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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Policies & Guidance Documents
Drinking Water Guidance
2007 Fall Training Update to Guidelines, Policies, & Regulations
Brainshark Web Site
2009 Standards and Guidelines for Contaminants in Massachusetts Drinking Water
The 2009 Standards & Guidelines for Contaminants are intended to provide the public with information on the safety and integrity of drinking water in Massachusetts. A maximum contaminant level (MCL), the highest concentration that is allowed in drinking water, is provided for each contaminant, with technical explanations and references. May 2009.
Web page
Guidelines for Public Water Systems
The Guidelines are currently undergoing revisions on a chapter-by-chapter basis. As the new revised chapters are completed they will be listed in the Revised Guidelines section. The 2001 Guidelines are listed below and will remain until all chapters of the Guidelines are revised.
Revised Guidelines for Public Water Systems
Introduction
Web page | MS Word 40 KB
Chapter 3: Surface Water Supply Development
MS Word 35 KB | PDF 85 KB
Chapter 4: Groundwater Supply Development and the Source Approval Process. (March 2008)
MS Word 452 KB | PDF 353 KB
Chapter 5: Treatment (April 2009)
MS Word 821 KB | PDF 385 KB
Chapter 6: Chemical Application (April 2009)
MS Word 262 KB | PDF 72 KB
Chapter 7: Pumping Facilities (April 2009)
MS Word 98 KB | PDF 40 KB
Chapter 12: Emergency Response Planning (March 2008)
MS Word 231 KB | PDF 93 KB
2001 Guidelines for Public Water Systems
Table of Contents: (NOTE: The definitions and abbreviations in this section were updated September 2009.) MS Word 85 KB | PDF 47 KB
Chapters 1-11: (NOTE: Chapter 10 is offered separately below.) MS Word 299 KB | PDF 153 KB
Chapter 10, Water Management Act Requirements: PDF 107 KB
Appendix A, Water Quality Testing Requirements for Source Approval: MS Word 60 KB | PDF 9 KB
Appendix B, Sample Affidavit: MS Word 23 KB | PDF 12 KB
Appendix D, Zone I/Interim Wellhead Protection Area Protective Radii Graphs: MS Word 48 KB | PDF 12 KB
Appendix E, Zone II Map Title Block: MS Word 23 KB | PDF 13 KB
Appendix F, Water Management Program Request for Site Exam/Site Screening Package: Web page
Appendix G, Guidelines for New and Existing Transient Non-Community Groundwater Sources with Approved Yields Less than 10,000 Gallons per Day: Web page
Appendix H, DEP Addresses and Maps: see "Find Your Region"
Appendix J, Superseded DEP Water Supply Policies: MS Word 25 KB | PDF 10 KB
Appendix K, Massachusetts Water Protection Regulations: MS Word 24 KB | PDF 7 KB
Appendix M, Consumer Confidence Reporting Requirements - revised January 2008: MS Word 598 KB | PDF 242 KB
Appendix N, Requirements for Microbial Toolbox Options for Meeting Cryptosporidium Treatment Requirements under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: MS Word 131 KB | PDF 79 KB
Appendix O, Handbook for Water Supply Emergencies: Web page
Beaver Control Near Public Water Supply Sources - Guidance
Guidance for determining if beaver or muskrat populations pose a contamination threat to public water supplies, and appropriate response action. October 2005.
MS Word 33 KB | PDF 34 KB
Bottled Water Memorandum of Understanding between MassDEP and the Department of Public Health
Memorandum of Understanding addressing the review, approval, and monitoring of source waters for bottled water and carbonated non-alcoholic beverages. February 2001
MS Word 66 KB
Capacity Development
Resources for water supply capacity development
Web page
Compliance with Bioterrorism Act
Guidance on Compliance with the federal Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. October 2005.
Web page
Emergency Planning and Preparedness Tips for WWTP and WTP Operators
Planning for and responding to emergencies at water and wastewater treatment plants. October 2007.
Web page
Emergency Response
Resources for planning, response, and follow-up at emergencies in your surface drinking water source.
Web page
Floor Drain Planning and Implementation Factsheet
These tips are designed to assist local officials with planning and implementing a floor drain control (regulation or bylaw) as required by 310 CMR 22.21(a)(8). September 2007.
