Food & Water × Storms
Storms and other extreme weather events – such as heavy thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, cold snaps, ice storms, and blizzards – can be both destructive and costly. While these extreme events are often short-lived, they can cause widespread harm to ecosystems, infrastructure, and residents with long-term consequences. Existing infrastructure was not built to withstand current levels of precipitation from heavy rainstorms, and is likely to become more vulnerable as variability of storms increases from year to year (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-44). Already, precipitation from heavy storm events has increased 55% since 1958 in the Northeast (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-52). Between 2020 and 2022, Massachusetts saw a hurricane or tropical storm pass by every year, approximately doubling the historical frequency (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-46). Coastal Massachusetts is vulnerable to high winds, while the western part of the state can see wind-speed anomalies that can be hazardous (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-52). For this GEAR guide, consider how increasing storm hazards can impact our food and water systems, as well as our ability to easily access these essential resources.
Climate change can threaten access to clean water by causing damage to water supply infrastructure including flooding of water treatment plants and power interruptions, an important consideration in Massachusetts where there are many older water distribution systems (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60).
Climate change also impacts the food
system – storms can disrupt both local and global agricultural operations where
food is grown, the transportation routes that bring food into communities, and
the ability of community members to safely get to food access points like
grocery and corner stores and food banks. This is especially concerning for
those who already face difficulties accessing and purchasing nutritious food.
In Massachusetts, 32 percent of adults experienced food insecurity in 2021,
with even higher rates for households with children (40 percent), and adults
who identify as Black (53 percent) or Latino/a (61 percent) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A3).
Storms also threaten food accessibility and quality in the home. Power
outages make it more difficult to safely prepare and store food. Loss of power
and refrigeration is associated with food contamination (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A5). Those who have alternative power sources,
such as generators, must be mindful of the risks. For example, inappropriate
use of combustion heaters, cooking appliances, and generators in indoor or
poorly ventilated areas can lead to increased risks of carbon monoxide
poisoning (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-55).
Additionally, power outages can impact water delivery. For those who rely on a
private well, loss of power could also mean the loss of ability to pump water
from the ground to the tap.
This guide will allow you to explore the impacts of storms and extreme weather events on both the food supply and the water supply, as well as identify resources to reduce food and water insecurity.
Storms and other extreme weather events – such as heavy thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, cold snaps, ice storms, and blizzards – can be both destructive and costly. While these extreme events are often short-lived, they can cause widespread harm to ecosystems, infrastructure, and residents with long-term consequences. Existing infrastructure was not built to withstand current levels of precipitation from heavy rainstorms, and is likely to become more vulnerable as variability of storms increases from year to year (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-44). Already, precipitation from heavy storm events has increased 55% since 1958 in the Northeast (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-52). Between 2020 and 2022, Massachusetts saw a hurricane or tropical storm pass by every year, approximately doubling the historical frequency (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-46). Coastal Massachusetts is vulnerable to high winds, while the western part of the state can see wind-speed anomalies that can be hazardous (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-52). For this GEAR guide, consider how increasing storm hazards can impact our food and water systems, as well as our ability to easily access these essential resources.
Climate change can threaten access to clean water by causing damage to water supply infrastructure including flooding of water treatment plants and power interruptions, an important consideration in Massachusetts where there are many older water distribution systems (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60).
Climate change also impacts the food
system – storms can disrupt both local and global agricultural operations where
food is grown, the transportation routes that bring food into communities, and
the ability of community members to safely get to food access points like
grocery and corner stores and food banks. This is especially concerning for
those who already face difficulties accessing and purchasing nutritious food.
In Massachusetts, 32 percent of adults experienced food insecurity in 2021,
with even higher rates for households with children (40 percent), and adults
who identify as Black (53 percent) or Latino/a (61 percent) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A3).
Storms also threaten food accessibility and quality in the home. Power
outages make it more difficult to safely prepare and store food. Loss of power
and refrigeration is associated with food contamination (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A5). Those who have alternative power sources,
such as generators, must be mindful of the risks. For example, inappropriate
use of combustion heaters, cooking appliances, and generators in indoor or
poorly ventilated areas can lead to increased risks of carbon monoxide
poisoning (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-55).
