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Ground Water Rule Cover Letter to Small Systems

RE: Ground Water Rule

June 9, 2009

Dear Transient Non-Community Public Water Supplier:

Beginning December 1, 2009, all Massachusetts public water systems (PWS) and consecutive PWSs with ground water sources must comply with the new federal Ground Water Rule (GWR). This rule is intended to increase protection against potential viral contamination in PWSs that use ground water sources (wells). It does not apply to systems with ground water under the influence of surface water or systems that combine all of their ground water with surface water prior to treatment.

In anticipation of the GWR, you must take the following actions:

A. Get Familiar with the GWR
PWSs should read the regulation, determine how it will impact their operation, and assess the water system for possible sources of coliform and fecal contamination. A general factsheet is here.  For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water Program (MassDEP/DWP) website at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/systems.htm#gwr.

If you would like hands-on technical assistance please contact the Massachusetts Coalition for Small System Assistance members listed below or your regional GWR contact listed at the end of this letter. For more information about the Coalition see this factsheet or visit: http://www.masmallwatersystem.org.

B. Return the Forms to MassDEP by September 1, 2009.
Form A - Log Credit Determination Form: ONLY PWSs currently chlorinating must complete this form to estimate the viral log treatment achieved by the system. Please note: PWSs should not assume that by chlorinating their drinking water or using UV disinfection that they will meet 4-log treatment. The form is found here. Two copies must be returned to the MassDEP/DWP, One Winter Street, Boston MA, 02108; Attention Drinking Water Program - Ground Water Rule.

Form B - Immediate and Long-Term Fecal Contamination Response Form - All systems must complete this form to identify immediate and long-term responses to protecting public health in the event of confirmed fecal contamination at the source. The form is found here. Two copies must be returned to the MassDEP/DWP, One Winter Street, Boston MA, 02108; Attention Drinking Water Program - Ground Water Rule.

Form C - Representative Triggered Monitoring Plan Application: The GWR requires PWSs to collect a sample (triggered monitoring) at all active ground water sources (wells) following a Total Coliform Rule positive sample. If your PWS has more than one well, you may be eligible to conduct triggered monitoring at a limited number of "representative" wells ONLY IF you submit a representative monitoring plan by September 1, 2009. Plans must be approved by December 1, 2009 otherwise systems are required to sample at all wells until approval is received. The application must be submitted to your regional office.

Additional information will be provided at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/systems.htm#gwr. 

C. Prepare Now:

  • Install or confirm the presence of a raw water sample tap at every well - located prior to any treatment - as required by the new regulations.
  • Install an emergency disinfection injection port - all transient non-community systems are strongly encouraged to install this port.
  • Protect the well and the surrounding area.
  • Immediately correct any defects, failures, or malfunctions at the wellhead, treatment, storage, or distribution system that may cause the introduction of fecal contamination. Inspect your facility and review past MassDEP sanitary survey findings.

Thank you for helping us implement this important regulation. For more information or to discuss compliance options please call your regional GWR contact or Denise Springborg at 617-574-6879.

Central: Kelly Momberger - 508-849-4023
Western: Jim Bumgardner - 413-755-2270
Northeast: Jim Dillon - 978-694-3231; Melissa Privetera - 978-694-3403
Southeast: Mike Quink - 508-946-2766

Sincerely,

 

David Y. Terry
Program Director, Drinking Water Program

cc: MassDEP Regional Office & Service Centers