In the Main - A technical assistance newsletter for Public Water Suppliers
August 2009

By Malcolm Harper

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Water Conservation Grant Program provides matching funds for local water conservation outreach and education programs, water audits, water rate surveys, leak detection surveys, and certain WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures (especially low flow toilets) and Consortium for Energy Efficiency  qualified appliances. This program was developed to help address a growing need for public water systems to better address high water usage rates and water losses, to encourage and enhance local drinking water conservation efforts, and support the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments.

Recent water shortages have reminded communities and water systems that water loss prevention and improved efficiency is vital for ensuring reliable and efficient services to water system customers and for meeting environmental goals. The reduction in demand on local watersheds as a direct result of this program has lead to financial improvement, increased knowledge of distribution systems, more efficient use of existing supplies, enhanced safeguards of public health and property, improved public relations, reduced legal liability, reduced disruption to customers, and improved environmental conditions.

During the first five years of the program, 2004-2009, MassDEP awarded a total of $2,858,397 supporting efforts across 114 communities. As a direct result of this effort over 1 billion gallons of drinking water has been saved - the equivalent of $335,000 in pumping and water treatment costs to local drinking water systems.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts anticipates issuing up to $400,000 in a new granting round to take place this summer. The request for response (RFR) has been posted at the Commonwealth's procurement site, http://www.comm-pass.com. The Water Conservation Grant program "Fact Sheet" can be accessed via: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wlpgprog.htm.  

In The Main index

Maintaining Consistency & Credibility

Is SRF Financing for You?

In Brief: Drinking Water Operator Licenses Expire; Preparation Materials for Exams; Massachusetts Receives State Fluoridation Quality Award; Staff Spotlight: Melissa Privetera

Self Assess Your Emergency Response

Ground Water Rule Questions & Answers

Financial Assistance for Local Water Conservation

MWWA Meeting & Education Seminars

Consultant's Chemical Checklist

Patrick Administration Honors 25 Public Water Systems

Changes to the Total Coliform Rule