The Buzzards Bay Coalition was selected as a recipient for a $45,474 Water Quality Monitoring Grant, according to an April 21 press release announcement from State Sen. Marc Pacheco.

The funds will “support the purchase of equipment and supplies for long-term monitoring at more than 400 sites in the Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod and Islands watersheds conducted by seven partner organizations,” the statement said. The release also said that several locals bodies of water are in need of updated testing to determine their current condition, and the grant money should help “increase the availability of surface water quality data.”

The statement explained that Water Quality Monitoring Grants provide resources to help test water quality in rivers, lakes ponds and other coastal resources across the state.

Pacheco said he was pleased the Buzzards Bay Coalition will receive the grant, noting that it will help “ensure better quality water” for those in the Buzzards Bay watershed.

“Residents deserve access to clean, safe, and affordable water and these valuable resources will help establish more effective long-term water quality oversight,” Pacheco said. “With the effects of climate change fundamentally affecting the health of our oceans and waterways, maintaining and monitoring water quality is an imperative for safeguarding the health and safety of local residents.”

Pacheco also thanked the individuals who were part of writing the successful grant application.