Introduction
K-12 MIT Sea Grant Home Wastewater History Water pollution Why Treat Wastewater Sewerage System Outfall Wastewater Treatment Glossary Credits What Can I Do?

Introduction

The Boston Sewage Tour is an updated version of the "Boston Harbor Sewage Stack" which was produced in 1992 by MIT Sea Grant. The "Boston Harbor Sewage Stack" resource was created during various stages of the Boston Harbor Project, a $3.8 billion effort to protect Boston Harbor from future sewage pollution.

A lot has been accomplished since 1992. Take the online Boston Sewage Tour to learn how sewage was treated and discharged through the years and what is now being done which has made Boston Harbor a cleaner and safer harbor. You will also learn about water pollution, why it is important to treat wastewater, and how YOU can help reduce water pollution.

The Boston Harbor Project was created as a result of a federal court order in 1985 which ruled that the Deer Island primary treatment facility, which was then operated by the Metropolitan District Commission, was outdated and violated the Clean Water Act of 1972 which requires secondary treatment of wastewater.

For more detailed information about the Boston Harbor Project, visit the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority website at http://www.mwra.com.