[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6195586,"mediaKeyId","3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab","parentId",3860975,"title","Proponents urge gray‑water reuse in new construction to stretch water supplies and protect rivers","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",6992000,"endMs",7171000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab&start=6992&end=7171","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab/thumbnail_6992000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195586/Massachusetts/Proponents-urge-graywater-reuse-in-new-construction-to-stretch-water-supplies-and-protect-rivers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195586-161bb165695a81e964d559ef2f2e06a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437780&Signature=oldnws6rtdz3ni9ZQhGofgiEP-Vur4Y3hN6F7xQ1AWqDwLCzYKJtpKWIpb7aEyx7HX9ZFPK8iymrC9AHGMdOFwsdfaKL427oIX~IEc63RGHlNsAc8sP18rHGC9H1Ba0OmYpNm8PJnv2~-XP9sTPpcLVXrjhhhCLuW7fkZ-f350qRnGFL5zSFKnbHGf-r01Z6UktJkixHoGnVIF62mjn9V~kCO8SQIPYeDD2StA3dTf8hyMhjZ0PSJmc8w1FKzihMci3IE8XPVZg9rYD0S5MImB0P-Rgs3AWszdfgmbR3EQdHSZyHYhzDNqjMqdbLYVyEpALE7YmPe6wqEvwt54G4qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Plumbing contractors, labor representatives and watershed advocates told the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources that House Bill 922 — which promotes gray‑water recycling and rainwater capture in new multifamily and commercial projects — is a practical step to conserve water, reduce stress on rivers and improve climate resilience.

Andrew D’Angelo of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association and Harry Brett of Plumbers Local 12 described industry readiness and existing projects. ‘‘These systems are not newer experimental. ...Our contractors and union plumbers are familiar with them. So they’re trained, certified, and ready to install them tomorrow,’’ D’Angelo said. He and Brett cited recent local projects — including large redevelopment sites and commercial buildings with half‑million‑gallon reclaimed water tanks — as proof‑of‑concept.

Heather Klish of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance said gray‑water reuse (recycling shower, sink and laundry water for non‑potable uses such as toilet flushing and subsurface irrigation) can stretch limited supplies during drought and reduce runoff during intense rain events. ‘‘This bill would also promote the efficient use of water by advancing gray‑water recycling systems, especially in new multifamily housing,’’ Klish testified.

Testimony acknowledged technical and cost questions; speakers said more detailed cost estimates, incentives and state code coordination (DEP, plumbing code and local health boards) would be needed. Witnesses suggested starting with new large developments where economies of scale lower per‑unit costs. Builders and unions said systems can reduce energy use (less pumping and treatment) and improve resilience for communities dependent on limited aquifers or facing drought restrictions.

Ending: The committee requested follow‑up technical and cost information. Sponsors and trade groups urged a favorable report and pledged to supply implementation details and model code language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources - 6-17-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Plumbing unions, watershed groups and conservation advocates urged support for House Bill 922 to require gray‑water and rainwater reuse systems in specified new construction as a way to conserve treated drinking water, reduce stormwater stress, and support climate resilience.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195591,"Municipal water managers ask lawmakers to protect historic registrations under Water Management Act",225,321000,546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab&start=321&end=546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6195591/Massachusetts/Municipal-water-managers-ask-lawmakers-to-protect-historic-registrations-under-Water-Management-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195591-e64e3d70d49542be4c7487ae4c08d513/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437780&Signature=JpkkgZzLPov1t~DM13XJtXIwN4vWfZkQaJiRj3TBjwVG6MM4B9FnwM8QYJ-PHYCyQAxI90fo0vB0Lgy9K3H9EbC4drEz~WaTKlFuMA1u9ZhlMAj3EIZBlMYx2ZRLolrq42i-vWi44B9woqHqqmHghVGoG9FO8wwVBHWJfd8VCg4QfYm3WOzWEEAHor7Mz7FFhdf4TJI8j4tDkBrFWdql0FuANy6ppF0Uhk80zwd14~261KpY21zHHYdfZrhSnZxE-nrtY1i~rQBvaaNaWz3W-Q2h0erNL676DV41Ufs6LAWpy6~jaSnZfI3Rtuw5xxqZc63UclD3TVQP7IQJwSCN1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town and utility officials urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to give a favorable report to House Bill 1018, a proposal they described as clarifying the scope of Water Management Act registrations and preventing regulations from conditioning historic registered withdrawal volumes.

David Cohen, Wellesley’s director of public works, told the committee that new regulations adopted by MassDEP in 2023 that condition registrations to require nonessential‑use restrictions during declared droughts have created public confusion. He said Wellesley currently receives roughly 65% of its water from the MWRA and 35% from local wells; the town’s storage and water management practices meant the town was not facing supply shortfalls despite recent rains, yet customers were being asked to observe one‑day‑per‑week watering restrictions. ‘‘This situation negatively affects the credibility of water suppliers,’’ Cohen said, and he urged a favorable report on HB 1018.

