The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to publish 2009 Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems (Guidelines). Last updated in 2001 and 2008, this document is intended to provide guidance to public water suppliers and their employees, MassDEP staff, and the public. In the Guidelines MassDEP may clarify interpretations of the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.00), establish protocols for addressing site-specific problems encountered in the field, and set the regulatory framework necessary to maintain or improve the public health and welfare.

MassDEP has the authority under MGL, Chapter 111, section 160 and Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations 310 CMR 22.00 (specifically 310 CMR 22.04) to require compliance with the Guidelines. Any person proposing to construct a new public water system or to substantially modify an existing public water system is required to comply with all applicable guidelines at the time of permit application. Any person operating an existing public water system must comply with a guideline when MassDEP provides written notification to the system requesting compliance. In addition all entities shall comply with a guideline when MassDEP requires in writing such compliance.

In the Guidelines the terms "shall" and "must" are used where practice is sufficiently standardized to permit specific delineation of requirements or where safeguarding of the public health justifies such definite action.  Other terms, such as "should", "recommended", and "preferred", indicate desirable procedures or methods, with deviations subject to individual consideration.

The Guidelines has 12 chapters, each dedicated to a distinct facet of a water supply program. The following chapters were significantly revised in this edition: Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Within these Guidelines MassDEP is also reminding entities of the current requirement from 310 CMR 22.04 (8) that drinking water system components must be compliant with National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) most recent standard NSF/ANSI 61 which now includes Annex G (weighted lead content of <=0.25%). For more information refer to the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.org/Certified/PwsComponents/.

MassDEP has a main office in Boston and four regional offices in Springfield (Western Regional Office-WERO), Worcester (Central Regional Office-CERO), Wilmington (Northeast Regional Office-NERO), and Lakeville (Southeast Regional Office-SERO). Appendix H of these Guidelines shows the regional boundaries and lists the cities and towns in each region. Contact numbers for the Drinking Water Program are:

Boston - 617-292-5770 - FAX 617-292-5696
WERO - 413-784-1100 - FAX 413-784-1149
CERO - 508-792-7650 - FAX 508-792-7621
NERO - 978-694-3200 - FAX 978-694-3499
SERO - 508-946-2700 - FAX 508-947-6557

Should questions arise during your use of this document, please contact the Boston Office or the Regional Office for your community.

The Guidelines are available from the MassDEP's Web site at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/policies.htm#dwguid or may be purchased from the State Bookstores in Boston (617-727-2834) and Springfield (413-784-1376).