[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Town of Easton 12-20-2010.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Water — See Ch. 223.
[1]
Editor's Note: This regulation also repealed former Ch. 369, Wells, Private, adopted 7-11-1988.
A. 
The Board of Health of the Town of Easton, acting under authority of Chapter 111, Section 31 of the Massachusetts General Laws and every other act thereto enabling, hereby establishes the following rules and regulations for potable and non-potable water supply wells as well as geo thermal wells in the Town of Easton.
B. 
Upon the adoption and filing of these regulations with the Office of the Town Clerk, all regulations of the Board of Health inconsistent herewith these regulations are hereby repealed.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED WATER WELL
A well that meets any of the following criteria:
A. 
Construction was terminated prior to completion of the well;
B. 
The well owner has notified the local Board of Health that use of the well has, after extended use, been permanently discontinued;
C. 
The well has been out of service for at least three years;
D. 
The well is a potential hazard to public health or safety and the situation cannot be corrected;
E. 
The well is in such a state of disrepair that its continued use is impractical; or
F. 
The well has the potential for transmitting contaminants from the land surface into an aquifer or from one aquifer to another and the situation cannot be corrected.
AGENT
Any person designated and authorized by the Board to implement, in whole or part, these regulations. To the extent provided by the Board, the agent shall have all the authority of the Board and shall be directly responsible to the Board and under its direction and control.
[Added 9-11-2023]
ALTERATION
A major change in the type of construction or configuration of a private water system, including but not limited to, adding a disinfection or treatment device, converting a water well with a buried seal to a well with a pitless adapter, extending a distribution system, converting a well using a well pit to a well with a pitless adapter, extending the casing above ground; deepening a well, changing the type of pumping equipment when that requires making new holes or sealing or plugging existing holes in the casing or wall of a well, and repairing, extending or replacing any portion of the inside or outside casing or wall.
ANNULAR SPACE
The space between two cylindrical objects, one of which surrounds the other. For example, the space between the wall of a drillhole and a casing pipe, or between an inner and an outer well casing.[1]
APPLICANT
Any person who applies to have a private well-constructed.
[Added 9-11-2023]
AQUIFER
A geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs.
ARTESIAN AQUIFER
An aquifer that is bounded above and below by impermeable materials or materials of distinctly lower permeability than the aquifer itself. The water in an aquifer confined in this manner will rise in a drilled hole or well casing above the point of initial penetration (above the bottom of the confining, or impermeable, layer overlying the aquifer).[2]
BEDROCK
See "consolidated formation."
BENTONITE
A mixture of swelling clay minerals containing at least 85% of the mineral montmorillonite (predominantly sodium montmorillonite) which meets the specifications of the most recent revision of API Standard 13A.
BENTONITE GROUT
A mixture of bentonite (API Standard 13A) and water in a ratio of not less than one pound of bentonite per gallon of water.
CASING
An impervious durable pipe placed in a boring to prevent the walls from caving and to serve as a vertical conduit for water in a well.
CERTIFIED COMPANY
A person authorized by nontransferable Certification with the Department, under 310 CMR 46.00, to engage in the business of Well Drilling and Alteration, determining Well Yield and Pump Installation.
[Added 9-11-2023]
CERTIFIED INDIVIDUAL
An individual authorized by nontransferable Certification with the Department to Drill of Alter Wells, as specified in 310 CMR 46.03(3).
[Added 9-11-2023]
CERTIFIED LABORATORY
A laboratory certified by the Department for the analysis of drinking water and required water quality analytes. Provisional certification is acceptable.[3]
[Added 9-11-2023]
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM
A public water system which serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least twenty-five-year round residents.
CONCRETE
A mixture consisting of Portland cement (ASTM Standard C150, Type or API Standard 10, Class A), sand, gravel, and water in a proportion of not more than five parts of sand plus gravel to one part cement, by volume, and not more than six gallons of water. One part cement, two parts sand, and three parts gravel are commonly used with up to six gallons of water.
CONFINED AQUIFER
An aquifer in which the groundwater is under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure: the static water level in a well tapping a confined aquifer rises to a level above the top of the aquifer.
CONFINING BED
A layer or body of soil, sediment, or rock with low vertical permeability relative to the adjacent aquifers above or below it.
CONSOLIDATED FORMATION
Any geologic formation in which the earth materials have become firm and coherent through natural rock forming processes. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with the word "bedrock" and includes, but is not limited to, basalt, granite, limestone, sandstone, and shale. An uncased drill hole will normally remain open in these formations.[4]
CONTAMINATION
The presence of any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water at a concentration and for a duration or anticipated duration which, in the opinion of the regulating agency, would present a threat to the public health, using existing federal and state standards and guidelines where applicable.
CROSS CONNECTION
Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other water of unknown or questionable safety, whereby water may flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.
CURBING
Either precast or poured-in-place, concrete well casing used to construct dug wells.
DEPARTMENT
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection A well-used for the sole purpose of watering or irrigation. The well shall not be connected at any time to a dwelling of a building unless if meets the requirements of private drinking water well and have the Board’s written Approval.
