November 2026 Legislative Update

“Imagine a Day Without Water” Events Focus Spotlight on Massachusetts Hidden Water Infrastructure

With the national “Imagine a Day Without Water” initiative being held on October 15, two local events held on October 14 and 15, brought renewed attention to the critical importance of investing in Massachusetts’ drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. On October 14, UCANE hosted its second annual State House Day, bringing together legislators, municipal officials, industry leaders, and utility contractors to discuss the Commonwealth’s growing infrastructure challenges. The following day, the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, under the leadership of State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, celebrated a major milestone at Worcester City Hall: more than $10 billion in water infrastructure financing provided to communities across Massachusetts. Although the events approached the issue from different perspectives, both reinforced a common message: reliable water infrastructure is essential to public health, environmental protection, housing production, and economic development, and sustained investment must remain a priority.

UCANE’s State House event, graciously hosted by Senate President Karen Spilka, featured a panel discussion moderated by Jay Ash, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. Panelists included Tom Golden, City Manager of Lowell; Josh Schimmel, Executive Director of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission; and Tamara Small, CEO of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association of Massachusetts (CREDA Massachusetts). The discussion highlighted the practical challenges confronting municipalities as they attempt to maintain aging infrastructure, address increasingly complex environmental requirements, and accommodate new housing and commercial development. Panelists emphasized how inadequate water and wastewater capacity can limit economic growth and housing opportunities, while failures of existing systems can disrupt entire communities. From Springfield’s experience with a major water main break to the challenges developers face when wastewater treatment requirements make smaller housing projects financially infeasible, the discussion illustrated why water infrastructure investment must be viewed as a fundamental component of the Commonwealth’s broader economic and housing agenda. Joe Nolan, UCANE Executive Director, served as master of ceremonies during the event.

A central focus of UCANE’s event was the growing concern over the future of federal water infrastructure funding. The expiration of supplemental funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, combined with proposed federal appropriations reductions, could result in nationwide State Revolving Fund (SRF) allocations falling from approximately $12 billion in federal fiscal year 2026 to as little as $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2027. These potential reductions come at a time when Massachusetts faces over $35 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Through its #InvestInWaterMA campaign, UCANE continues to advocate for increased investment in the Commonwealth’s Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs, including funding through the proposed Mass Ready Act and future state budgets. The full-room event, attended by legislators, staff, and members of the Water Infrastructure Alliance, reinforced the importance of ensuring that municipalities have access to affordable financing and sufficient resources to replace aging pipelines, modernize treatment facilities, protect water quality, and construct the infrastructure necessary to support future growth.

The following day, the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (CWT) demonstrated the substantial progress that can be achieved through sustained public investment and cooperation among federal, state, and local partners. At a ceremony in Worcester, Treasurer Goldberg and CWT officials, including Sue Perez, the CWT’s Executive Director, celebrated surpassing $10 billion in water infrastructure loans since the program’s inception, with financing provided to nearly 300 communities and benefiting approximately 97% of Massachusetts residents. The event recognized significant projects undertaken by Worcester, Upper Blackstone Clean Water, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, the Tri-Town Regional Water District, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and Orleans. These investments have supported drinking water treatment improvements, sewer system upgrades, wastewater treatment modernization, and other essential infrastructure. Notably, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission Executive Director Josh Schimmel participated in both events, underscoring the close connection between the infrastructure challenges discussed at the State House and the tangible improvements made possible through SRF financing. The CWT’s accomplishments demonstrate the vital role these programs play in making major infrastructure projects affordable for communities and their ratepayers.

Together, the two events offered an important reminder of both the progress Massachusetts has made and the substantial work that remains. The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust’s $10 billion milestone illustrates the effectiveness of long-term infrastructure financing, while UCANE’s State House discussion highlighted why those investments must continue and expand to address the Commonwealth’s growing needs. With federal funding uncertainty, aging infrastructure, rising construction costs, and increasing demands associated with housing production and environmental compliance, Massachusetts cannot afford to lose momentum. UCANE remains committed to working with the CWT, MassDEP, legislators, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders to advance policies and funding that support critical water infrastructure projects.

To learn more about “Imagine a Day Without Water”, please visit: https://thevalueofwater.org/imagineaday.

Gulliver Named Executive Director of MWRA

At the end of October, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Jonathan Gulliver, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Transportation and State Highway Administrator, as the MWRA’s next Executive Director. Undersecretary Gulliver will succeed longtime Executive Director Fred Laskey, who retired in May after approximately 25 years leading the agency. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the MWRA, which provides drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 3.1 million residents across Greater Boston and surrounding communities. With significant infrastructure investments on the horizon, Mr. Gulliver will be responsible for overseeing one of the Commonwealth’s most important public infrastructure systems while balancing operational reliability, environmental responsibilities, and affordability for ratepayers.