Additionally, power outages can impact water delivery. For those who rely on a
private well, loss of power could also mean the loss of ability to pump water
from the ground to the tap.
This guide will allow you to explore the impacts of storms and extreme weather events on both the food supply and the water supply, as well as identify resources to reduce food and water insecurity.
Questions to Answer
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how storms may impact food and water access and quality within your community. Use the Food & Water x Storms worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how storms may impact food and water access and quality within your community. Use the Food & Water x Storms worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
Drinking
water comes from both groundwater (aquifers) and surface water (like rivers and
reservoirs). Freshwater is collected,
treated, and distributed by both private and public entities, via pumps and
other infrastructure that require power. All types of extreme weather events
can damage the infrastructure that moves and treats water – such as pipes,
pumps, treatment facilities, and the power supply required to run them –
whether from high winds, rapid temperature shifts, flooding, and/or freezing.
During ice and snow events, water in pipes can freeze. This prohibits the
movement of water, can damage pumps, and cause pipes to burst as water expands
when it freezes. Water filtration systems and well-water pumps that rely on electricity cannot work during power outages.
Excessive
precipitation and flooding resulting from storms, such as major hurricanes, can
inundate water treatment plants, especially those that are located downstream
and/or in low elevation areas. Inundation and power outages can negatively
impact the plant’s ability to process and distribute clean drinking water. This
is an important consideration in Massachusetts, where there are many older
water distribution systems, that may not be able to withstand such impacts (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60).
Guided Exploration:
In this exploration, you will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to start a discussion about where your community's water infrastructure is located, and how storms that lead to flooding and power outages could impact water treatment and distribution. Open the map link and enter your location to consider:
- Where are you community's water treatment facilities located? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Public Water Supply and MWRA Towns layers, though you may need to source this information from your Department of Public Works).
- What are some characteristics of the water treatment areas?
- Are resources identified within an inland or coastal flood zone? (Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Historic Flood Hazard Datasets. Also turn on and expand the Coastal Flooding subgroup to turn on the Worst Case Hurricane Surge Inundation layer).
- Are there sources of potential contaminants such as industrial sites, roadways/railroads, or farming operations? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Development Characteristics subgroup and expand the Food Layers group to turn on the Cultivate/Pasture Land Cover layer).
Consider and discuss the following:
Do you know what percentage of your community relies on private wells?
- What happens when power supply is interrupted?
- What does your community do when they don't have access to water? Do some community members store water? Is there a water supply that community members can access when the power is out?
Can you recall the last time there was a local drinking water access issue due to flooding?
- How did community members access water when treatment plants were impacted?
- Is it worse during storms? Who tends to be most affected?
- What about the last few major weather events? Did community members rush to stores to stock up on bottled water? Did stores run out?
- Where do community members who might need assistance purchasing bottled water and other storms supplies go before these events? (For example, shelters and food pantries).
Here are some
additional resources to learn more about state programs addressing climate hazards and water utilities:
- MassDEP’s Climate Preparedness for Water Resources website has information on what the agency is doing to help the Commonwealth address the potential impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, changes in our precipitation frequency, and air and water temperatures.
- MassDEP’s Water Utility Resilience Program (WURP) supports local drinking water and wastewater utilities in their efforts to build up resilience to severe weather events.
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- 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)
- Health Effects of Extreme Storms and Power Outages page A21 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Drinking
water comes from both groundwater (aquifers) and surface water (like rivers and
reservoirs). Freshwater is collected,
treated, and distributed by both private and public entities, via pumps and
other infrastructure that require power. All types of extreme weather events
can damage the infrastructure that moves and treats water – such as pipes,
pumps, treatment facilities, and the power supply required to run them –
whether from high winds, rapid temperature shifts, flooding, and/or freezing.
During ice and snow events, water in pipes can freeze. This prohibits the
movement of water, can damage pumps, and cause pipes to burst as water expands
when it freezes. Water filtration systems and well-water pumps that rely on electricity cannot work during power outages.
Excessive
precipitation and flooding resulting from storms, such as major hurricanes, can
inundate water treatment plants, especially those that are located downstream
and/or in low elevation areas. Inundation and power outages can negatively
impact the plant’s ability to process and distribute clean drinking water. This
is an important consideration in Massachusetts, where there are many older
water distribution systems, that may not be able to withstand such impacts (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A60).
