Deer Island Treatment Plant
Friday, September 27 at 10 am
Friday, September 27 at 10 am
Join us for a tour of Deer Island and its Wastewater Treatment Plant on Friday, September 27 at 10 am. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. The group will have lunch together following the tour. There is no fee for this excursion.
On this tour, you will learn about the MWRA's Deer Island treatment system protects Boston Harbor against pollution from Metropolitan Boston's sewer systems. The plant removes human, household, business and industrial pollutants from wastewater that originates in homes and businesses in 43 greater Boston communities. In compliance with all federal and state environmental standards and subject to the precedent-setting discharge permit issued for the plant by EPA and DEP, its treated wastewater can be released to the marine environment.
Tours begin with a one-hour interactive presentation that answers the questions: What is wastewater?...Where does it come from and where does it go? The presentation depicts each stage of the wastewater treatment process.
After learning the basics of wastewater treatment, the tour will begin in the historic pump station, where learn we will learn about the history of Deer Island. We will then visit the South System Pump Station, Digester Road, and the disinfection/discharge area.
This tour was a big hit with BOLLI members when offered several years ago.
Please contact Judy Bernstein judylbernstein@gmail.com to make your reservation.
Driving directions can be found here.
About Deer Island
Deer Island features five miles of public walkways and trails for walking, jogging, sightseeing, picnicking, fishing and bicycling. The public access area is open to the public year-round, from sunrise to sunset. At Deer Island you'll also find:
60 acres of open space, including 2.6 miles of paved handicapped accessible perimeter path;
A new handicapped accessible fishing pier;
10 landscaped overlooks with interpretive signage;
An Irish memorial;
An interpretive sign honoring the Native Americans who inhabited Deer Island;
Dramatic views of the Boston skyline and Harbor Islands;
Spectacular closeups of airport landings and takeoffs;
Elevated look-in locations to learn about the treatment plant;
A memorial to the late Judge A. David Mazzone;
Low maintenance, native plant species similar to those of other Harbor Islands.