Mr. Gulliver brings extensive experience in infrastructure management, construction oversight, and public administration to his new position. Joining MassDOT in 2009, he became State Highway Administrator in 2017 and was elevated to Undersecretary of Transportation in October 2025. During his tenure, he oversaw a highway capital program of approximately $2 billion annually and nearly 2,800 employees, managing major infrastructure projects including the Sumner Tunnel Restoration, North Washington Street Bridge Replacement, and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement. His leadership also helped expand municipal transportation grant funding from approximately $20 million to $65 million, supporting roadway, bridge, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements throughout Massachusetts. Recognized for his work in infrastructure delivery and management, Mr. Gulliver received the American Public Works Association’s Professional Manager of the Year Award in Transportation in 2025 and was inducted into the National Academy of Construction in September 2026.

At the MWRA, Mr. Gulliver will face an ambitious and increasingly complex capital improvement agenda. Among the MWRA’s most significant undertakings is the Metropolitan Water Tunnel Program, which will construct two new deep-rock tunnels to provide redundancy for aging water transmission infrastructure serving Greater Boston. The project, with initial construction bidding targeted for 2027, is intended to strengthen system reliability and permit repairs to existing tunnels without interrupting water service. Additional challenges include rehabilitating aging pipelines, pumping stations, and treatment facilities; addressing combined sewer overflows and increasingly stringent environmental requirements; and improving infrastructure resilience against flooding and other climate-related threats. These major construction initiatives will require careful coordination with municipalities, engineering firms, contractors, and regulatory agencies while maintaining uninterrupted water and wastewater services.

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing the incoming Executive Director: balancing the MWRA’s substantial long-term infrastructure needs with growing financial pressures on its member communities and ratepayers. Rising construction costs, workforce demands, potential changes in federal funding, and the need to prioritize and sequence major capital projects will complicate future investment decisions. The MWRA is also evaluating opportunities to expand water service to additional communities facing drought conditions, water supply constraints, and creating potential new infrastructure needs. Undersecretary Gulliver’s experience managing large capital programs, working with the construction industry, and navigating the complexities of state and municipal government should prove valuable as MWRA addresses these challenges. For Massachusetts contractors and the broader water infrastructure industry, his appointment represents an important leadership transition as the agency prepares for a period of substantial infrastructure investment and construction activity.

Administration Opens Up Competitive “Build for Mass” Program to Finance Funding Gaps

According to a press release issued by MassDevelopment, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that applications are now open for Build for Mass, a new $75 million revolving loan fund to help cities and towns finance critical infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic development projects. The program will provide flexible, low-interest financing to help communities cover upfront project costs, access federal funding, and move important projects forward faster. Build for Mass is administered by MassDevelopment and will prioritize Gateway Cities and rural communities to help ensure more municipalities have access to the financing they need.

Build for Mass will offer two low-interest financing options:

• The General Loan Program provides low-interest loans that help municipalities bridge financing gaps for federally funded infrastructure projects, including neighborhood revitalization, seawalls, and other community improvements.

• The Green Loan Program provides bridge financing for municipal clean energy projects that qualify for the federal Direct Pay program enabling cities and towns to receive tax credit reimbursements for eligible projects. Projects may include battery energy storage and ground-source heat pump systems that lower energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Private entities with a public purpose, such as health clinics, are also eligible for the Green Loan Program.

Build for Mass is funded through $50 million from the Massachusetts Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund, established through legislation proposed by Governor Healey to help the state compete for federal funding. An additional $25 million from the Department of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, will support clean energy projects and help lower long-term energy costs. The program will operate as a revolving loan fund, with MassDevelopment overseeing loan underwriting, servicing, and compliance. As municipalities repay their loans, those funds will be reinvested into additional projects, allowing the program to support multiple rounds of infrastructure investments over the next 20 years.

As part of its overall mission, MassDevelopment works to strengthens communities and advances economic opportunity across Massachusetts through financing, real estate services, and technical assistance. Working with businesses, nonprofits, developers, lenders, and municipalities, the agency financed or managed 538 projects in fiscal year 2026, generating more than $6.52 billion in investment, supporting an estimated 42,113 jobs, and helping create or preserve 4,355 housing units.

To learn more about the Build for Mass program, please visit: https://www.massdevelopment.com/products-and-services/financing/green-finance/.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $1.5 Million to Advance Local Infrastructure Projects

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nearly $1.5 million in grants in October to support local infrastructure projects and strengthen Massachusetts communities’ ability to compete for federal funding. The awards, distributed through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) Program and administered by the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO), will support projects in 30 communities across the Commonwealth. Recipients include 18 rural communities, four Gateway Cities, and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The program was established through Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024, legislation designed to improve Massachusetts’ competitiveness for federal infrastructure funding and provide municipalities with resources to advance critical projects.

Water infrastructure represents a major focus of the latest funding round, with 19 awards supporting efforts to identify and verify drinking water service line materials, particularly those containing lead. Communities receiving funding for this work include Ashburnham, Bridgewater, Fall River, Falmouth, Lowell, Methuen, Middleborough, and several municipal water districts. These grants will help local water systems comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which establish requirements for identifying and ultimately replacing lead service lines. By providing technical assistance for this preliminary work, the state is helping municipalities address regulatory obligations and better position themselves to pursue federal assistance for future water infrastructure improvements.

