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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Water Conservation & Management
Water Management
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Interim Safe Yield Documents
In accordance with the MassDEP Statement of Clarification of Safe Yield, issued November 3, 2009, MassDEP met in November and December of 2009 with its Water Management Act Advisory Committee and a workgroup specifically convened to discuss, receive input, and finalize an Interim Safe Yield Approach. This interim approach is designed to provide a methodology for renewal and permit decisions that must be made before a long term safe yield methodology is developed. In addition, MassDEP has, for the purposes of defining Interim Safe Yield, posted the total Existing Allocation for each river basin in Massachusetts. MassDEP will be updating this Existing Allocation table to add a column that reflects changes in allocation volumes resulting from the issuance of new permits and permit renewals.
MassDEP Statement of Clarification of Safe Yield - 11/3/09
Web page
Interim Safe Yield Methodology - 12/14/209
Web page
Interim Safe Yield Existing Allocation Volumes, MassDEP Water Management Act Program - 12/14/09
Web page
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About Water Management
The Water Management Act authorizes MassDEP to regulate the quantity of water withdrawn from Massachusetts water supplies to ensure adequate supplies for current and future needs.
Web page
Fact sheet about the Water Management Act Program
Web page
The Water Management Act
Link to Water Management Act regulations and legislation
Web page
Seasonal Demand Management Plans
Drought-triggered Seasonal Demand Management Plans (SDMPs) for community public water suppliers (PWSs), golf courses, agricultural users, and commercial/industrial users. The SDMPs are for those entities holding a Massachusetts Water Management Act Registration Statement authorizing their water withdrawal.
Web page
Water Management Policies & Guidance
Model bylaw for water use restriction, water use on golf courses, salt water withdrawal, and more
Web page
Water Management Act & Watershed Permitting Forms
Permit applications, permit renewal forms, Annual Report forms, Seasonal Demand Management Plans, Water Audit Guidance, Water Use Restriction form, and Water Conservation Plan for Public Water Suppliers.
Web page
Stressed basin map
Map of watersheds under ecological stress in Massachusetts. The stressed basin classification is intended to flag areas which may require a more comprehensive and detailed review of environmental impacts or require additional mitigation.
Web page
The Interbasin Transfer Act
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation administers the Interbasin Transfer Act, which governs the transfer of water and wastewater between river basins within the Commonwealth.
DCR Web site
Performance Standards for Public Water Supplies - RGPCD & UAW
Reported and MassDEP-adjusted values for residential gallons per capita day (RGPCD) and unaccounted-for water (UAW)
Web page
Unaccounted for Water Seminar
MassDEP's Central Regional Office recently held a leak detection/unaccounted-for water seminar targeting municipal water suppliers. Speakers from MWRA and the town of Shrewsbury detailed successful leak detections efforts with specific examples and case studies. Copies of the presentations can be found at the following links. For more information, please contact Andrea Briggs, andrea.briggs@state.ma.us.
How to Maximize Water Loss Control PDF 2.5 MB | Loss Detection & Prevention Efforts PDF 137 KB | Water Management Act Permit Renewal Schedule PDF 425 KB
Request for Site Exam/Site Screening Package
Part of the Water Management Act permitting process, the Request for Site Exam/Site Screening Package evaluates the suitability of a proposed source for a water withdrawal.
Web page
Firm Yield Estimator
A downloadable tool for use by communities in estimating the yield of surface water reservoir systems, as part of compliance with the Water Management Act.
Estimator tool: Zip file 6.6 MB
Documentation: PDF 1.37 MB
Training Slides: PDF 1.38 MB
Recently issued Permits & Decisions
Current Water Management Act permits and decisions. MassDEP issues permits that balance water use protection, water conservation, and reasonable economic development.
Web page
WRC Water Needs Forecasting
The Massachusetts Water Resources Commission issued a revised Water Needs Forecasting Policy and Methodology dated May 1, 2009. This document describes how water needs forecasts are made for public water suppliers to determine Water Management Act permitted volumes and for other purposes. The water needs forecasting calculations are done by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Office of Water Resources. May 2009.
MS Word 229 KB | PDF 134 KB
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