The “Ending Alewife Sewage” policy order is a formal request from the Cambridge City Council to state and local agencies to prioritize sewage overflow mitigation as a core requirement in the redevelopment of the Alewife T Complex, leveraging the opportunity for significant environmental and public health improvements in the process.
Cambridge City Council adopted the Policy Order by a 6-3 vote on June 17, 2025 at 12:34 am – 34 minutes past midnight!
It addresses the ongoing issue of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that result in untreated sewage being discharged into Alewife Brook, a tributary of the Mystic River. In 2023 alone, 29 million gallons of untreated sewage pollution was dumped into Alewife Brook, making it the most polluted site in Greater Boston.
The policy order highlights that the Alewife Garage site, slated for redevelopment, is uniquely positioned to address sewage overflows due to its proximity to major CSO outfalls (MWR003 and CAM401A) responsible for the highest volume of discharges in the area.
Green stormwater infrastructure and underground storage are emphasized as critical solutions for reducing both the frequency and volume of sewage overflows, while improving environmental and public health outcomes in the Alewife area.
The Council urges Governor Maura Healey, the MBTA Board, and MBTA General Manager to immediately amend the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Alewife T Complex. The amendment should be developed collaboratively with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the City of Cambridge, local residents, and other stakeholders. The goal is to ensure the redevelopment plays a central role in significantly decreasing raw sewage discharges into Alewife Brook.
The Policy Order recommends that the redevelopment include as much green stormwater infrastructure as possible and a major underground storage tank to control CSO discharges.
The Council calls for convening all relevant parties (the Commonwealth, City of Cambridge, MWRA, MBTA, and the selected developer) to ensure that the project delivers not only transportation and housing improvements, but also makes meaningful progress in addressing the public health threat of sewage pollution.
The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to ensure that any future zoning relief for the development aligns with city and council goals, including addressing CSOs, providing housing, and prioritizing a commuter rail stop.
The Cambridge City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Governor, DCR, MBTA, MWRA, DPH, and Cambridge’s State House delegation.
“Ending Alewife Sewage” Policy Order Sponsors:
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR WILSON
YEAS: Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy
NAYS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons