BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $200,000 in Water Quality Monitoring Grant funding to five watershed coalitions across Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will administer the grants, which will support monitoring of rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal resources in eastern Massachusetts, the Connecticut River Valley, and Cape Cod.
Focus on Collaboration and Disadvantaged Communities
According to MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, the grants build on a long-standing partnership with regional watershed coalitions and non-profit organizations. This collaboration, she stated, “positions the Commonwealth to continue to be a leader in watershed management as we face a changing climate.”
The program is designed to bring people and groups together, with a focus on projects located in or benefiting Disadvantaged Communities. Funding will be used for activities such as collecting water samples, training local teams, and establishing ongoing water quality tracking programs.
Grant Recipients and Amounts
The following organizations received funding:
- Connecticut River Watershed Council d/b/a Connecticut River Conservancy – $50,000
- Buzzards Bay Coalition – $49,823
- Ipswich River Watershed Association – $33,398
- Nashua River Watershed Association – $47,310
- North and South Rivers Watershed Association – $19,469
Each grant recipient will work with partner organizations to implement the monitoring programs.
The water quality data collected through these grants will be used by MassDEP to fulfill requirements under the federal Clean Water Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of these grants?
The grants will support surface water monitoring efforts in rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal resources across Massachusetts.
Who is administering the grants?
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is administering the grants.
Where can I find more information about the program?
More information is available on the Water Quality Monitoring Grant program webpage.
How might these localized monitoring efforts impact long-term water resource management in Massachusetts?
