Storm causes sewer overflow

Revere residents were notified Tuesday shortly after noon that a discharge or overflow from the city’s sewer system, caused by the heavy rain, was discovered flowing into surface waters from the area of Atwood and Hawes streets. According to the Department of Public Works, the discharge, which was estimated to be about 1,000 gallons likely consists of untreated or partially treated sewage and waste. Residents were advised to avoid contact with the affected waterways for 48 hours after the discharge stops due to health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.

Crews were at the scene for much of Tuesday afternoon. There were concerns that some of the overflow could affect Diamond Creek, Pines River, Belle Island Inlet as well as Malden and Saugus. DPW staff said such discharges are not unusual during heavy rains and the tides and rain will naturally restore the area. An investigation by the Boston Herald found data showing that in 2018, 2.8 billion gallons of wastewater were discharged into local rivers and waterways. As a result, the Legislature passed a bill requiring sewer operators to notify the public of the overflow within 2 hours of discovering the problem.