Construction Outlook July 2026

JULY | 2026

Norfolk Power Equipment: Three Generations, 50 Years, and A Commitment to Keeping Contractors Moving

The Norfolk Power Equipment leadership (L-R): Bob Fregeau, Brian Coulter, Carolyn Coulter, Glen Coulter, and Stacey MacDonald

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President CHRIS VALENTI

GVC Construction, Inc.

President Elect QUERINO PACELLA

RJV Construction Corp.

Treasurer LISA FRENCH KELLEY

W. L. French Excavating Corp.

UTILITY CO

ATION CI O

OFFICERS

EW

, ENGLAND

IN THIS ISSUE 3 President’s Message:

UCANE Members DeFelice Corp. and Xylem Work Together to Stop Failing Infrastructure at the Merrimack River

5 Legislative Update:

• Agreement Reached on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget; Sent to Governor for Approval

Secretary JUSTIN GOODHEART

• Senate Passes Energy Bill; Competing Strategies for Reducing Residential Bills Heads to Conference

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• With Haverhill Sewer Overflow Fresh on Our Mind, Environmental Bond Bill Conference Committee Named

J. F. White Contracting Co.

MARCELLA ALBANESE

Albanese Brothers, Inc.

GERRY CARNEY, JR.

C. N. Wood Company, Inc.

• News in Brief

19 UCANE Interview:

BRIAN COONEY

Representative Patricia Duffy (D-5th Hampden)

JULIA D’ALLESSANDRO

25 Legal Corner:

C. C. Construction, Inc.

JERRY GAGLIARDUCCI

Re-Bidding: Ambiguous Specifications and New Specifications on Re-Bid

MARCO GIOIOSO

30 Associate Member Spotlight:

D’Allessandro Corp.

Gagliarducci Construction, Inc.

MARK LANGEVIN

Norfolk Power Equipment: Three Generations, 50 Years, and a Commitment to Keeping Contractors Moving

WILLIAM LEONARD

39 Save the Date: UCANE’s Top Golf Event

P. Gioioso & Sons, Inc. Phoenix Communications, Inc. Aqua Line Utility, Inc.

KARIN MARSHALL

Boston Concrete Corp.

MIKE McCARTHY J. Derenzo Co.

RYAN McCOURT

McCourt Construction Company

JOHN McGRATH

Methuen Construction Co.

MICHELE NORTON

HUB International New England

RICHARD PACELLA, JR. R. M. Pacella, Inc.

FRED ROGERS

Scrap It, Inc./Minichiello Bros., Inc.

MARK SZELA

Insituform Technologies LLC

CHRISTOPHER WALSH

W. Walsh Company, Inc.

JOSEPH NOLAN

Executive Director

IN

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UCANE

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JULY, 2026

TO RAC RS’ A SS NT

41 UCANE’s Safety Corner:

Heat Stress in Utility Construction: OSHA’s Renewed Focus and What New England Contractors Need to Know

47 Insurance Perspective:

The Umbrella and Excess Liability Market: Underground Utility Contractors and the Impact of Capacity and Pricing

58 Massachusetts Water Resource Authority’s 2025 Drinking Water Test Results Editor: Joseph F. Nolan; Magazine Designer/Associate Editor: Sherri Klayman; Associate Editor: Suzanne Hatch; Writer: Brandon Ward Construction Outlook Chair: Chris Valenti Editorial Board: Chris Valenti, Querino Pacella, Lisa French Kelley, and Justin Goodheart CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK published monthly by the Utility Contractors’ Association of New England, Inc., 300 Congress Street, Suite 101, Quincy, MA 02169; Tel: 617.471.9955; Fax: 617.471.8939; Email: jnolan@ucane.com; Website: www.ucane.com. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of UCANE and the Construction Outlook editorial board and staff. Subscriptions are included in dues payments for UCANE members. Presorted Standard postage paid at Brockton, MA. POSTMASTER, please send form #3579 to Construction Outlook, Crown Colony Office Park, 300 Congress Street, Suite 101, Quincy, MA 02169.

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UCANE Members DeFelice Corp. and Xylem Work Together to Stop Failing Infrastructure at the Merrimack River

As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are reminded that America’s greatest achievements have always been built through hard work, innovation, and a shared commitment to the future. For two and a half centuries, Americans have invested in the infrastructure that protects public health, supports economic growth, and improves quality of life in every community. Among those investments, few have had a greater impact than clean drinking water and safe wastewater systems.

A

t UCANE, we are proud that for 72 years our members have carried on that same tradition. Every day, our contractors build, repair, and modernize the underground infrastructure that keeps communities running—including water, wastewater, stormwater, natural gas, electric, and fiber communications systems. Much of this work remains hidden beneath our streets, but its importance cannot be overstated.

Just days before this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, Massachusetts received another powerful reminder of why this work matters. Major wastewater system failures in the Merrimack Valley released millions of gallons of untreated sewage into local waterways, forcing beach closures and disrupting communities as families prepared to enjoy one of the hottest Independence Day weekends in recent memory.

It was an unfortunate reminder that aging water and wastewater infrastructure can have immediate consequences for public health, environmental protection, recreation, and the local economy. UCANE Members DeFelice Corp. and Xylem mobolized to construct an emergency bypass pumping system. The effort successfully stopped the discharge of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Merrimack River ahead of the holiday weekend.

No infrastructure system is immune from unexpected failure. However, incidents like these reinforce the need for sustained investment, proactive maintenance, and timely replacement of aging underground systems before they reach a breaking point. Every water main replaced, every sewer rehabilitated, every pump station upgraded, and every utility corridor modernized helps reduce the risk of emergencies while building stronger, more resilient communities.

That is why UCANE continues to champion long-term investment in our nation’s underground infrastructure.

JULY, 2026

Through our #InvestInWaterMA initiative, we have worked tirelessly to educate policymakers and the public about the importance of maintaining and modernizing water and wastewater systems. At the same time, our members continue building the infrastructure that powers modern life—from water and sewer systems to natural gas, electric, and communications networks that support homes, businesses, healthcare facilities, and economic development throughout New England.

We also recognize that investing in infrastructure means investing in people. Through workforce development, safety education, scholarship programs, and partnerships with municipalities, engineers, labor organizations, and public agencies, UCANE is helping prepare the next generation of skilled professionals who will carry this essential work forward.

As America marks this historic milestone, we should also recognize that our nation’s continued success depends on maintaining the infrastructure that protects public health and strengthens our economy. Clean water is not something we can ever take for granted. The recent events in the Merrimack Valley remind us that continued investment and careful stewardship are essential to protecting one of our nation’s greatest public health achievements.

I am proud of all that UCANE has accomplished throughout our 72-year history, and I am confident our best days are still ahead. Working together, we will continue to advocate for responsible infrastructure investment, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and safety, and build the resilient underground systems that will serve America for the next 250 years. Congratulations to our nation on this historic 250th anniversary and thank you to every UCANE member for your dedication to building a healthier, safer, and stronger America. n

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Mark Molloy, Esq.

O

Agreement Reached on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget; Sent to Governor for Approval

n the day of the fiscal year’s start, the Massachusetts legislature passed a Conference Committee report on the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget that does not raise taxes or create new ones. According to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the House and Senate enacted a $63.42 billion FY27 budget, representing 3.9 percent spending growth over the FY26 General Appropriations Act and approximately $54 million more than Governor Healey's budget proposal.

Within that overall spending plan, several targeted line-items are especially important to cities, towns, ratepayers, contractors, and public water and sewer systems. The Clean Water Trust contract assistance lineitem, funded at $63,383,680. The conference report directs this funding to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for contract assistance, including debt service obligations, principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, subsidies, and other forms of financial assistance under chapter 29C. This line-item is critical because the Clean Water Trust is one of the Commonwealth's primary vehicles for helping municipalities finance drinking water, wastewater, sewer, and stormwater projects. By reducing borrowing costs and supporting principal forgiveness, the Commonwealth helps local governments advance projects that would otherwise place greater pressure on municipal budgets and ratepayers.

The Conference Committee report also funds the main administration of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) at $51,438,149. The appropriation supports MassDEP operations, including environmental oversight, permitting, enforcement, laboratory and technical functions, and related agency responsibilities. The lineitem also includes language requiring MassDEP to report on hiring, staffing levels over the prior 10 fiscal years, enforcement actions, fine collections, and recommendations for additional resources needed to

JULY, 2026

fulfill the department's enforcement responsibilities.

MassDEP is the agency responsible for permitting, compliance, and regulatory oversight across a wide range of drinking water, wastewater, wetlands, stormwater, and pollution-control programs. As UCANE argues in its continuing support for amendments raising MassDEP funding, without adequate MassDEP staffing, even well-funded infrastructure programs can be slowed by permitting delays, compliance backlogs, and insufficient technical support.

The FY27 budget further recognizes the ongoing need to address underground storage tanks and petroleum contamination. In continuing to address the backlog on this ongoing program, the budget provides $5,842,714 for underground storage tank reimbursements to parties that have remediated petroleum product spills, with priority for approved claimants who own or formerly owned not more than four dispensing facilities. It also provides $1,892,435 for the Underground Storage Tank Petroleum Cleanup Fund Administrative Review Board and for administration of the underground storage tank program, including reporting on municipal grants, reimbursements, backlog claims, wait times, and tanks that are not in compliance.

These investments matter for water quality because leaking or noncompliant tanks can threaten groundwater, public water supplies, and nearby environmental resources, particularly in communities that rely on vulnerable aquifers or well systems.

Finally, the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund is also funded in the Conference Committee report at $1,500,000. Although modest compared with the scale of local sewer and wastewater costs, the line-item remains symbolically and practically important. Sewer infrastructure projects are capitalintensive, frequently driven by federal and state environmental mandates, and often paid for through continued on page 7

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Legislative Update continued from page 5 local user rates. Rate relief funding helps acknowledge that the cost of environmental compliance and infrastructure modernization should not fall entirely on municipal ratepayers, especially in communities facing combined sewer overflow requirements, aging treatment facilities, infiltration and inflow problems, or major collection-system upgrades.

All said, these line-items reflect a practical water infrastructure agenda within the FY27 conference budget: help municipalities finance major projects through the Clean Water Trust, maintain MassDEP's capacity to permit and enforce environmental laws, address contamination risks from underground storage tanks, and provide ratepayer relief for sewer costs. The challenge for the Commonwealth is that these appropriations must be sustained and, eventually, expanded over time. Massachusetts communities face billions of dollars in long-term drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and underground utility needs, and annual operating budget line-items are an essential complement to bond bills, federal funds, and local borrowing.

To view the Conference Committee report on the fiscal year 2027 budget, please visit: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee.

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Legislative Update continued from page 7

Senate Passes Energy Bill; Competing Strategies for Reducing Residential Bills Heads to Conference

E

arly July saw the Massachusetts Senate debate and pass an energy savings bill, Senate Bill 3143, An Act to save people money, repair the climate, and grow the economy. The Senate energy proposal is framed around reducing energy costs while maintaining the Commonwealth's climate and clean energy objectives. The bill identifies several projected ratepayer savings measures, including securitization of certain utility costs related to grid modernization, storm recovery, and gas system transition; adjustments to Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements for 2027 through 2029; reductions in net-metering credits for large nonresidential standalone facilities; and changes to renewable energy credit treatment under the SMART solar program. Collectively, these provisions are presented as mechanisms to lower utility bills, reduce compliance costs, and avoid near-term cost increases associated with energy system modernization.

