About

Water is a vital resource that most of us depend on daily without much thought, largely because it has historically been plentiful. But that reality has changed. Modern development and new technologies have disrupted the natural water cycle, affecting both the quality and quantity of our potable water. While some continue to rely on outdated assumptions, today’s realities require us to look honestly at current data so we can plan responsibly for the future.

We can no longer look at Dedham's water resources the same way we did 30 years ago, when much of our current water policy was first created. Environmental conditions have changed, development pressures have increased, and the demands on our aging water systems have grown. 

If current challenges are not openly acknowledged and addressed, the foundation of the Dedham community is at risk. 

The consequences could include significant financial impacts on residents, increased public health risks, continued contamination of critical natural resources, further degradation of local ecosystems, and the overall quality of life.

This site brings together more than 100 documents from federal, state, and local sources, organized by topic and made accessible in one place. Many of these materials had faded from public view over time, resulting in lost institutional knowledge. By consolidating them here, this project aims to restore that knowledge for the benefit of residents, decision-makers, and the entire community.

This site is a community-driven resource designed to help residents better understand where Dedham's water comes from, how it is being affected today, and what the data tells us about future risks. By bringing together reliable information from many sources, we can learn from the past, respond more thoughtfully to current challenges, and make informed decisions that protect our water. 

With growing cross-town community support, we hope you will recognize the importance of this effort and join us.