The long-awaited court approval of a settlement designed to address pollution in the Connecticut River becomes an affirming reality today, September 13th. This decree—seeking to reduce future sewage discharges and minimize environmental injustice—represents an awakening of hope not only for Holyoke and the river itself but for all those who live nearby or depend on the waterway.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the consent decree stems from an enforcement action brought forth by the Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Acknowledging Holyoke's previous violations of federal and state wastewater discharge permits, the decree emphasizes the city's recent efforts to address these infringements and charts a course for ongoing clean-up initiatives.
Included among the requirements for Holyoke are the completion of further sewer separation work, aiming to eliminate or reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges, furthers the U.S. Department of Justice. Moreover, the city must conduct storm sewer discharge sampling, work to remove illicit connections, and implement other actions designated to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff. The settlement also imposes a $50,000 penalty for previous permit violations resulting from CSO discharges.
The announcement of this settlement arrives on the heels of a partial consent decree entered by the court in 2019, whereby Holyoke agreed to develop a long-term plan to reduce sewer discharges. This latest decree, finally approved by the court on August 31, 2023, represents the final version of that plan, ultimately superseding the previous decree.
Indeed, the desire to create cleaner, healthier environments in Massachusetts by combating environmental injustices like contaminated water is a priority shared by various federal and state departments, including the Department of Justice, the EPA, and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy commended Holyoke for their ongoing collaboration in devising this improvement plan and expressed his confidence in the city's dedication to protecting the Connecticut River's future.
EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash also recognized the importance of the settlement, emphasizing that it would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for individuals living in (and downstream of) Holyoke, particularly those in historically disadvantaged communities. This sentiment is echoed by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, who is grateful for the federal partnership in reaching this settlement and appreciative of Holyoke's commitment to bettering the lives of its residents.
Holyoke’s sewer collection system services approximately 70% of the city, with two-thirds designed to carry both sewage and stormwater. Under normal conditions, the system transports all wastewater to a treatment facility. However, during heavy rainfall, overflowing raw sewage, which is a primary cause of water pollution, gets discharged into the Connecticut River without treatment.
