MWRA : Deer Island Tours - Frequently Asked Questions

Deer Island Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Since much of the tour takes place outside, tours of Deer Island are offered from April through November. Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our visitors, it is not advisable to conduct tours during the winter months.

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in April, 2007, tours will be conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays only.

The MWRA offers public tours of Deer Island on the first Tuesday of each month from April through early November beginning at 9:30 a.m. To participate in a public tour, you must first contact the Deer Island Tour line at (617) 660-7607.

I'm 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'm 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?

A. 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 Cindy Parks, our Deer Island Tour Coordinator, at cindy.parks@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.