PUBLIC COMMENT
Protect your water bill: MWRA CSO plan
The Town of Norwood is encouraging residents to review and submit public comments regarding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s proposed $1.3 billion Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Plan.
Official Town of Norwood MWRA CSO information →Review the Town’s page, the draft plan and additional supporting documents.Why Norwood is raising concerns
While this regional infrastructure initiative aims to address CSO discharges in Cambridge, Somerville and surrounding watershed areas, the current proposal would shift 60% of the project’s total cost to the broader MWRA regional system.
Under this regional cost-allocation model, Norwood ratepayers would be responsible for an estimated $35 million+ in long-term debt service, despite receiving no direct local infrastructure improvements.
The Norwood Board of Selectmen has formally submitted comments advocating for a re-evaluation of the funding allocation and a review of lower-cost alternative plans. Residents are also encouraged to submit comments.
How to submit comments
Email comments to the project team.
Online comment portal
Submit comments electronically through the project’s Plan Engage portal.
October 28 public hearing
October 28, 2026, 6–8 PM — attend virtually or in person at Somerville City Hall Council Chambers, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville.
September 24 hearing — past
The September 24, 2026 virtual public hearing has already occurred.
Town of Norwood announcement — October 16, 2026
Attention Norwood Residents:
The MWRA is taking public comments until October 30 regarding proposed Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control plans, and our local water/sewer rates are on the line. While we support regional environmental goals, forcing Norwood ratepayers to absorb tens of millions of dollars for legacy sewer systems in other communities is fundamentally unfair. Norwood has its own separate sewer system and urgent local infrastructure to fund.
Take action before October 30! Copy and paste the text below into the MWRA public comment portal to make your voice heard:
I oppose the $1.3 billion CSO plan from MWRA, Somerville, Cambridge. The financial burden on the Norwood MWRA ratepayers is unfair. Debt service from the project costs $36 million in MWRA assessments to Norwood ratepayers ($109 million for the $7 billion plan advocated by some). We have our own water/wastewater projects that need capital investment. We have a stormwater infrastructure to improve. We don't get funding from MWRA to finance those projects. This is not a responsible solution.
Documents, including a new letter from the Board of Selectmen, can be found on the Town's MWRA CSO page.
Visit Joint CSO Planning for additional details.
Source: Town of Norwood MA, October 16, 2026. The language above reflects the Town's position, not an endorsement by independent Norwood.ma.
Verbatim recreation of the Town of Norwood's October 16, 2026 graphic, transcribed from its published image. Norwood.ma is independent of Town government.
10-16-2026
Attention Norwood Residents:
The MWRA is taking public comments until October 30 regarding proposed Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control plans, and our local water/sewer rates are on the line. While we support regional environmental goals, forcing Norwood ratepayers to absorb tens of millions of dollars for legacy sewer systems in other communities is fundamentally unfair. Norwood has its own separate sewer system and urgent local infrastructure to fund.
Take action before October 30! Copy and paste the text below into the MWRA public comment portal to make your voice heard:
I oppose the $1.3 billion CSO plan from MWRA, Somerville, Cambridge. The financial burden on the Norwood MWRA ratepayers is unfair. Debt service from the project costs $36 million in MWRA assessments to Norwood ratepayers ($109 million for the $7 billion plan advocated by some). We have our own water/wastewater projects that need capital investment. We have a stormwater infrastructure to improve. We don't get funding from MWRA to finance those projects. This is not a responsible solution.
Seal image hotlinked from Wikimedia Commons (public-domain Town seal); the Town website's direct logo asset URL has not been verified.
Source: Town of Norwood Board of Selectmen information regarding the MWRA Draft Updated CSO Control Plan.