Preserving Water Resources
Since people, businesses, wildlife, and natural lands all need adequate water, the Commonwealth must follow sustainable water policy guidelines to support ecological needs while meeting the requirements of regional economic growth, supporting high-quality jobs, increasing housing affordability, enhancing tourism, and maintaining a high quality of life that includes recreational opportunities and vital habitats.
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Striking a balance between the needs for water by humans and our natural environment is the goal of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' (EEA) water policies. EEA's Water Policy team implements the Massachusetts Water Policy, established in 2004, through various projects at EEA and our agencies.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hydrologically divided in 27 major watersheds. Each watershed has unique land and water features, history of water use, and development patterns influencing its water resources.
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Learn about water quality monitoring and drinking water safety.
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Massachusetts' water resources are the lifeblood of many of our most scenic and fragile environments as well as some of the Commonwealth's most popular recreational areas. Contains information related to rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.
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While existing laws and programs now protect or encourage preservation of many natural resources and landscapes, there is a clear need to go beyond protection and preservation, to restoration of damaged critical natural habitats. Habitat restoration is an important and growing element of efforts to preserve our natural heritage and to protect and restore the critical "services" that the environment provides.
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