This agreement provides funding to the city of somerville to implement its poplar street pumping station project

The City of Somerville, Massachusetts received a $3.125 million Cooperative Agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202), awarded June 1, 2026 with an ultimate completion date of November 15, 2026. The agreement funds the implementation of the Poplar Street Pumping Station Project, a flood mitigation initiative designated as a high-priority measure in Somerville's FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan 2022 Update. The project will fundamentally improve the city's combined drainage system management by enabling greater stormwater volume conveyance through a new connection to a stormwater outfall while creating additional capacity for sanitary flows.

The funded activities encompass the full scope of construction and site preparation work required for the pumping station installation. Key deliverables include demolition of concrete foundations, performance of pit tests, removal of concrete and asphalt paving, site grading, installation and removal of excavation support systems, excavation and backfill operations, subgrade preparation, safe disposal of excavated soil, and installation of precast culvert infrastructure. The project is expected to reduce property damage and flooding risks in the immediate area, prevent health hazards associated with stagnant water, improve transit accessibility and public safety, and alleviate demand on local emergency services during flood events. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

This project will include the construction of a flood mitigation project that will fundamentally change the way the city of somerville manages much of its combined drainage system by allowing the city to move a greater volume of stormwater out of its land-locked sewers while creating new capacity for sanitary flows as directed in the FY2022 consolidated appropriations act. Activities:the activities to be performed include the demolition of concrete foundations, performance of PIT tests, removal of all concrete and asphalt paving and other site features, and grading of site access roads. This will be followed by the installation, and removal of excavation support systems, the excavation, backfill, and subgrade preparation, the safe disposal of excavated soil, and the installation of precast culvert. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the reduction of risks related to property damage, transit accessibility, safety, and security by specifically mitigating the impact related to flooding with a new connection to a stormwater outfall. The project is designated as a high-priority flood hazard mitigation measure in somerville's FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan 2022 update. The expected outcomes include stem from the more efficient management of stormwater, with the poplar street pump station helping to prevent property damage and reducing the risk of health hazards associated with stagnant water. This project will improve the quality of life for those in the immediate area and also help to alleviate the burden on local emergency services during flood events. The reduction of localized flooding will have a positive impact on the local economy by preventing damage to homes and businesses and decreasing the need for costly repairs. The intended beneficiaries include the residents, businesses, and infrastructure of this area of somerville.