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SD 2202

An Act advancing water access equity through utility reporting requirements

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Becca Rausch

Massachusetts requires water utilities to publicly report equity metrics including affordability, service reliability, and demographic disparities to increase transparency and accountability.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2202

Legislative bill overview

SD 2202 requires water utilities in Massachusetts to implement standardized reporting on water access equity metrics, including affordability, service reliability, and disparities across different communities. The bill mandates utilities to publicly disclose data on disconnections, rate structures, and service quality by geographic area and demographic factors. This creates accountability mechanisms for utilities to address water equity issues that have historically affected low-income and marginalized communities.

Why is this important

Water shutoffs and service inequities disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, and limited transparency makes it difficult to identify or address systemic problems. Standardized reporting creates baseline data that can inform policy decisions, regulatory actions, and community advocacy. This reflects growing recognition that water access is an equity issue requiring measurable accountability similar to other utility oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Utilities may argue that implementing comprehensive data collection and reporting systems requires significant investment, potentially raising rates for all consumers
  • Data privacy concerns: Collecting and reporting demographic-linked utility data raises questions about privacy protection and how disaggregated data will be safeguarded
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill may lack specificity about which equity metrics are mandatory, potentially leading to inconsistent reporting standards or disputes over compliance
  • Rate impact uncertainty: Critics may worry that increased regulatory burden could lead to higher water bills, potentially harming the low-income populations the bill aims to help

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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