New project to separate Holyoke sewage overflow into Connecticut River

Nick and Sierra, the city of Holio is beginning phase A in their plan to prevent wastewater overflow into the Connecticut River and residents on a select number of roads should anticipate construction very soon. There's going to be a dramatic reduction in contaminants going into the river just by completing this one project. For years, the city of Holio, along with other cities and towns along the Connecticut River, have encountered problems with combined sewer overflows. During heavy rain events, the the mixture of storm water and waste water increases um the flows at the wastewater treatment plant. So, at times, if the rain event is heavy enough, you've got raw sewage being dis dispersed into the Connecticut River. As a result of these csos, the city of Holio was issued a consent decree. an order from a judge for the city to take the necessary steps to improve water quality to meet EPA standards. The city of Holio ensuring their residents understand the work being done. What the municipality is doing right now to chip away at our requirements under the consent decree so that we're improving um uh you know conditions and making sure that we're being good environmental stewards. This is not a new project for the city of Holio, but the next steps to helping to clean the Connecticut River. I think the public needs to understand that this is an ongoing progress and um we're we're getting to the end of it. As as noted, 2029 is the last project to be done on the consent decree. Monahan sees another benefit to this project, not just for the environment and public health. Communities who who invest in and take care of their infrastructure are communities that industries want to locate in. So I always merge infrastructure improvements with economic development opportunities. Residents should expect to see the first signs of construction very shortly. The city also said they plan to notify residents with flyers on their doors for if and when they can expect construction on their street. working for you. Claire Overton, 22 News.