Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur when combined sewer systems – designed to collect and direct sewage and stormwater to wastewater treatment facilities – overflow during heavy rain, releasing raw or partially treated sewage into the environment. This poses risks to human and environmental health. Regulated under the federal Clean Water Act, cities and towns with CSOs need a permit to comply and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) issues these permits. In 2022, VNRC sued ANR and the City of Rutland, with the aim of ensuring CSOs are effectively controlled, ANR is held accountable and the public has a voice in shaping control actions to protect water quality and communities under the Clean Water Act.

Below is the latest motion filed by VNRC on December 6th, 2023. The motion asks the court to rule in favor of VNRC and rule that the Wastewater Discharge Permit for the City of Rutland include specific actions that Rutland must take over the five year term of the permit to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and work towards eliminating them. The permit ANR issued contains only that Rutland issue a progress report on addressing CSOs and specific actions to address CSOs. Thus there is opportunity to shape actions to address CSOs in the permit process or hold ANR and Rutland accountable if the required actions are not taken.