THE 2020 WATER-SUPPLY STUDY FOR METROPOLITAN BOSTON - THE DEMISE OF DIVERSION

Boston, like most coastal cities, has long relied on its rural hinterl and for water. Historically, external sources of water were developed when needed with little concern for water conservation. Drought in the early 1960s revived plans to divert water to metropolitan Boston from the Connecticut River. Opposition by environmentalists led Governor D ukakis in 1978 to establish a Long Range Water Supply Study For Metrop olitan Boston, to be monitored by a state-funded Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee (WSCAC) representing diverse interests. Under WSCA C's prodding, state water policies eventually embraced demand manageme nt as reflected in: (1) new water laws; (2) establishment of the Massa chusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA); (3) use of higher fees and water-saving technology by MWRA; and (4) deferral of new diversions. C ontrary to earlier predictions, per capita demand in the Boston Metrop olitan Area fell 16 percent between 1985 and 1992; aggregate demand is now well within the safe yield of the system. A citizen ''watchdog'' committee, funded with no strings attached, thus strongly influenced a complex resource planning process, while avoiding the costs and ranco r of litigation.