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Massachusetts Urged to Fully Separate Sewage After Illness

4/22/2026

41 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ann McDonald fell ill after kayaking in Alewife Brook in Cambridge, where storms cause sewage discharges.
Environmental groups urge the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to implement a full sewer separation system.
The MWRA plans to submit an updated $1.28 billion proposal to reduce sewage discharges but not fully separate stormwater from sewage.
Critics say this approach is inadequate as climate change increases storm intensity.

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Story summary

Ann McDonald fell ill after kayaking in Alewife Brook in Cambridge, where storms cause sewage discharges.
Environmental groups urge the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to implement a full sewer separation system.
The MWRA plans to submit an updated $1.28 billion proposal to reduce sewage discharges but not fully separate stormwater from sewage.
Critics say this approach is inadequate as climate change increases storm intensity.