Water commission drops proposed surcharge

The Water Infrastructure Finance Commission on Feb. 7 approved 23 recommendations to reduce costs and finance improvements, but it withdrew a proposed surcharge on water bills.

The surcharge, which the MMA opposed, would have added a penny for every 10 gallons of water used to create a fund that would redistribute money to cities and towns for water infrastructure projects.

The MMA has been a supporter of the Water Infrastructure Finance Commission, but expressed concerns about two recommendations that were approved: fees on local building permits, and fees on municipalities that go through the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act permitting process.

The recommendations approved by the commission include pushing for more state and federal funding; encouraging cities and towns to follow best management practices; introducing new bottle bill revenue; and introducing a port fee.

State law charged the commission with developing a comprehensive, long-range plan for financing state and local water infrastructure improvements. Many of the recommendations will be filed as legislation in the next legislative session, which begins next January.

The commission estimates that Massachusetts faces a $21.4 billion gap in resources for drinking water and clean water projects over the next 20 years; meeting proposed federal stormwater rules could add another $18 billion.

Gloucester Councillor Bruce Tobey, a former MMA president, served as the municipal representative on the commission. The commission’s other 17 members represented environmental activists, public interest groups, engineers, and water and sewer utilities.