Massachusetts
Tighe & Bond Launches Updated Massachusetts Water & Sewer Rates Dashboard – Boston Real Estate Times
Westfield, MA — Utilities across Massachusetts now have access to a powerful new digital resource to help guide decisions on water and sewer pricing. Engineering and environmental consulting firm Tighe & Bond, in collaboration with the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of North Carolina School of Government, has released an updated Water & Wastewater Rates Dashboard — an interactive platform built to support rate-setting and infrastructure investment planning.
Drawing from a comprehensive survey of 326 water and sewer systems — representing approximately 85% of the utilities in the state — the dashboard offers an in-depth view of rate structures, billing trends, and affordability considerations across public, quasi-public, and private utility companies in Massachusetts.
“Aging infrastructure and more stringent regulations are requiring water and wastewater utilities to increase their investment in system improvements,” said Peter Galant, PE, Vice President at Tighe & Bond. “Utilities need to balance these investment needs with their impact on customer rates and affordability. Our goal is to provide utilities with insights into industry trends, allowing them to make data-driven investment and ratemaking decisions.”
Key Trends in Water & Sewer Rates
Tighe & Bond’s executive summary of the survey highlights several important trends:
-
Costs are rising steadily: Since 2000, water service rates have increased by about 5% annually, while sewer service rates have grown at around 6% per year.
-
Billing frequency is increasing: Utilities are moving away from traditional annual or semi-annual billing schedules, with many adopting quarterly or monthly billing cycles. This shift offers customers clearer feedback on their water use and can help identify leaks earlier.
-
Rate structures are evolving: While most utilities continue to use usage-based pricing models, the number of systems relying on flat fees has been steadily declining since 2000.
The dashboard allows users to filter rate data by factors such as system size, geography, and socioeconomic conditions, enabling tailored comparisons and regional benchmarking.
“The Water & Wastewater Rates Dashboard provides a valuable benchmarking tool for utility managers across Massachusetts for rate data, enabling strategic decision making that can shape the future of their systems,” said Tiffany Labrie, Water Business Line Leader at Tighe & Bond.
With utility leaders facing the dual challenge of rising infrastructure costs and the need to maintain affordability for ratepayers, this updated tool offers a much-needed resource for thoughtful planning and sustainable investment.
Related
– Advertisement –
A body part was found in a pond in Shirley, Massachusetts and investigators said foul play is suspected.
It was discovered around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday as a group of people were walking along Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.
Police said the group noticed something suspicious in the water of Phoenix Pond. The Middlesex District Attorney confirmed that the item was a body part, but would not elaborate.
Police shut down the road and divers could be seen exploring the pond late Wednesday. Authorities were back at the scene Thursday morning.
No other information is available at this point in the investigation.
Phoenix Pond connects to the Catacoonamug Brook, which flows into the Nashua River. It’s also connected to Lake Shirley.
Shirley, Massachusetts is about 44 miles northwest of Boston and around 13 miles from the New Hampshire border.
Human remains were discovered Wednesday in the water in Shirley, Massachusetts, and authorities suspect foul play.
Police in Shirley said in a social media post at 7:15 p.m. that they responded to “a suspicious object in the water near the Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.” Massachusetts State Police later said the object was believed to be human remains.
The bridge crosses Catacoonamug Brook near Phoenix Pond.
The office of Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said a group of young people was walking in the area around 5:30 p.m. and “reported seeing what appeared to be something consistent with a body part in the water.”
Foul play is suspected, Ryan’s office said.
Authorities will continue investigating overnight into Thursday, and an increased police presence is expected in the area.
No further information was immediately available.
Massachusetts
Ice covered highways, streets and sidewalks in Boston area rattled nerves during morning commute: “I’m ready for the thaw”
It was a treacherous commute for drivers across Massachusetts Wednesday morning. Ice on roads and highways caused several crashes during rush hour.
In Danvers, 22 miles north of Boston, the ramp from Interstate 95 to Route 1 north was covered in ice, leading to three separate crashes involving twelve cars. Three people were taken to local hospitals.
In Revere, just seven miles north of the city, two tractor-trailers collided on North Shore Road. Police said it will be shut down for most of the day. It’s unclear if this crash was caused by icy conditions.
Forty-four miles west of Boston, a tractor-trailer ran off the westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Westboro. One person was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with what were described by the fire department as “non-life threatening injuries.”
The ice wasn’t just a problem for drivers. People walking around Boston were also slipping and sliding Wednesday morning.
“I almost fell at least five times but I didn’t. I don’t know how. I screamed and caught edges,” Swapna Vantzelfde told CBS News Boston about her walk to work in the South End. It took longer than usual.
“The internal streets they just don’t get plowed, the little ones that people live on and then these arteries, the big streets, they’re cleaned a lot better,” she said.
Those on two legs and four were all stepping gingerly across slick spots.
“A little treacherous. Very slick and icy out here,” said a father pushing a stroller. “Sometimes you have something to hold on to, which helps.”
With plenty of snow piled along sidewalks and between parking spots, most people are done with winter.
“I’m over it. I’m ready for the thaw,” said one man.
Miami Gardens mother gets probation after her 2-year-old shot himself
Boston honors first casualty of American Revolution – The Boston Globe
Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense
Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches
Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?
Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump testifies Iran pressured him, says Biden and Haley were other possible targets
DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling