Construction News

Construction of the Emerson/Robinson Storm Drain system is associated with the Harvard Sewer Separation Project. Harvard's drainage infrastructures include sanitary and storm drainage facilities, which have historically functioned as "combined" systems, as did the surrounding City facilities. Under this project, two distinct drainage infrastructures will be established by utilizing the existing combined sanitary/storm drainage infrastructures and by supplemental construction of new sanitary and storm facilities as required to yield two functional systems.

In the eastern portion of Harvard Yard, a new storm drainage infrastructure is being constructed and the existing combined system will be used in the future as a sanitary sewer conveyance system only. Construction started on Monday, and will be complete prior to the start of school in the fall. The drainage mains (pipes) will range from 12 inches to 24 inches in diameter, and will be installed at depths of up to 15 feet. The new system will start in the Pusey/Emerson area and run northerly along the west side of Sever to the driveway south of Canaday Hall, westerly between Canaday and Memorial Church, easterly to the north of Robinson Hall and terminate at an existing manhole near the north-east corner of Robinson.

The city of Cambridge is continuing with their own storm drainage separation program, under which facilities have already been installed from the Kirkland/Quincy Street intersection to the Charles River (via De Wolfe Street). Both the City's as well as Harvard's projects will improve wet weather flow conveyance; thereby decreasing localized surcharges and surface flooding. In addition, occasional overflows of the sanitary system to the Charles River via the MWRA Charles River Valley Interceptor will be reduced due to the removal of storm water from the sanitary system. Also, a long term benefit in the form of lower sewer treatment charges will ultimately be realized as storm water will be diverted to the Charles River rather than directed to the MWRA's Deer Island Sewage Treatment Facility.