Sewer

Town of Rockland Public Advisory Notification

When a discharge or overflow occurs, Rockland Sewer Department sends out a public advisory notification.  On business days, this website will be updated within 12 hours of the notification.  During weekends or holidays, this website will be updated on the next business day.  

You can also see a list of discharge and overflow events on the MassDEP website .  This list is updated within 24 hours of when the public advisory notification is sent.   

The fastest way to get information is to sign up to receive public advisory notifications: www.rockland-ma.gov and sign up for an interactive experience.

03/17/2023 SSO Notice End of Incident

03/17/2023 SSO Notice Update

03/16/2023 SSO Notice Update

03/15/2023 SSO Notice to Residents

03/15/2023 SSO Notification Form

03/15/2023 SSO Bypass Notification Form

03/15/2023 SSO Collection System Map

SSO Public Advisory End of Incident

SSO Public Advisory Update

SSO Notification/DocumentCenter/View/2590

SSO Public Advisory/DocumentCenter/View/2591

SEWER NOTICE

Due to the abnormally high rainfall this month (5” as of Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2023) we are experiencing high flows at the wastewater treatment plant.

THERE IS NO RISK TO HOMEOWNERS.

Our system is designed to treat and process 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD).  In cases such as this, we can, and have treated up to 6 MGD.

Excess water above the 6 MGD capacity of our holding tanks is processed and chlorinated before being  discharged into our receiving water shed, Frenches Stream.  Frenches Stream flows into Forge Pond.  Again, the discharge is chlorinated water, with no solids.

This matter relates in part to our aging infrastructure and the inflow and infiltration of our pipelines.  We are currently addressing that situation.

By regulation, we must notify MADEP, the EPA and the residents any time that we have an overflow  situation.  This current situation should be resolved within a day or so.

Thank you for your patience.

Chuck Heshion

Rockland Sewer Commission 

Sewer Department Oversight

The Sewer Department is managed by the elected Board of Sewer Commissioners per the Town Charter as follows:

§ C-2.09. Board of Sewer Commissioners

A. There shall be a Board of Sewer Commissioners, consisting of three (3) members, each elected for a three (3) year term, who shall choose a chairman and shall act by majority vote.

B. The Board of Sewer Commissioners shall have all of the powers and duties conferred upon it by this Charter, the Town By-laws, votes of Town Meetings, and the General Laws of the Commonwealth.

C. The Board of Sewer Commissioners shall also be known as the Drainage Committee and shall have all the powers and duties conferred upon it by this charter, the town by-laws, votes of town meetings, and the General Laws. [Added by c. 134, Acts of 1997]

Use the Trash - Not the Toilet

While labels might say “flushable" disposable wipes and other products are clogging our sewer lines and damaging pumps and other equipment. Not only are these problems expensive to fix, they can also cause raw sewage overflows into homes, businesses and local waterways. So, think trash, not toilets!

These items belong in the trash can:

• Cleaning wipes
• Condoms
• Disposable diapers, nursing pads & baby wipes
• Facial wipes
• Grease
• Hair
• Tampax
• Tampons and pads

Thanks for your help!