Conservation Tips for Community Water Suppliers

Water conservation tips for water suppliers from the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force, the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and the Massachusetts Emergency Managment Agency
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Tips for Saving Water Indoors and Outdoors

Water conservation tips for consumers from the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force, the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and the Massachusetts Emergency Managment Agency
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Water Conservation & Restriction Forms

Audit forms, surveys, and standards
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Water Reuse: Reclaiming Wastewater

Reclaiming wastewater so that it can be reused safely for applications such as landscaping, irrigation, and toilet flushing.
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Drinking Water Conservation and Drought Management

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's current precipitation conditions, drought status, and other information
DCR Web site

Water Conservation Standards for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Guidance document from the Massachusetts Water Resources Commission.
PDF 300 KB (opens in new window)

US EPA WaterSense Program

EPA's "WaterSense" program: Water-saving ideas from the US Environmental Protection Agency
US EPA Web site

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Municipal Water Use Restrictions

Current nonessential-water-use limitations; presented in both list form and map of towns/cities with bans on water use
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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The Water Management Act authorizes MassDEP to regulate the quantity of water withdrawn from Massachusetts water supplies to ensure adequate supplies for current and future needs.
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The Water Management Act

Link to Water Management Act regulations and legislation
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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.
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Water Management Policies & Guidance

Model bylaw for water use restriction, water use on golf courses, salt water withdrawal, and more
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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