The Senate proposal also includes changes to how energy is procured, priced, and reviewed by state regulators. The recently passed legislation would allow the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to serve as the contracting agent for certain clean energy procurements, modify the timing and duration of default electricity supply procurement to reduce seasonal price swings, and direct the Massa-

JULY, 2026

chusetts Department of Public Utilities to review certain reconciling charges that contribute to bill volatility. The bill also calls for an investigation into the gap between default electric service prices and actual market costs, with the goal of determining whether further changes could reduce customer bills. These provisions focus less on direct rebates and more on structural changes to procurement, ratemaking, and regulatory review.

A separate set of provisions addresses energy efficiency, utility planning, and energy innovation. The proposal would restructure aspects of Mass Save program administration by capping planning and administrative spending, limiting mid-term budget increases, and creating a temporary Energy Efficiency Management Review and Financial Oversight Board. It also includes provisions related to competitive electric suppliers, customer financing for home energy improvements, utility-owned single-customer geothermal systems for large institutions, third-party investment in distribution infrastructure, renewable natural gas, and comprehensive distribution planning. Of particular interest to UCANE members, the bill would also narrow and phase out the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEPS) by 2030, shifting gas infrastructure spending back toward traditional regulatory review and focusing remaining work on leak-prone infrastructure. The continued on page 11

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Legislative Update continued from page 9 proposal is of significant concern to developers, contractors, and labor organizations.

During Senate consideration, the chamber considered, but did not adopt Amendment #65, offered by Senator Mike Moore and cosponsored by Senator Bill Driscoll, which would have created a special commission focused on medium- and heavy-duty truck end users. The proposed commission was intended to bring together affected industries and public- and private-sector stakeholders to evaluate practical strategies for reducing emissions from mediumand heavy-duty vehicles while the Commonwealth works toward longer-term electrification and zero-emission goals. The decision not to include the amendment left unresolved a policy question that remains important to trucking, towing, construction, utility, municipal, and other end-user sectors: how to reduce emissions in the near term while accounting for vehicle availability, charging and fueling infrastructure, duty cycles, cost, grid readiness, and the operational realities of essential fleet-based industries.

The energy bill now heads to a Conference

Committee of three Senate and three House members. In February, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its own energy affordability bill by a 128-27 vote. The House proposal was projected by House leaders to produce more than $9 billion in ratepayer savings over 10 years and emphasized near-term affordability measures, including a one-time $1 billion reduction to Mass Save, changes to surcharges and energy-related charges, expanded support for low- and moderate-income ratepayers, and returning a portion of certain supplier penalty payments to customers. The House bill also included provisions intended to diversify and modernize the energy grid, but its Mass Save reduction became a central point of policy debate as the Senate developed a different approach that relied more heavily on utility cost controls, gas infrastructure reforms, procurement changes, and regulatory restructuring.

To view a copy of the respective energy bills, please visit: (Senate) https://malegislature.gov/ Bills/194/S3143 and (House) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5175. continued on page 13

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Legislative Update continued from page 11

With Haverhill Sewer Overflow Fresh On Our Mind, Environmental Bond Bill Conference Committee Named

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s news spread of the recent sewer force main failure in Haverhill, it quickly became a prime example about the condition of aging water, sewer, and wastewater infrastructure across Massachusetts. During heavy rainfall in late June, a 42-inch sewer force main near the South Mill Street Pumping Station failed, interrupting the system that carries most of Haverhill’s wastewater to its treatment plant.

The result was the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Merrimack River, affecting downstream communities, public health advisories, river access, recreation, and confidence in basic environmental safeguards. The MassDEP has also indicated that, once repairs are complete, Haverhill will be required to conduct an engineering analysis to identify the cause of the force main failure.

Around the same time as the water infrastructure emergency in Haverhill, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its version of the Mass Ready Act, a $3.5 billion environmental bond bill, on June 17. The House bill authorizes multi-year

capital investments intended to modernize environmental laws, strengthen climate resilience, support agricultural and food systems, streamline permitting, and improve the management of natural resources across the Commonwealth. The legislation is designed to provide borrowing authority for key state programs that help municipalities prepare for flooding, drought, extreme heat, and other climate-related impacts, while also supporting environmental protection and local infrastructure needs.

The House action represents a major step in advancing the environmental bond bill, but it also sets up negotiations with the Senate, which passed its own $3.64 billion version of the Mass Ready Act in April. The Senate version included additional policy provisions, including measures related to drinking water protection, climate resilience, outdoor recreation, and plastic waste reduction, while the House version focused on a $3.5 billion bond authorization and did not include some Senate policy language. continued on page 15

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Legislative Update continued from page 13 As a result, the bill will go to Conference Committee, with the final package determining the scope of Massachusetts' next major round of environmental, water, resilience, and natural resource investments.

The emergency response in Haverhill demonstrated the seriousness and complexity of maintaining water infrastructure systems. City personnel, contractors, engineers, and utility partners worked to install temporary bypass pumping, restore wastewater flow to the treatment plant, maintain sewer service for residents and businesses, and begin the process of permanent repair. At the same time, state and local agencies had to coordinate public health advisories and environmental monitoring for the Merrimack River and affected downstream communities. The incident makes clear that when underground infrastructure fails, the impacts are regional, immediate, and expensive.

Hence, the importance of the environmental bond bill. The Mass Ready Act, now headed to a Conference Committee, represents a major opportunity to strengthen infrastructure, protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, support environmental protection, and help municipalities confront the growing cost of adapting public works systems to more severe weather. The Senate advanced a $3.64 billion version of the bill, while the House passed a $3.5 billion version that now re-

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quires reconciliation before final enactment. The Conference Committee members include: Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Becca Rausch, Senator Peter Durant, Representative Mike Finn, Representative Christine Barber, and Representative Ken Sweezey.

For its part, UCANE, through its direct advocacy and the #InvestInWaterMA campaign have consistently emphasized that water, sewer, wastewater, stormwater, and underground utility projects protect public health, support economic development, improve environmental quality, and reduce costly disruptions before they become emergencies.

UCANE’s advocacy also includes efforts to expand and strengthen the role of the Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee, whose statutory purpose is to monitor progress in closing the funding gap for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. That work is critical because Massachusetts’ needs are long-term, capital-intensive, and statewide. In light of the Haverhill sewer overflow and its impacts on the Merrimack River, UCANE continues to prioritize the environmental bond bill, generally, and efforts to strengthen the Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee as a permanent policy and accountability tool.

To review the competing versions of the environmental bond bill, please visit: (Senate) https://malegislature. gov/Bills/194/S3064 and (House) https://malegislature. continued on page 17 gov/Bills/194/H5518.

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Legislative Update continued from page 15

News in Brief

•

•

Massachusetts Ballot Questions Moving Toward the General Election. Several Massachusetts ballot questions are moving toward the November 2026 general election, including the “Protect Water and Nature” initiative, whose supporters submitted final signatures after gathering more than 22,000 additional voter signatures and more than 100,000 signatures earlier in the process. The measure would dedicate revenue from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to a new Nature for All Fund, with supporters saying it could provide up to $100 million annually for water protection, land conservation, habitat restoration, parks, trails, and outdoor recreation without creating a new tax. At the same time, the field of potential ballot questions has narrowed with the demise of the proposed income tax reduction question, which would have lowered the state income tax rate from 5% to 4% but was blocked by the Supreme Judicial Court in June. A separate tax-related proposal to revise the state revenue limit remains part of the broader ballot-question debate, with supporters arguing it would return more excess revenues to taxpayers, but the removal of the income tax cut measure significantly reduces the scope of tax-cut proposals likely to appear before voters this fall.

Administration Awards $700K in Grant Funding to Two Municipalities. The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced the award of $700,000 through the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program to protect public drinking water resources before they are threatened by development, contamination, drought, or climate-related stress. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs awarded $350,000 each to Fall River and Ipswich for land acquisition projects tied directly to safeguarding local drinking water supplies. In Fall River, the funding will support expansion of the Bioreserve Environmental Education and Discovery Center, while in Ipswich it will help acquire land that strengthens drought resilience and protects water resources. By preserving land around reservoirs, wells, wetlands, and recharge

areas, the program helps communities reduce pollution risks, protect water quality, avoid higher future treatment costs, and maintain long-term access to clean drinking water. These grants also reflect a broader state strategy to invest in watershed protection, climate resilience, open space preservation, and water infrastructure, underscoring the need for continued legislative support for environmental bond authorizations and targeted grant programs that help municipalities protect public health and prepare for future climate impacts. To learn more about the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drinking-watersupply-protection-grant-program.

•

Boston Globe Highlights Need for Proactive Algae Bloom Action. A recent Boston Globe editorial highlights the growing challenge of toxic cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and bacteria outbreaks in Massachusetts lakes and ponds, which are forcing closures during peak summer recreation periods and raising public health concerns for people and pets. The editorial specifically highlights Crystal Lake in Newton as an example of a municipality taking a proactive approach by using alum treatment to bind phosphorus to the lake bottom, conducting ongoing monitoring and scientific reporting, and investing in stormwater infrastructure to pretreat runoff before it enters the lake. Newton’s work, including $182,500 for treatment and monitoring and a $100,000 state grant for stormwater improvements, demonstrates how targeted investments can help reduce the nutrients that fuel blooms and potentially limit the number of swimming days lost. The broader lesson is that while climate change is making harmful algal blooms more frequent and intense, municipalities and residents can still reduce risks through prevention, stormwater controls, reduced fertilizer use, septic maintenance, pet waste management, shoreline protection, and sustained infrastructure investment before lakes and ponds are forced to close. n

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Representative Patricia Duffy (D-5th Hampden)

Representative Patricia Duffy was working towards a Ph.D. in Sociology when she got involved in the UMass labor movement. That community organizing helped her realize that she didn’t want to study policies, she wanted to help shape and implement them. She started working in the larger labor movement, local politics, and elections. That work and those relationships led her to work for Holyoke’s State Representative Aaron Vega and, when he chose not to run for re-election in 2020, she ran in a contested primary and won the seat.

Q:

As costs continue to rise and federal aid decreases, please give your thoughts on how the state will continue to support local aid to cities and towns to help support basic municipal services, specifically water, wastewater, and underground utility infrastructure.

A:

We must protect local aid in our annual budget. The change in the state constitution that resulted in Fair Share funds provides a great opportunity. We have been able to supplement Chapter 90 funding to provide crucial support to road and bridge repairs.

Partnering with UCANE and your highlighting of water infrastructure in the #InvestInWaterMA campaign has been invaluable. Holyoke was an industrial leader 100 years ago and has since gone through decades of disinvestment. We have been left with an aging wastewater infrastructure and combined sewer overflows that pollute the Connecticut River. State and federal aid in mitigating that pollution and updating our infrastructure is vital – the current ratepayers in Holyoke cannot afford the necessary investment. Our aging, JULY, 2026

beautiful Massachusetts cities need to prioritize water and wastewater management.

Q:

Representing the 5th Hampden District in the City of Holyoke, what are the biggest challenges for your district and the accompanying region with regard to continued economic growth?

A:

Holyoke faces unique challenges as our city is both a Gateway City and part of the western region of the state facing population decline. At the same time, we have a unique advantage in that the younger population in Holyoke is in fact growing. We have lower housing costs than the rest of the state. The Affordable Homes Act does support housing production and in Holyoke we are taking advantage of the growth in the Housing Development Incentive Program, a program that allows developers to bridge the gap between the price of construction and the lower return in sales and rents. This is allowing us to provide more housing across income levels. In addition, we need continued on page 21

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Interview continued from page 19 investment in education and workforce development so that that population is ready to work and to stay in the greater region. Our region offers advantages of urban amenities, proximity to agriculture and nature, and thriving academic and healthcare industries. We need to grow the opportunities for young people and entice them to come here and to stay.

