Water Quality

We use science, advocacy, and partnerships to improve the water quality of the Neponset River and its tributaries.

Over 300 years of industrialized activity in the Neponset Watershed has created problems for our water, wildlife, and neighborhoods.

Since NepRWA was incorporated in 1967, we have focused on reducing water pollution and protecting the health of the Neponset River.

Thanks to the landmark 1972 Clean Water Act and decades of work to improve water quality, most areas of the Neponset River now meet fishable and swimmable water quality standards, much of the time.

For any questions about our Water Quality Program, please email NepRWA River Restoration Director Sean McCanty

Learn About Our Programs

Community Water Monitoring Network (CWMN)

Our volunteer-based CWMN Program provides monthly water quality samples.

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Neponset Stormwater Partnership (NSP)

The NSP helps communities tackle stormwater pollution.

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Hotspot Program

Our Hotspot Program allows us to solve pollution issues in our local waterways.

X-Cel Education Program

Our science staff teaches X-Cel students how to collect water samples and data.

To address ongoing and future water quality challenges, we will:

  • Stop water pollution caused by aging sewer infrastructure.
  • Clean up legacy pollutants.
  • Partner with municipalities on programs to reduce stormwater runoff and conserve water.

Reports & Resources

How do I know if the water in my town is clean for swimming, boating, or fishing?

For the most up-to-date information on water quality in your town, check with your local board of health or town website.

While NepRWA monitors water quality in local streams and ponds, the collected data primarily captures trends over time rather than daily fluctuations.

How clean is my drinking water?

Some water is treated extensively before drinking, while some water needs less treatment.

For detailed information on your drinking water supply, call your local water department or look up your town’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which describes the town’s water system, water quality, and anything else related to drinking water in your community.

MWRA drinking water quality results can be found here.

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires each public water system to develop and distribute a CCR to its customers each year. 

NepRWA has worked with many of our Watershed communities to advise on appropriate sites and help secure grant funding for a variety of green infrastructure or nature-based solutions that help to filter and clean waterways.

Often referred to as BMPs, or Best Management Practices, these projects consist of things like rain gardens, bioswales, infiltration basins, and tree box filters. Projects include:

Quincy Grants  |  2019

  • The City of Quincy received a 604b grant from MassDEP and has partnered with NepRWA to carry out the proposed tasks.
  • The project is focused on finding opportunities to install stormwater best management practices (which help to reduce stormwater pollution of the river) on public property.
  • Several opportunities were found and are being designed by an engineer. These designs will be used to install the best management practices through subsequent projects.
  • The designs are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Stoughton  |  Dawe School  |   2019-2021

  • The Town of Stoughton was awarded a 319 grant from MassDEP to install an infiltration basin (a type of best management practice) to receive runoff from Joseph R. Dawe, Jr. Elementary School.
  • This best management practice will help improve the health of Beaver Meadow Brook by receiving and treating stormwater runoff from the school.
  • In addition to the installation, this project will also fund outreach efforts informing the public about stormwater and best management practices, including on-site educational opportunities for the students at the nearby school.

Canton  |  Luce School/Devoll Field  |  2018-2021

  • The Town of Canton was awarded a 319 grant from MassDEP to install a series of rain gardens around the Luce school, and to construct swale and bioretention cell at Devoll Field.
  • The rain gardens were designed to improve water quality in Pequid Brook, and the Devoll field basin collects runoff before it reaches Beaver Meadow Brook.
  • There are plans to incorporate this project into NepRWA’s school program and enable students to tour the rain gardens with the town engineers.
  • $130K for Stormwater Upgrades in Canton

Milton  | 2018-2019

Over the years we have supported Milton’s efforts to improve their stormwater management and protect their water resources.

In 2016, Milton became one of only a handful of towns in Massachusetts to adopt a dedicated enterprise fund for their stormwater program; a trend that is continuing to grow.

Stoughton  |  Gibbons Elementary School Project  |  2017-18

Dedham  | Mother Brook Project  |  2016

Westwood  |  Soak up the Rain Campaign  |  2015

A New Regional Approach to Addressing Stormwater  |  2014