The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has withdrawn its application to draw an additional 20 million gallons of water per day from the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoir systems following opposition from local and state leaders, and concern over recent low water levels.
Opponents of the proposed increase in water withdrawal pointed to the Quabbin’s current water level, which is more than 12 feet below recent levels (the Quabbin’s water level has historically fluctuated). Critics also argued that the application failed to identify which communities would receive the additional water and did not meet state legal requirements.
Look for the Quabbin Reservoir and Reservation to be featured in a new episode of Explore New England.