Q:

The #InvestInWaterMA campaign, sponsored by UCANE, highlights the importance of water infrastructure to a wide variety of industries. Can you share a sampling of some of the specific industries in your district that benefit from our investments in water infrastructure?

A:

UCANE’s #InvestInWaterMA campaign is especially important for cities like Holyoke, where reliable water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure di-

rectly supports the local economy. Holyoke’s manufacturers, food processors, health care facilities, schools and higher education institutions, small businesses, housing developments, construction projects, and emerging clean energy and technology sectors all depend on safe, affordable, and resilient water systems. These industries cannot grow or attract new investment if the city’s underlying infrastructure is outdated or overburdened. For a historic industrial city built around water power and the Connecticut River, renewed investment in water infrastructure is not only an environmental and public health necessity; it is an economic development strategy that will help Holyoke compete, revitalize older properties, protect ratepayers, and support the next generation of jobs.

Q:

Will you please share your thoughts on some of the challenges facing the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities in recent years? continued on page 23

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Interview continued from page 21

A:

Gateway Cities across Massachusetts face real challenges, including aging infrastructure, older housing stock, limited municipal resources, environmental burdens, and the effects of industries that left the area. At the same time, these communities offer tremendous opportunity for young people, employers, and emerging industries. Cities like Holyoke have historic buildings ready for adaptive reuse, access to transportation corridors, comparatively affordable housing and commercial space, diverse workforces, established educational and health care institutions, and the kind of environment that can support walkable neighborhoods, small businesses, arts, culture, and innovation. With targeted investment in water, wastewater, transportation, housing, schools, and workforce development, Gateway Cities can become engines of inclusive economic growth, giving young people a place to build careers and families, while providing industries with the infrastructure, talent, and space they need to expand in Massachusetts. The key remains, however, that we need targeted state

JULY, 2026

and federal investment to help Holyoke and similar communities modernize critical infrastructure – whether its roadways, water infrastructure, or any other utility infrastructure.

Q:

A:

Please share some of your legislative or regulatory priorities for the 20252026 legislative session.

Being part of a 200-member body means getting to support the great work of colleagues while taking the lead in certain areas. I have prioritized healthy food, food access, and access to healthcare, and have filed legislation to improve access to oral healthcare, to expand Farm to School meal programs, and to promote urban agriculture and community gardens.

Our federal government is holding back resources so it is incumbent upon state lawmakers to keep residents informed on their benefits, how to access them, and to step in with state resources where we can. I applaud the Healey Administration’s proactive moves to protect access to healthcare, vaccines, insurance, and SNAP benefits. n

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Re-Bidding: Ambiguous Specifications and New Specifications on Re-Bid We have previously written about the limited grounds upon which a Massachusetts public awarding authority may re-bid a public infrastructure project. The three recognized bases for re-bidding are: (1) insufficient funds; (2) ambiguous specifications; and (3) new specifications on re-bid. In a prior article, we discussed the “insufficient funds” basis for re-bidding. At the end of June, 2026, the Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (“Bid Unit”) issued a bid protest decision addressing the other two bases for re-bidding: ambiguous specifications and new specifications on re-bid.

T

he bid protest arose out of a M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M project for paving of roadways and walkways at a Massachusetts community college. With respect to large public infrastructure projects, M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M requires a bid deposit.

However, in its bid documents for the project, the awarding authority apparently provided conflicting information regarding the requirement of a bid bond.

One section of the awarding authority’s Instructions to Bidders advised that “[a] bid [d]eposit is not required for this bid.” At the same time, another section of the same document “instructed bidders to provide a five percent bid deposit” with their bid. The awarding authority also included a bid bond form for bidders “to complete as a required document.”

The awarding authority received 10 bids, but the apparent low bidder did not include a bid deposit with its bid. Upon review, the awarding authority determined that its bid documents were “materially ambiguous” and elected to re-bid the project. On re-bid, the awarding authority also updated its specifications to include additional details for thermoplastic painting of pavement markings and included an “entirely new” section for “Planting.” The specifications on re-bid also incorporated certain items that the awarding authority had previously clarified in addenda issued

JULY, 2026

in connection with the original procurement (relating to asphalt walkway quantities, number of speed bumps, and roadway asphalt thickness).

In these circumstances, the second-low bidder filed a protest with the Bid Unit alleging that the re-bid was “improper.” The second-low bidder: (1) challenged the awarding authority’s determination that the original specifications were ambiguous with respect to the bid deposit requirement; and (2) argued that the “new specifications were not materially different from the initial ones, and thus do not justify the rebid.” After holding a hearing, the Bid continued on page 27

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Legal Corner continued from page 25 Unit denied the bid protest. But this does not mean that the Bid Unit agreed with the awarding authority in every respect.

In fact, the Bid Unit disagreed with the awarding authority’s conclusion that the specifications were ambiguous with respect to the bid bond requirement.

According to the Bid Unit, “[b]idders on projects estimated to cost more than $50,000 must include bid security with their bids, and awarding authorities are required to reject bids unaccompanied by bid security.” In this case, the Bid Unit noted that no bidders asked any pre-bid questions concerning the “obvious discrepancy” in the bid documents. Had the awarding authority rejected the low bidder on this basis, and if the low bidder filed a protest, the Bid Unit stated that

such a “protest would have been denied.” The Bid Unit added that re-bidding is disfavored because it exposes bidders’ secret bid prices and that awarding authorities are not permitted to re-bid “simply to obtain a lower price.” The Bid Unit stated that “[h] ere, the bid prices of the nine compliant bidders have been exposed” and also noted that the “statutory obligation of a bidder to furnish bid security with their bid cannot be waived by an awarding authority’s error.” In these circumstances, the Bid Unit concluded that the awarding authority’s decision to re-bid based on “ambiguous specifications” concerning the bid deposit requirement “misses the mark.”

But the Bid Unit’s analysis did not end there. With respect to the “new” specifications on re-bid, the Bid Unit concluded that the “rebid specifications are sufficiently new and material” to justify a rebid. According to the Bid Unit, the “rebid specifications contained material additions that were not present in either the original specifications or addenda, including more detailed specifications for thermoplastic pavement markings and a new Planting specification section.” The Bid Unit concluded that the second-low bidder failed to meet its burden of proving that these additions “were not sufficiently material to warrant a rebid of the Project.” Therefore, even though the Bid Unit disagreed with the awarding authority with respect to the bid bond requirement, the Bid Unit agreed that the awarding authority’s issuance of new specifications justified a re-bid in this case. This led the Bid Unit to deny the second-low bidder’s protest.

Bid protests are often highly fact-specific. As a result, just because the Bid Unit may have reached a particular result in one case does not mean that it would necessarily reach the same result in another case involving different facts.

Certainly, ambiguous specifications can justify a re-bid. However, in this case, the fact that the alleged “ambiguity” related to a longstanding statutory bid deposit requirement likely influenced the Bid Unit’s conclusion that this “ambiguity” did not justify a re-bid. The

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Legal Corner continued from page 27 Bid Unit’s decision underscores the importance of asking pre-bid questions, including where – as here – the bid documents are in conflict with applicable statutory requirements.

As for the “new” specifications on re-bid, an awarding authority likely cannot justify a rebid simply by making perfunctory, immaterial changes to its specifications. To conclude otherwise could enable awarding authorities to play favorites. The competitive bidding laws are designed to avoid those types of scenarios. In this case, the awarding authority added substantive requirements (including a new specification section for Planting) and additional details that were not present in the original bid documents. Having reviewed the bid documents, the Bid Unit concluded that these were substantive changes. Here again, each case rises and falls on its facts. In the event that an awarding authority pursues a re-bid with “new” specifications, contractors should examine the specifications on re-bid to determine whether they include material changes. If not, then the “new” specifications may not be sufficient to justify the re-bid. n

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Associate Member Spotlight

Aerial view of NPE's Wrentham headquarters

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Norfolk Power Equipment: Three Generations, 50 Years, and A Commitment to Keeping Contractors Moving For utility contractors, equipment is more than iron, steel, hydraulics, and horsepower. It is the lifeblood of every project. When an excavator goes down or a compact track loader needs service, schedules slip, crews wait, and costs rise. That reality is why the best equipment dealers are never simply sales organizations. They are service organizations, relationship builders, and trusted partners who understand what it means to keep customers working.

For more than 50 years, Norfolk Power Equipment has built its reputation around that philosophy.

Today, Norfolk Power Equipment is recognized throughout New England as a dependable dealer of construction, agricultural, and outdoor power equipment. Their operating locations are in Wrentham, Massachusetts, Carver, Massachusetts, and Burrillville, Rhode Island. The company sells, rents, services, and supports a broad range of equipment and has become one of the region's most respected Kubota dealers. More recently, Norfolk Power Equipment has expanded into larger construction equipment through a partnership with XCMG, positioning itself to serve an even broader range of contractors and municipalities.

Yet despite its growth and expansion, Norfolk Power Equipment remains what it has always been: a family-owned and operated business built on relationships, hard work, and a commitment to both its employees and customers.

For UCANE members, Norfolk Power Equipment's story will feel familiar. It is a story about starting small, adapting to changing markets, investing in people, and never losing sight of the values that created success in the first place.

Humble Beginnings The Norfolk Power Equipment story began in 1975 with little more than determination, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, when Carolyn and Glen Coulter started the business with a $1,000 loan borrowed against a life insurance policy. The original location was a former laundromat in Norfolk, MA. In a perfect example of the resourcefulness that would define the company's early years, the business was named Norfolk Power Equipment partly because many of the letters from the laundromat's old sign could be reused.

Today, it is a story the family laughs about. At the time, however, every dollar mattered.

The business was initially a small lawn and garden equipment shop that repaired virtually anything with a small engine. The Coulters worked tirelessly to build a customer base and establish themselves within the community.

Norfolk Power Equipment earned roughly $5,000 in profit during that inaugural year. Ironically, much of that profit came not from equipment sales or repairs, but from a soft-serve ice cream machine operating out of the store. While the equipment business was still finding its footing, the ice cream machine helped keep the lights on.

JULY, 2026

The story serves as a reminder that many successful family businesses are not built through grand plans or outside investment. More often, they are built through persistence, creativity, and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to survive and grow.

Growing Up in the Business For Brian Coulter and his sister Stacey MacDonald, Norfolk Power Equipment was never simply a place where their parents worked. It was home. “I was born into it so I don’t really know anything different,” says Stacey.

Today, Brian serves as Vice President and Service Director, while Stacey serves as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. But long before they held leadership positions, they were children growing up in and around the family business.

The family lived behind the original shop, and Norfolk Power Equipment became their playground.

Their playpen sat in the showroom. They played wiffle ball with technicians during coffee breaks. They built forts out of shipping boxes in the parts department. The warehouse became their version of a playground, complete with obstacle courses and makeshift adventures. continued on page 32

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31

Norfolk Power continued from page 31 "We very literally grew up here," Brian recalls.

Like many children raised around construction equipment, their experiences were anything but ordinary.

Stacey remembers getting in trouble after being dumped out of a skid-steer bucket as a child. Looking back, she laughs at the story, recognizing that it probably would not meet today's safety standards, but it remains one of the many memories that shaped her upbringing around equipment and mechanics.

The perks of growing up in the business were unique as well.

Whenever a snowmobile, dirt bike, or recreational vehicle was damaged during a weekend adventure, the repair shop was only a few steps away. Brian jokes that he essentially had his own personal mechanics.

If he broke a snowmobile over the weekend, he simply brought it into the shop on Monday morning and enlisted the help of technicians who had known him since childhood.

Those experiences created a lifelong fascination with equipment.

