Environmental Emergencies
If you suspect contamination from oil and/or hazardous materials, contact both your local fire department and MassDEP Emergency Response: 1-888-304-1133
Emergency Response
Report an Environmental Emergency
Learn how to report a spill of oil/hazardous material or an environmental emergency to the right authorities.
Water Systems Operations
Emergency Response Information for Public Water Systems
Marine Oil Spill Prevention & Response Program
MassDEP prepares for oil spills by placing equipment trailers in local communities. We train local officials to use the equipment and protect sensitive areas.
Snow Disposal Guidance
MassDEP guidelines for government agencies and private businesses to use in selecting, preparing and maintaining snow disposal sites.
Cleanup & Recovery Help for Homeowners
Waste & Recycling Laws & Rules
State and federal waste management statutes, the MassDEP regulations and standards implementing them, and policy and guidance documents detailing how to comply.
Solid Waste Policies, Guidance & Fact Sheets
Resources developed to help you comply with the state solid waste management regulations that apply to your activity, business, or facility.
Open Burning Safety
The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and your local fire department limit open burning for public health and safety reasons. Learn when and where open burning is allowed, and how to do it safely.
Safely Manage Hazardous Household Products
Essential information about the health and environmental hazards associated with more than 25 chemicals, materials and products commonly found in the home. Learn how to handle them safely and recycle or dispose of them responsibly.
How & Where to Recycle
Information about recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste programs and services in your community or area.
Site Cleanup for Homeowners
Dealing with a spill or contamination problem on your property can be particularly difficult and stressful for homeowners. Understanding the rules, learning all the new terms and procedures, and working through the system can be overwhelming at times. The following series of explanations, guidelines, recommendations, and tips are provided to help you through the process of preventing and cleaning up spills on your property.
Recommendations for Private Wells Inundated by Flooding
Disinfection procedures and other guidance if a private well has been contaminated by floodwater
Debris Management
Waste & Recycling Laws & Rules
State and federal waste management statutes, the MassDEP regulations and standards implementing them, and policy and guidance documents detailing how to comply.
Managing Disaster Debris
MassDEP Solid Waste Policies, Guidance & Fact Sheets
Managing Construction & Demolition (C&D) Wastes
Tools and resources for the proper management, recycling and disposal of materials from construction and demolition projects. Includes case studies of C&D waste reduction and recycling in specific projects across the state.
Snow Disposal Guidance
MassDEP guidelines for government agencies and private businesses to use in selecting, preparing and maintaining snow disposal sites.
How & Where to Recycle
Information about recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste programs and services in your community or area.
Landfills, Transfer Stations, Compost Sites & Recycling Facilities
Complete lists of operating and inactive solid waste management facilities and locations across the state. MassDEP updates these lists periodically.
Wetlands Emergency Response Provisions
Emergency Declaration following Barnstable County Tornado on July 23, 2019
Emergency Repairs to Structures, Roads, and Facilities Located in Wetland Resource Areas or Buffer Zones, and Waterways
Guidance for homeowners and local officials on authorizing emergency work in the event of a sudden or unforeseen emergency, including emergency certifications in accordance with 310 CMR 10.06(1) and statewide or regional emergency declarations in accordance with 310 CMR 10.06(8).
Water Supply
FAQs: Drinking Water Public Notification
Public Water Systems must notify the people they serve when their water exceeds federal or state water quality standards. This is an extensive list of questions and answers about the public notification process.
Water Systems Operations
Public water suppliers' resources for the daily maintenance, safety and regulation of public water systems.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Water Systems
Tips pulled from US EPA's website.
Recommendations for Private Wells Inundated by Flooding
Disinfection procedures and other guidance if a private well has been contaminated by floodwater. February 13, 2008.
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN)
The Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is intended to facilitate a utilities-helping-utilities approach to providing assistance to water and wastewater utilities during times of crisis. August 2009.
Self-Assessment of Your Utility's Emergency Preparedness Program
Self-assessment measures taken from the Features of an Active and Effective Protective Program, to assist owners and operators of drinking water and wastewater utilities in preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from disasters. June 2009.
Wastewater
MassDEP communicates directly with Public and Wastewater treatment operators to remind wastewater and water supply facility operators about storm preparation activities (e.g., ensuring that emergency generators are in good working condition) and to provide them with current emergency contacts in case of significant impacts to their operations due to the storm.
Flooding and Sewage Back-ups: Home Care Guide
Protecting your home and family from disease-causing pathogens in the event of a flood or sewage back-up
Sanitary Sewer Overflow(SSO)/Bypass Notification Form
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN)
The Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is intended to facilitate a utilities-helping-utilities approach to providing assistance to water and wastewater utilities during times of crisis. August 2009.
Self-Assessment of Your Utility's Emergency Preparedness Program
Self-assessment measures taken from the Features of an Active and Effective Protective Program, to assist owners and operators of drinking water and wastewater utilities in preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from disasters. June 2009.