porous asphalt for parking and porous concrete for sidewalks over infiltration trenches 5 Boston Public Schools
• Washington Irving Middle School • Rafael Hernandez K-8 School • Ellis Elementary School • Jackson/Horace Mann K-8 School • Kennedy Health Careers Academy Daisy Field Three Tributary Areas
North Beacon Street
Lower Stony Brook
Canterbury Brook The Future • Complete demonstration projects • Establish 25 year BMP implementation Plan • Complete feasibility of Stormwater Fee Study • Review three tributary area study results • Work with Parks and Public Works to establish schedule for GI during their CIP (20 year schedule) • Learn from other cities success/failure and adjust program • Implement reasonable maintenance procedures