Drinking Water Policies and Guidance

Listing of Drinking Water Program policies issued since 1987.

A uniform set of guidelines for dealing with water supply contaminants with concentrations which exceed an EPA-proposed maximum contaminant level.

Administrative procedures for water-supply emergencies.

Procedures for issuing Boil Orders or Do Not Drink Orders.

Clarifying the status of water vending machines as public water supplies if they meet the basic criteria detailed in the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.00.

The process for approving the installation of a water-vending machine.

Public water supplies are required to obtain analytical services from a Massachusetts- or EPA-certified laboratory to conduct tests on water samples. This policy details those circumstances under which MassDEP, through the Wall Experiment Station, will directly provide analytical support to a public water supply.

This policy identifies subjects to be covered (if applicable) in the letter granting final approval of a new source.

Procedures to be followed if water sampling during the New Source Approval process detects contaminants for which EPA has established a Maximum Contaminant Level.

Limiting the impact of trichloroethylene in the atmosphere by establishing criteria for water supply treatment facility parameters that can allow a TCE air stripper without specific air pollution controls to be approved under 310 CMR 7.02, the Massachusetts Air Pollution Control Regulations.

Defining the Interim Wellhead Protection Area around a public water supply.

This policy clarifies the difference between estimated and verified registrations under the Water Management Act, and how to verify an estimated registration.

A uniform calculation to determine daily water supply consumption for an existing un-metered public water supply system. 

A standard conversion for calculating residential population served when given information on number of bedrooms and/or service connections to determine whether a water system meets the criteria to be defined as a public water system under 310 CMR 22.00.

Steps to be followed in changing the classification of a public water supply. The Declassification/Reclassification Request Form is found under "Drinking Water Forms" on the MassDEP website.

Providing a consistent method of utilizing secondary standards for drinking water quality. Secondary standards apply to aesthetic considerations such as taste, color, or odor, which do not present a health risk. 

The use of confirmation sampling and duplicate sampling when testing for volatile organics in drinking water.

New or substantially-modified public water systems cannot be brought on-line until a final inspection and/or approval, per the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.03).

This policy is adopted to provide public water systems and DWP with additional source monitoring data to assist in the determination of cause of and responsibility for bacterial contamination when discovered in a consecutive public water system.

The Drinking Water Program's review process for drinking-water treatment, storage, or transmittal.

Consistent review of water conservation plans submitted by public water suppliers.

Failure of an applicant to publish a notice, or to notify abutters, within the time allowed in 310 CMR 36.22 may prevent an application from being deemed complete and/or subject the applicant to penalties.

Guidance on Departmental criteria for piloting of treatment for removal of primary and secondary constituents from public drinking water supply sources.

Procedures for processing requests for approval of treatment for the removal of radionuclides from drinking water.

Uniform procedures to be followed after coliform positive results are shown to be an isolated event at a single routine sampling location.

This policy is adopted to establish criteria to be used in evaluating requests from variances from the Total Coliform Rule.

Uniform criteria for acceptability of radiochemical analyses submitted to MassDEP by Massachusetts public water systems.

If a system provides water for any of the normal uses such as bathing, showering, cooking, dishwashing and oral hygiene, it is providing water for human consumption and is a public water system subject to regulations under the SDWA and the state Drinking Water regulations.

US EPA Memorandum clarifying the system status of a non-transient non-community water system which supplies piped water for lavatories and sinks but bottled water for human consumption.

Guidance in interpreting the source activity type, monitoring requirements and special permit requirements of public drinking water sources as defined in 310 CMR 22.02.

Bulk water suppliers who have received MassDEP approval as public water sources must meet minimum drinking water standards in accordance with 310 CMR 22.00, the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations. This policy explains the responsibilities involved. Revised November 2014.

Clarifying the requirement for “post disinfection” after treatment components on public water system groundwater sources, utilizing specific treatment systems.

General guidance for the development of operations and maintenance manuals for new or rehabilitated water treatment facilities.