Brian worked construction through high school for a local contractor performing water main work, septic systems, drainage projects, and foundations. He was operating heavy equipment at a remarkably young age and developed an appreciation for construction machinery long before entering the family business full-time.

That experience has proven invaluable. Unlike some dealership owners, Brian understands construction equipment not only from the service side but also from the operator's perspective. He understands the pressures contractors face because he has spent time in the field himself.

From Lawn and Garden to Construction Equipment For much of its history, Norfolk Power Equipment was heavily focused on lawn and garden equipment.

The company developed a strong reputation serving homeowners, landscapers, municipalities, and commercial customers throughout the region. It built expertise in service, parts support, and customer relationships while steadily expanding its footprint.

A major milestone came in 1979 when Norfolk Power Equipment became a Kubota dealer.

At the time, compact diesel-powered equipment was still emerging as a significant force within many markets.

The partnership would prove transformative.

As Kubota expanded throughout North America and became one of the industry's most respected brands, Norfolk Power Equipment grew alongside it. The com-

32

The Norfolk Power Equipment leadership (L-R): Bob Fregeau, Brian Coulter, Carolyn Coulter, Glen Coulter, and Stacey MacDonald

Sales Director Bob Fregeau sits at the ready in the company’s Wrentham office. pany developed extensive expertise in compact tractors, excavators, utility equipment, and compact construction machinery.

Another major milestone occurred when the company relocated to its current Wrentham headquarters in 1998 and later expanded into Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The growth was steady and deliberate.

As the construction industry evolved, Norfolk Power Equipment increasingly recognized opportunities beyond traditional lawn and garden equipment. That transition accelerated significantly around 2012 when the company began focusing more heavily on compact construction equipment.

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Leadership saw growing demand from contractors, municipalities, and public agencies for compact excavators, compact track loaders, utility tractors, and specialized equipment capable of operating in confined spaces.

The shift required difficult decisions.

In 2019, Norfolk Power Equipment made the strategic choice to discontinue 12 lawn and garden product lines in order to focus more heavily on construction equipment and contractor support.

The reasoning was straightforward. A company cannot effectively service thousands of seasonal lawn and garden products while simultaneously providing the rapid response required by contractors whose businesses depend on equipment uptime.

NPE recently started a partnership with XCMG to better serve large contractors.

The company chose to concentrate on markets where it could provide exceptional support rather than attempting to be everything to everyone.

For many contractors reading this article, that lesson will sound familiar. The most successful companies often grow by identifying their strengths and doubling down on them.

Service First Ask Norfolk Power Equipment leadership what differentiates the company, and the answer comes quickly.

Service. Not sales.

Brian Coulter's title reflects that philosophy. While he serves as Vice President, he also acts as Service Director and spends the majority of his time focused on supporting customers and ensuring equipment remains operational.

“Service is my passion, so that’s where I spend 99% of my time,” explains Brian.

Kubota remains a key component of NPE’s offerings and inventory.

The company views equipment sales as merely the beginning of the relationship, but their true responsibility begins after the customer takes delivery.

"Our goal is to provide quality product with quality service," says Coulter. "We're not just about the sale. We're a service-driven company."

That philosophy resonates strongly within the construction industry where Norfolk Power Equipment has built its reputation on being there after the sale. The company maintains extensive parts inventories, employs experienced technicians, and continually invests in support capabilities across all three locations.

Coulter summarizes the philosophy in a statement that many contractors will immediately understand: "Anyone can make the initial sale, but making sure they come back for the second sale is the key to it."

That mindset has helped create long-term customer relationships that span decades.

Kubota compact equipment displayed in the Wrentham showroom.

JULY, 2026

continued on page 35

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Norfolk Power continued from page 33

Family as a Business Strategy Today, Norfolk Power Equipment employs approximately 65 people across its three locations.

Despite its growth, leadership remains committed to preserving the family atmosphere that helped build the company.

MacDonald explains, “We always tell our employees your family comes first.” If a child has a baseball game, a school play, or another significant milestone, managers work to accommodate schedules.

The company believes taking care of employees ultimately results in better customer service and stronger business performance. That philosophy has created a remarkably loyal workforce with many employees having known one another for decades.

Some are second-generation employees whose parents worked for the company before them. One employee lived across the street from the family growing up. Another was a childhood friend. Others have been part of the Norfolk Power Equipment family for so long that they are practically relatives.

That continuity creates a level of trust that is difficult to manufacture. "It's not top-down," MacDonald explains.

"It's really working as a team." The result is a culture

where people genuinely know one another, understand one another's families, and share histories that extend far beyond the workplace.

Giving Back to the Community The family-oriented culture extends beyond company walls. Community involvement has always been an important part of Norfolk Power Equipment's identity. The company sponsors local Little League teams, youth soccer programs, and community events throughout the region.

Employees regularly participate in local celebrations, parades, and Touch-a-Truck events.

One recent example was Wrentham's 350th Anniversary Celebration, where Norfolk Power Equipment participated in the festivities with equipment displays, floats, and community engagement activities.

The company also incorporates charitable initiatives into its internal events. Each year, Norfolk Power Equipment organizes employee-driven projects designed to benefit local children and families. One year, teams assembled bicycles for children in need. Another year, employees created personalized gift baskets for children facing difficult circumstances.

The goal is not simply charitable giving. It is bringing employees together around a shared purpose while supporting the communities that have supported the business for decades. continued on page 37

Aerial view of NPE's Wrentham headquarters

JULY, 2026

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Norfolk Power continued from page 35

Building Relationships with Municipalities and Contractors One of Norfolk Power Equipment's greatest strengths has been its longstanding relationship with municipalities and public agencies.

For years, the company has supplied equipment and support to public works departments and government agencies throughout New England. Municipal customers require reliability, responsiveness, and long-term support.

Those same qualities are equally important to utility contractors. As Norfolk Power Equipment has expanded its product offerings, the company has increasingly focused on serving the contractor market.

The addition of larger construction equipment has allowed Norfolk Power Equipment to engage more directly with contractors performing underground utility work, site development, road construction, and infrastructure projects. That expansion aligns naturally with the company's strengths.

A Growing Relationship with UCANE Although Norfolk Power Equipment is relatively new to the UCANE community, the company sees significant opportunity to deepen its involvement.

The company has participated in the UCANE trade show, golf tournament, and networking events while building relationships with utility contractors throughout New England.

Historically, Norfolk Power Equipment's customer base has been heavily concentrated in municipal markets.

Today, the company is looking to expand those relationships into the contractor community – and the addition of larger equipment offerings has accelerated that effort.

To support that growth, Norfolk Power Equipment has dedicated personnel focused specifically on contractor relationships and expanding its presence within the industry.

Entering the Heavy Equipment Market One of the most significant developments in the company's recent history has been its partnership with XCMG. While Norfolk Power Equipment remains deeply committed to Kubota, leadership recognized the need to expand into larger equipment categories. Contractors increasingly require equipment beyond the compact market.

Rather than waiting for the market to evolve, Norfolk Power Equipment proactively sought a manufacturer capable of helping the company serve larger customers.

That search ultimately led to XCMG. Although XCMG is one of the world's largest equipment manufacturers, it only began establishing a significant presence in the

JULY, 2026

United States in 2022.

For Norfolk Power Equipment, the relationship feels familiar. “[XCMG] reminded us a lot of Kubota back in the day […] you get a point of contact and if you have an issue you just call this one person, so they’ve been great to deal with,” shared MacDonald.

Leadership frequently compares the experience to Kubota's earlier years, when strong personal relationships and responsiveness helped establish trust between manufacturers and dealers. The company believes XCMG provides a pathway into larger construction equipment while maintaining the support structure that customers expect.

Looking Toward the Future For Norfolk Power Equipment, growth remains a major priority and the company is currently working toward the addition of a fourth location in Swansea, Massachusetts.

The expansion would further strengthen Norfolk Power Equipment's ability to serve customers throughout southern New England.

At the same time, leadership is careful to emphasize that growth cannot come at the expense of culture. The challenge is becoming larger while remaining recognizable.

The company wants to sell more equipment, support larger contractors, and expand into heavier equipment categories – but not at the expense of the values that have guided the business since its earliest days.

That balance will ultimately define Norfolk Power Equipment's next chapter.

Lessons from 50 Years of Success Many UCANE members will recognize elements of their own companies in Norfolk Power Equipment's story. Like many successful utility contractors, the company was built by founders willing to take risks, work long hours, and continually reinvest in the business.

It grew by adapting to changing markets rather than remaining comfortable with past successes. And most importantly, it has remained committed to relationships and service even as it expanded.

Today, Norfolk Power Equipment is preparing for another chapter with a fourth location in the works. Yet despite all that growth, the essence of the business remains remarkably unchanged from the days when the founders borrowed $1,000 against a life insurance policy, repurposed an old laundromat sign, and sold soft-serve ice cream to help keep the business afloat.

The showroom may be larger. The equipment may be bigger. The customer base may span multiple states. But the values remain the same: family, service, community, and relationships. n

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37

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Heat Stress in Utility Construction: OSHA's Renewed Focus and What New England Contractors Need to Know Summer in New England often brings ideal conditions for utility and infrastructure projects. Long daylight hours and favorable weather allow contractors to maximize productivity and keep projects moving. However, rising temperatures also introduce one of the most underestimated hazards on a jobsite: heat stress.

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ecognizing these risks, OSHA recently updated its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards.

The revised program reinforces OSHA's commitment to heat illness prevention and signals continued enforcement activity across high-risk industries, including utility construction, excavation, roadway work, and infrastructure projects.

For decades, many contractors associated severe heat stress with southern states. Today, New England is experiencing more frequent periods of elevated temperatures, extended heat waves, and higher humidity levels during peak construction season. Massachusetts public health officials continue to track heat-related illnesses because heat exposure has become an increasingly important occupational health concern.

For utility contractors, this means heat exposure is no longer limited to a handful of exceptionally hot days. Extended periods of elevated temperatures are becoming more common, increasing cumulative worker exposure throughout the summer construction season.

Heat illness occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms can no longer keep pace with environmental conditions and physical exertion. Workers can

JULY, 2026

quickly progress from mild symptoms to life-threatening emergencies if warning signs are overlooked.

Heat-related illnesses include: • Heat Rash • Heat Cramps • Heat Exhaustion • Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a medical emergency and may involve confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and body temperatures exceeding 104°F. continued on page 43

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Safety Corner continued from page 41

Unique Challenges for Utility Contractors Utility contractors face several risk factors not commonly found in other industries.

Excavations and trenches often trap heat and limit natural airflow. Roadway work exposes workers to reflected heat from asphalt and concrete surfaces. Utility vaults, pump stations, manholes, and underground structures can become heat traps with limited ventilation and elevated humidity levels.

Heavy personal protective equipment—including hard hats, gloves, high-visibility apparel, respiratory protection, and fall protection equipment—further reduces the body's ability to dissipate heat.

Emergency utility repairs add another layer of complexity. Water main breaks, sewer failures, gas emergen-

cies, and electrical outages occur regardless of weather conditions. Crews are frequently required to work extended hours during the hottest periods of the day.

Construction remains one of OSHA's primary focus industries under the revised Heat NEP. OSHA inspectors may initiate inspections when heat advisories are issued, complaints are received, heat-related injuries occur, or hazards are observed during unrelated inspections.

Contractors should expect increased emphasis on documented heat illness prevention programs, employee training, acclimatization procedures, and evidence that preventive measures are consistently implemented.

Case Study: Emergency Repair Operations Consider a crew responding to a water main break during a regional heat advisory. Workers arrive after already completing part of a normal shift. They enter an excavation, operate pumps, move materials, and perform repairs under significant physical exertion.