Guided Exploration:
In this exploration, you will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to start a discussion about where your community's water infrastructure is located, and how storms that lead to flooding and power outages could impact water treatment and distribution. Open the map link and enter your location to consider:
- Where are you community's water treatment facilities located? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Public Water Supply and MWRA Towns layers, though you may need to source this information from your Department of Public Works).
- What are some characteristics of the water treatment areas?
- Are resources identified within an inland or coastal flood zone? (Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Historic Flood Hazard Datasets. Also turn on and expand the Coastal Flooding subgroup to turn on the Worst Case Hurricane Surge Inundation layer).
- Are there sources of potential contaminants such as industrial sites, roadways/railroads, or farming operations? (Expand the Water Layers group and turn on the Development Characteristics subgroup and expand the Food Layers group to turn on the Cultivate/Pasture Land Cover layer).
Consider and discuss the following:
Do you know what percentage of your community relies on private wells?
- What happens when power supply is interrupted?
- What does your community do when they don't have access to water? Do some community members store water? Is there a water supply that community members can access when the power is out?
Can you recall the last time there was a local drinking water access issue due to flooding?
- How did community members access water when treatment plants were impacted?
- Is it worse during storms? Who tends to be most affected?
- What about the last few major weather events? Did community members rush to stores to stock up on bottled water? Did stores run out?
- Where do community members who might need assistance purchasing bottled water and other storms supplies go before these events? (For example, shelters and food pantries).
Here are some
additional resources to learn more about state programs addressing climate hazards and water utilities:
- MassDEP’s Climate Preparedness for Water Resources website has information on what the agency is doing to help the Commonwealth address the potential impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, changes in our precipitation frequency, and air and water temperatures.
- MassDEP’s Water Utility Resilience Program (WURP) supports local drinking water and wastewater utilities in their efforts to build up resilience to severe weather events.
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- 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)
- Health Effects of Extreme Storms and Power Outages page A21 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Agricultural
fields and other places we rely on for growing and producing food are
susceptible to damage and stunted growth from extreme temperatures, winds, and
precipitation. Crops weakened by extreme weather are more susceptible to pests
and invasive species. Reduced
crop yields result in less food for human consumption and reduced wages,
livelihood, and profits for those who work in the agricultural sector. While
Massachusetts residents mostly consume food grown outside of the state, global
droughts and other extreme weather events could decrease the supply of food
imported into the state. Future local
and global extreme weather events could have an unprecedented impact on the
global food system. These events result in less available food, as well as
higher and more variable food prices (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy, n.d.).
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 areas 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.
Storms can cause infrastructural
damage that makes it even more challenging for people to access food – for
instance, some transit routes are inaccessible after storms. Those without
personal vehicles may have reduced capacity to go long distances to find an
open food access point, especially if they already live in a place with limited food access. The food access points themselves could be coping with storm
damage to their buildings and systems, as well as possible power outages.
Guided Exploration:
In this
guided exploration, you will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to think about
where community members can access affordable, nutritious, and culturally
appropriate food. You’ll consider how storms can make it more difficult for
some of these community members, and how access to these resources can be
expanded for all community members.
To begin, open the map and select a municipality. Expand the Food Layers group and Food Access Layers subgroup to explore where the food access points are located and their relative importance in your community. The mapped information includes grocery stores, farmers market locations, food banks, and Food Pantries and Programs (mapped information is currently available for Greater Boston only - this does not mean there are not lots of great resources throughout the rest of state!). 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. The map also includes Low Income and Low Food Access census tracts from USDA.
- Are resources identified within an inland or coastal flood zone? (Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Historic Flood Hazard Datasets. Also turn on and expand the Coastal Flooding subgroup to turn on the Worst Case Hurricane Surge Inundation layer).
When discussing the following questions, it may be helpful to review the layers in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group and consider how storms may increase the challenges to accessing food:
- Do you know how much of your community is currently food insecure?
- What are the current barriers to accessing affordable and nutritious food?
- Has your community learned any lessons about food distribution and access through the Covid 19 pandemic that could be used in this discussion?
- Are there any local community gardens? Is there an opportunity to provide access to growing space or public education for growing / foraging for food?
