Improving Resiliency in Lowell with New CSO Storage Tank
A new 1.6 million-gallon combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage tank will help protect homes and businesses in Lowell’s Belvidere neighborhood from sewer backups and flooding during heavy rain. The City of Lowell and the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWU) partnered with our water engineering team to design the underground Flood Relief Storage Tank off Douglas Road, adding capacity to manage storm flows and ease pressure on the City’s combined sewer system.
The five-chamber tank is designed to passively divert combined sewage once flows rise above the weir wall, temporarily storing excess stormwater and wastewater until the treatment system has capacity. After the tank is emptied, flushing chambers will clean the tank floor, supporting efficient operation and long-term performance. The system can also be controlled remotely through the City’s existing SCADA system, allowing LRWU to respond more quickly during storms while reducing the need for on-site personnel.
Located next to Cawley Stadium, the project required careful planning to maintain public access to the field and coordinate with utility providers throughout construction. Once construction is complete, the buried structure will be paved over and the area will be returned to parking for the stadium.
In the accompanying video, Associate Project Manager Jess DeJesus discusses the project and its benefits for residents during storm events.