Storm Water Holding Tanks Prevent Street Flooding During July Rain

Storm Water Tanks Paid off During Heavy Rains in July

The first 2 weeks of July saw over 9” of rain, the second wettest period since 1921. The City experienced very little flooding during these storms due to extensive maintenance, cleaning and investment in our storm water system.

The City has constructed 12 storm water holding tanks over the last 20 years -- Hovey Ave, Scott St, Wendell St, Main Library on Broadway, Museum Street, Danehy Park, New St., Francis Ave. and the most recent one in Parking Lot 6 in the Port.  Collectively, these tanks can hold a total of over 2 million gallons of storm water - that's 4 Olympic-sized swimming pools!  During these past rainstorms, every one of the tanks operated, holding storm water during the heavy rain events and directly reducing flooding in the neighborhoods.  The Port tank and pump station stored approximately 400,000 gallons of storm water and pumped at a rate of over 6,000 gallons per minute during the rainstorm on July 2. Prior to the installation of the storm water tanks, these July storms would have caused significant flooding in the Port, Agassiz and mid-Cambridge neighborhoods.

For more information about the latest infrastructure project addressing storm water visit www.cambridgema.gov/theport.