These regulations are intended to promote the public health
and general welfare by ensuring that private wells are constructed
in a manner which will protect the quality of the groundwater derived
from private 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:
AGENT
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health (hereinafter referred
to as "Nashoba") serving as the agent for the Board of Health as provided
by MGL c. 111, § 27A.
AGRICULTURAL WELL
A private well that is used strictly for nonpotable use.
An agricultural well cannot be used as a potable drinking water supply.
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. This water meets primary EPA regulations.
PRIVATE WELL
A water supply well supplying potable water which will not
serve 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. In this regulation, the term "well" refers to a private well
unless otherwise stated.
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.
WELL
An excavation or opening into the ground made by digging,
boring, drilling, driving, or other methods, for the purpose of providing
water.
WELL DRILLER AND/OR DIGGER
Any person who is licensed by the Water Resources Commission
(as defined by 310 CMR 3.00) to construct wells.
WELL SEAL
An approved arrangement or device used to cap a well or to
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.
The following information shall be submitted by the property
owner or the well driller/digger or their agent with the well construction
application, prior to the issuance of a permit:
A. General location of the proposed well, to include the location of
at least one road intersection for reference.
B. A sketch of the expected construction of the well, to include an
approximation of the expected well depth.
C. A description of any possible source(s) of contamination within 400 feet of the proposed well location (see §
300-8.6A).
D. The well driller's/digger's name and certification number as it appears
on the Water Resources Commission certificate.
E. Description of the prior/current land use in the vicinity of the
proposed well location (e.g., agricultural, industrial, etc.).
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 the 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
to the septic system) and the water found to be free of chlorine.
(Information and instructions for the disinfection procedure is available
from Nashoba.)
Substantive procedures shall be performed as specified in 105
CMR 400.
If any title, regulation, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase,
or word of this regulation shall be declared invalid for any reason
whatsoever, that decision shall not affect any other portion of this
regulation, which shall remain in full force and effect; and to this
end the provisions of this regulation are hereby declared severable.