Food & Water × Drought
Drought decreases water supply, affecting water use in households, businesses, and for agricultural operations. The entire Commonwealth is exposed to drought, and the Connecticut River Valley and Central regions of the state experienced Extreme drought conditions between 2001 and 2017 (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-40). While future droughts are difficult to predict, the projected increase in extreme weather events suggests that drought could be an issue, and research shows that rainfall will be more unpredictable and inconsistent (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 84-88).
This unpredictability is a large challenge for farmers, who rely on steady water supply to grow crops and support livestock. Reduced crop yields result in less food for consumption and reduced wages, livelihood, and profits for those who work in the agricultural sector. Because Massachusetts residents mostly consume food grown outside of the state, droughts and other extreme weather events across the United States or world could decrease supply of food into the state or increase food prices, which contributes to food insecurity, when people have a difficult time accessing affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.
Strengthening local food economies (such as with community gardens or
community supported agriculture) can build resilience to disruptions in supply
chains and create more stability in food access. However, these are still
vulnerable to local droughts.
This guide
will allow you to explore the impacts of drought on both food and water supply and identify existing resources to support
communities during times of drought.
Drought decreases water supply, affecting water use in households, businesses, and for agricultural operations. The entire Commonwealth is exposed to drought, and the Connecticut River Valley and Central regions of the state experienced Extreme drought conditions between 2001 and 2017 (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-40). While future droughts are difficult to predict, the projected increase in extreme weather events suggests that drought could be an issue, and research shows that rainfall will be more unpredictable and inconsistent (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 84-88).
This unpredictability is a large challenge for farmers, who rely on steady water supply to grow crops and support livestock. Reduced crop yields result in less food for consumption and reduced wages, livelihood, and profits for those who work in the agricultural sector. Because Massachusetts residents mostly consume food grown outside of the state, droughts and other extreme weather events across the United States or world could decrease supply of food into the state or increase food prices, which contributes to food insecurity, when people have a difficult time accessing affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.
Strengthening local food economies (such as with community gardens or
community supported agriculture) can build resilience to disruptions in supply
chains and create more stability in food access. However, these are still
vulnerable to local droughts.
This guide
will allow you to explore the impacts of drought on both food and water supply and identify existing resources to support
communities during times of drought.
Questions to Answer
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how drought may impact food and water quality and access within your community. Use the Food & Water x Drought worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how drought may impact food and water quality and access within your community. Use the Food & Water x Drought worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
Droughts
can be widespread, long-lasting events without clear boundaries. The entire
population of Massachusetts is exposed to the possibility of drought events at
any time of year. Some of the most important considerations in how drought will
affect people involve where we get our water and the policies that govern water
supplies.
Drinking
water comes from both groundwater (aquifers) and surface water (like freshwater
wetlands, rivers, and lakes). It is
collected, treated, and distributed by both private and public entities, via
pumps and pipes. When the amount of
groundwater and surface water is reduced in a drought, there may not be enough
to meet all needs, storage volumes can decrease significantly, and wells can
run dry. Drought can deplete both public and private water sources. However,
smaller wells are more vulnerable to drought, as they rely primarily on
precipitation fed recharge (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60-61).
Guided Exploration:
Open the GEAR Food + Water Map and select a municipality to consider where your drinking
water comes from, how it gets to community members, and what drought conditions
might look like in the future.
- How does your community access water? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Public Water Supply and MWRA Towns layers.)
- Are people dependent on public or private wells?
- Is there a surface water source – if so, where are the intake sites?
- Is your water partially or fully supplied by the MWRA?
- What are some characteristics of the water resource areas? Undeveloped and protected resource areas are more likely to support healthy water systems, as healthy ecosystems and soils promote groundwater recharge and retain moisture during periods of drought.
- Are there state-recognized protection areas? (Turn on the Water Protection Areas subgroup to view Wellhead Protection Areas, Surface Water Supply Protection Areas, and Outstanding Resource Waters.)
