MWRA : Deer Island Tours - Frequently Asked Questions

Deer Island Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

IMPORTANT SECURITY INFORMATION - Prior reservations are required for all tours of MWRA facilities. Upon reserving a tour, visitors will receive a security form. Domestic visitors are required to complete and submit their form to MWRA Security 7 days in advance of their tour. International guests are required to submit their completed form 14 days in advance, along with copies of their passports.

The MWRA offers tours of Deer Island each month from April through November beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Fridays only.

The MWRA offers tours of Deer Island to the public. The tour season is from April to November. To participate in a public tour, or for more information, you must first contact the Deer Island Tour line at (617) 660-7607.

IMPORTANT SECURITY INFORMATION - For security purposes, every prospective visitor who wishes to take a tour Deer Island is required to fill out and submit, at least seven days in advance, a form authorizing release of information to MWRA Security. Individuals requesting a tour will be assigned a tour appointment or linked with an already scheduled tour. Please contact the MWRA Deer Island Tour Line for more information.

I am with a school group. What are the requirements for taking a tour?

Tours of Deer Island are offered to school groups, Gr. 7-12, located within the MWRA Service Area.

I am an educator and would like to participate in a tour of Deer Island with a group of teachers. Whom should I contact?

Tours of Deer Island for teacher groups can also be arranged. We can schedule a day-long teacher training to include hands-on classroom activities combined with a tour. The MWRA is a certified PDP provider. To learn more about opportunities for educator groups at Deer Island, contact Meg Tabacsko at meg.tabacsko@mwra.state.ma.us or (617) 788-1139.

Is there a cost associated with tours of Deer Island?

There is no direct cost for tours, but you will be responsible for all transportation costs associated with this field trip. If you arrive by bus, the bus will be used for touring the island. If you arrive by car and your group is 14 or fewer visitors, there is an MWRA vehicle to transport the group around the island. If your group is larger than 14 visitors and you arrive by boat or public transportation, the tour will be a walking tour.

Are there size restrictions for the tour groups?

Yes, we can only accommodate one busload of students at a time.

How long is a tour of Deer Island and what will my students see?

All tours will begin with a 1 hour Down the Drain presentation. This is an interactive presentation that answers the questions: What is wastewater?...Where does it come from and where does it go? The 30” X 40” presentation boards depict each stage of the wastewater treatment process. Props are velcroed to the boards to show what gets stopped along the way.

After learning the basics of wastewater treatment, the tour will begin in the historic pump station where students learn about the history of Deer Island. The group will then visit the South System Pump Station, Digester Road, and the disinfection/discharge area. The tour takes between 1.5 to 2.0 hours.

What is the lead-time for scheduling tours?

Please allow us as much lead time as possible.

How do I schedule a tour?

Contact Nadia Caines, our Deer Island Tour Coordinator, at nadia.caines@mwra.state.ma.us or at (617) 660-7607.

What if I have a school group younger than grade 7 that wants to tour Deer Island?

We must stand firm on our policy of grade 7 and above. But, please be advised that there is a 2.6-mile public walkway around the perimeter of the Deer Island Treatment Plant that can be utilized by anyone. We will send you a video tour of Deer Island for your students to view if you wish to take advantage of the public walkway.