The Boston Water and Sewer Commission’s (BWSC) Border and Condor Street Project in East Boston involves a comprehensive rehabilitation of the existing sewer and water distribution facilities and the installation of storm drains that will allow for the completion of sewer separation in adjacent upstream areas.  New water mains will be installed, and sewers will be replaced or rehabilitated.  This project will reduce pollution levels by substantially decreasing the number and volume of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) into the Chelsea Creek and the Boston Harbor.

Combined sewers, found in many older cities, carry both sanitary sewage and stormwater in the same pipe. During heavy rainstorms, stormwater takes up the greater portion of space in the pipe, and at times exceeds the capacity of the sewer system, which results in a discharge into a local body of water, known as a CSO or combined sewer overflow. The Border and Condor Street Project will help eliminate the existing combined sewer system in this area by establishing two separate systems – one for sanitary flow and one for stormwater flow.

Community Relations

BWSC is committed to a proactive community relations program.  The program is designed to keep residents, businesses and elected officials informed about the project by holding public meetings before construction begins, listing details of the project on BWSC’s website, and meeting with business and civic groups and elected officials to provide periodic updates, as requested or appropriate.

Project staff will work closely with businesses, educational and cultural institutions and residents of abutting neighborhoods regarding traffic management issues, such as maintaining access for employees, visitors and students, deliveries, and trash removal.

Border Street

Work on this section includes:

·         2870 LF of new 12” water main

·         4800 LF new sewer and drain ranging from 12” to 30”

·         1500 LF of sewer and drain lining

Condor Street

Work on this section includes:

·         3200 LF of new water main ranging 8” to 12”

·         2800 LF of new sewer and drain ranging from 10” to 24”

·         2600 LF of sewer and drain lining

Meridian Street

Work on this section includes:

·         300 LF of new drain ranging in size from 18” to 24”

·         200 LF of sewer lining

BWSC is committed to working closely with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mayor’s Office, Boston Public Works Department, Boston Transportation Department, Department of Environmental Protection, and other city departments, public and private utilities, state and federal agencies and, most importantly, with abutters to the project to ensure its successful undertaking and completion. Effective project coordination will also help mitigate many of the short-term construction related impacts that will be associated with the project, including noise, dust, traffic, parking, and sewer disruption.