Groundwater, Wellhead Protection, and Surface Water Supplies

Model Ordinances, Bylaws and Regulations

Groundwater Protection Model Regulations (PDF 51.23 KB)

Floor Drains: Model Regulation (PDF 47.36 KB)

Model Groundwater Protection District Bylaw/Ordinance (PDF 55.37 KB)

Sample Impervious Surface Zoning Bylaw to protect water supplies

Water Supply Protection Area Definitions (see 310 CMR 22.02)

Groundwater and Wellhead Protection

Model Conservation Restriction to Protect Public Groundwater Wells (DOCX 108.2 KB)

This Model Conservation Restriction (CR) is designed to assist public water suppliers and municipalities in protecting land located in Zones I, II, III or Interim Wellhead Protection Areas (IWPA) of public drinking water wells.

Developing a Local Wellhead Protection Plan (PDF 444.94 KB)

Wellhead Protection Guidance: Best Effort Requirement (310 CMR 22.21(1)) (PDF 43.65 KB)

Sample Zone 1 Grant of Easement (DOC 96 KB)

Small System Wellhead Protection Plan Checklist (PDF 295.06 KB)

Large System Wellhead Protection Plan Checklist (PDF 304.74 KB)

Wellhead Protection Tips For Small Public Water Systems

Dept. of Agricultural Resources: Guide to Groundwater Protection Regulations

Surface Water Supplies

Model Conservation Restriction to Protect Public Surface Water Supplies (DOCX 104.57 KB)

This Model Conservation Restriction (CR) is designed to assist public water suppliers and municipalities in protecting land located in Zones A, B and C of surface waters used for public drinking water.

Surface Water Supply Protection Plan Development (PDF 630.08 KB)

Emergency Response Planning at Surface Water Supplies

Response to Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Mosquito Control Aerial Spray Events, 2019 (PDF 3.76 MB)

This report summarizes MassDEP's surface water quality sampling effort after mosquito control aerial spray events in August and September, 2019. The effort was conducted in response to MDPH's issuance of a "Certification of Public Health Hazard that requires Pesticide Application to Protect Public Health."

Response to Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Mosquito Control Aerial Spray Events 2020 (PDF 717.59 KB)

This report summarizes MassDEP's surface water quality sampling effort after mosquito control aerial spray events in August, 2020. The effort was conducted in response to MDPH's issuance of a "Certification of Public Health Hazard that requires Pesticide Application to Protect Public Health."

Surface Water Protection: Protocol for Reviewing Projects Within the Watershed

Form to Report Protocol for Awareness of New or Expanded Watershed Projects (DOC 100 KB)

Applying Pesticides to Reservoirs Checklist (PDF 170.41 KB)