Air temperatures reach the low 90s while pavement temperatures exceed 120°F. Although drinking water is available, fatigue accumulates throughout the day. A crew member begins experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion that initially appear to be simple fatigue.

This scenario illustrates why supervisors must recognize heat illness warning signs early and why emergency planning should include heatrelated medical emergencies alongside excavation, traffic, and confined-space hazards.

OSHA continues to emphasize three foundational controls: Water: Readily available cool drinking water throughout the shift.

Rest: Recovery periods adjusted to environmental conditions and workload.

Shade or Cooling Areas: Tents, trailers, vehicles, or other locations where workers can reduce body temperature.

Planning Ahead Effective heat illness prevention begins before workers arrive onsite.

Pre-job planning should include weather monitoring, heat index reviews, identification of high-exertion tasks, scheduling adjustments, hydration logistics, and emergency response planning. continued on page 45

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Safety Corner continued from page 43 Just as contractors routinely plan for excavation hazards, traffic control, and confined space entry, heat hazards should be addressed during project planning discussions.

Supervisors serve as the first line of defense against heat illness. Training should emphasize recognition of excessive sweating, dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps, confusion, unusual behavior, and fatigue.

Workers should also be encouraged to monitor one another. In many cases, coworkers notice symptoms before the affected individual recognizes a problem.

Conclusion The revised OSHA Heat National Emphasis Program should serve as a reminder that heat illness prevention is no longer a seasonal initiative—it is a core element of construction safety management.

As New England experiences more frequent periods of elevated temperatures and OSHA continues targeted enforcement efforts, utility contractors that proactively address heat hazards will be better positioned to protect workers, maintain productivity, and avoid preventable incidents.

Whether the work involves trenching, roadway construction, confined space entry, or emergency utility repairs, the goal remains the same: ensuring every worker returns home safely at the end of the day. n

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Heat Stress and Confined Spaces – A Dangerous Combination For utility contractors, heat hazards become significantly more complex when confined spaces are involved.

Vaults, manholes, tanks, and underground utility structures often have limited airflow, elevated temperatures, increased humidity, and restricted access. Combined with physically demanding work, body temperatures can rise rapidly.

A worker suffering heat exhaustion inside a confined space may also require technical rescue capabilities, creating additional hazards for rescuers.

Heat monitoring, ventilation planning, hydration schedules, work/rest cycles, and rescue planning should be integrated into every confined space operation.

FIVE INDICATORS OSHA MAY LOOK FOR •

Written heat illness prevention program

•

Acclimatization procedures

•

Access to water, rest, and shade

•

Supervisor training

•

Heat hazard assessments

•

Emergency response procedures

•

Weather and heat index monitoring

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The Umbrella and Excess Liability Market: Underground Utility Contractors and the Impact of Capacity and Pricing For underground utility contractors in New England, no insurance issue currently has a greater impact on total risk financing costs than the Umbrella and Excess Liability market. These contractors are operating in one of the most challenging casualty insurance environments in several decades.

W

hile many standard Commercial insurance lines have begun to stabilize, Umbrella and Excess Liability pricing remains under pressure due to rising claim severity, social inflation, nuclear verdicts, catastrophic auto losses, and continued concerns surrounding excavation and trenching operations. The result has been reduced carrier capacity, higher attachment points, increased underwriting scrutiny, and significantly higher premiums for contractors performing underground utility work.

Consequently, contractors throughout the region are increasingly finding that insurance availability is no longer simply a pricing issue. Capacity itself has become a concern. Accounts that previously obtained $10 million to $25 million of Umbrella coverage from a single insurer are now frequently constructed through multiple carriers, each contributing smaller portions of the overall tower. Excess markets continue to restrict capacity deployed on construction risks, particularly contractors with significant fleet exposures, trenching operations, utility strike exposures, and adverse loss histories.

Underground Utility Contractors: Why are They Viewed as High-Hazard Risks?

Underground utility contractors present several

JULY, 2026

exposures that concern Umbrella and Excess Liability underwriters.

Unlike many GCs, utility contractors routinely perform work involving: • Excavation and trenching • Heavy equipment operations • Public roadway exposure • Utility strikes • Directional drilling • Traffic control operations • Commercial vehicle fleets continued on page 49

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Insurance continued from page 47 • •

Work adjacent to critical infrastructure Municipal projects with substantial contractual liability requirements Many of these exposures have the potential to generate catastrophic Bodily Injury claims. A trench collapse, utility strike, roadway accident, or severe fleet loss can quickly exceed primary General Liability and Auto Liability limits. For this reason, Excess carriers closely examine safety controls, training programs, fleet management practices, and loss history before offering capacity.

OSHA and NIOSH continue to identify trenching and excavation work as Area among the most hazBoston ardous activities in construction.

Locations Construction work-

ers account for approximately one out of every five workplace fatalities in the United States, and trench collapses remain a recurring source of catastrophic losses. From 2013 through 2017, 97 trenching fatalities occurred in the construction industry, averaging approximately 19 deaths annually. OSHA investigations have continued to document fatal trench collapses involving utility and sewer contractors throughout the country.

Although fatal trench collapses are relatively infrequent compared to other construction accidents, they often generate substantial liability claims, regulatory scrutiny, and reputational damage.

The Nuclear Verdict Problem

The single greatest force affecting Umbrella and Excess Liability pricing today 2 Dexter Street is the rise of nuclear verdicts. A Everett, MA 02149 nuclear verdict generally refers to Boston Area Boston Area a jury award exceeding $10 milLocations Locations 431 Second Street lion. These verdicts have become Everett, MA 02149 increasingly common across the 2 Dexter Street 2 Dexter Street

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100 Fremont Street nuclear verdicts as primary drivers 2 Dexter Street 431 Second Street Worcester, MA 01603 of loss severity. Industry reports Everett, MA 02149 Everett, MA 02149 indicate that verdicts exceeding $10 million have increased dramatically in recent years, with median awards frequently reaching tens of millions of dollars. These trends continue to pressure Excess Liability pricing and capacity deployment.

For underground utility contractors, several claim scenarios Minichiello Bros./Scrap-It, Inc., Minichiello Bros./Scrap-It, Inc. can generate nuclear verdict exServes over 2500 customers a week and is one of New England’s largest posure: Serves over 2500 customers a week and is one New England's largest buyers,

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Insurance continued from page 49 Damage, Bodily Injury, Business Interruption, and significant litigation.

Trench and Excavation Accidents: Serious injuries or fatalities involving excavation operations often generate substantial settlements and judgments.

As verdict severity increases, Excess carriers must collect additional premium simply to maintain profitability.

For underground utility contractors, this means: • More carriers involved in each placement • More underwriting submissions • Longer renewal negotiations • Greater exposure to restrictive policy forms • Increased pricing volatility Contractors seeking limits of $10 million, $15 million, $20 million, or greater increasingly encounter layered placements involving multiple insurers.

Capacity Has Become the New Problem

Commercial Auto: The Hidden Driver of Excess Pricing

Historically, many contractors could purchase large Umbrella towers relatively easily.

Ten years ago, a contractor seeking $10 million to $15 million in Umbrella coverage could often obtain the entire limit from a single insurer. Today's marketplace looks much different.

Industry sources report that Umbrella and Excess carriers have steadily reduced the amount of capacity they are willing to deploy on a single account. Lead Umbrella carriers that once provided $25 million to $50 million in limits frequently offer far smaller participations today, often requiring additional insurers to complete larger towers.

Many utility contractors assume trenching exposure drives excess pricing. While trenching certainly affects underwriting, Commercial Auto remains one of the largest contributors to excess casualty losses.

Underground utility contractors often operate: • Dump trucks • Service trucks • Utility bodies • Vacuum excavation units • Flatbeds • Pickup fleets continued on page 53

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Insurance continued from page 51 •

Heavy equipment transported over public roads A severe Commercial Auto accident can easily pierce a $1 million primary Auto Liability limit.

Industry participants continue to identify Commercial Auto losses as one of the most problematic sectors within the excess casualty marketplace. Underwriters report persistent rate pressure and capacity restrictions driven by worsening claim severity. As a result, contractors with strong fleet management programs often enjoy a significant competitive advantage when seeking Umbrella capacity.

New England Market Dynamics Several regional trends are shaping the Umbrella marketplace in New England.

Aging Infrastructure New England continues to invest heavily in: • Water main replacement • Sewer rehabilitation • Stormwater infrastructure • Utility modernization • Broadband installation

The resulting increase in underground construction activity creates additional demand for Excess Liability capacity.

Workforce Shortages The construction industry continues to face significant labor shortages. Recent AGC surveys found that more than 90% of contractors report difficulty filling positions, while nearly half report project delays caused by labor shortages.

For Excess underwriters, labor shortages create concerns regarding: • Inexperienced workers • Reduced supervision • Increased accident frequency • Training deficiencies

Larger Public Infrastructure Projects Many municipal and infrastructure projects now require: • $10 million Umbrella limits • $15 million Umbrella limits • $25 million Umbrella limits Meeting these requirements has become incontinued on page 55

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Insurance continued from page 53 creasingly difficult for contractors with adverse loss histories.

So, What Do Underwriters Want to See? The best-performing underground utility contractors share several characteristics.

Trench Safety Programs Underwriters expect: • Competent person training • Daily trench inspections • Shoring and shielding procedures • Written excavation safety programs Utility Strike Prevention Carriers increasingly ask about: • Dig Safe participation • Utility locating procedures • Vacuum excavation practices • Damage prevention protocols Fleet Controls Strong accounts often maintain: • Telematics systems

• Driver scorecards • MVR monitoring • Dash cameras • Formal driver training Claims Management Rapid claim reporting and aggressive claim management remain critical components of maintaining favorable umbrella pricing.

What to Expect Through 2027 The Umbrella and Excess market is unlikely to soften significantly during the next 12 to 18 months.

Most industry indicators suggest: • Continued underwriting discipline • Moderate rate increases • Limited large-limit capacity • Ongoing scrutiny of construction risks Preferred utility contractors with strong safety programs and favorable loss histories may experience relatively stable renewals. Contractors with poor fleet performance, trenching violations, utility strike losses, or large claims should expect continued upward pressure on pricing and potentially reduced capacity options. Excess casualty insurers continue continued on page 57

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Insurance continued from page 55 to maintain disciplined underwriting standards due to social inflation, litigation trends, and elevated claim severity.

Strategic Recommendations for Combating the Market The most successful underground utility contractors are treating Umbrella insurance as a risk management issue rather than simply a purchasing decision.

Contractors should: 1. Invest heavily in trench safety programs.

2. Strengthen utility strike prevention procedures.

3. Implement telematics and camera systems across fleets.

4. Review contractual insurance requirements before bidding projects.

5. Report claims early and aggressively manage litigation.

6. Build relationships with carriers that understand utility construction operations.

7. Begin renewal discussions at least 120 days

JULY, 2026

prior to expiration when large Umbrella towers are required.

In Closing The Umbrella and Excess Liability marketplace has fundamentally changed for underground utility contractors. The era of inexpensive, readily available Excess capacity is over.

Rising nuclear verdicts, increasing claim severity, Commercial Auto losses, workforce challenges, and trenching-related exposures continue to pressure insurers and reinsurers. While capacity remains available for high-quality contractors, underwriting standards are significantly stricter than in prior market cycles.

For New England underground utility contractors, the organizations that invest in safety, fleet management, utility damage prevention, and disciplined risk management will be best positioned to secure favorable umbrella pricing and maintain access to critical excess liability capacity over the next several years.

