Metropolitan Boston 
Water System

Did you know the drinking water you draw from your tap today comes from two source reservoirs in Central and Western Massachusetts and has generally traveled between 50-75 miles to reach your home or business in the City of Boston? The system of reservoirs, surface aqueducts and deep rock tunnels that enables drinking water to be provided to the city is known as the Metropolitan Boston Water System.

Quabbin Reservoir

The source water for Boston is the Quabbin Reservoir located in Central Massachusetts. From the Quabbin, water travels to the Wachusett Reservoir in West Boylston and then to the Norumbega Reservoir in Weston. From the Norumbega, the water travels through a series of pipes and into Boston through 27 metered sites across the city. The water traveling into Boston is supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the wholesale provider of water to communities in the metropolitan Boston area.

The MWRA, DCR, and BWSC

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) jointly manage the Metropolitan Boston Water System. The MWRA provides treatment and distribution of drinking water to 61 communities in the metropolitan area, including Boston.