New Bedford project getting pollution grant

BOSTON – A New Bedford project was one of four receiving a combined $210,372 in grants in Massachusetts for watershed-pollution assessment and planning work to address water-quality impairments.
The projects were selected by the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. The others are located in Belchertown, Colrain and Kingston. The grants are funded by the U.S. Clean Water Act.
According to a news release, the city of New Bedford will prepare a detailed analysis of the Sassaquin Pond watershed area and develop a plan for improving the water. Low-impact development strategies, including rain gardens or porous pavement, will be investigated.
“This grant is a first step in improving the water quality of Sassaquin Pond, one of New Bedford’s natural gems,” Mass. Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, said in the release. “An in-depth analysis of the pond’s water and the development of a plan for the pond are much needed, and I look forward to working with the city, the governor and MassDEP in the future to ensure that the plan developed under this grant is funded and implemented.” &#8226