- What are the components of the food system that residents rely on (everything from farms to distribution centers to mutual aid food groups) and what is their ability to operate (or even expand/adapt to meet need) before, during, and after storms?
- How could more intense storms create additional challenges to those food systems?
- What happens to food during power outages?
- During storms of different seasons?
- How is this related to different levels of food spoilage?
- Which groups of people are less likely to have backup power sources to prevent food spoilage?
- What can your community do to support increased access to food?
- Where can some redundancy be built in, particularly in response to the challenges that climate change disruptions will pose?
- Where can your municipality partner with local organizations and entities such as community pantries, community gardens, schools, hospitals, and non-profits already working to improve food access?
- 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)
- Health Effects of Extreme Storms and Power Outages page A21 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Agricultural
fields and other places we rely on for growing and producing food are
susceptible to damage and stunted growth from extreme temperatures, winds, and
precipitation. Crops weakened by extreme weather are more susceptible to pests
and invasive species. Reduced
crop yields result in less food for human consumption and reduced wages,
livelihood, and profits for those who work in the agricultural sector. While
Massachusetts residents mostly consume food grown outside of the state, global
droughts and other extreme weather events could decrease the supply of food
imported into the state. Future local
and global extreme weather events could have an unprecedented impact on the
global food system. These events result in less available food, as well as
higher and more variable food prices (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy, n.d.).
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 areas 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.
Storms can cause infrastructural
damage that makes it even more challenging for people to access food – for
instance, some transit routes are inaccessible after storms. Those without
personal vehicles may have reduced capacity to go long distances to find an
open food access point, especially if they already live in a place with limited food access. The food access points themselves could be coping with storm
damage to their buildings and systems, as well as possible power outages.
Guided Exploration:
In this
guided exploration, you will use the GEAR Food + Water Map to think about
where community members can access affordable, nutritious, and culturally
appropriate food. You’ll consider how storms can make it more difficult for
some of these community members, and how access to these resources can be
expanded for all community members.
To begin, open the map and select a municipality. Expand the Food Layers group and Food Access Layers subgroup to explore where the food access points are located and their relative importance in your community. The mapped information includes grocery stores, farmers market locations, food banks, and Food Pantries and Programs (mapped information is currently available for Greater Boston only - this does not mean there are not lots of great resources throughout the rest of state!). 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. The map also includes Low Income and Low Food Access census tracts from USDA.
- Are resources identified within an inland or coastal flood zone? (Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Historic Flood Hazard Datasets. Also turn on and expand the Coastal Flooding subgroup to turn on the Worst Case Hurricane Surge Inundation layer).
When discussing the following questions, it may be helpful to review the layers in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group and consider how storms may increase the challenges to accessing food:
- Do you know how much of your community is currently food insecure?
- What are the current barriers to accessing affordable and nutritious food?
- Has your community learned any lessons about food distribution and access through the Covid 19 pandemic that could be used in this discussion?
- Are there any local community gardens? Is there an opportunity to provide access to growing space or public education for growing / foraging for food?
- What are the components of the food system that residents rely on (everything from farms to distribution centers to mutual aid food groups) and what is their ability to operate (or even expand/adapt to meet need) before, during, and after storms?
- How could more intense storms create additional challenges to those food systems?
- What happens to food during power outages?
- During storms of different seasons?
- How is this related to different levels of food spoilage?
- Which groups of people are less likely to have backup power sources to prevent food spoilage?
- What can your community do to support increased access to food?
- Where can some redundancy be built in, particularly in response to the challenges that climate change disruptions will pose?
- Where can your municipality partner with local organizations and entities such as community pantries, community gardens, schools, hospitals, and non-profits already working to improve food access?
- 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)
- Health Effects of Extreme Storms and Power Outages page A21 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Investigate GEAR Map Data Layers
Explore the Food & Water map to learn more about how storms may impact food and water quality and access within your community. The list at the right provides an overview of selected data layers included in the map, as well as detailed descriptions of each layer.
Explore the Food & Water map to learn more about how storms may impact food and water quality and access within your community. The list at the right provides an overview of selected data layers included in the map, as well as detailed descriptions of each layer.