Jamie Bartak of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, testifying on behalf of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, described registered‑only systems that were granted large historic withdrawal rights decades ago and that have operated within those volumes for decades. Springfield said its registration from 1986 allows withdrawals up to 39 million gallons per day, but the commission typically averages 30 million gallons per day and needs the registered capacity to support local economic and housing projects. Bartak said the commission supports HB 1018 because conditioning historic registrations undermines funding that utilities depend on (summer revenue assists infrastructure programs such as leak detection and pipe replacement).

Witnesses and committee members acknowledged the risk of drought and said utilities generally support ‘‘wise water use’’ but argued that a rule that conditions historic registrations irrespective of actual reservoir levels could unintentionally discourage investment in system upgrades. The committee accepted testimony and written data; no vote occurred.

Ending: The committee requested written follow‑up materials and data. Municipal and water‑system witnesses urged lawmakers to move HB 1018 forward with clarifying language so that regulatory drought responses remain tied to actual capacity and system‑specific conditions.","Representatives of Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission urged the committee to support House Bill 1018 to protect historic water registrations from new regulatory conditioning that would force local systems to implement nonessential use restrictions unrelated to actual reservoir capacity or supply.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195596,"Scientists, town officials and parents urge state ban on tire‑crumb infill in playgrounds and fields",1162,762000,1924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab&start=762&end=1924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6195596/Massachusetts/Scientists-town-officials-and-parents-urge-state-ban-on-tirecrumb-infill-in-playgrounds-and-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195596-dfd851225673210d1461652797368e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437780&Signature=f4l5FtOCz~jCygSIvobMUCPIbGn3NctEg0bpcxk52Zaa5WF58mipGO2-d~S6c5QuzV84Bw2J3qzKReoo6rNf1COS9k2SM-hLYcEvQU6CKdh9nOOlNaYqg~Z4Po-xvUETULu69abZufUNAjJyhgDx1SIE58KSur981Y3p1F0462gdIkwfcn2VVVrCbljGzXqhQmN8Xy~Z~trGsTWq-CXuRxRgYq0wGLbSBvmWSabJFCu2wuMsI1L8BwfMWIk-wsqfYxaNgdvDOmzwq9NU5t10rBH3sIL8sZ~bzdw91i1nOGUCdoi6osFSZdPCq8LoceAkBC3lS7fEhTWrZCZFvLIh0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Science experts, municipal officials and citizen petitioners urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to support House Bill 1040, a bill that would ban the use of tire‑derived materials (often called ‘‘crumb rubber’’) in playgrounds and athletic fields in Massachusetts.

The citizen petitioner and parent Tracy Stewart described local soil and water testing in her town of Medway and said those tests and peer research link tire‑derived materials to chemicals problematic for aquatic life and potentially human contact. ‘‘For the past 25 years, this industry has been bamboozling the communities who they market to,’’ Stewart said, arguing for a statewide prohibition on tire infill materials.

Environmental chemist Zenyue (Jin Yutian) Tian, an assistant professor who works on tire‑related aquatic toxicity, described laboratory and field studies detecting tire‑related transformation products — including the compound 6‑PPD‑quinone — in runoff and field soils and showing toxicity to fish at very low concentrations. ‘‘We found it at high concentration, and we also detected chemical and a lot of other tire related chemical in the water and soil contents near the field,’’ Tian said, and recommended applying the precautionary principle.

Susan Chapnick, an environmental scientist with decades of hazardous‑waste experience and a member of the Massachusetts DEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee, told the committee that crumb rubber infill can contain levels of zinc and other analytes that exceed the state’s reportable concentrations for contaminated media. ‘‘Crumb rubber infills should not be used in artificial turf,’’ she said, summarizing a 2024 report from her town’s study committee.

Supporters pointed to local bans or moratoria in several Massachusetts communities and to alternatives such as topsoil, pine mulch and improved natural grass designs that can support heavy use. Testimony acknowledged other infill products exist, but experts said alternatives should be evaluated for chemical additives before adoption and that natural grass remains the preferred option where feasible.

The committee heard no pro‑industry testimony in this panel. Witnesses asked the committee to report HB 1040 favorably and to couple any statewide prohibition with funding or transition support for municipalities and school districts that may need to replace existing fields.

