Massachusetts / Reports /

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) reported — BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION, Jul 21, 2026

Ended (as reported) · BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION (MassDEP sewage notification portal)

Source: BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION (MassDEP sewage notification portal) via MassDEP CSO API behind the portal, record 7015858b-aa1e-4345-ad59-4aece8e5ce80, published Jul 22, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT, retrieved 2026-11-02 10:58 UTC · Read the original notice

Read the original notice · Report an error

1. Reported wastewater outlet

Operator named in the record: BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION (federal wastewater discharge permit, NPDES, MA0101192). Outlet: BOS070 “CORNER OF W 4TH ST AND FRONTAGE RD”. Location: 42.34287, -71.06100; location source: from the state's or EPA's outfall layer.

Outfall: a pipe or outlet where wastewater enters a water body.

2. Waters named in the notice

The notice names: “FORT POINT CHANNEL”. DirtyWaterWatch links this report to Fort Point Channel, MA. Match basis: the water named in the report.

3. Estimated downstream stretch

We estimate routes only on rivers before they become tidal. We do not estimate routes through tidal water or lakes.

Open on the main map

When it happened and when it was reported

Event and notice times use Eastern Time (EST or EDT). Retrieval times use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Started

Jul 21, 2026, 9:10 PM EDT

Ended

not reported

Detail provided by the source

Times known to the minute

Reported to the source

not given

Published

Jul 22, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT

Source last updated

not given

Last retrieved by DirtyWaterWatch

2026-11-02 10:58 UTC

What and how much

Type

Combined sewer overflow (CSO): sewage mixed with rainwater spills from a shared sewer system.

Status in the record

Ended (as reported)

Material

“CSO – Treated”

Volume

volume not reported (not stated whether estimated or measured)

Volume as reported

none

Advice from BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION (MassDEP sewage notification portal)

“Avoid contact with these water bodies for 48 hours after the discharge or overflow ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants. See website for more information on whether specific resource areas, such as bathing beaches, are affected.”

Advice period

48 hours

Basis

314 CMR 16.04(10)(g)

Status history from this report

• Caution Fort Point Channel: Discharge record with unclear status, Jul 22, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT to Aug 5, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT
• End not confirmed Fort Point Channel: End not confirmed, Aug 5, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT to Aug 21, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT
• No current status shown Fort Point Channel: End not confirmed, Aug 21, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT to Oct 20, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT

Source: DirtyWaterWatch calculations using this report and the published status rules. Updated 2026-11-02 15:57 UTC.

Source and versions

Source

MassDEP CSO API behind the portal

Source record number

7015858b-aa1e-4345-ad59-4aece8e5ce80

Original notice

Read the original notice

Earlier version

None: this is the first record

Later versions

None

{
  "incidentId": "7015858b-aa1e-4345-ad59-4aece8e5ce80",
  "incidentNumber": "26016805",
  "incidentDate": "2026-07-21T00:00:00",
  "incidentTime": "21:10",
  "amPm": null,
  "reporterClass": "Public Notification Report",
  "eventType": "CSO – Treated",
  "permiteeClass": "CSO",
  "permiteeName": "BOSTON WATER & SEWER COMMISSION",
  "permiteeId": "MA0101192",
  "outfallId": "BOS070",
  "municipality": "BOSTON",
  "reportingType": "Initial-Ceased",
  "location": "CORNER OF W 4TH ST AND FRONTAGE RD",
  "latitude": null,
  "longitude": null,
  "waterBody": "FORT POINT CHANNEL",
  "waterBodyDescription": null,
  "volumnOfEvent": "",
  "rainfallData": "",
  "hours": "",
  "minutes": "",
  "month": null,
  "year": null,
  "additionalInformation": "CSO event did not meet the BWSC preset 15-minute activation threshold that would push out an automated notification, so email notification was not received within two hours of the CSO event. Manual notification was pushed out once data confirmed there was a CSO event. There was a separate event earlier in the night at this same regulator, only untreated, as this event occurred via the CSO pump station at Union Park; therefor a treated event.",
  "submittedDate": "2026-07-22T10:57:38.667",
  "parentIncidentId": null,
  "_report_class": "Public Notification Report",
  "_tz_assumed": "America/New_York (portal gives local clock time without zone)",
  "_ended_note": "reported ceased; the portal gives no cessation time",
  "_coords": "MassDEP CSOs layer DEP_OUTFL_ BOS070 (locations are estimates)",
  "_water": {
    "no_slug": [
      "FORT POINT CHANNEL (no slug)",
      "FORT POINT CHANNEL (no slug)"
    ]
  },
  "_advice_source": "required wording of 314 CMR 16.04(10)(g); the permittee's own advisory is only in an attachment the portal will not serve"
}