MassDEP Awards Grants for Public Water Improvement

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced yesterday that 53 public water systems, including Norwood, would be awarded federally funded Drinking Water Act grants totaling $400,500.

The grants are for towns to prepare short-term capital improvement plans for medium to large public water systems.

"A clean, reliable public water supply is a basic right for all of our citizens. By helping to improve public water systems, these grants are a critical investment in public health," Governor Deval Patrick said in a press release.

Norwood is getting a grant of $7,500, as are many neighboring communities.

"These grants are the first step in developing 20-year plans to ensure municipal water supply systems across the Commonwealth continue to provide safe and high-quality drinking water," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said in the press release.

MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt said that this is the first time that MassDEP has funded projects for the completion of drinking water system capital improvement plans.

"These projects will evaluate water works systems that include water mains, storage facilities, pumping systems, water treatment and supply sources to ensure efficient operation and protection of the environment and the public health," she said.

The grant comes at a time when Norwood is facing problems in its water system - experiencing two water main breaks in November and recently voting over $100,000 appropriated for that emergency care.

MassDEP is responsible for providing to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) every four years a survey that outlines 20-year capital needs of public drinking water systems. These grants supplement that effort and provide municipalities with a tool for capital planning.