- Is the land around your water source(s) permanently protected? (The Protected and Recreational Open Space: Protected Water Supply layer in the Water Protection Areas group identifies water supply protection parcels.)
- Are there sources of potential contaminants such as industrial sites, roadways/railroads, or farming operations? (see the Development Characteristics under Water Layers, and the Cultivated/Pasture Land Cover under the Food Layers group.)
- Check your community’s Drought Status under the Climate Hazard Layers group. Does your community have a Water Conservation Program and a Local Drought Action Plan (MA EOEEEA & MEMA, 2019, p. 47-53) to guide municipal actions before and during a drought?
Ask local municipal staff, volunteers, or water utility providers the following questions to understand what steps your community has taken to safeguard water resources from drought and what parts of the community might be most impacted:
- Does your community already have a Water-Ban Ordinance and/or Water Restriction Ordinance? If so, when was it last used?
- What kinds of land use policies are in place to protect the quantity and quality of the drinking water supply? Are there ways these could be strengthened?
- Has drought impacted consistent water supply in the community in the past?
- Do you know what percentage of your community relies on private wells?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation page 79 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor)
- Reduction in Clean Water Supply page A60 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Cape, Islands & South Coast)
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services page 122 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Droughts
can be widespread, long-lasting events without clear boundaries. The entire
population of Massachusetts is exposed to the possibility of drought events at
any time of year. Some of the most important considerations in how drought will
affect people involve where we get our water and the policies that govern water
supplies.
Drinking
water comes from both groundwater (aquifers) and surface water (like freshwater
wetlands, rivers, and lakes). It is
collected, treated, and distributed by both private and public entities, via
pumps and pipes. When the amount of
groundwater and surface water is reduced in a drought, there may not be enough
to meet all needs, storage volumes can decrease significantly, and wells can
run dry. Drought can deplete both public and private water sources. However,
smaller wells are more vulnerable to drought, as they rely primarily on
precipitation fed recharge (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60-61).
Guided Exploration:
Open the GEAR Food + Water Map and select a municipality to consider where your drinking
water comes from, how it gets to community members, and what drought conditions
might look like in the future.
- How does your community access water? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Public Water Supply and MWRA Towns layers.)
- Are people dependent on public or private wells?
- Is there a surface water source – if so, where are the intake sites?
- Is your water partially or fully supplied by the MWRA?
- What are some characteristics of the water resource areas? Undeveloped and protected resource areas are more likely to support healthy water systems, as healthy ecosystems and soils promote groundwater recharge and retain moisture during periods of drought.
- Are there state-recognized protection areas? (Turn on the Water Protection Areas subgroup to view Wellhead Protection Areas, Surface Water Supply Protection Areas, and Outstanding Resource Waters.)
- Is the land around your water source(s) permanently protected? (The Protected and Recreational Open Space: Protected Water Supply layer in the Water Protection Areas group identifies water supply protection parcels.)
- Are there sources of potential contaminants such as industrial sites, roadways/railroads, or farming operations? (see the Development Characteristics under Water Layers, and the Cultivated/Pasture Land Cover under the Food Layers group.)
- Check your community’s Drought Status under the Climate Hazard Layers group. Does your community have a Water Conservation Program and a Local Drought Action Plan (MA EOEEEA & MEMA, 2019, p. 47-53) to guide municipal actions before and during a drought?
Ask local municipal staff, volunteers, or water utility providers the following questions to understand what steps your community has taken to safeguard water resources from drought and what parts of the community might be most impacted:
- Does your community already have a Water-Ban Ordinance and/or Water Restriction Ordinance? If so, when was it last used?
- What kinds of land use policies are in place to protect the quantity and quality of the drinking water supply? Are there ways these could be strengthened?
- Has drought impacted consistent water supply in the community in the past?
