Springfield Water and Sewer

Combined sewer overflows and sewer systems

Have you received or heard about an alert?

  • Yes, regarding CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow)

    During rain events, the combined rain runoff (or “stormwater”) from the streets along with wastewater from homes and buildings can overwhelm the capacity of the combined sewer mains. To prevent this excess capacity from backing up into streets or basements, the systems were designed with outfalls that empty this excess capacity into waterways. Each discharge event into a waterway is known as a “combined sewer overflow,” or CSO.

    Permittee: Springfield Water & Sewer Commission NPDES # MA0101613

    Location: CSO010

    For a map of the location visit springfieldalerts.com

    Time of discharge: 09/22/2022 03:35 PM

    Estimated volume: 1,625,142 Gallons

    End of discharge: 09/22/2022 03:55 PM

    The estimated volume is calculated by taking the total overflow volume for the last 3 years and dividing by the total number of overflow event for the last 3 years.

    The discharge has stopped at this time.

    Affected Waterbodies: Connecticut River

    Avoid contact with these waterbodies for 48 hours after the discharge ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants. The discharge consists of rainwater and untreated sewage and waste.

    Affected communities: Springfield, West Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow

    The affected communities border the Chicopee/Connecticut River downstream of the CSO discharge.

    Visit springfieldalerts.com for additional information.

  • Yes, regarding SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow)

    During rain events, the combined rain runoff (or “stormwater”) from the streets along with wastewater from homes and buildings can overwhelm the capacity of the combined sewer mains. To prevent this excess capacity from backing up into streets or basements, the systems were designed with outfalls that empty this excess capacity into waterways. Each discharge event into a waterway is known as a “combined sewer overflow,” or CSO.

  • Yes, regarding Blending

Learn More About Overflows

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission owns and maintains these underground combined sewer pipes, as well as all other sewer mains throughout Springfield. The City of Springfield DPW owns and maintains the stormwater system. This includes the storm drains/grates on the streets and the lateral pipes that convey stormwater from the street into the combined sewer mains and regular stormwater pipes.