MAPC and state agencies can help to identify water reuse pilot projects and provide technical assistance to developers, municipalities, and water utilities.  EOEEA should work proactively with communities, businesses and institutions to promote reclaimed water use projects by helping communities to identify specific water reuse sites such as ballparks, golf courses, malls, and other commercial developments. 

Cities and towns, through their home rule powers, hold the key to protecting the long-term quality of their drinking water supplies.  The federal Safe Drinking Water Act establishes the maximum levels of contaminants allowed in public water supplies to meet public health needs, but achieving those quality standards is largely a local responsibility.

Municipal stormwater systems epitomize the concept of “stranded infrastructure.”  Unlike water and sewer systems, there is no dedicated funding stream to ensure adequate maintenance of stormwater systems.  Capital funding (grants, bonds, or developer mitigation) pays for new infrastructure, but constrained tax revenues and competing priorities mean that public works departments are under resourced.  Municipal staff are unable to conduct routine maintenance such as cleaning catch basins, repairing pipe, or removing blockages, resulting in lower pollutant removal an

Water audits offer detailed information to targeted classes of users.   An audit includes a customer-specific on-site survey of water usage patterns and specific recommendations for increasing water efficiency.  It may also involved distributing and/or installing water-saving devices.  Audits can be conducted for both indoor and outdoor use for residential and nonresidential customers.

Water is both a necessity and a scarce commodity.  This makes it important that water pricing discourages unnecessary and wasteful use while maintaining affordability for essential uses.  Because a significant portion of water use is non-essential, there is  considerable elasticity in demand with respect to price, meaning that if the price of a given quantity of water increases, consumers are encouraged to reduce their costs through reduced discretionary use and more efficient technology.  In the short term, a 10% increase in the cost of water for single family residenti

In order to achieve fundamental changes in patterns of water use in the region, residents and businesses must have a greater awareness about the region’s water resources, the impacts of excessive water use, and the need for conservation.  Customers must understand how their actions affect the natural environment and how conservation measures can save them money.  Pricing structures, technology, outdoor use restrictions, and development standards all depend on the water user for their effectiveness.  Without an educated consumer who is aware of cause, effect, and solutio

Massachusetts’ transportation agencies should adopt a Dispute Review Board (DRB) process that reduces costly and time consuming conflicts between agencies and contractors.

26.a    EOTPW should require the use of dispute review boards for all state funded projects over a certain size

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Micro-businesses and sole proprietorships generally have little need for conventional office and industrial spaces.  Many work out of their own home or studios; others share office space with other small businesses.  A new generation of “virtual” business incubators (such as the Enterprise Center at Salem State College) serve as resource facilities where member businesses access services, meeting space, and training, without necessarily having their desk at that location.  

Small businesses often have a great need for technical assistance and training.  By necessity, entrepreneurs must “multi-task” at nearly every aspect of their business; in doing so, they often find themselves far from their area of expertise, lost in the weeds of finance or contract negotiations.  

Economic growth is critical to the region’s well-being, and it must be planned well to preserve the region’s scarce fiscal and economic resources.  Policies that seek to focus commercial and industrial growth need not obstruct economic development.  MAPC analysis indicates that there is enough land in smart growth locations to support robust economic growth, as long as the zoning in those locations supports compact growth.  With appropriate planning, permit streamlining, and infrastructure improvements, development in smart growth locations can be as attractive to