ELM -- Environmental League of Massachusetts


ELM Home

Collaborative

Issues

Jobs and
Volunteering

Join/Donate

Activist Tools

Links

Directions

Earth Night

Senate Bill 2376 - An Act to Encourage and Promote Water Conservation
(Water Banking Legislation)

What is a "Water Bank?"

A "Water Bank" is a dedicated fund established by a municipality to help fund projects to conserve water, recharge groundwater, fix leaky pipes and replenish aquifers. These projects can help offset increased demands on water supplies, help communities meet their environmental permitting obligations, and help protect and restore water resources. The bank may be funded with dedicated fees charged to new water supply users, or existing users who wish to increase their use.

Why does Massachusetts need water banking legislation?

  • Although Massachusetts receives plenty of rain -- about 45 inches a year - it is starting to face the same problems as the arid west: streams running dry; well levels dropping; summertime water demand unable to be met; future water supply threatened; fish populations struggling; and recreational opportunities curtailed.

  • Massachusetts has over 160 "flow-impaired" rivers -- more than any other state in New England. Maintaining water quality and protecting water quantity are critical concerns.

  • Many communities want to undertake projects to protect water supplies and restore rivers. Federal and state permitting programs are requiring towns to implement conservation and restoration programs. Yet communities lack the funding strategies and financial instruments to pay for these programs.

    What does Senate Bill No. 2376 do?

    • The bill clarifies the authority of municipalities, water boards and districts at their option to create water banks, or "Sustainable Water Resource Funds" by assessing reasonable fees to be used exclusively to fund projects that will offset the impacts of increased withdrawals and protect public waters. The amount of the fee may be based on the cost of saving or keeping within basin at least two gallons for every gallon of new water demand.

    • Banking can help municipalities undertake projects to meet existing water demand and ensure that water is available for future growth and development, as well as protect and restore our rivers and streams. The bill builds in flexibility so that towns can tailor banking programs to fit their needs.

      • The bill allows the Water Resource Fund to be used for water return or preventing water loss by any means, including:

      • Local recharge of stormwater and wastewater;

      • Reuse of water;

      • Removal of infiltration and inflow into leaky sewer pipes; and

      • Retrofitting existing development with low impact development methods, or water-saving toilets, faucets and appliances.

    • The bill also amends G.L. c. 40, § 39J to make it clear that measures to enhance the quantity of ground and surface waters may be included in the full cost pricing of water supply by municipalities.

    WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION IN 2006. ngoodman@environmentalleague.orgFor more information, contact Deirdre Menoyo at dmenoyo@mac.com or Nancy Goodman at ngoodman@environmentalleague.org or (617) 742-2553.

    Back to Water Policy Main Page
    Environmental League of Massachusetts