Cambridge Underground: Challenges of Sewer Separation and Stormwater Management

摘要

Cambridge is an old city that is seriously in need of the infrastructure improvements that are nowrnbeing implemented. Sewer separation and stormwater management projects will alleviate thernproblem of flooding and threats to public health caused by untreated wastewater discharged tornlow-lying neighborhoods and the Charles River during heavy rainstorms.rnSince 1998, S E A Consultants Inc. and Montgomery Watson Harza (S E A/MWH) have beenrnworking with the Cambridge Department of Public Works to pinpoint problems within thernexisting system; develop ways to achieve the program objectives; and plan, design, and overseernconstruction of over $325 million in city-wide infrastructure improvements over the next 15rnyears. Unconventional construction methods in heavily developed urbanized areas such as use ofrnlarge underground storage tanks, maximizing use of surface storage potential, use of bestrnmanagement practices to reduce floatables and sediment discharges to the Charles River, andrnapplications of trenchless technologies to minimize construction disruptions while improving therninfrastructure have been highlights of the program.rnThe paper describes various aspects of the Cambridge sewer separation and stormwaterrnmanagement program, the condition of the existing infrastructure, improvements needed tornsupport future growth, and innovative techniques used to address water quality and quantityrnconsiderations. Planning, design, construction, utilities, traffic and pedestrian management, andrncommunity participation will be explained as they relate to this program.