Massachusetts Watersheds Receive $200,000 in Grants for Water Quality Monitoring

BOSTON, MA – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $200,000 in Water Quality Monitoring Grants to five watershed coalitions across Massachusetts, bolstering efforts to protect the state’s vital water resources. The grants, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will support surface water monitoring in rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal areas, with a particular focus on Disadvantaged Communities.

Supporting Watershed Health Across the Commonwealth

The funding will enable hands-on activities such as collecting water samples, training local teams, and establishing ongoing programs to track water quality. MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “MassDEP has long partnered with regional watershed coalitions and non-profit organizations to maintain a current assessment of the state of Massachusetts waterbodies.” MassDEP highlighted that this collaboration positions Massachusetts to continue leading in watershed management, especially as the climate changes.

Grant Recipients and Project Focus

The Connecticut River Watershed Council is among the grant recipients, receiving $50,000. Other recipients and their project areas include:

• Buzzards Bay Coalition – $49,823 (Organizations: Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah Environmental Laboratory and Westport River Watershed Alliance)
• Ipswich River Watershed Association – $33,398 (Organizations: Parker River Clean Water Association, Chebacco Lake and Watershed Association, and Friends of Hood Pond, Inc.)
• Nashua River Watershed Association – $47,310 (Organizations: OARS 3 Rivers, Charles River Watershed Association, and Mystic River Watershed Association)
• North and South Rivers Watershed Association – $19,469 (Organizations: Neponset River Watershed Association and Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research)

The grants cover monitoring efforts in eastern Massachusetts, the Connecticut River Valley, and Cape Cod. MassInsider reports that the program prioritizes projects located in or benefiting Disadvantaged Communities.

Importance of the Connecticut River Watershed

The Connecticut River Watershed is a critical resource for millions of people in Modern England. According to the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership, the watershed provides drinking water for 2.3 million people, including residents of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Hartford, Connecticut. Reservoirs filled by the river serve another 2.5 million people, including those in the Greater Boston area. The watershed spans five states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont – covering 7.2 million acres.

Clean Water as a Priority

The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to water monitoring is underscored by its inclusion as a cornerstone of Governor Healey’s Mass Ready Act, filed in June 2025. The Act includes investments to expand water monitoring and protect public health, ensuring reliable access to clean water for all residents. The data collected through these grant-funded efforts will as well support the implementation of program requirements under the federal Clean Water Act.

Grant Eligibility

Grants are available to federally or state-recognized Tribal Nations within the Commonwealth and non-profit organizations, including watershed groups, lake and pond associations, and other organizations with expertise in conducting surface water quality monitoring. More information on the Water Quality Monitoring Grant program can be found on the MassDEP webpage.