The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority goes into 2027 with an about US$2.1 billion tunnel program heading toward bidding and a new Executive Director, Jonathan Gulliver, appointed by its board on October 21, 2026. His start date has not yet been set, and Stephen Estes-Smargiassi serves as interim. Whoever is in charge will face a run of decisions due during 2027.
Overflows and the court
MWRA asked the federal court on May 15, 2026 to declare its Boston Harbor Case overflow obligations met, including at eight outfalls that missed their goals. The motion was pending as of September 23, 2026. The draft Updated CSO Control Plan, prepared with Cambridge and Somerville, would cost about US$1.3 billion: US$340 million for Alewife Brook, US$260 million for the Upper Mystic and US$690 million for the Charles River. MWRA's fourth-quarter FY2026 report gives May 2027 for the final plan.
Tunnels and the seawall
South Tunnel bidding is planned for late 2027 under a Metropolitan Water Tunnel Program estimated at about US$2.1 billion, with both tunnels targeted to be operational by 2040. Among 60 contract awards worth US$508.7 million planned for FY2027, the largest is the US$70 million Deer Island Eastern Seawall, with notice to proceed targeted for May 2027.
The money
FY2027 assessments rose about 2.5%, cut from the 2.99% proposed, in line with the Advisory Board's request. MWRA staff project near-term water rate increases of around 3.9%. Capital spending reached US$226.8 million in FY2026, about 40% below the US$380.3 million budget.
What the tunnels and the overflow plan mean for MWRA's role as a system operator, its energy base and its long-range plan is set out in the full report. The full report, Water Utility of the Future: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Utility Snapshot.