Commission Honored by MassDEP

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Drinking Water Program recognized the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (Commission) at its 40^th Annual Drinking Water Awards Day, held during National Drinking Water Week, for its exemplary operation of a complex drinking water system.

The Commission received a Regional Recognition award for its proactive advancement of the New West Parish Water Treatment Plant project, which will modernize treatment capabilities, improve system resiliency, and support long-term compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. MassDEP acknowledged the challenges of operating a system serving the largest population in MassDEP’s Western Region and commended the Commission’s long-term approach to addressing DBP compliance through planning that began in 2016 to the groundbreaking for the new plant in 2024.

“We are proud of this recognition from our regulatory partners at MassDEP, which reflects our steadfast commitment to investing in modern, resilient infrastructure that will serve our community for generations to come, while continuing to deliver safe, reliable drinking water service to more than 250,000 people every day,” said Executive Director Josh Schimmel.

Commission staff pose with MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple (at right) and MassDEP Western Region Drinking Water Section Chief Andrew Kelly at the 2026 Drinking Water Awards Day.

In conjunction with this recognition, the Commission released its annual Water Quality Report, covering the previous calendar year 2025. The report summarizes the results of all drinking water quality testing completed in 2025 for Springfield and Ludlow and how those results compare to state and federal drinking water quality requirements.

The 2025 report also highlights the Commission’s latest efforts to protect drinking water at its source –Cobble Mountain Reservoir in Blandford and Granville – through innovative practices and routine maintenance as part of its Source Water Protection Program.

The Commission releases the Water Quality Report, also referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), annually in accordance with federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, but also because the information is important and valuable to Commission customers. 

The Water Quality Report is available in English and Spanish on the Commission’s website at http://www.waterandsewer.org/WaterQualityReport. In addition, billing customers will be notified that the report is available online via a message on their May and June water and sewer bills. Hard copies of the report will also be sent to local libraries, health department offices, and municipal offices in Springfield and Ludlow.