Guidance in determining the drinking-water system type for systems serving food to the public as either public or private systems.

Guidance on the implementation of the Zone I requirements established under the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.21, requiring public water systems to own or control the Zone I of their wells and to limit activities in the Zone I to those directly related to the provision of the water supply or to activities that will have no significant adverse impact on drinking water quality.

This Policy has been incorporated into Policy 94-03, above.

This policy describes the standard procedures for billing and collection of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act assessment established by M.G.L. c.21A, s.18A, and 310 CMR 21.00.

Circumstances under which the Drinking Water Program will respond to requests from other DEP programs and the public to evaluate the status of approved Zone IIs and remove no longer viable Zone IIs from the GIS Zone II data layer.

Protecting existing and potential drinking water supplies from potentially negative effects of leaking sewer lines.

Establishing industry-wide minimum standards for the operation of public water systems by Massachusetts certified contract operators.  Rev. December 2014.

Identifying which treatment or distribution system modifications are "substantial modifications" to a public water system and therefore require prior written approval from MassDEP in accordance with 310 CMR 22.04.  Rev. March 2008.

Documenting MassDEP's practice for ensuring public health protection during the period between the promulgation of a final U.S. EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation and the promulgation of a corresponding MassDEP regulation.

MassDEP allows public water systems to use the HDPE pipe bursting method for water-main rehabilitation except for asbestos pipe replacement, subject to the conditions outlined in this policy.

Conditions for approval of wind- and solar-energy projects proposed to be constructed within the Zone I of a public water supply.

Q&A: floating solar-array projects on public water supply reservoirs
See also Q&A: floating solar-array projects in wetlands

A compendium of guidance values for evaluating contaminants in Massachusetts drinking water. Guidance values determine the level at which corrective action becomes necessary. Updated June 2017.

These documents are intended to provide guidance to public water suppliers and their employees, MassDEP staff, and the public, on all regulatory and procedural aspects of maintaining a safe drinking water supply.

Review, approval and monitoring of source water for bottled water and carbonated nonalcoholic beverages.

Discusses the role of Office of Research and Standards Drinking Water Guidelines and US EPA Health Advisory Levels when a contaminant is detected in drinking water. Revised June 6, 2017.

This guideline applies to public water suppliers and their representatives requesting written approval from MassDEP to install wind and solar energy projects on lands held by public water systems for drinking water purposes.

As a senior municipal official representing the interests of your community, you should be aware that the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations apply to all public water systems

Information for Public Water Suppliers from the MassDEP Water Management Act Program regarding the siting of a new source of drinking water or the expansion of an existing source.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on perchlorate-containing fireworks to prevent contamination of drinking water supplies from this potential source.

Pipe replacement using pre-chlorinated high-density polyethylene pipe.

Procedure for healthcare facilities seeking to use chlorine dioxide shock treatment to control pathogens.

Legislation allowing sub-metering

In December 2004, Chapter 417 of the Acts of 2004, An Act Authorizing Water Sub-Metering in Residential Tenancies, was signed into law and became effective March 16, 2005. The new law allows landlords to install sub-meters for residential tenants and to bill tenants for water and sewer use. MassDEP supports sub-metering as a means to promote water conservation.

While the new law does not directly affect public water suppliers, systems should be aware of it and may receive calls regarding meter installation and bill payment. Landlords should be reminded that they are still responsible for payment of the water and sewer bills. The master water meter at any building remains under the jurisdiction of the public water supplier. Water suppliers should also work closely with local plumbing inspectors to insure installations meet all legal requirements.

Summary of drinking-water testing requirements and parameters, applicable to all public water systems in Massachusetts.  Rev. October 2019.

Parameters for screening for uranium in drinking water.

The purpose of this guide is to outline the specific state legal authorities granted to water commissioners, cities and towns, police, and boards of health who all play roles in ensuring the safety of our drinking water.

A list of organizational documents a water district should have on file.

This guidance is intended to explain the types of water management planning reports towns and communities can use when approaching their particular wastewater, drinking water and stormwater issues.