- Do you know what percentage of your community relies on private wells?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation page 79 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor)
- Reduction in Clean Water Supply page A60 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Cape, Islands & South Coast)
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services page 122 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Agricultural
fields and other places we rely on for growing food are susceptible to damage
and stunted growth during a drought. Crops weakened by drought are more
susceptible to pests and invasive species (NOAA, NIDIS).
Future
local droughts and droughts in other parts of the United States and world, especially
in several regions simultaneously, could have an impact on the
global food system. The probability of co-occurring droughts could increase by up to 60% by the late 21st century as compared to late 20th century levels (Singh, Ashfaq, & Skinner, 2022). These droughts could result in less available food,
as well as higher and more variable food prices (Columbia Climate School, 2022).
Places
where people acquire food are sometimes referred to as food access points.
These include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, gas stations, and
discount stores (e.g., dollar stores, wholesale clubs, and big box department
stores). Community members’ proximity to these access points and their ability
to get to them conveniently, as well as the availability and price of
nutritious food at these access points, contribute to food security or
insecurity.
Food
insecurity is
created when people have a difficult time accessing affordable, nutritious, and
culturally appropriate food. Food insecurity rates tend to be higher for immigrants, low-income people, and
people of color because of the ways food infrastructure has been deprioritized
and underfunded in the neighborhoods in which they live (Health Food Policy Project, 2022). Cultural appropriateness is essential for
recognizing and respecting the preferences and religious traditions of
different communities, such that community members can access their familiar
and preferred foods, spices, and other ingredients (CDC, 2022).
Guided Exploration:
This guide will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to start
discussing where community members can access affordable, nutritious, and
culturally appropriate food. You’ll think about how you can expand access to
these resources for all community members and maintain access through impacts
resulting from drought.
To begin, open the map and select a municipality. Expand the Food Layers group and the Food Access Layers subgroup to explore where points are located and their relative importance in your community. The mapped information includes grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and food pantries and programs (currently for Greater Boston only). There may be additional access points to consider that aren’t on the map such as farm stores/stands, community supported agriculture (CSAs) programs, personal food gardens, and food delivery programs such as Meals on Wheels. There is also a layer showing Low Income and Low Food Access census tracts from the USDA.
- Which areas of your community have a large variety of food access points? Which areas lack food options?
- Are any census tracts in your community or neighboring areas considered as having Low Income and Low Food Access?
What kind of food production occurs in your community? Are there local farms, community agriculture, food forests, or community gardens? Do many people grow their own food?
- What water resources are available to farmers and gardeners? Are there backup irrigation systems in place when the weather is dry for extended periods of time? (Expand the Water Layers group to view the Public Water Supply layer and the Hydrology layers)
- How are the needs of farmers and food gardeners accounted for in local Water Conservation Programs and Drought Management Plans?
When discussing the following questions, it may be helpful to review the data in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group and consider how drought may increase the challenges to accessing food:
- Is there the same availability of food access points (number and variety) in EJ block groups?
- Consider which community groups might face food insecurity, including issues getting to a food access point and issues responding to increased food prices.
- What can your community do to increase access to food?
- Where can some redundancy be built in, in response to the challenges that drought and other climate change disruptions pose to community members, farmers, and others involved in providing food to the community?
- Where might your municipality partner with local organizations and entities such as community pantries, community gardens, schools, hospitals, and non-profits working in this area?
- How can these partnerships be designed to be sustainable and long-lasting?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Reduction in Food Safety and Security page A3 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern Inland; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
- Decrease in Agricultural Productivity page A139 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley, Central)
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services page 122 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Agricultural
fields and other places we rely on for growing food are susceptible to damage
and stunted growth during a drought. Crops weakened by drought are more
susceptible to pests and invasive species (NOAA, NIDIS).
Future
local droughts and droughts in other parts of the United States and world, especially
in several regions simultaneously, could have an impact on the
global food system. The probability of co-occurring droughts could increase by up to 60% by the late 21st century as compared to late 20th century levels (Singh, Ashfaq, & Skinner, 2022). These droughts could result in less available food,
as well as higher and more variable food prices (Columbia Climate School, 2022).