Ending: The bill remains at committee. Supporters asked for favorable action and for funding assistance or guidance so municipalities can transition away from tire‑derived infill.","Multiple experts and community petitioners testified in favor of House Bill 1040, which would ban tire‑derived infill in synthetic turf and playgrounds, citing toxic tire‑related chemicals found in runoff, soil and field materials and advocating for natural grass or non‑tire alternatives.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195601,"Opponents ask Legislature to bar Pilgrim decommissioner from evaporating radioactive wastewater",594,2266000,2860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab&start=2266&end=2860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab/thumbnail_2266000.jpg","/articles/6195601/Massachusetts/Opponents-ask-Legislature-to-bar-Pilgrim-decommissioner-from-evaporating-radioactive-wastewater","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195601-3274f57ce5885641dcbe3e2c8674bf10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437780&Signature=iWjbge8Fwhyo0dDJMmgjXTyoYZ75WBKyA8Flif-6ahUGC~AvesOLw7Wbs6SBrtdnqEullhlu1A9OOxCtULvPqntco7Oxr3PIR4d~o7LO2zHm0puIxSIAKQTC66jmyTSDNHszz2o2p1VA0DtV0mPWsw5wTyCZpuDGrrxjLnX9xcHagrfcp9kSoddd0CqkNLOHtVkmme5BITWucNt5poMk2zGlGNvOmR81~0yiYN~XkeQsBjpdx325OdzW3tZ5gILrzIGdeFsNLGM3pklO3evOgnvy~XMFJHJbZO-mVCfHZQQneTDARS3fzN~04t65x3KbDn2w0fZ4kcXZFaYhbnOH5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Local residents, public‑health advocates and commercial fishermen urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to advance legislation that would halt or strictly limit evaporation or discharge of chemically and radioactively contaminated wastewater generated during the Pilgrim nuclear plant decommissioning.

Speakers testified that Holtec International — the licensee overseeing Pilgrim’s decommissioning — has been evaporating treated, then reportedly contaminated water and that community members and industry groups are concerned about airborne release and ocean discharges. ‘‘The Plymouth community has been told that aerosolizing radioactive waste is a safe method of disposal, but saying so does not make it so,’’ said Dr. Bridal Lundberg, representing medical groups and research consortia assembled to study decommissioning health effects.

Witnesses provided multiple lines of concern: local voters, who approved a municipal referendum opposing evaporation; public‑health professionals seeking pre‑release studies; and commercial fisheries representatives worried about market impacts and ecological harm. ‘‘It is unconscionable and will jeopardize thousands of jobs in the Commonwealth,’’ said Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, referencing the local shellfish and lobster economy.

Members of the state Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel and other local activists detailed prior legal and administrative efforts to block or condition liquid discharges to Cape Cod Bay and said alternative off‑site, licensed storage or treatment options exist. ‘‘Holtec has chosen a disquieting method to dispose of this radioactive wastewater,’’ said Arthur Deslojas of the Sierra Club, recounting an earlier community legal win that blocked a planned million‑gallon direct discharge.

Medical and academic witnesses requested transparent, independent studies of emissions and worker and resident exposures before such disposal methods proceed. Dr. Mary Lampert (testifying virtually) and Dr. Peter Boutrakis (cited by a witness) urged an immediate halt or moratorium on evaporative releases pending health assessments. Physicians present said two professional societies — the Massachusetts Medical Society and the American Medical Association — have adopted policies supporting study of decommissioning health effects prior to widespread aerosol releases.

Holtec’s defenders were not present to testify during this panel. The legislation under consideration (House Bill 4040 and related proposals) would prevent certain discharges and require studies and notifications; witnesses recommended tightening the bill language to prevent loopholes (for example, limiting evaporation of non‑spent fuel pool water) and to prohibit continued accelerated evaporation while studies are completed.

The committee accepted testimony and written materials. No formal vote was taken. Proponents urged the committee to advance a measure that would bar the current evaporation practices and require alternatives and independent health monitoring.

Ending: The committee will consider the testimony and written follow‑ups; proponents asked the panel to amend or advance legislation to impose a moratorium on evaporation methods until independent health and environmental studies are completed and to require transparent community involvement.","Multiple witnesses, including local officials, physicians and fishing industry representatives, urged the committee to block Holtec’s practice of evaporating chemically and radioactively contaminated water from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station decommissioning process, and to require independent health study and alternative disposal plans.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195606,"Lawmakers and advocates press for deadline to end combined‑sewer overflows into Massachusetts rivers",7883,1357000,9240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab&start=1357&end=9240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3860975-e6c4ed530490a57ecfda50993378fbab/thumbnail_1357000.jpg","/articles/6195606/Massachusetts/Lawmakers-and-advocates-press-for-deadline-to-end-combinedsewer-overflows-into-Massachusetts-rivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195606-e9d3084864e585e097fac8412087cfce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437780&Signature=myP6gz4xGgYPZAxpQjJJpEAZEeyrZQGpdfkk2JZBRo7IdzZbeoAgx9yx0Xiy1hyX~XZ0xnMcIOFgIyIn7z5Fl8yOGexxGkwTNuS~WiLZ2XqSTAV7cJqeuW9bzsXyoOjVNuw3xDbg2UYnZ5xCr4AnMzGHGNCfpBoLRYaGTywWHiwsrx2BAVDUHcd1OIuYI2L0PNUZKVR7miiJxNVkGIeLo1Ymm7mafo4iaZbbuNKSqzXXa5iFxLl~wVVmVMBIDUeSgUfINuoPVy2GnAZEyrcm6rrZ8bbE6i6I2BnsM732yBn2CHeSn1-ebQzMc46-FkFVJ7wDmfkAmwE9JQFQjczywA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers, environmental groups and residents urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to back legislation that would require large reductions in combined‑sewer overflows into Massachusetts waterways and set timetables for doing so.