Additional grants will support climate resilience, flood protection, and hazard mitigation planning. Holyoke will receive $75,000 to pursue federal funding for improvements to two municipal flood control pump stations, while the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) will receive $100,000 to assist Gloucester and Revere with floodplain management and climate resilience initiatives. Several communities, including Granby, Granville, Hampden, Millville, and West Brookfield, will receive funding to update hazard mitigation plans required to qualify for certain federal disaster assistance programs. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will also receive $65,153 to update its hazard mitigation plan while incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and tribal priorities.

This announcement marks the fourth round of MTTA awards, bringing the program’s cumulative investment to approximately $4.36 million. The Administration reports that Massachusetts has secured more than $9 billion in new federal grants in approximately four years for infrastructure modernization, transportation improvements, broadband expansion, and economic development. Among the more recent awards is $130 million in federal funding for track infrastructure improvements in Springfield to advance West-East passenger rail. The latest MTTA grants underscore the importance of early-stage planning, engineering, and technical assistance in positioning municipalities to secure larger federal investments, particularly as communities face growing infrastructure needs and increasing competition for available federal resources.

To learn more about the MTTA grant program, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/forms/municipal-and-tribal-technical-assistance-grant-program-application.

News in Brief

September Revenue Numbers; $$$ Continues to Come In. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) reported that preliminary tax collections for September 2026 totaled $5.457 billion, an increase of $858 million (18.6%) over September 2025 and $147 million (2.8%) above the monthly benchmark. FY27 year-to-date collections reached $11.7 billion, exceeding the same period last year by $1.617 billion (16.0%) and running $147 million (1.3%) above benchmark. September’s strong performance was driven primarily by increases in income tax and corporate and business tax collections. Income tax collections totaled $3.234 billion, up 14.1% year-over-year, while corporate and business tax collections surged 64.4% to $1.141 billion, potentially reflecting the Commonwealth’s delayed conformity with federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Sales and use tax collections increased modestly by 1.4% to $841 million. September is traditionally one of the Commonwealth’s largest revenue collection months due to quarterly estimated tax payments, historically accounting for approximately 10.2% of annual collections. Overall, the results indicate a strong start to FY27, with revenues exceeding both prior-year collections and budget expectations.

MassDEP to Hold Hearings on Well Drilling. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced two public hearings on proposed amendments to 310 CMR 46.00, Certification of Well Drillers and Filing of Well Completion Reports. The proposed regulations are intended to modernize certification requirements to better reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the well drilling industry and ensure that professionals have the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to perform well-related services. The amendments would establish minimum continuing education requirements for certification renewal, expand mandatory reporting requirements for certain well services where reporting is currently optional, and require businesses to maintain records for at least seven years. The regulations would also require businesses to cooperate with MassDEP audits and inspections, provide requested information, and comply with enforcement orders. The MassDEP estimates that approximately 475 small businesses would be affected by the changes, although the agency does not anticipate that businesses would need to hire additional employees or make capital investments to comply. The MassDEP will hold two virtual public hearings on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, with informational sessions beginning at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., followed by public hearings at 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively. Advance registration is required for both hearings. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2026, and may be submitted electronically to program.director-dwp@mass.gov. The proposed regulations and supporting materials are available at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities.

Commonwealth Continues to Add Jobs for the Year.  The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) reported that the Commonwealth added 3,500 payroll jobs in September 2026, following a revised loss of 5,600 jobs in August. Of particular interest to the construction and transportation industries, the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector added 2,000 jobs in September, making it the third-fastest-growing employment sector for the month. Overall, Massachusetts has added 16,300 jobs over the past year, including 13,000 in the private sector, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3% and labor force participation increased to 65.4%. The Commonwealth's labor force grew by 8,400 individuals, its largest monthly increase in more than two years. While the report did not provide specific employment figures for the construction industry, the Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted several economic development initiatives that could generate additional construction activity, including $330 million in Community One Stop for Growth awards supporting more than 27,000 new housing units, 7 million square feet of commercial development, and an estimated $24.6 billion in private investment. These investments, combined with employment gains in transportation and utilities, represent potential opportunities for contractors, trucking companies, and related businesses throughout Massachusetts.

New Grants for Water Systems. Mid-October saw the Healey-Driscoll Administration announce more than $12 million in grants to 16 public water suppliers across Massachusetts to improve drinking water quality and address contamination from emerging pollutants, including PFAS and manganese. Funded by the EPA and administered by the MassDEP, the grants will support critical water infrastructure projects in small and disadvantaged communities, including planning, engineering, testing, treatment facility construction, and extensions of municipal water systems. Major awards include $2 million each for Bridgewater and Eastham, $1.725 million for Middleborough, and $1 million each for Barnstable, Dudley, Carver, and Northbridge. The funding is intended to help communities address increasingly complex water quality challenges while reducing the financial burden on local water systems and ratepayers. The investments also highlight the ongoing need for state and federal assistance to modernize aging water infrastructure and ensure safe, reliable drinking water throughout the Commonwealth. Additional information on awardees can be found at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/624cd8279bd8492f85f83e6f33892b4e/.