These regulations are intended to promote the health and general
welfare by ensuring that private wells are constructed in a manner
which will protect the quality of the groundwater derived from wells.
These regulations are adopted by the authority of MGL c. 111, § 31.
As used in these regulations, the following terms shall be defined
and interpreted as follows.
ABANDONED WATER WELL
A private well that has not been used for a water supply
for a period of one year or more and which the owner does not intend
to use again.
AQUIFER
A water-bearing geologic formation that contains water in
sufficient quantities to potentially supply a well for drinking water
or other purposes.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, company, association, trust,
or partnership.
POTABLE WATER
Water that is satisfactory for drinking and for culinary
and domestic purposes.
PRIVATE WELL
A water supply well which will not server either a number
of service connections or a number of individuals sufficient to qualify
as a public water system as defined in 310 CMR 22.02.
PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT
Any equipment or materials used or intended for use in withdrawing
or obtaining groundwater, including, without limitation, seals and
tanks, together with fittings and controls.
REGULATING AGENCY
The Lancaster Board of Health through its agent, the Nashoba
Associated Boards of Health.
WELL
An excavation of opening in the ground made by digging, boring,
drilling, driving, or other methods for the purpose of providing a
water supply for any purpose, including but not limited to industrial,
commercial, irrigation, and drinking.
WELL DRILLER AND/OR DIGGER
Any person who is licensed by the Water Resource Commission
(as defined by Chapter 620 of the Acts of 1956, as amended) to construct
wells.
WELL SEAL
An approved arrangement or device used to cap a well or establish
and maintain a junction between the casing or curbing of a well and
the piping or equipment installed therein, the purpose or function
of which is to prevent pollutants from entering the well at the upper
terminal.
All private wells shall be disinfected following construction,
rehabilitation and well or pump repair, before the well is placed
into service. The well shall be pumped to waste (not to the septic
system) until the water is as clear as possible. Thereafter, the well
and pumping equipment (and plumbing, if installed) shall be disinfected
with a solution containing at least 50 parts per million (PPM) of
chlorine. The well shall remain in contact with the chlorine solution
for a minimum of 24 hours before the well is pumped to waste (not
the septic system) and the water is found to be clear of chlorine.
Information and instructions for the disinfection procedure are available
from the NAHB.
A well that is abandoned shall be destroyed to protect the groundwater
supply and to eliminate potential physical hazards. Wells shall be
sealed with nonhazardous, impervious materials, which shall be permanently
in place. All exposed casing materials, pumping equipment, and distribution
lines shall be removed. The excavation shall be returned to the existing
grade of the surrounding land. A record of abandonment shall be kept
in accordance with these regulations.
The installation of any well shall be prohibited when the dwelling,
business or structure is served by a municipal water supply.
Substantive procedures shall be performed as specified in 105
CMR 400.000.