The National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) dataset represents the current effective flood risk data for those parts of the country where maps have been modernized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The FEMA Q3 layer identifies areas that have historically been at risk of flooding - this data is from flood insurance rate paper maps (FRMs) where no NFHL data exists. The data should be used to identify areas of uncertainty and areas with possible flood risk.
As sea levels rise, communities can benefit from understanding when, where, and how coastal flooding from sea level rise and storm surge may occur. This layer provides extents of flooding for the 1% annual exceedance probability for 2030, 2050, and 2070 (i.e. the extent that floodwaters will reach during a 1 in 100 chance for any given storm event).
As
sea levels rise, communities can benefit from understanding when, where, and
how coastal flooding from sea level rise and storm surge may occur. This layer
provides extents of flooding for the 0.1% annual exceedance probability for
2030, 2050, and 2070 (i.e. the extent that flood waters will reach during a
0.1% event, or a 1 in 1000 chance for any given storm event).
As hurricanes become more intense, communities can benefit
from understanding how storms could inundate their coastlines. This layer
represents worst-case Hurricane Surge Inundation areas for Category 1 through 4
hurricanes striking the coast of Massachusetts, based on thousands of modeled
combinations of hurricane intensity (Category 1-4), forward speed, track or
direction, and other factors not including sea level rise. NOAA’s National
Hurricane Center, in partnership with the United States Army Corps of
Engineers, uses the Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH)
model to calculate the storm surge heights and map coastal areas with the
highest degree of exposure.
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.
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.
This layer displays the approximate location of
oil and/or hazardous material disposal sites that have been (1) reported and
(2) Tier Classified under M.G.L. Chapter 21E and the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan (MCP). Hazardous waste sites
are often not evenly distributed through communities, but rather located close
to low-income population, racial/ethnic minority populations, and other
priority populations. Exposure to hazardous materials can result in health
conditions, and entry of hazardous materials into public water sources can
result in dangerous, polluted water unfit for human consumption.
This dataset displays the approximate location of oil or hazardous material release or disposal sites where an Activity and Use Limitation (AUL) has been filed. Areas surrounding AUL sites may face exposure to hazardous materials, which can cause adverse health effects.
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.
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 layer identifies Wellhead Protection Areas (ZoneII, IWPA).
Wellhead protection areas are important for protecting the recharge area around
public water supply (PWS) groundwater sources.
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 of food and water systems to storms. Some actions may include:
Communities can take a number of steps to build resilience of food and water systems to storms. Some actions may include:
Identify opportunities in the community to increase local food production. This may occur as a component to open space or master planning initiatives. Conduct an inventory of open, vacant, or re-developable spaces in the community, as well as zoning bylaws and ordinances that influence where food can be grown and produced. Identify areas with high exposure to storms or damage or contamination from storms. Conduct a community visioning and planning process to identify opportunities for increasing local food production. This may include zoning changes to allow for backyard chickens, converting vacant parcels into community gardens, or identifying parcels for urban or vertical farming businesses and co-ops. Work closely with environmental justice and other priority populations to ensure plans reduce hunger and food insecurity and increase access to health foods in alignment with the MA Local Food Action Plan.
The following resources can help guide your thinking about how to develop a local food production plan:
- USDA: The Economics of Local Food Systems - A Toolkit Guide to Community Discussions, Assessments, and Choices
- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP): Growing a Local Food Economy - A Guide to Getting Started
Additionally, the MVP 2.0 "Advance Community Food Justice" Seed Project one-pager provides details and ideas for this action.
Allowing communities to produce, process, and sell food locally supports the local economy and provides some protection from global food supply chain shocks. Assemble a team of interested stakeholders (e.g. municipal planning, health, and economic development staff, community members interested in gardening, homeowners' associations, and small food businesses). Develop an inventory of regulations and rules that influence where food can be grown, how food is prepared and processed, and who and where food can be sold. This may include zoning and homeowner association rules that govern where food can be grown/produced, requirements for use of commercial kitchens or licenses to prepare and sell foods, and regulations relating to food sales (online, food trucks, stalls, pop-ups, or corner stores). These regulations may exist at both the state and local level, depending on where you live. Identify who develops and enforces those regulations and rules and use the stakeholder team and their networks to rank these regulations and rules in terms of impact and feasibility to amend. Engage appropriate authorities to remove or revise regulations as needed.
