Session 5: Drinking Water
Channel: Watershed Action Alliance
Date: 2015-05-16

The Future of Water in Southeastern Massachusetts, April 24, 2015
Session 5: Drinking Water

The drinking water session featured four panelists and a moderator, each of whom provided a unique perspective on the trade-offs between human needs for water and environmental impacts of water withdrawals. Moderator Paul Lauenstein presented the results and key contributing factors of the award-winning water conservation program in Sharon, MA. Aquatic Scientist Margaret Kearns of Corona Environmental Consulting and Al Bangert of the Scituate DPW described their collaboration in Scituate to improve flow in First Herring Brook, while simultaneously supplying the community with high-quality drinking water. MA DEP Deputy Commissioner Beth Card talked about the new water withdrawal permitting regulations promulgated in the wake of the state’s Sustainable Water Management Initiative. Finally, Bill Napolitano, Environmental Program Director for the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SERPEDD), discussed the relationship between water supply, the environment, and the economy in southeastern Massachusetts. All touched on the effectiveness of water conservation as a tool for minimizing environmental impacts, as well as the economic and drinking water quality benefits of improving water use efficiency.