WATERSHED RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN (WRPP)

The Holyoke Water Works (HWW) Watershed Resource Protection Plan (WRPP) was developed for the protection of the Tighe-Carmody (Manhan) Reservoir, McLean Reservoir, Ashley Reservoir, and Whiting Street Reservoir surface water supplies.  The WRPP is intended to facilitate watershed protection efforts that will serve as the initial barrier in a multi-barrier protection scheme (watershed protection plus disinfection) to ensure safe, potable water supply. The objectives of the WRPP are to assist in identifying potential threats to Holyoke’s supply sources, to determine whether the watersheds can be shielded from those identified threats, and to develop a protection plan to protect the water quality from future threats.  The plan is reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection and updates are made by HWW annually to meet ever-changing regulations and challenges for the protection of the water supplies. To view the plan, click on the link below to view each section.

1. Section 1 – Section 1 Introduction
2. Section 2 – Emergency Response Plan
3. Section 3 – Waterfowl Management Program
4. Section 4 – Inspection/Patrol Program
5. Section 5 – Recreational Management Plan
6. Section 6 – Reservoir Maintenance Program
7. Section 7 – Land Acquisition Program
8. Section 8 – Forest Management Program
9. Section 9 – Erosion Control Program
10. Section 10 – Public Awareness Program
11. Section 11 – Contamination Threat Program
12. Section 12 – Water Use Restriction Program
13. Section 13 – Sanitary Surveys
14. Section 14 – Water Quality Data

TRI-CITY AGGREGATE CARBON PROJECT

The Holyoke Water Works (HWW) has collaborated with the cities of Westfield and West Springfield to assess their potential entry into the carbon cap and trade market across a collective 15,000+ acres spread throughout six towns. This project is the first of its type across the nation whereby multiple communities entered into an agreement for carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation strategies.

Cap and trade is an environmentally and economically sensible approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of global warming. A cap is established that limits emissions. This cap is lowered over time to reduce the number of pollutants released into the atmosphere. A market is created that trades for carbon allowances. Companies that generate emissions buy carbon allowances, giving them time to develop strategies to reduce carbon emissions. Companies are motivated to innovate in order to meet their allocated limits. The less they emit, the less they pay, so it is in their economic incentive to pollute less. HWW hopes to benefit by selling these carbon allowances in the ever-growing carbon market.