Press Release: 2025-01-29
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $600,000 in Grants to Strengthen Watershed Protection and Public Water System Resilience
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
1/28/2025
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Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP
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Call Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP at 857-274-7522
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Email Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP at fabienne.alexis@mass.gov
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced it has awarded $560,528 in grants to help four public water suppliers with water management, streamflow restoration, and stormwater-related projects across Massachusetts. The grants are part of the Water Management Act (WMA) Grant Program, an effort by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to maintain healthy rivers and streams and restore degraded water resources over time.
MassDEP’s WMA Program guides water management in Massachusetts for both the long-term water needs of communities and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Since 2012, the WMA grant has funded over 110 project applications, enabling public water suppliers to conduct rate studies, develop drought plans, perform stormwater and water conservation projects, improve streamflow, rehabilitate sources, provide interconnections, model capacity and other similar projects that have resulted in more efficient water use across the Commonwealth.
"Public water systems work tirelessly to ensure communities have a reliable water supply, even as extreme and unpredictable weather conditions intensify the challenges," said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. "Investing in sustainable water management now is crucial to protect our resources and meet the growing needs of our residents and ecosystems."
The recipients of the latest round of WMA grants are:
Mt. Warner Wells (Town of Hadley) – $159,440
The project will develop 50% design drawings and specifications to treat Mt. Warner Wells No. 1 and No. 2 for manganese and to evaluate potential interconnection locations with a neighboring town. Additional manganese sampling will be performed as necessary to complete permitting for a proposed water treatment facility
Fino Field Stormwater (Town of Milford) – $338,388
The project allows for the construction of the permitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) at Fino Field in Milford. The proposed GSI consists of installing a large subsurface infiltration system, along with pre-treatment infrastructure, beneath the parking lot adjacent to the field. Infiltrating this runoff will reduce stormwater pollution to the Charles River and increase groundwater recharge.
Continuation of the Stony Brook Flow Restoration Project (Towns of Westford and Littleton) – $62,700
The multi-year project will monitor and continue data collection, install a new field station at Beaver Brook outlet to Forge Pond, and develop alternative release points at the Forge Pond dam to improve streamflow in the 38-square-mile Stony Brook Watershed. This is being done through the coordinated operation of existing impoundments using a decision support system informed by actual streamflow data and model results.
"These Water Management Grants represent the great things we can accomplish when government partners work together as a team – the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarding funds allocated by the Legislature to the Town of Milford, whose local leadership is prepared and ready to go with community-boosting initiatives," said State Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham). "As climate change brings more cycles of drought and flooding, and with increasing intensity, these grants help our communities improve resilience while protecting the environment. Building green infrastructure to turn stormwater into groundwater and avoid runoff is a win-win solution for Milford and the entire Charles River watershed."
"Officials from the Town of Milford should be commended for leveraging the resources and expertise of MassDEP and I am pleased to see MassDEP recognize the importance of this project as well," said State Representative Brian Murray (D-Milford). "This grant will enable the town to reduce harmful stormwater discharge to the Charles River while increasing groundwater recharge to a major recreational area, Fino Field, in an innovative, environmentally friendly and effective manner."
Visit MassDEP’s Water Management Act Program online for more information.
MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.