What's new at Mass Rivers?

At the beginning of January the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection released updates to the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) and the Massachusetts 2024/2026 Integrated List of Waters for public comment. The updates included the removal of the lowest water quality classification for waterbodies (Class C), as all of the waterbodies in Massachusetts have now exceeded that threshold.

if you’re wondering, “what can I do about it?” here are three tangible things you can do to help our rivers, the environment generally, and human and wildlife health here in Massachusetts.

We need your help! We're pursuing the Protect Water and Nature Initiative as a question on the November 2026 ballot. This week, the entire coalition begins the first phase of the Protect Water and Nature Initiative, and we need your help to collect over 100,000 signatures by mid-November.

In this post we’ll explore Combined Sewer Overflows, or CSOs, and how they hurt waterways in certain areas of the state.

Mass Rivers and Partners File Brief to Support MA Water Conservation Rule

Explore the EPA's Residual Designation Authority for stormwater permitting and how it impacts us in Massachusetts.

Learn about Mass Rivers' 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities for our advocacy to protect and restore rivers in Massachusetts.

Learn about how stormwater pollution is regulated in Massachusetts through an MS4 Permit and what you can do to help!

Learn about the process behind drought declarations, the key decision-makers, and the factors they consider.

Massachusetts rivers and streams are not adequately protected under state rules, according to a letter issued by the U.S. EPA on Oct 18th.

The Massachusetts legislative session just ended. Learn about Mass Rivers advocacy work and where our priorities ended up!

The EPA is moving to limit PFAS in drinking water. Learn about the history of PFAS and other steps needed to be taken to ensure clean water.

MA House Passes Bill to Alert Residents of Sewage Overflows into Waterways (BOSTON) – The Massachusetts House of Representatives has...