The Massachusetts Geological Survey supports municipalities with water supply studies in instances when an academic approach is appropriate. We can help municipal water providers assess water quantity and quality using rigorous field observations, laboratory analytical work, and modeling. The state and region are home to a robust network of technical water resources expert consulting and engineering firms. Our intent is to complement and not compete with the services that these firms offer.
Some examples of past and ongoing municipal water resource projects:
Charlemont water supply
In collaboration with the Town of Charlemont and UMass Amherst professor David Boutt, MGS led an evaluation of the groundwater resources available to that town to support a potential municipal water supply. MGS’s work involved detailed geophysics and borehole logging and helped direct the municipality towards the most likely high yield aquifer locations within the study area. See the full report here - Hydrogeologic investigation of the west Charlemont aquifer, Charlemont, Massachusetts.
Funding from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
Stockbridge water supply
In partnership with the town of Stockbridge Massachusetts and UMass Professors Brendan Moran and David Boutt, MGS is supporting a study assessing the sustainable yield of the town water supply. We are using inflow / outflow measurements, geochemical clues, and water age (from tritium concentrations) to identify and quantify sources of water to Stockbridge’s municipal water supply.
Funding from the Town of Stockbridge.