I currently reside on Concord Ave, just south (and upstream) from the High School, and have noticed a very serious concern with the sewer system.
On "high water" days, meaning WHENEVER the stream rises approx. 3-4 feet, there is a sewer manhole in the streambed that releases raw sewage into Town Run. This is located about 150 feet from John St, on the west bank of the stream. The other, taller sewer manhole about 50 feet upstream also leaks whatever it is in it, but requires a much higher rise of water.
The reason that I know that this manhole is releasing biological waste into the stream is that after the flood subsides, there is a residue of toilet paper on the grass around the manhole, and toilet paper can only come from one source in that concentration. What is happening is that when the water comes rushing downstream in a flood, the water is getting under the manhole cover, due to a concrete seal failing, and pushing the manhole cover up due the force of the water. Once the manhole cover is tipped, the water pressure forces whatever is in said sewer to be released into the enviroment. Please note that this HAS been repaired in the past, with a shoddy concrete fill job- but perhaps lasted only a few years. Of course, this repair, and the reason or it, was not mentioned to the public.
When I was younger, I played in the stream, made dams, and fished, and even ate some of the crawdads that still inhabit it. Go into the state park on a hot summer day, and see the children do the same thing.
How many sewer manholes are there in the stream? How many of them are leaking? How many town officials already know about it? And WHY aren't they fixing it?
Sincerely,
Awaiting results of fecal coliform bacteria test after a flood,
of Reason
edit: here is a map
Last edited on Fri Jun 6th, 2008 03:18 pm by ofReason
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