Advocates told the committee that millions to hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated or minimally treated sewage still flow into small urban streams and larger rivers when storms overwhelm older combined systems. ‘‘These discharges are not just an environmental nuisance. They are a public‑health crisis,’’ said Patrick Karen, executive director of the Mystic River Watershed Association.

The bills discussed include House Bill 1031 and companion Senate Bill 608 (targets and timetables for the MWRA service area) and House Bill 1046 (a broader House measure introduced by Representative Greg Schwartz). Supporters said the bills establish accountability, require plans and set a 10‑year target for large parts of the system to reach a 25‑year storm level of control — a level proponents say is achievable with tunnels, upstream stormwater controls, sewer separation and other tools. ‘‘This bill directly addresses the urgent need to eliminate combined sewer overflows,’’ Patrick Karen said, noting that CSO discharges can reach ‘‘tens and hundreds of millions of untreated sewage’’ into local waterways during storm periods.

Residents who live near Alewife Brook in Cambridge and Somerville described repeated floods and direct household exposures. ‘‘Untreated sewage flood water came into my house and into my neighbor’s homes right through the back door. We had no idea what was in that water,’’ said Kristen Anderson of Save the Alewife Brook. Testimony from the group and allied speakers cited monitoring and public records showing roughly 29 million gallons of untreated sewage in Alewife Brook in 2023 and more than 50 million gallons in 2021.

Scientific and public‑health testimony framed the problem as both environmental and equity related. A recent academic analysis cited during the hearing found communities with higher proportions of minority and low‑income residents face higher exposure to CSOs. Emily Norton of the Charles River Watershed Association noted that many residents are unaware that raw sewage continues to enter urban rivers after rain events: ‘‘When people hear this, they’re shocked. They’re shocked that in 2025 — in Boston, Cambridge — we would still allow this.’’

Opponents and stakeholders warned about the scale and cost of remediation. Phil Guerin of the Massachusetts Coalition for Water Resources Stewardship said elimination of CSOs would be ‘‘a multibillion‑dollar endeavor’’ and that ratepayers ultimately bear much of the cost; he urged careful planning for financing. Representatives and witnesses discussed funding models that were used for prior large water projects and said combining green stormwater infrastructure, upstream retention and targeted tunnels could lower costs compared with single‑technology solutions.

Supporters urged the committee to issue a favorable report to set a policy direction and begin detailed planning and financing discussions. ‘‘There are models in the U.S. that have already gone forward and shown tremendous benefit,’’ said Patrick Karen, citing examples in other cities. Local advocates asked the panel to prioritize places where repeated floods and CSO discharges are harming homes, parks and popular recreational corridors, and to require reporting and timetables to move work forward.

The committee took testimony from municipal and nonprofit groups, elected officials and residents; it did not take a vote during the hearing. The legislation will now proceed through the committee process where staff and members may refine technical definitions, cost estimates and timetables.

Ending: The proposals remain at the committee stage. Supporters urged the panel to send the bills out with favorable reports to signal a commitment to planning and funding; opponents urged additional financial analysis and phased approaches. The committee accepted written follow‑up materials and data from multiple parties for further consideration.","Lawmakers, environmental groups and residents urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to back bills that set a timetable and technical standards to sharply reduce or eliminate combined‑sewer overflows (CSOs), citing public‑health risks, environmental justice concerns and long‑term infrastructure needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Proponents urge gray‑water reuse in new construction to stretch water supplies and protect rivers

Municipal water managers ask lawmakers to protect historic registrations under Water Management Act

Scientists, town officials and parents urge state ban on tire‑crumb infill in playgrounds and fields

Opponents ask Legislature to bar Pilgrim decommissioner from evaporating radioactive wastewater

Lawmakers and advocates press for deadline to end combined‑sewer overflows into Massachusetts rivers