The difference between a preferred risk and a distressed risk in today's marketplace can easily represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual insurance cost and determine whether a contractor can qualify for major municipal and infrastructure projects. n

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57

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority 2025 Drinking Water Test Results

Every Drop Counts.

The report is distributed to over 850,000 To keep residents informed with the most up-to-date information regarding the drinking homes in the MWRA service area as required the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. water system, the Massachusetts Water Re- Waterunder Massachusetts Resources Authority And Your Local Water Department sources Authority (MWRA) has begun mail- Community-specific inserts also provide ining its Annual Water Quality Report to every formation about local water systems within the MWRA’s service area. The reports, inhousehold within its service area. The MWRA provides high quality water to over 3.2 million cluding a Spanish language version, are people in fifty-three municipalities in the east- available online and can be translated into dozens of languages. Larger-print versions ern and central parts of the Commonwealth.

“Great water starts at the source. At are available upon request.

The report also highlights MWRA agMWRA, we recognize all that has gone into gressive action to reduce the risk of lead in creating this magnificent resource.” said Stephen Estes-Smargiassi, MWRA Execu- drinking water by partnering with municiWhere Toyou Go Forwith Further Information palities throughout its service area. Since tive Director. “This report provides Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) www.mwra.com 617-242-5323 2016, the Authority has provided $72.4 milthe results of our drinking water testing for Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply 617-626-1250 Massachusettsof Dept.thouof Public Health (DPH) www.mass.gov/dph 617-624-6000 lion to help communities replace thousands 2025. Every year, we take hundreds Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection www.mass.gov/dep 617-292-5500 service lines and safeguard public sands of tests to ensure that USyour water is of lead www.cdc.gov Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 800-232-4636 health.

List of State Certified Water Quality Testing Labs www.mwra.com/your-water-system/drinking-water-quality/lead-testing 617-242-5323 safe. Our state-of-the-art monitoring system Source Water Assessment and Protection Reports www.mwra.com/your-water-system 617-242-5323 checks your water every step ofInformation the way, from For more information about the reports on Water Conservation www.mwra.com/your-water-system/water-conservation 617-242-SAVE forest to faucet. Once again, MWRA met ev- or the MWRA in general, please visit the Auery state and federal standard,Public andMeetings the qual- thority’swww.mwra.com/about-mwra/governance-management/board-directors website at www.mwra.com or call MWRA Board of Directors 617-788-1117 ity of your drinking water is excellent.”

MWRA Advisory Board www.mwraadvisoryboard.com 617-788-2050 617-242-5323.

Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee

58

www.mwra.com/about-mwra/advisory-groups

For A Larger Print Version, Call 617-242-5323.

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This report is required under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. MWRA PWS ID# 6000000

413-213-0454

JULY, 2026

Dear Customer, MWRA is pleased to highlight the work our staff do to provide you with reliable, high quality and great tasting tap water, every day. We are proud of all that we have accomplished together and remain energized by the challenges of continuing that great service as the weather, climate and your expectations change.

This report provides you with the results of our drinking water testing for 2025. Every year, we take hundreds of thousands of tests to ensure that your water is safe. Our state-of-the-art monitoring system checks your water every step of the way, from forest to faucet. Once again, MWRA met every state and federal standard, and the quality of your drinking water is excellent.

MWRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rebecca Tepper, Chair Andrew Pappastergion, Vice Chair Brian Peña, Secretary Brian Swett Henry F. Vitale Jennifer L. Wolowicz John J. Walsh Joseph C. Foti Louis M. Taverna, P.E. Patrick J. Walsh Paul E. Flanagan

Great water starts at the source. At MWRA, we recognize all that has gone into creating this magnificent resource. That is why MWRA and its partner agencies have worked hard to protect hundreds of thousands of acres in the watersheds, creating an accidental wilderness that provides wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. These preservation efforts are the reason our water easily meets the state and federal standards for PFAS. MWRA is proud to be a leader in helping communities reduce the risk of lead in drinking water. MWRA’s source water does not have lead, but it can enter water if you have a lead service line or home plumbing with lead solder.

Our corrosion control treatment has helped reduce lead levels in higher risk homes by 90%, and since 2016, we have provided $72.4 million to help communities to replace lead service lines. Please read your community’s letter for more information on your local water system and consider replacing your lead service line if you have one.

Throughout most of last year, and continuing this spring, Massachusetts has experienced significant drought. Thanks to our customers’ efforts to use water wisely, and the massive storage capacity of our reservoirs, MWRA supplies were uninterrupted and mandatory conservation measures were not needed. As stewards of these reservoirs, water conservation efforts remain a constant priority at MWRA. This report is being sent during a transition of leadership at the MWRA. A few weeks ago, MWRA longtime Executive Director, Fred Laskey retired. Mr. Laskey was at the helm of this organization for 25 years and during his tenure, he oversaw an incredible transformation in every aspect of our operations, creating the MWRA that we know today.

We celebrate his service and honor his legacy by working every day to safeguard the incredible resources under our stewardship.

I hope you will take a moment to read this report. We want you to have the same confidence in the water we deliver to your houses and businesses that we do.

Sincerely,

Stephen Estes-Smargiassi Interim Executive Director

What’s Inside?

MWRA’s Annual Water Quality Report provides you with the results of drinking water testing during 2025.

We are pleased to share that MWRA drinking water meets every state and federal standard. Our water comes from the well-protected Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, where extensive watershed protection keeps source water pristine, helping to maintain safe supplies even as climate conditions change. Our robust system ensures reliable, high-quality water, and our immense reservoir storage and proactive resilience planning ensure a sustainable supply even during droughts.

This report discusses the MWRA treatment, rigorous testing and continuous 24/7 monitoring from the reservoir to your tap, corrosion control efforts to reduce lead from household plumbing, and actions you can take at home to protect water quality. Inside, you will also find your community’s notice regarding the local test results on bacteria, lead and copper. We hope that you will take a few minutes to look through this report so you can see what we see every day—that your drinking water is carefully monitored, well protected, and something we are proud to deliver.

If you have any questions, want this report in another language or larger print, or just want to learn more about your water, please call us at 617-242-5323 or email Ask.MWRA@mwra.com. We welcome your questions. MWRA also has monthly water quality reports, information on specific potential contaminants, water system updates, and more at mwra.com/moreinfo or scan the QR code inside.

Please share this information with anyone who drinks this water (or their guardians), especially those who may not Swift River Y-Pool have received this report directly (for example, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting JULY,in2026 “BUY FROM THE ADVERTISERS IN CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK” 00 this report a public place or distributing copies by hand, mail, email, or another method. continued on page 61 1

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MWRA continued from page 59

Protecting Your Water: From Watershed To Water Glass contaminants, including naturally occurring minerals, and bacteria and viruses or other potential pathogens from human and animal activity that can cause illness.

Water Quality Monitoring Buoy

Protected At The Source

The water MWRA and your community provide to your home or business starts with the pristine Quabbin Reservoir with 412 billion gallons of storage and the Wachusett Reservoir with 65 billion gallons of storage.

Combined, these two reservoirs provide an average of about 200 million gallons of pure, highly protected, high quality water each day. The Ware River provides additional water when needed. The Quabbin, Ware and Wachusett watersheds, 400 square miles that drain water to the reservoirs, are naturally protected.

More than 86 percent of the watershed land is covered with forests and wetlands, which filter the rain and snow that enter the streams that flow to the reservoirs. This water comes in contact with soil, rock, plants, and other material as it follows its natural path to the reservoirs.

This process helps to clean the water, but it also can dissolve and carry very small amounts of material into the reservoir. Minerals and rock do not typically cause problems in the water. Water can also transport

Quabbin Watershed

Testing results show that few contaminants are found in the reservoir water, and those few are in very small amounts well below the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) treatment standards.

MWRA and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff work together to implement our nationally recognized watershed protection program.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) Source Water Assessment report for the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs commended DCR and MWRA for our source water protection plans. The report states that our “watershed protection programs are very successful and greatly reduce the actual risk of contamination.”

MWRA and DCR follow the report recommendations to maintain the pristine watershed areas and high quality source water. For more information on our source water, go to: www.mwra.com/moreinfo.

Water: Tested From The Forest Streams To Your Sink Faucet

We collaborate with the DCR and water departments in 53 communities to ensure the continued delivery of safe drinking water to over 2.5 million people at their homes and businesses.

DCR biologists and environmental scientists sample the streams that feed the reservoirs to identify and resolve potential pollution sources, and to monitor water quality trends. MWRA and DCR scientists sample and analyze water in the reservoirs, and use specialized monitoring buoys to remotely and continuously monitor the

Ware River Watershed

reservoirs. These first steps in testing as the water heads to your sink help MWRA operators make decisions on how to manage the reservoirs and set treatment parameters.

We are tracking carefully how our changing climate affects our sources to ensure a long-term resilient supply.

A key initial test for water quality leaving the reservoirs is turbidity, or cloudiness. Turbidity refers to the amount of suspended particles in the water and they can impair water disinfection. All water must be below five NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), and water can only be above one NTU if it does not interfere with effective disinfection. In 2025, typical levels in the Wachusett Reservoir were 0.26 NTU, and the maximum result was 0.67 NTU. MWRA also tests source water for potential disease-causing organisms, including fecal coliform bacteria, and parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, that can enter the water from animal or human waste. All test results were well within state and federal treatment standards. Learn more about test results for waterborne contaminants and their potential health impacts at: mwra.com/moreinfo.

Because New England is seeing both heavier rainstorms and longer dry spells, MWRA carefully manages the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs to provide the hundreds of millions of gallons of water the region needs every day even during extended droughts—keeping your water reliable in any forecast. continued on page 63

Wachusett Watershed Wachusett Reservoir

Quabbin Reservoir

Chicopee Valley Aqueduct

Brutsch Water Treatment Facility

Boston Harbor

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Quabbin Aqueduct

Cosgrove Tunnel LEGEND Covered Storage Hydroelectric Generator DCR Protected Land Other Protected Land Member Communities

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Hultman Aqueduct

MWRA Water System

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MWRA continued from page 61

Treated And Tested: All The Way From The Source To Your Home

How We Treat Your Drinking Water

Since 2005, the MWRA’s John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlborough has provided state-of-the-art disinfection, upgraded corrosion control, and ultraviolet (UV) treatment to your water before it travels through miles of pipes to your tap.

At the Carroll Treatment Plant, our well-trained and licensed operators add carefully measured doses of treatment chemicals, and continuously monitor dozens of parameters, to ensure that the treated water meets all standards. These treatment steps include: • Ozone, made from pure oxygen, disinfects the water, killing bacteria, viruses and other organisms while improving taste and clarity.

• UV light, a form of natural disinfectant like sunlight, renders pathogens non-infectious.

• Fluoride protects dental health and prevents tooth decay.

• pH and alkalinity are adjusted with sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide to reduce corrosion of lead from home plumbing. (See page 4.)

• Monochloramine (a compound of chlorine and ammonia), is a mild and long-lasting disinfectant designed to protect the water as it travels through miles of pipelines to your home.

The Carroll Treatment Plant is designed with two separate parallel flow paths for redundancy and adaptability. This allows the plant to continue operating even when one half is being maintained or upgraded.

John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant

More Testing In Tanks And Pipes

Once your water is treated, MWRA staff follows and goes beyond EPA requirements and state regulations by testing the water as it leaves the treatment plant and travels through MWRA and community pipes and tanks to your tap. Our sampling teams, chemists, and biologists conduct hundreds of thousands of tests each year for over 120 contaminants at MWRA’s four laboratories; you can find the complete list of contaminants at mwra.com/ moreinfo. The table below shows the 2025 results for detected contaminants, confirming the quality of water your community receives from MWRA.