Places
where people acquire food are sometimes referred to as food access points.
These include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, gas stations, and
discount stores (e.g., dollar stores, wholesale clubs, and big box department
stores). Community members’ proximity to these access points and their ability
to get to them conveniently, as well as the availability and price of
nutritious food at these access points, contribute to food security or
insecurity.
Food
insecurity is
created when people have a difficult time accessing affordable, nutritious, and
culturally appropriate food. Food insecurity rates tend to be higher for immigrants, low-income people, and
people of color because of the ways food infrastructure has been deprioritized
and underfunded in the neighborhoods in which they live (Health Food Policy Project, 2022). Cultural appropriateness is essential for
recognizing and respecting the preferences and religious traditions of
different communities, such that community members can access their familiar
and preferred foods, spices, and other ingredients (CDC, 2022).
Guided Exploration:
This guide will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to start
discussing where community members can access affordable, nutritious, and
culturally appropriate food. You’ll think about how you can expand access to
these resources for all community members and maintain access through impacts
resulting from drought.
To begin, open the map and select a municipality. Expand the Food Layers group and the Food Access Layers subgroup to explore where points are located and their relative importance in your community. The mapped information includes grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and food pantries and programs (currently for Greater Boston only). There may be additional access points to consider that aren’t on the map such as farm stores/stands, community supported agriculture (CSAs) programs, personal food gardens, and food delivery programs such as Meals on Wheels. There is also a layer showing Low Income and Low Food Access census tracts from the USDA.
- Which areas of your community have a large variety of food access points? Which areas lack food options?
- Are any census tracts in your community or neighboring areas considered as having Low Income and Low Food Access?
What kind of food production occurs in your community? Are there local farms, community agriculture, food forests, or community gardens? Do many people grow their own food?
- What water resources are available to farmers and gardeners? Are there backup irrigation systems in place when the weather is dry for extended periods of time? (Expand the Water Layers group to view the Public Water Supply layer and the Hydrology layers)
- How are the needs of farmers and food gardeners accounted for in local Water Conservation Programs and Drought Management Plans?
When discussing the following questions, it may be helpful to review the data in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group and consider how drought may increase the challenges to accessing food:
- Is there the same availability of food access points (number and variety) in EJ block groups?
- Consider which community groups might face food insecurity, including issues getting to a food access point and issues responding to increased food prices.
- What can your community do to increase access to food?
- Where can some redundancy be built in, in response to the challenges that drought and other climate change disruptions pose to community members, farmers, and others involved in providing food to the community?
- Where might your municipality partner with local organizations and entities such as community pantries, community gardens, schools, hospitals, and non-profits working in this area?
- How can these partnerships be designed to be sustainable and long-lasting?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Reduction in Food Safety and Security page A3 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern Inland; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
- Decrease in Agricultural Productivity page A139 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley, Central)
- Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services page 122 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Investigate GEAR Map Data Layers
Explore the Food + Water map to learn more about how drought may impact food and water quality and access within your community. The list at the right provides an overview of the data layers included in the map, as well as details about each layer.
Explore the Food + Water map to learn more about how drought may impact food and water quality and access within your community. The list at the right provides an overview of the data layers included in the map, as well as details about each layer.
Represents whether each of the
seven regions of the Commonwealth is currently experiencing drought, and to what degree
(Level 0 - Normal to Level 4 - Emergency).
This feature service provides access to current drought intensity categories for the entire USA. These data have been produced weekly since January 4, 2000 by the U.S. Drought Monitor, see the Full Historical data for the full time series. Drought intensity is classified according to the deviation of precipitation, stream flow, and soil moisture content from historically established norms, in addition to subjective observations and reported impacts from more than 350 partners across the country. New map data is released every Thursday to reflect the conditions of the previous week.
