Brook Contaminated By Sewage

Jennifer Stuck, Milton Times, 9/15/05

Pine Tree Brook is filling with sewage from a pipe at Milton High School , leaving its neighbors holding their noses and concerned for their health.

A new drainage pipe coming from the school on Gile Road empties into the brook, and according to Conservation Commission Agent Kara Barry, a number of people have called to complain of a "strong sewerage smell" coming from the pipe.

The Neponset River Watershed Association recently tested the outfall pipe for fecal coliform, as well as other contaminates, and found the count higher than normal. Ms. Barry submitted a letter Sept. 9 to William Ritchie, director of facilities at the high school, asking him to immediately correct the problem.

In a meeting Sept. 13, a company with an underground camera that can reach up to 4,000 feet into pipes was contracted by Suffolk Construction to determine what is causing the problem, and by its location, who is responsible for having it fixed and paid for. He said it could be anything from blockage to a broken pipe.

"We don't know whose problem it is now," said Mr. Ritchie. "I don't think its a contract issue. It could be a DPW problem."

Mr. Ritchie said results from the investigation should be in by the end of this week.