The combination of high-quality protected source water and well-designed and operated treatment means that your water not only meets EPA’s safety standards, but it also tastes good. In 2025, MWRA water won the New England regional taste contest. No need for bottled water—it’s great right from the tap.

MWRA Water Test Results 2025 Detected Contaminants

(MCL) Highest (We Found) Detected Range of Level Allowed Level-Average Detections

(MCLG) Ideal Goal Violation How It Gets in the Water

Compound

Units

Barium Fluoride Nitrite

ppm ppm ppm

2 4 1

0.008 0.71 0.005

0.007–0.009 0.4–0.8 ND–0.005

2 4 1

No No No

Common mineral in nature Additive for dental health Byproduct of disinfection

Nitrate^ Radium-226* Haloacetic Acids-5 Total Trihalomethanes Monochloramine

ppm pCi/L ppb ppb ppm

10 5 60 80 4-MRDL

0.64 0.82 15.8 16.1 1.99

0.01–0.64 0.82 2.5–23.2 2.8–35.3 0.02–3.7

10 0 NS NS 4-MRDLG

No No No No No

Byproduct of disinfection Erosion of natural deposits Byproduct of water disinfection Byproduct of water disinfection Water disinfectant

KEY: Contaminant = any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance of matter in water where it does not belong or at levels that could cause harmful effects on humans or the environment. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) = the highest level of a contaminant allowed in water, which is set as close to maximum contaminant level goals as possible using the best available technology. MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal) = the level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health, allowing for a margin of safety. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) = the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal) = the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected health risk. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination. ppm = parts per million (or mg/L). ppb = parts per billion (or µg/L).

NS = no standard. ND = not detected. ^ = the maximum result reported for nitrate, as required by DEP. * = Radium result is from 2023.

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Reducing Lead Exposure What Is An Action Level?

The ideal amount of lead is none. An Action Level is the amount of lead in water that requires action to reduce exposure. If your drinking water at home, school, or work is above the lead Action Level, additional steps to reduce lead may be needed. If more than 10% of your community’s samples were over the lead Action Level, your local water department is taking action to address the problem. See your community letter.

Quabbin Reservoir

Preventing lead exposure is especially important if a pregnant woman or a child lives in your home, but it can also impact the health of your entire family. Lead can affect young children by potentially causing damage to the brain, slowing growth and development, and creating learning or behavior problems. While lead poisoning often comes from paint chips and dust, you can also be exposed through your drinking water. It’s important to learn about the health impacts of lead and how to reduce your total exposure. We will be sure to do our part by continuing to provide your community with reliable information, ensuring you can stay informed and updated.

How Lead Enters Drinking Water

MWRA’s water is lead-free when it leaves our reservoirs.

Water mains that provide water for your community are generally made of iron, steel, or concrete, which do not release lead into your water. However, lead can enter tap water from your service line—the small pipe connecting your home to the water main—if it is made of lead, lead solder used in plumbing, or from older brass faucets.

This is due to corrosion, or wearing away of lead-based materials, which can pose an increased risk of exposure, especially when water sits in the pipes for a long time before it is used.

MWRA Treatment Reduces Lead Corrosion

MWRA operates its modern corrosion control treatment facilities 24/7 to reduce water’s natural tendency to dissolve metals such as lead and copper. Our licensed treatment operators adjust the water’s pH and buffering capacity by adding sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide to the water. This makes water less corrosive, reduces leaching of lead into drinking water, and has decreased levels in tests of tap water by nearly 90% since 1996. To ensure that the treatment is working effectively, MWRA monitors water quality parameters set by MassDEP daily.

Learn more about the reduction of lead in drinking water at mwra.com/moreinfo.

Lead And Copper Results, September/October 2025 Range Lead (ppb) ND–874 Copper (ppb) 0.66–251

90% Value Action Level (MCLG) Ideal Goal # Homes Above AL 5.96 96.6

15 1300

0 1300

18 of 594 0 of 594

KEY: AL (Action Level) = The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow. 90% Value (90th percentile) = Out of every ten homes sampled, nine were at or below this level.

Important EPA Information On Lead

MWRA is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing of your home. Lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials and parts used in service lines or your in-home plumbing. MWRA and your local community are working to identify and replace lead service lines.

Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant women, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children.

Lead levels can vary over time, and exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect it at one single point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by taking steps to reduce your family’s risk of exposure. This can be done by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing.

You should only use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Before doing so, remember to flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing your laundry, and even washing a load of dishes. Please note that boiling water does not remove lead from water. If you have a lead service line or a galvanized line requiring replacement, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period.

Using a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead can also be effective in decreasing lead exposures. Carefully follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure it is being used properly.

If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact your local water department. (See your community letter.) Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at www.epa.gov/ safewater/lead. Scan the QR code for more information.

MWRA Meets Lead Standard In 2025

Every year, MWRA and your local water department are required to test local tap water, following EPA and DEP regulations. The EPA rule requires us to collect samples from homes with lead service lines or lead solder, and nine out of ten of those homes must have lead levels below the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

This testing process provides communities, homeowners, and your local water department with information on whether lead is corroding and mixing with the drinking water. These results do not reflect lead levels in all homes because we target homes with known lead already in their plumbing.

Over the past 23 years, all MWRA sampling rounds have been below the EPA Action Level. In 2025, nine out of ten homes were below 5.9 ppb—well below the 15 ppb Action Level. See your community letter for local results and more information.

Boston, Malden, and Medford exceeded the Action Level in 2025.

continued on page 67

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Finding and Removing Lead

What Is A Lead Service Line?

A service line is the small pipe that connects your home or building to the water main in the street. If your service line is made of lead, it can be a main source of lead in your tap water. Service lines that combine galvanized iron and lead pipe can also release lead. Lead service lines should be removed entirely to prevent lead in your drinking water.

Where Are They?

Every community has completed an initial inventory of service lines and submitted it to MassDEP. By the end of each year, each community must mail a letter to every property that had a lead service line or a galvanized line that could contribute lead with information. The letter describes the risks of lead and how to get the service line replaced. It must also mail a letter to every property for which information about the service line material was lacking and provide information on how to determine if it was made of lead.

Many communities have online service line maps. You can also see if your service line is made of lead by scratching the pipe near your water meter with a key or other metal object. Lead pipes will show a dull grey color, while copper pipes will not. For a how-to guide, go to: www.epa.gov/pyt.

Your local water department staff can help you find out if you have a lead service line and provide help in replacing it. In some cases, an onsite check is necessary to determine the specific piping material to your building.

Replacing Lead Service Lines

MWRA and its Advisory Board offer zero-interest loans to member communities to help replace lead service lines through MWRA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program. Each MWRA community is empowered to create local strategies for removing lead service lines, with many already actively replacing these pipes to improve water quality.

To encourage replacement of the portion of the lead service line on private property, MWRA is now offering a 25 percent grant to communities that do the full replacement at no cost to property owners. As of December 2025, MWRA has distributed a total of $72.4 million in Lead Service Line Replacement Loan Program funds to 22 communities. Our goal is to ensure full replacement in all homes by 2032, creating a lead-free future. We encourage you to reach out to your local water department about their efforts to find and replace your lead service lines.

Steps To Reduce Lead In Your Home Or Office

Lead Testing In Schools And Childcare Facilities

Children can consume much of their drinking water at school or childcare facilities, and that plumbing may contain lead which can contribute to lead exposure. MWRA and MassDEP provide technical assistance and no-cost lab analysis in MWRA communities. Since 2016, MWRA’s laboratory staff have conducted over 47,000 tests from 737 schools and daycares in 49 communities. Results are available on the MassDEP website at: www.mass.gov/dep (search for “lead in schools”) or contact your local school department.

How To Test Your Drinking Water

If you are concerned about lead piping in your home, contact your local water department about testing for lead in your drinking water. For more information on lead, a list of certified laboratories, and sampling instructions, go to mwra.com/moreinfo or scan the QR code above.

• Find out if you have a lead service line, and get it replaced.

• Let the water run before using it—fresh water tastes better than stale anyway.

• If the water has not been used for more than six hours, run the faucet used for drinking water or cooking for at least one minute or until after the water runs cold. To save water, fill a pitcher with fresh water and place it in the refrigerator.

• Never use hot water from the faucet for drinking or cooking, especially when making baby formula or other food for infants or young children.

• Remove loose lead solder and debris. Every few months, remove and clean the aerator from each faucet and run water for 3 to 5 minutes.

• Be careful of places where you may find lead in or near your home. Paint, soil, dust, and pottery may contain lead. Call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 1-800-424-LEAD for more information.

continued on page 69

Water Service Lines

Copper

Galvanized

Lead With Bulb

Lead 5

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Important Water Quality Takeaways

Sodium and Drinking Water

Sodium in drinking water contributes only a small fraction of a person’s overall intake (less than 5%).

MWRA tests for sodium monthly, and the highest level was 35.6 mg per liter (about eight mg per eight-ounce glass of water). This level is considered Very Low Sodium by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Tank cleaning at Carroll Water Treatment Plant

Information On Bottled And Tap Water From The EPA

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily mean that your water poses a health risk.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by going to www.epa. gov/safewaterhotline or contacting MWRA. To ensure that your tap water is safe to drink, MassDEP and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in the water provided by public water systems. The FDA and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which provide the same protection for public health.

A Message For Vulnerable Populations

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorder, some elderly, and infants, can be particularly at risk for infections. These people should

seek advice about their drinking water from their health care providers. EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available at www.epa.gov/ safewaterhotline.

Working With Your Community To Test Your Water

Total coliform bacteria come from the intestine of warmblooded animals and can be found in soil, plants, or other places. Oftentimes, they are not harmful. However, their presence could be an indicator that harmful bacteria may be present. Every week, MWRA works with local water departments to sample and test between 300 and 500 water samples for total coliform bacteria. If total coliform is detected in more than 5% of water samples in a month, the water system is required to investigate the possible sources and fix any identified problems. If one of these samples test positive, our laboratory staff will run a more specific test for E. coli, which is a type of coliform bacteria found in human and animal fecal waste, potentially causing illness. Your community letter will tell you if it was required to do a coliform investigation or found E. coli.

MWRA had a single, unconfirmed E. coli detection in July.

The goal for E. coli detections is zero, but since repeat samples at that location and nearby were clear of both total coliform and E. coli, this was not a violation, and no further actions were necessary.

Cross Connection Information

A cross-connection occurs whenever the drinking water supply may be in contact with potential sources of contamination. MassDEP recommends the installation of backflow prevention devices on all hose connections to

help protect the water in your home and the town system.

For more information on cross connections, please scan the QR code below.

Important Research for New Regulations

MWRA works with EPA and health research organizations to help define new national drinking water standards by collecting data on water contaminants that are not yet regulated. Very few of these potential contaminants are found in MWRA water due to our reliable source water protection efforts. Detailed information on testing for unregulated contaminants, as well as data on PFAS, disinfection by-products, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and other contaminants can be found at mwra.com/ moreinfo.

MWRA Meets all PFAS Standards

Since the 1940s, PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (sometimes called “forever chemicals”), have been used for many purposes—from personal care products and water proofing to firefighting. This continues to be a national concern. Our well-protected sources have shown only trace amounts of these compounds in MWRA water, well below the state PFAS6 standard of 20 parts per trillion and the upcoming EPA standards announced in April 2024. Scan the QR code for results and more details on PFAS.

The sacrifices of the 2500 people who lived in the four towns that were removed to build the Quabbin Reservoir continue to help protect our drinking water, even today.