This layer shows locations of all active food pantry and meal program member agencies of The Greater Boston Food Bank as of December 2018.
Wholesale Food Distribution Centers in Massachusetts.
Figure A2 in the 2022 MA Climate Change Assessment.
Data from https://www.foodcodirectory.com/2020/09/wholesale-food-distributors-in_31.html
This layer shows locations from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Farmers markets often offer local,
fresh, nutritious food that other food access points such as grocery stores and
big box stores may not. Some farmers markets accept SNAP/WIC.
This layer identifies SNAP-authorized retailers
as of December 2022. Those eligible for SNAP and/or other government programs
qualify as a result of low incomes and may be facing other challenges beyond
food insecurity.
Patterns in grocery store accessibility can provide
information on food insecurity and availability of fresh, nutritious food. SafeGraph October 2020.
Residents in low income and low food access tracts have limited access to fresh, healthy food.
The protected and
recreational open space data layer contains the boundaries of conservation
lands and outdoor recreational facilities in Massachusetts. Users can identify
lands whose primary purpose is labeled as agriculture.
Public water supply is important to the overall
well-being and prosperity of a region and provide space for natural resources.
Public water supplies are vulnerable to several climate hazards such as drought
and water pollution.
Towns which are serviced by MRWA have been selected and are included within this layer. This includes towns which are fully supplied, partially supplied or only receive back-up, emergency or raw water. A list of these towns can also be found on the MWRA website.
This GIS datalayer represents approximate service areas for Public Water Systems (PWS) in Massachusetts. In 2017, as part of its “Enhancing Resilience and Emergency Preparedness of Water Utilities through Improved Mapping” (Critical Infrastructure Mapping Project ), the MassDEP Water Utility Resilience Program (WURP) began to uniformly map drinking water service areas throughout Massachusetts using information collected from various sources. Along with confirming existing public water system (PWS) service area information, the project collected and verified estimated service area delineations for PWSs not previously delineated and will continue to update the information contained in the datalayers.
This layer identifies hydrographic
(water-related) features, including surface water (lakes, ponds, and reservoirs),
wetlands, bogs, flats, rivers, and streams.
32 major watersheds cover Massachusetts.
Watersheds channel precipitation to associated creeks, streams, rivers, and
outflow points (such as reservoirs, bays, and oceans). When polluted water
enters the watershed, the pollution may flow to downstream waterbodies. Drought
across a watershed significantly reduces available water for people as
well as natural ecosystems.
For this data source, "water supply" indicates the "primary purpose" is water resource protection. The property may be owned by a water department or district, and may be either permanently or temporarily protected.
This layer identifies Wellhead Protection Areas (ZoneII, IWPA).
Wellhead protection areas are important for protecting the recharge area around
public water supply (PWS) groundwater sources.
These Surface Water Supply Protection Areas
delineate those areas included in 310 CMR 22.00, the Massachusetts Drinking
Water Regulations, as Surface Water Supply Protection Zones (Zone A, B, and C).
This datalayer delineates areas in which certain waters are afforded Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) protection under the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, 314 CMR 4.00 (WQS): "Certain waters are designated for protection under this provision... includ[ing] Class A Public Water Supplies (314 CMR 4.06(1)(d)1.) and their tributaries, certain wetlands as specified in 314 CMR 4.06(2) and other waters as determined by the Department based on their outstanding socio-economic, recreational, ecological and/or aesthetic values. The quality of these waters shall be protected and maintained."
Environmental justice (EJ) populations, i.e., block groups are defined in Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021 and the 2021 EEA EJ Policy. EJ populations are those segments of the population that EEA has determined to be most at risk of being unaware of or unable to participate in environmental decision-making or to gain access to state environmental resources or are especially vulnerable. 2020 block groups, updated in Nov 2022.
