Conservationists Urge Legislators to Fund Clean Water Projects

Pop quiz: If people in the greater Boston area consumed 340 million gallons of water per day in the 1980s, how much do you think they consume today? 400 million? 500? More? Less?

The answer, thanks to sustained but largely behind-the-scenes efforts of conservationists, is that we consume dramatically less water today than in the 1980s. Last year, greater Boston consumed 200 million gallons. 

"The great result is we've saved a whole bunch of precious drinking water, which is important to our residents and to the state that that conservation effort has been successful," Fred Laskey, executive director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

Laskey was one of many conservationists at the State House Friday as part of the Massachusetts Water Forum, on World Water Day, and hosted by Dr. Karen Weber of the Foundation for a Green Future.

The speakers and panelists emphasized the importance of advancing sustainable water management and protecting the state's water resources – and the critical funding needed to do that.  

"We sit here today struggling to be relevant in the discussion about adequate funding for water and sewer infrastructure," Laskey said.  "We are the forgotten infrastructure. People turn their tap on and they take for granted that good drinking water is coming out ... well, I'll tell you, that doesn't happen by accident. To maintain a good water system in today's era requires funding. And, frankly, I believe we have a crisis in that."