Assessing Community Engagement Strategies in Cambridge (2025)

Project Abstract
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur when rainwater overwhelms sewer systems that carry both stormwater and sewage, releasing untreated sewage into local waterbodies and harming health and the environment. In Cambridge, MA, many residents are unaware of CSOs’ impacts and proposed solutions. We worked with the City of Cambridge to create an outreach strategy using interviews, visual elicitation, website analysis, and a focus group. We found that proper outreach has varied avenues of communication, in-person engagement, multilingual and accessible materials, and transparent feedback loops. We recommend improving website design, using clear graphics, leveraging community networks, and being open about community feedback to build engagement.