When the world was impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic during the year 2020, many aspects of life were impacted in previously unseen ways. With such a world-altering event, naturally understanding how it impacted life is critical: understanding how areas essential for basic life such as food and water are even more important. With water being an integral part of all life, recognizing changes in the water usage systems that supply water to millions of people holds particular importance. Using data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), our team identified trends and patterns between water usage data from the year 2020 and the years 2015-2019. Furthermore, we looked at the median annual household income in MA and were able to create a spatial map that shows the trends between average income and the changes in water usage. In addition to identifying water use changes in 2020 from previous years, we also investigated the infrastructure surrounding water usage and water supply throughout the state of Massachusetts.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Datta, David
• Mann, Pranjal
• Spillane, Patrick

Subject

• Water
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 38326
• E-project-101121-152207

Mot-clé

• Water Consumption
• Household Income
• Water
• COVID-19
• Water Usage

Advisor

• Stanlick, Sarah Eliza
• Davis, Jason

Year

• 2021

Center

• Boston, Massachusetts Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Date created

• 2021-10-11

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright