In this episode of ABTV we take a deep dive, literally, into MWRA’s source waters to learn how the Authority is combatting aquatic invasive plant species that disrupt the balance and threaten the quality of your drinking water. Listen along while we take a boat ride on the Quinapoxet Basin with MWRA Senior Manager of Reservoir Operations, John Gregoire and the crew from Aquatic Endeavors.

For the full experience, venture over to our YouTube channel or check out this episode's video on Vimeo.

Timestamps:

0:01:50 - MWRA Invasive Program 0:03:36 - DASH 0:04:47 - Meet the Team/Typical Day 0:07:30 - DASH Effectiveness 0:07:58 - Target Invasive Species 0:10:20 - How did these plants get here? 0:10:53 - Why do they outcompete natives 0:11:49 - DASH in Action 0:13:44 - Anatomy & Physiology 0:15:28 - How it Propagates & Spreads

0:16:42 - Call to Action For more information:

• Invasive Aquatic Plants are an Expensive Problem in RI
• Water Invaders: A Spotlight on Aquatic Invasive Species 
• A Guide to Selected Invasive Non-native Aquatic Species in Massachusetts 
• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers 

Be sure to check out our website for more information on this topic. Click here: https://www.mwraadvisoryboard.com/podcasts/

Summary: This is the recording of a workshop/training conducted by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA), hosted by the MWRA Advisory Board on May 15, 2025.  Participants received Training Contact Hours (TCHs), examples of real-world solutions and information about the MWRA’s I/I Local Financial Assistance Program, which has distributed $1.06 billion in grants and loans in 16 phases since 1993 . 

45-50% of flows in the MWRA sewer system are clean water coming from infiltration and inflow. Communities pay for these flows and they consume limited capacity at Deer island Treatment Plant. This workshop focuses on the hardest flows to tackle, private inflow and highlights the programs two MWRA Communities, the Town of Burlington and the City of Revere, have developed to address their community's extraneous flows.

Timestamps:

00:00:08:15  Introduction

00:02:33:17   What is Infiltration & Inflow (I/I)

00:05:58:05 Inflow Public vs. Private

00:07:09:19   Why remove it?

00:11:49:03   Town of Burlington’s program

00:16:28:12     Quiz #1

00:28:05:24   City of Revere’s program

00:47:21:20   MWRA’s Local I/I Assistance program

00:55:35:15 Quiz #2

00:56:15:15   Q&A

Links:

⁠Workshop Video⁠

Workshop Slides

Informational Video on MWRA's wastewater methodology

ABTV landing page

Be sure to check out our website for more information on this topic. Click here: https://www.mwraadvisoryboard.com/podcasts/

This episode features a workshop hosted by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the MWRA Advisory Board, recorded live on October 24, 2024. We called it "From Inventory to Implementation: Lead and Copper Rule Community Forum."

Be sure to check out our website for more information on this topic. Click here: https://www.mwraadvisoryboard.com/podcasts/

In this episode of ABTV, Kristen Hall from MWRA discusses the evolving regulations aimed at reducing lead in drinking water and how these changes are impacting communities. We’ll explore MWRA’s lead service line programs, key deadlines, and the anticipated updates to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule.

Lead and Copper Rule Workshop (TCHs available!)

The MWRA and the Advisory Board are hosting a workshop to review the latest and anticipated changes to the Lead and Copper Rule and provide tools and tips for communities to meet their new requirements. This workshop is open to all water professionals and Training Contact Hours (TCHs) will be available!

October 24, 2024
10:00 AM
Virtual via Zoom - registration required

Click This Link to Register: https://www.mwraadvisoryboard.com/events/month/2024-10/

The MWRA Advisory Board has been hard at work on a new way of communicating with our communities, ratepayers, elected officials, and other stakeholders. We’re proud to present ABTV: the MWRA Advisory Board’s new podcast. This podcast will tackle some of the complex challenges facing water and wastewater agencies and discuss possible pathways toward a more sustainable future.

In this episode of ABTV, we dive into the growing issue of PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals,’ and their impact on clean water organizations. Dave Duest, Director of the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, discusses the challenges MWRA faces with PFAS in wastewater byproducts and how the agency is working to stay ahead of these issues in anticipation of upcoming regulatory changes and challenges.

In this episode of ABTV, we explore the ambitious redesign of Boston’s Moakley Park, a key site facing climate challenges such as sea-level rise and inland water inundation. Steve Estes-Smargiassi, MWRA’s Director of Planning and Sustainability, discusses how MWRA has been involved in this collaborative project from the start, focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions to safeguard MWRA’s critical infrastructure.

Check out the YouTube version for visual content, including key aspects of the Moakley Park redesign.