New technology to monitor combined sewage overflow in Burlington

Burlington is using new technology to more accurately measure combined sewage overflow.

The city recently installed new meters in the combined-sewage overflow pipes. The meters will show not only how much water overflows but what percentage is sewage versus stormwater.

Before the meters were installed this year, public works officials had to estimate the amount of overflow based on the duration and size of the pipe.

Friday, officials estimated 10,000-25,000 gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed from the Pine Street barge canal into Lake Champlain.

They plan to use the meters to better understand the overflow.

"On Monday, we would be able to evaluate how much actual gallons of water went over the weir and we can also estimate based on the flow beforehand and after-hand, about how much was sewage and we can tell you then exactly what percentage," said Megan Moir with Burlington Public Works.

Moir estimates the percentage of untreated sewage released into Lake Champlain from the combined sewage overflow Friday night was about 10 percent or less.