The objective of the study was to examine recent operation of EPA's Construction Grants Program, using the Boston Metropolitan Area as a case study, with a view toward developing recommendations for possible actions at the national level. This report analyses the planning and institutional aspects of wastewater management in the Boston Metropolitan Area. This report addresses five institutional and political aspects of the water pollution control program: Financing of the local portions of system costs; Policy guidance issued by the Federal government; Coordination among programs operations, management, and maintenance of programs and facilities; and Public participation in the planning processes. There are two types of recommendations: those which increase the considerations of comprehensive planning issues, and those which increase local flexibility in the implementation of facilities and controls.