On Wednesday, May 2, 2018 the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) was notified by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) of a sewer main break in Dalton, Massachusetts that is impacting the Housatonic River. A 14" sewage line at a bridge crossing on West Housatonic Street partially failed.  Some of the volume is impacting the river, however, some is continuing to flow in the system.  The volume of impact and the release rate are unknown, but the line does convey 2.5 million gallons per day. Dalton, MA is located approximately 30 miles north of the Connecticut border.

Mass DEP is working with the responsible party to correct the issue. A pump is on site to begin a bypass operation; this is expected to take 5+ hours. A catchment area has been built to collect the solids in the area around the break.

The Connecticut DEEP is monitoring the situation to determine if there are any impacts to the Housatonic River within Connecticut’s borders.

Further questions regarding this situation should be directed to the Mass DEP.