Intact natural ecosystems are essential for clean water. They reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into source water bodies, regulate runoff and streamflow, and buffer against flooding. Utilities work with regional floodplain managers and appropriate stakeholders to explore non-structural flood management techniques in their watersheds (EPA, 2022). One way to preserve intact ecosystems is to establish source water protection via acquiring and managing ecosystems in buffer zones along rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coasts. Hazardous materials enter water sources from polluted ecosystems and storm water drains. Hazardous materials that enter water bodies include motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, paint, cleaners, and medicines.
- Preservation programs can include signage, education, events, and clean-ups focused on responsible disposal of hazardous compounds around natural ecosystems and storms drains (EPA, 2022). Efforts could result from partnerships with local community organizations, watershed organizations, and waterkeepers.
- This report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service addresses best management practices on developing water quality criteria, such as establishing metrics to track progress and water quality.
Explore MVP Projects
Explore the MVP-funded projects below:
Explore the MVP-funded projects below:
FY20 Action Grant
$389,995 Award
The Resilient Mystic Collaborative, including
Somerville, Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Winthrop, & Revere, conducted a
two-part vulnerability assessment of the Lower Mystic watershed. The first part
identified interdependencies among critical infrastructure and potential
cascading failures during and after an extreme coastal storm, while the second
part engaged with community and public health experts to identify possible
impacts to vulnerable residents and workers when critical infrastructure fails.
Learn more: Somerville FY20 Critical Regional Infrastructure and Social Vulnerability in the Lower Mystic Watershed
FY20 Action Grant
$389,995 Award
The Resilient Mystic Collaborative, including
Somerville, Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Winthrop, & Revere, conducted a
two-part vulnerability assessment of the Lower Mystic watershed. The first part
identified interdependencies among critical infrastructure and potential
cascading failures during and after an extreme coastal storm, while the second
part engaged with community and public health experts to identify possible
impacts to vulnerable residents and workers when critical infrastructure fails.
Learn more: Somerville FY20 Critical Regional Infrastructure and Social Vulnerability in the Lower Mystic Watershed
FY22 Action Grant
$131,691 Award
The town of Mashpee leveraged a 2010 diagnostic study and over a decade of water quality monitoring to develop a multi-prong approach to improve the resilience of Santuit Pond to a warmer and wetter climate. The approach: (1) developed concept design for nutrient pollution reduction at key wet water input locations around Santuit Pond and carried one design forward to permitting, (2) reviewed and provided recommended changes to municipal bylaws to reduce nutrient impacts to all surface waters in Mashpee, and (3) created a robust public education and outreach program that incorporated the knowledge and perspective of the Wampanoag.
Project website: Town of Mashpee | MVP Grant Award - Santuit Pond
Case study: Mashpee FY22 Watershed-based Solutions to Increase Resilience to Harmful Algal Blooms in Santuit Pond in a Warmer and Wetter Climate
FY22 Action Grant
$131,691 Award
The town of Mashpee leveraged a 2010 diagnostic study and over a decade of water quality monitoring to develop a multi-prong approach to improve the resilience of Santuit Pond to a warmer and wetter climate. The approach: (1) developed concept design for nutrient pollution reduction at key wet water input locations around Santuit Pond and carried one design forward to permitting, (2) reviewed and provided recommended changes to municipal bylaws to reduce nutrient impacts to all surface waters in Mashpee, and (3) created a robust public education and outreach program that incorporated the knowledge and perspective of the Wampanoag.
Project website: Town of Mashpee | MVP Grant Award - Santuit Pond
Case study: Mashpee FY22 Watershed-based Solutions to Increase Resilience to Harmful Algal Blooms in Santuit Pond in a Warmer and Wetter Climate
Related Guides
Explore how inland flooding causes service disruptions and
damage to various infrastructural systems, making it more difficult for people
and goods to move around and for people to access essential utilities.
Explore how inland flooding causes service disruptions and
damage to various infrastructural systems, making it more difficult for people
and goods to move around and for people to access essential utilities.
Explore how coastal flooding will cause service disruptions and damage to various infrastructural systems.
Explore how coastal flooding will cause service disruptions and damage to various infrastructural systems.