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H 1046

An Act to eliminate combined sewer overflows in Massachusetts waterways

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 9 co-sponsors

Massachusetts aims to eliminate all combined sewer overflows by 2050, with interim benchmarks and annual public progress reports for CSO owners and operators.

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 1046

Summary: H.1046 — An Act to eliminate combined sewer overflows in Massachusetts waterways

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish a statewide obligation to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Massachusetts waterways, with a long-term target of zero CSO discharges by December 31, 2050. The bill also creates interim progress metrics and annual public reporting to ensure accountability and transparency.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed: January 16, 2025 (House Docket No. 2388)
  • Current status: Hearing scheduled and committee action noted; reporting deadline extended to December 31, 2025.
    • Status update: As of September 15, 2025, the reporting date was extended to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Key provisions

Section 2 — Elimination deadline

  • Any entity (public or private) that owns or operates a combined sewer system discharging combined sewage into a Massachusetts waterway must eliminate all CSOs by December 31, 2050.

Section 3 — Interim metrics and benchmarks

  • The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) must establish interim metrics and benchmarks within six months of the Act’s effective date.
  • Interim metrics must include:
    • Interim reduction targets for discharges from combined sewer systems.
    • Reporting requirements for CSO owners/operators.

Section 4 — Annual progress reporting

  • The EEA must report annually to the General Court and the public on progress toward eliminating CSOs.
  • Reports to include: status of compliance with interim metrics and any barriers to implementation.

Definitions (Section 1)

  • “Combined Sewer System”: A municipal or publicly owned treatment works (POTW) wastewater collection system that conveys sanitary wastewater and stormwater through a single pipe to a treatment plant.
  • “Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)”: Discharge from a combined sewer system to a water of the Commonwealth before reaching a treatment plant.
  • “EEA”: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Affected parties

  • Municipalities and private entities that own or operate combined sewer systems and currently discharge CSOs into Massachusetts waterways.
  • The general public and stakeholders interested in water quality and environmental protection will receive annual progress updates.

Legislative actions and timeline

  • Referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources: February 27, 2025
  • Hearing: June 17, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in room A-1)
  • Senate concurrence noted (related action appears in parallel)
  • Related bill: HD 2388 (replaces)
  • Reporting date extension: Extended to December 31, 2025 (status update in September 2025)

Potential impact

  • Infrastructure and capital costs for CSO elimination or control measures (e.g., separation of sewer/stormwater, storage/treatment enhancements, green stormwater infrastructure).
  • Long-term improvements in water quality, reduced CSO-related pollutants, and benefits to public health and ecosystems.
  • A formal accountability framework with annual reporting could influence planning, budgeting, and rate setting for affected municipalities and utilities.
  • The 2050 target provides a long horizon for implementation, with interim targets to guide progress.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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