The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is seeking permission to transfer an additional 20 million gallons of water daily from the Quabbin and Wachusett system, even though it has not yet identified which communities would receive it.
Here's what to know
The Oct. 21 request to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority came from state Reps. Aaron Saunders of Belchertown and Susannah Whipps of Athol, and state Sens. Jo Comerford of Northampton and Jake Oliveira of Ludlow, according to the Greenfield Recorder.
Under the MWRA proposal, authorization to transfer water would precede any decision about its destinations. Critics see that sequence as a problem: They interpret the 1983 Interbasin Transfer Act as requiring an identified recipient community before approval.
The lawmakers also questioned why the agency was seeking that amount. According to their letter, the MWRA analyzed whether its system could accommodate the increase without establishing why the additional water was needed.
Comerford, Oliveira, Saunders, and state Sen. Peter Durant joined nearly 200 community members in asking the Water Resources Commission to reject the proposal at a Sept. 30 hearing in Belchertown, according to the Recorder.
More background
The lawmakers' letter echoes longstanding questions about the region's representation, stewardship costs, limits on economic activity, and fair compensation for communities protecting the water supply.
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Rebecca Tepper, the state's energy and environmental affairs secretary, chairs the MWRA board, while Vandana Rao, the state's water policy director and executive director of the Water Resources Commission, represents Tepper on the commission.
Asked about a potential conflict, Comerford emphasized the need to examine that structure.
"I think it's just important to have the checks and balances that we need in place," she said, per the Recorder.
What's being done?
Beyond withdrawing the application, the delegation is asking the MWRA to formally commit to working with Quabbin communities and their representatives.
The letter calls on the agency to collaborate with state and regional stakeholders to develop fair, enduring water policy.
Sean Navin, the MWRA's director of intergovernmental affairs, said the agency was considering the request.
"MWRA appreciates the delegation's engagement on this important issue. We are reviewing the letter and look forward to continuing this conversation," Navin wrote in a statement.
However, Comerford's and Oliveira's offices said they had received no response since sending the letter.
The approval process includes a planned draft decision, followed by a public hearing before the commission votes. The commission's next scheduled meeting was Nov. 12.
"Withdrawing this application would not end the conversation about water needs in eastern Massachusetts," the letter continued. "It would simply create the conditions for a more responsible and productive one — one grounded in demonstrated need, a sound legal basis, transparent decision-making and a fair accounting of regional obligations."
Where can I learn more?
The Quabbin dispute comes amid other water supply and utility oversight concerns across Massachusetts. These stories cover the transfer dispute, drought-related water purchases, watering restrictions, emergency supply risks, and wastewater complaints.
• Massachusetts lawmakers called the MWRA's request for 20 million more gallons daily a "blank check."
• Cambridge may buy water during drought as its main reservoir falls to 20% full.
• Western Massachusetts towns could relax outdoor watering bans after September rain improved local conditions.
• In Great Barrington, a utility's $100,000 debt put emergency water supply at risk.
• New Bedford residents demanded answers after officials logged 24 complaints near a wastewater plant.
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