The DEP's Private Well Guidelines detail the maximum recommended levels of salt concentration in constituents' drinking water supplies. Investigations follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) appropriate for salt complaints.
The Water Supply Salt Complaint Policy specifies that MassDOT Highway will perform an investigation of a private water supply well in the event that:
- A resident is on a documented sodium restricted diet of less than 1,000 mg/d and the sodium concentration in the water supply exceeds 20 mg/l, or;
- A resident is on a documented sodium restricted diet of less than 2,000 mg/d and the sodium concentration in the water supply exceeds 40 mg/l, or;
- The chloride concentration in a domestic supply well exceeds 250 mg/l.
Property owners interested in the Salt Remediation Program should provide a written request addressed to the appropriate Highway District Director. The written request must include:
- A copy of recent laboratory analytical results for salt constituents and coliform bacteria. The homeowner must submit a water sample to a DEP certified laboratory, which you can find at the DEP's website.
- A Private Well Data Form.
- A Right of Entry.
After receipt of the necessary forms and the copy of the recent analytical report, MassDOT Highway's Environmental Services Section coordinates with the property owner to perform a site inspection of the property and domestic water supply. MassDOT Highway will also initiate the monthly sampling portion of the program during the initial site visit. Bottled water may be an interim measure for eligible residents, provided they meet certain criteria.
Following the investigation, MassDOT Highway will decide the appropriate course of action based on site information and laboratory analytical data. These actions may include:
- Construction of a replacement well.
- Connection to a public water supply when it's a cost effective alternative.
- Installation of a water treatment system.
- Denial of the salt complaint.
- Highway drainage modifications or improvements.
- Improvements to operational Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Salt Program coordinators have developed a database to record the progress of each salt complaint from initial complaint to completion, track well replacement priorities, and summarize the laboratory analytical data for each complainant. Upon completion of a well replacement, MassDOT Highway compiles a package for submission to the homeowner, including information on the well construction, analytical data, existing well decommissioning, applicable warranties, etc.