Web page
Massachusetts Closure Requirements for Underground Injection Control Wells (Guidance # BRP/DWM/DW/G04-3)
This guidance applies to the closure of all unauthorized and authorized-by-rule Class IV or V shallow injection wells in Massachusetts. Revised July 2008.
Web page
Injection Well Closure - Appendix: Q&A for the Non-technical Reader
Frequently asked questions about the UIC Program, defining injection wells and how they are regulated. October 2005.
Web page
Local Fairs - Procedures for Private Water Supply Oversight by Local Boards of Health
Recommended procedures for boards of health to oversee the safety of water supplies at local fairs. Updated August 2007.
Web page
MTBE: Derivation of the Massachusetts Drinking Water Guideline
Explanation of how MassDEP's Office of Research & Standards established the guideline for the level of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in drinking water. August 1995.
Web page
Monitoring Frequency for Tetrachloroethylene in Drinking Water
Guidance for public water systems on monitoring for tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in drinking water. June 2009.
Web page
Municipal Compliance Fact Sheet: Drinking Water
What municipal officials need to know about providing clean, safe drinking water to their communities.
Web page
New or expanding source of public water supply - Early Notice Guidance
This guidance is part of the process for siting a new water supply source or expanding an existing one. July 2003.
Web page
Perchlorate: Best Management Practices for Fireworks
Perchlorate is a toxic chemical found in fireworks as a propellant. Because of health concerns relating to this contaminant, MassDEP has developed these best management practices to help control perchlorate in water supplies. April 2008.
Web page
Preparing for a Sanitary Survey
Tips for the small system operator. January 2006.
MS Word (minimal graphics) 644 KB | PDF (full graphics) 930 KB
Private Well Guidelines
These guidelines are primarily intended to assist Boards of Health and well drillers by attempting to introduce some consistency regarding construction standards from town to town. The Guidelines also provide information useful to the private well owner, developers, and interested local officials. May 2008.
MS Word 3.6 MB | PDF 1.5 MB
Private Wells - Testing Parameters and Frequency Guidelines
While MassDEP does not regulate private wells or mandate testing for private water supplies, these are recommended guidelines for testing. Revised December 2008.
MS Word 199 KB | PDF 63 KB
Public Notification - Guidance
Public notification requirements, procedures, templates, and more.
Web page
Reservoir Maintenance - Guidance
Identifying and controlling impacts to natural resources from routine maintenance at reservoirs.May 2004.
MS Word 68 KB | PDF 46 KB
Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
Guidance for community water systems serving a population of 3300 or more on complying with this federal legislation.
Web page
Small System Capacity Development - Guidance from US EPA
Tools and resources to help manage small systems, from the US EPA.
US EPA Web site
Sodium in Public Drinking Water
This file includes sodium guidance, regulations, fact sheet, and notification form. October 2006
MS Word 50 KB | PDF 28 KB
Surface Water Supply Protection Plan Development
A guide for water systems to use in developing local surface water supply protection plans, which can help protect against waterborne disease and save money in treatment costs. May 2000.
MS Word 1.4 MB | PDF 680 KB
Submetering
Guidance on the use of sub-meters in residential buildings. April 2005.
Web page
Testing Requirements for Public Water Systems - Summary
Monitoring requirements for various contaminants in public water systems. December 2003.
MS Word 357 KB | PDF 47 KB
Toxic Chemical Regulation in Massachusetts Waters
MassDEP's program for evaluating risks to human health and the environment from waterborne toxins. December 1990.
MS Word 433 KB | PDF 416 KB
Utilities Helping Utilities: Mutual Aid Networks for Emergency Response
Guidance on Creating and Implementing a Mutual Aid and Assistance Program
Web page
Uranium Activity to Mass Conversion Factor Guideline
Converting measurements of uranium in drinking water into a reporting factor that can be used to determine system compliance. July 2002.
Web page
Water Commissioners and Local Boards: Roles and Responsibilities for Drinking Water Compliance and Coordination
This guide outlines what roles water commissioners, cities, towns, police, and boards of health play in ensuring safe drinking water. December 2007.
Web page
Water District Organizational Checklist
A list of organizational documents a water district should have on file. September 2004.
MS Word 64 KB | PDF 27 KB
Water Resource Management Planning
Guidance Document for communities, providing concise and integrated guidance for planning water resources infrastructure projects with funds from the SRF.
Web page
When to Use Specific Public Health Orders
Guidance on use of Boil, Do Not Drink, and Do Not Use Orders
Web page
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