Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Healey-Driscoll administration on April 27 announced more than $10.3 million in grants for 18 public water suppliers to promote consistent access to clean drinking water.
The program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and operated in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, supports projects in small and disadvantaged communities that address drinking water contaminants, including those identified on the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists, such as PFAS and manganese.
In a prepared statement, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said communities should not have to face water contaminant issues on their own.
“Through these grants, and other initiatives like the Mass Ready Act, we’re doubling down on our efforts to provide safe, clean drinking water for everyone,” Tepper said.
PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals commonly used in consumer products, industrial processes, and certain firefighting foams, can impact infant development, organ function, and elevate cancer risk, according to the EPA.
Long-term exposures to high levels of manganese, a naturally occurring element present in water, soil, air and food, can have adverse effects on the human nervous system.
Grants of between $4,700 and $2.3 million were awarded to the towns of East Brookfield, Falmouth, Huntington, Maynard, Milford, New Salem, Norton, Rowley, Templeton, Ware, and West Brookfield, as well as the Applewood Community Corporation (Boxborough), Carlisle Congregational Church, Liberty House Condominium (Boxborough), Maynard State LLC (Westport), Pinecroft School (Rehoboth), and South Royalston Improvement Corporation (Royalston).
The state’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant web page has more information. For more about the communities that have received the grants, visit the EC-SDC Grants Map.