WaterFriday, November 6
The MWRA has pulled its application to draw 20 million more gallons a day from Quabbin
The Daily Worcester team
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has pulled its application to take an additional 20 million gallons a day from the Quabbin Reservoir. Interim Executive Director Stephen Estes-Smargiassi made the request in a Nov. 5 letter to the state's Water Resources Commission. The agency will continue its efforts to withdraw the water.
The MWRA pulled its application after weeks of opposition
- Sept. 30Nearly 200 community members urged the Water Resources Commission to reject it in Belchertown.
- Oct. 21Four regional lawmakers sent a letter asking the MWRA to withdraw its application.
- Nov. 5The MWRA pulled its application in a letter to the commission.
Sources: Worcester Telegram, Worcester Business Journal
The pressure had been building. Sen. Jo Comerford told the Worcester Business Journal on Oct. 26 that it was "red hot" in western and north central Massachusetts. She said, "There isn’t a named party, a city or town waiting on this water as part of this application."
- Lawmakers: Comerford, Sen. Jake Oliveira, Reps. Aaron Saunders and Susannah Whipps
- Law cited: the 1983 Interbasin Transfer Act
- Their claim: the proposal is inconsistent with that law
20 milliongallons a day the MWRA's application sought from Quabbin
That's the extra daily volume the application asked for. The MWRA says it will continue its efforts to withdraw the water.
Sources: Worcester Telegram, Worcester Business Journal
Sources: Worcester Telegram, Worcester Business Journal