Due to several significant rain events occurring throughout most of Massachusetts during late April and early May, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides announced that conditions have improved in the Northeast and Southeast Regions of the Commonwealth, and declared Level 0-Normal Conditions in each region while the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, and Cape Cod Regions remain at a Level 1-Mild Drought, unchanged from last month. The Islands Region remains at a Level 0-Normal Conditions, unchanged from last month. While recent rain events over the last few weeks have resulted in substantial improvement in the Northeast and Southeast regions, drought conditions remain in many areas of the Commonwealth, said EEA Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. As we continue to respond to these drought conditions and closely monitor key data points to ensure a full recovery for our natural resources, we urge residents and businesses to be mindful
Charts: Mass. continues to make progress in the battle against the coronavirus
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Danasia Bennett of Mattapan, receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Sgt. Santo DellAquila of the Massachusetts Army National Guard at the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center vaccine clinic at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge on April 20, 2021.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe
How are we doing? Another week of data brought more encouraging signs in the stateâs battle against the coronavirus.
Experts and officials say key metrics are on the decline because of the stateâs vaccination campaign. Steep drops in hospitalizations, deaths, and other measures among the vulnerable elderly, who got their shots earlier in the campaign, are a driving force.
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In 2021, Wayland discovered the town s main water supply had PFAS chemicals in excess of state standards. (Shutterstock)
WAYLAND, MA The Wayland Board of Public Works will meet Monday to select a way to reduce PFAS contamination in town water in the near term. Under state regulations, Wayland needs to come up with both short and long-term solutions for the problem.
Earlier this year, water at the Happy Hollow field, which provides about 50 percent of Wayland s drinking water, tested above a state threshold for PFAS chemicals. The town has been distributing bottled water to residents due to potential health hazards posed by the chemicals, especially for pregnant women and people with existing health problems.
Massachusetts jail monitoring wastewater to check for COVID-19
Today 8:15 AM
By Colin A. Young | State House News Service
With the help of a Cambridge-based company, the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica is now monitoring its wastewater to check for the presence of COVID-19, Sheriff Peter Koutoujian announced Tuesday.
Biobot Analytics has already been working with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to test sewage for signs of the coronavirus, meant to serve as an early warning system for spikes in COVID-19 activity.
“Throughout this pandemic, our decision-making has been medically driven and guided by the science. Partnering with Biobot – a national leader in wastewater epidemiology – enhances our ongoing efforts and will allow us to detect any re-emergence of COVID-19 inside our facility and act rapidly to mitigate it,” Koutoujian said.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission recently announced it is doubling the credit for replacing lead pipes to $4,000 through its Lead Replacement Incentive Program.