Learn more at MWRA.com/moreinfo.

continued on page 71

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Weather-Ready Water

With climate change bringing more intense storms and seasonal droughts, MWRA’s huge reservoirs and drought-management planning help ensure a reliable water supply today and for the future. The Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs can hold a combined 477 billion gallons of water – the equivalent of six years of water use.

MWRA and DCR monitor reservoir levels daily: Quabbin levels fluctuate based on precipitation and runoff and water use, and Wachusett is kept at a relatively full level to maintain water quality. Their storage capacity is designed to handle drought conditions, filling during wet and average conditions, and dropping during dry periods, ensuring a reliable, long-term supply of high-quality drinking water for over 2.5 million people, even during extended dry periods.

Inspection of UV Header at Carroll Water Treatment Plant

Building and Managing for Reliability

Your Water Makes Electricity

Electricity and water do mix! As the water leaves Wachusett Reservoir and heads toward the treatment plant in Marlborough, it passes through a hydroelectric generator.

This creates clean, green renewable power, lowers MWRA’s costs, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

This generator at the Cosgrove Intake is one of five units designed to capture excess energy as water travels from the Quabbin Reservoir all the way to the wastewater treatment plant on Deer Island. Almost 30% of MWRA’s electrical use relies on renewable resources, with self-generated power from biomass, hydro, wind, and solar.

Why Save Water?

MWRA is focused on ensuring your water remains reliable, even as we face the challenges of aging infrastructure and a changing climate. Reliability means having a “Plan B” to protect public health, provide proper sanitation and fire protection. Our infrastructure is designed thoughtfully so that no single point of failure will stop your water delivery.

► It helps keep our reservoirs full. ► Saving water can save you money by lowering your monthly water and sewer bill. ► Wildlife, rivers and crops all need water too. ► Reducing water use lowers energy use and cost by decreasing the energy needed to pump, treat and heat water.

A key concept is redundancy – separate parallel ways to deliver water that allow us to inspect, maintain and rehabilitate key assets. We completed the MetroWest Tunnel in 2003. This 17.6-mile 14-foot diameter tunnel provides a critical backup to the 1940s-era Hultman Aqueduct, delivering water from the Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlborough to the edge of the Metro area in Weston, allowing for essential repairs without service interruptions. MWRA is well along in design for two new tunnels north and south of Boston. These will provide redundancy to the aging tunnels inside Route 128, allowing the entire region to stay connected. Similar efforts are underway, on a smaller scale, in other areas of the region.

Water Conservation

Modernizing Main Lines - Major rehabilitation is underway on the 125-year-old Weston Aqueduct Supply Main 3 to strengthen the backbone of our delivery network. This five-foot diameter steel pipe runs through Weston, Waltham, Belmont, Arlington, and Medford and is a key part of the supply system north of Boston. MWRA also continues to rehabilitate older unlined cast iron pipes throughout our system.

It is important to conserve water wherever you can, both indoors and outdoors. Your support does not go unnoticed. Thanks for your help. Check out the list of actions you can take to help keep our water supply sustainable. For more information and water saving tips, go to mwra.com/moreinfo.

We don’t just manage the big pipes; we help your town stay resilient too. Through zero-interest loans, MWRA helps communities replace or rehab aging local mains to prevent leaks and maintain high water quality. We provided $30.5 million to 19 communities for pipeline and other water projects in 2025, and over $651 million since 1998. Together, we are building a system that is ready for whatever the future brings.

resiliency planning, combined with our dedication to advance Massachusetts’ climate and energy goals, has been shown through early investment in energy efficiency, customer conservation, and renewable energy production. MWRA has also invested in future-proofing facilities against rising sea levels so we can continue to provide reliably and environmentally sound service for decades to come.

Part of what makes our region drought resilient is the dramatic drop in water use since the 1980s. Water use in our region has dropped from over 330 million gallons to around 200 million gallons per day, due to fewer leaks, water saving appliances, and customers using water wisely. This keeps our reservoirs full, reduces the cost of building and operating our facilities, and protects the environment.

Small changes can have big impacts.

Request your free MWRA water conservation kit at: wc.mwra.com/home Climate Change Action

MWRA has a long-standing commitment to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and increase our renewable energy use, supporting our mission to protect public health and promote environmental stewardship. MWRA’s

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► Only flush toilet paper—most “flushable wipes” can clog pipes and cause overflows. ► Fats, oil and grease go in the trash, not down the drain. ► Sump pumps and roof drains should connect to a storm drain or a dry well, not the sanitary sewer. Too much clean water can overload the sewer system.

For more information, go to mwra.com/moreinfo.

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City Of Boston

Public Water Supply # 3035000

Boston Water And Sewer Commission 980 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02119-2540 617-989-7000 Dear Customer:

This report contains an annual update on the quality of drinking water supplied to you by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC), in partnership with Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Inside this report, there is detailed information on the MWRA’s system, and how the water delivered to Boston complies with federal and state quality standards.

For background, the water provided by BWSC comes from MWRA’s reservoirs and it is lead-free. Most of BWSC’s distribution pipes that carry water to homes are made of iron, steel, and copper. In the fall of 2025, BWSC conducted mandatory testing in homes that are known to have a lead service line as required by US EPA and MassDEP. The test results showed in these higher risk homes that the 90th percentile for lead was 22.5 parts per billion (ppb), which exceeded the Action Level (AL) of 15 ppb. The 90th percentile for copper was 79.1 ppb in fall 2025, below the AL of 1300 ppb. * MCLG is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal set by EPA Sept/Oct

Range

90th Percentile Value

Action Level

MCLG

Samples Over Action Level

Lead

0.675–203 ppb

22.5

15

0

4 of 33

Copper

2.3–132 ppb

79.1

1300

1300

0 of 33

Since October 2024, all cities and towns in the United States have been required to submit an inventory of every private and public water service, identifying material type and size. The Commission complied and continued to reach out to property owners who our records indicated may have lead pipes. The inventory is comprised of both the public side (beginning at the water main to the property line) and the private side (from the water meter in the home to the property line). If either side is comprised of lead, the pipe is identified as “lead” on the inventory. The inventory also includes unknown or other as a category. If you received a letter or postcard from BWSC, our records indicate that the water pipe is identified in our inventory as Lead, Other, Unknown, or Galvanized Requiring Replacement and an inspection should be scheduled to confirm. In 2025, BWSC conducted nearly 1001 inspections and replaced nearly 448 private and public owned lead services. Private property owners, whose pipes constituted about 400 of the pipes replaced were property owners who participated in our No Cost Private Lead Replacement Program. Our goal for replacement of lead pipes is the end of 2032, with a similar goal for resolution of unknowns. With the help of our partners and property owners, BWSC expects to meet this goal well before the EPA deadline of 2037. continued on page 75

JULY, 2026

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MWRA continued from page 73 Customers can access information about the status of their property on the BWSC website at: https://www.bwsc.org/environment-education/maproom/water-service-map The Commission continues to increase its efforts to identify and eliminate lead service lines, both in the public way, and on private property. Letters were mailed to over 7,904 owners and occupants to notify them that our inventory shows that the home may have a lead pipe and provide information about free removal through the No Cost Private Lead Replacement Incentive Program.

In addition to mandatory mailings, BWSC has engaged in a multi-faceted informational campaign designed to promote its No Cost Private Lead Replacement Incentive Program. Over the last year, to help raise public awareness of the lead service issue and available no cost remedies, BWSC has: ▪ Produced PSAs in English and Spanish specifically promoting BWSC’s lead inspection and replacement program; ▪ Reached out to property owners with known or suspected lead services directly with phone calls; ▪ Conducted door-to-door canvassing in neighborhoods with high incidence of lead services; and ▪ Engaged with the public and provided information at over 100 public events across the City of Boston.

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems.

The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects.

Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.

I am pleased to note that the New England Section of the American Water Works Association recognized Boston’s tap water as the best-tasting in New England. This is a testament to the quality of the water’s source, the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, as well as the hard-working staff of BWSC who ensure that everyone has access to drinking water that is not only clean and safe but also great tasting. We continue to get the word out and you can too! If we reach out to you or someone you know, please respond by calling our Lead Hotline at (617) 989-7888 to schedule a free inspection of Boston property to confirm the composition of the water service line and, if lead, have it replaced.

For more information about lead in drinking water, or to learn more about our open public meetings, and other BWSC programs, visit BWSC’s website at www.bwsc.org or contact BWSC’s Communications Department at (617) 989-7000.

Sincerely,

Henry F. Vitale, CPA Executive Director/Treasurer

978.658.5300

900 Salem Street - Wilmington, Ma. www.beneventocompanies.com

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Advertisers’ Index 21st Century Concrete, Inc.................................................................... 76 ATS Equipment, Inc. .............................................................................. 22 Badger Daylighting................................................................................. 44 The Baldwin Group................................................................................. 21 Benevento Companies............................................................................ 75 Blue Collar Customs................................................................................. 4 Boro Sand & Stone Corp........................................................................ 29 Dennis K. Burke, Inc................................................................................. 7 Concrete Systems, Inc....................................................Inside Back Cvr. Core & Main............................................................................................... 2 Cross Insurance....................................................................................... 55 Cumberland Quarry Corp..................................................................... 57 Dagle Electrical Construction Corp.................................................... 48 Darmody, Merlino & Co., LLP................................................................ 9 Dedham Recycled Gravel....................................................................... 62 Dig Safe System, Inc................................................................................ 62 Eastpoint Lasers, LLC............................................................................. 60 T. L. Edwards, Inc.................................................................................... 17 Ferri Equipment....................................................................................... 72 Genalco, Inc.............................................................................................. 66 Granite City Electric............................................................................... 12 L. Guerini Group, Inc............................................................................. 70 Henniker Directional Drilling, LLC.................................................... 64 Hinckley Allen LLP................................................................................. 52 John Hoadley & Sons, Inc........................................................................ 7 JESCO........................................................................................................ 15 P. J. Keating Company............................................................................ 50 P. A. Landers, Inc..................................................................................... 26 Lawrence-Lynch Corp............................................................................ 66 Lorusso Corp............................................................................................ 38 Lorusso Heavy Equipment, LLC............................................................. 8 McGovern Ford of Framingham.......................................................... 27 Mersino Dewatering............................................................................... 20 Midwest Mole........................................................................................... 68 Milton CAT..............................................................................Back Cover Milton Rents............................................................................................. 45 Monroe Tractor........................................................................................ 70 National Grid........................................................................................... 46 National Trench Safety........................................................................... 56 North East Shoring Equipment, LLC..................................................... 6 Norfolk Power Equipment, Inc............................................................. 10 North American Crane & Rigging LLC.............................................. 42 Northeast Portable Restrooms.............................................................. 51 Northwestern Mutual............................................................................. 70 OHS Training & Consulting, Inc......................................................... 72 Ocean State Oil........................................................................................ 29 Pacella Recycled Gravel.......................................................................... 68 Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt.................................................................. 64 Podgurski Corp........................................................................................ 36 E. J. Prescott, Inc................................................................ Ins. Front Cvr. Rain For Rent-New England.................................................................. 16 Scituate Concrete Products Corp......................................................... 34 Scrap It, Inc............................................................................................... 49 Shea Concrete Products, Inc. ................................................................ 24 SITECH New England............................................................................ 54 Starkweather & Shepley Ins. Brokerage, Inc....................................... 14 Stopping Traffic LLC............................................................................... 74 Sunbelt Rentals........................................................................................ 74 Taylor Oil North East............................................................................. 60 Tonry Insurance Group, Inc.................................................................. 74 TransCOR................................................................................................. 23 Trimble...................................................................................................... 13 United Concrete Products..................................................................... 53 Vortex Services......................................................................................... 40 F. W. 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76

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JULY, 2026

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