State lawmakers: Massachusetts city dumping millions of gallons of sewage into Connecticut River

SUFFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — Some state lawmakers have claimed the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts has released millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Connecticut River. 

The sewage is starting to show up in northern Connecticut towns Suffield and Enfield, and is making its way south toward the Long Island Sound.

State Rep. Tami Zawistowski (R-61) pulled the records from Holyoke after receiving a video from fishermen who said they saw raw sewage, toilet paper and other items floating in the river in Suffield. 

Zawistowski said Holyoke alone dumps seven million gallons into the river in just one day, which occurred earlier this month and several times previously. When there is heavy rain it is more than sewage, and other towns have done it too. 

“It’s not just Holyoke,” Zawistowski said. “It’s Chicopee. It’s West Springfield and Springfield on different days. They all have issues that have come out in the past years. We have people who fish in that river and actually eat the fish.”

Enfield resident Zach Robinson fishes in Suffield along the Canal Trail. He said he eats fish approved as safe by state officials, and is bothered by the contamination of the water. 

“Especially if you get into an area where it pulls together and slows down, you’ll definitely get a bit of a foul smell for sure,” Robinson said. 

State lawmakers said they sent a letter to the regional Environmental Protection Agency office, but Connecticut, even if it is doing its part to keep the river clean, has no jurisdiction over Massachusetts. 

“MDC (The Metropolitan District) is like a year away from completing a $300 million project,” Zawistowski said. “It started in 2019. It’s time for Massachusetts to step up.”

“It makes me sad, especially with the way with social media and the consciousness we have today together,” Robinson said. “We should be able to get things together and get the job done.”

News 8 reached out to Holyoke officials, but did not hear back.