Actions to Consider
Communities can take a number of steps to build resilience to the impacts of drought on food and water systems. Some actions may include:
Communities can take a number of steps to build resilience to the impacts of drought on food and water systems. Some actions may include:
Partnering with regional farmers, businesses, and organizations increases
collaboration and enhances capacity for projects, funding, grant opportunities,
and leadership. For example, a community newsletter or a classroom program for school-age children could further education regarding the local agriculture community, the impacts of climate change, and the benefits of a strong regional food system.
Additionally, partnering with regional farmers, businesses, and organizations increases the number of resources available to all partners. For example, the University of Massachusetts has a dedicated agriculture extension program that provides research-based resources for the Commonwealth. UMass Extension (also referred to as the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment) has field offices around the state. Partnerships between communities, regional farmers, and the Extension can lead to the awareness and implementation of best practices for the region's specific farm types, soil types, and other important considerations.
Supporting
practices that build soil organic matter and enable the development of a
healthy soil structure is critical. For every 1 percent increase in soil
organic matter, soil can hold as much as 20,000 gallons more water per acre.
This increased water holding capacity means that groundwater recharge can be
bolstered, system runoff can be reduced, and the export of sediment and
pollutants to waterways can be prevented (Massachusetts Healthy Soils Action Plan, 2023, p. 21). Best management practices (BMPs)
for growing soil organic carbon stocks often do have multiple benefits
including protecting water quality, improving resilience to both drought and
heavy rain events, and protecting critical ecosystem services (Apple Country Natural Climate Solutions, Appendix 7: Soil Health and Resilience).
Assess soil health in your community and identify locations where there is good
value and feasibility to improve soil organic carbon. Engage large landowners,
farmers, and other community representatives to implement best management
practices for a variety of stakeholders and scales including municipally
managed land, agricultural land, large commercial or institutional spaces, and
residential land.
Year-round water conservation programs can help lessen drought impacts on communities. Community level water conservation programs should address local water system efficiency, water rates, indoor and outdoor water use, and engage community-appropriate communication and outreach. Explore the following resources from Mass.gov to learn more about implementing a water conservation program in your community:
Explore MVP Projects
Explore the MPV-funded projects below:
Explore the MPV-funded projects below:
FY21 Action Grant
$100,650 Award
To
create a significantly more robust and resilient intermunicipal water supply
system, and to respond to citizen concerns expressed in its 2019 MVP Report,
the City of Fall River (FY21), with Dighton, Somerset, and Swansea, evaluated
the ability of the combined water supplies to provide redundancy during periods
of critical need.
Project website: Regional Emergency Water System Interconnectivity Analysis
Case study: Fall River FY21 Regional Interconnection Evaluation
FY21 Action Grant
$100,650 Award
To
create a significantly more robust and resilient intermunicipal water supply
system, and to respond to citizen concerns expressed in its 2019 MVP Report,
the City of Fall River (FY21), with Dighton, Somerset, and Swansea, evaluated
the ability of the combined water supplies to provide redundancy during periods
of critical need.
Project website: Regional Emergency Water System Interconnectivity Analysis
Case study: Fall River FY21 Regional Interconnection Evaluation
FY21 Action
Grant
$698,356
Award
In a
continuation of a previous MVP Action Grant, the Town of Belchertown and
the Belchertown Water District replaced the Park Street water storage tank with
a new tank that increased storage capacity and resiliency to drought. The tank
replacement project included improvements to the municipal parking lot adjacent
to the tank, which will incorporate green stormwater practices that will enhance
water quality and provide significant opportunities for public education and
outreach at this highly visible site in the Town center. The Town and the Water
District also pursued detailed design and permitting for a rainwater harvesting
system at Belchertown High School to irrigate the athletic fields, which would
reduce public water use during periods of peak demand.
Project website: Belchertown Resilient Water Supply
Case study: Belchertown FY21 Enhancing Water Supply Reliability
FY21 Action
Grant
$698,356
Award
In a
continuation of a previous MVP Action Grant, the Town of Belchertown and
the Belchertown Water District replaced the Park Street water storage tank with
a new tank that increased storage capacity and resiliency to drought. The tank
replacement project included improvements to the municipal parking lot adjacent
to the tank, which will incorporate green stormwater practices that will enhance
water quality and provide significant opportunities for public education and
outreach at this highly visible site in the Town center. The Town and the Water
District also pursued detailed design and permitting for a rainwater harvesting
system at Belchertown High School to irrigate the athletic fields, which would
reduce public water use during periods of peak demand.
Project website: Belchertown Resilient Water Supply
Case study: Belchertown FY21 Enhancing Water Supply Reliability
FY18 Action Grant
$16,640 Award
The Town of Natick implemented a new water utility
software, WaterSmart, that uses data and behavioral science to save water. The
Town also used funds to support community outreach to achieve widespread
adoption of the WaterSmart technology. Engagement included mailings, a main
street banner, and “Water Week” community outreach activities. The
attached document provides examples of the types of water use reports provided
to participants.
Learn more: Natick FY18 Water Use Reports
FY18 Action Grant
$16,640 Award
The Town of Natick implemented a new water utility
software, WaterSmart, that uses data and behavioral science to save water. The
Town also used funds to support community outreach to achieve widespread
adoption of the WaterSmart technology. Engagement included mailings, a main
street banner, and “Water Week” community outreach activities. The
attached document provides examples of the types of water use reports provided
to participants.
Learn more: Natick FY18 Water Use Reports
FY21 Action Grant
$93,236 Award
In this project, regional climate resilience was
supported through the development of a comprehensive management plan that
contained actionable strategies for coping with floodwater issues throughout
the Assawompset Pond Complex. This project also addressed water supply and
drought potential, water quality, preservation of critical habitat, and
compatible recreational access, and will improve social resilience through the
commitment of a network of regional stakeholders operating from coordinated
best management practices.
Project website: SPREDD | APC & Nemasket River Watershed Management and Climate Action Plan
Case study: Lakeville FY21 Assawompset Ponds Complex Watershed Management and Climate Action Plan
FY21 Action Grant
$93,236 Award
In this project, regional climate resilience was
supported through the development of a comprehensive management plan that
contained actionable strategies for coping with floodwater issues throughout
the Assawompset Pond Complex. This project also addressed water supply and
drought potential, water quality, preservation of critical habitat, and
compatible recreational access, and will improve social resilience through the
commitment of a network of regional stakeholders operating from coordinated
best management practices.
Project website: SPREDD | APC & Nemasket River Watershed Management and Climate Action Plan
Case study: Lakeville FY21 Assawompset Ponds Complex Watershed Management and Climate Action Plan
FY21 Action Grant
$250,000 Award
These three central MA communities completed an ecological climate assessment along the outer-495 corridor. All three communities have significant natural land resources that continue to experience development pressures. Comprehensive ecological planning focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience, including a soil health assessment (putting the State Healthy Soils Action Plan to work on a downscaled regional approach), a literature review on wetlands analysis, and recommendations for policy updates and best management practices.
Project website: Apple Country- Natural Climate Solutions Project
Case study: Apple Country FY21
Ecological Climate Resiliency
FY21 Action Grant
$250,000 Award
These three central MA communities completed an ecological climate assessment along the outer-495 corridor. All three communities have significant natural land resources that continue to experience development pressures. Comprehensive ecological planning focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience, including a soil health assessment (putting the State Healthy Soils Action Plan to work on a downscaled regional approach), a literature review on wetlands analysis, and recommendations for policy updates and best management practices.
Project website: Apple Country- Natural Climate Solutions Project
Case study: Apple Country FY21
Ecological Climate Resiliency
Related Guides
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people’s ability to access healthy food and disrupt public water
supplies.
Explore how storms and other extreme weather events affect
people’s ability to access healthy food and disrupt public water
supplies.