[Added 9-11-2023]
DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY
"Private water supply."
DRAWDOWN
The difference between the static and pumping water levels.
DRILLED WELL
A well in which the hole is excavated using mechanical means such as rotary, cable tool, or auger rigs.
DRIVE SHOE
A forged or tempered steel collar, with a cutting edge, attached to the lower end of a casing by threading or welding, to protect the lower edge of the casing as it is driven.
FLUSHING
The act of causing a rapid flow of water from a well by pumping, bailing or similar operation.
FORMATION
An assemblage of earth materials grouped together into a unit that is convenient for description or mapping.
GEO THERMAL WELL
A well or wells drilled vertically in the ground that are water-filled, closed loop of one-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe ferries heat between the earth and the house. Pipes descend four-to six-inch-diameter vertical wells—the number and depth depend on the house's site and size—before ganging together in a header and bringing lukewarm water in through the basement walls. Drillers backfill each hole with bentonite grout (or new enhanced grouts, engineered with fly ash) to maximize thermal conductivity. Pumps cycle water through the pipe loop to the heart of the system: the geothermal unit, which acts as furnace and air conditioner. This machine uses refrigerant and the temperate water from the underground pipes to heat or cool air. The air is then circulated through standard ductwork. With a device called a desuperheater, the unit uses excess heat to warm up domestic hot water at no added cost. The results feel the same as those from any standard forced-air HVAC system.
GROUNDWATER
Subsurface water in the zone of saturation.
GROUT
A stable impermeable bonding material which is capable of providing a watertight seal.
GROUTING
The process of mixing and placing grout.
HYDRO FRACTURING
A process whereby water is pumped under high pressure into a well to fracture the surrounding rock thereby increasing the well yield.
MGL
Massachusetts General Laws.
NEAT CEMENT GROUT
A mixture consisting of one bag (94 pounds) of Portland cement (ASTM Standard C 150, Type I or API Standard 10, Class A) to not more than six gallons of clean water. Bentonite (API Standard 13A), up to 2% by weight of cement, shall be added to reduce shrinkage. Other additives, as described in ASTM Standard C494, may be used to increase fluidity and/or control setting time.
NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM
A public water system that is not a community water system.
OVERBURDEN
See "unconsolidated formation."
PERSON
An individual, corporation, company, association, trust, partnership.
PITLESS ADAPTER
A commercially manufactured device which attaches to a well casing and provides watertight subsurface connections for suctions lines or pump discharge and allows vertical access to the interior of the well casing for installation or removal of the pump or pump appurtenances.
PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY
A system that provides water for human consumption, if such system has less than 15 service connections and either 1) serves less than 25 individuals or 2) serves an average of 25 or more individuals for less than 60 days of the year.
PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM
"Private water supply."
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
A system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days of the year. Such term includes 1) any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control of the operator of such a system and used primarily in connection with such system, and 2) any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with such system. A public water system is either a "community water system" or a "non-community water system."
PUMPING TEST
A procedure used to determine the characteristics of a well and adjacent aquifer by installing and operating a pump.
REGISTERED WELL DRILLER
Any person registered with the Department of Environmental Management/Division of Water Supply Protection to dig or drill wells in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SAND CEMENT GROUT
A mixture consisting of Portland cement (ASTM Standard C150, Type I or API Standard 10, Class A), sand, and water in the proportion of one part cement to three or four parts sand, by volume, and not more than six gallons of water per bag (94 pounds) of cement. Up to 5%, by weight, of bentonite (API Standard 13A) shall be added to reduce shrinkage.
SEPTIC TANK
A watertight receptacle which receives the discharge of sewage from a building sewer and is designed and constructed so as to permit the retention of scum and sludge, digestion of the organic matter, and discharge of the liquid portion to a leaching facility.
STATIC WATER LEVEL
The level of water in a well under non-pumping conditions.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials assembled at a fixed location to give support or shelter, such as a building, framework, retaining wall, fence, or the like.
SURFACE WATER
Water that rests or flows on the surface of the Earth.
THERMOPLASTIC CASING
ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or SR (styrene rubber) casing specified in the most recent revision of ASTM Standard F480.
TREMIE PIPE
A device, usually a small diameter pipe, that carries gravel pack or grouting materials to the bottom of a drill hole or boring and which allows pressure grouting from the bottom up without introduction of appreciable air pockets.
UNCONFINED AQUIFER
An aquifer in which the static water level does not rise above the top of the aquifer.
UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATION
Any naturally occurring uncemented, unlithofied material such as sand, gravel, clay, or soil.
WATER BAN
Water restriction invoked by the Department of Environmental protection. Different phases of the water ban will invoke restricted use of watering.
[Added 9-11-2023]
WATER TABLE
The upper surface of the zone of saturation in an unconfined formation at which the pressure is atmospheric.
WATERTIGHT
A condition which does not allow the entrance, passage or flow of water or other fluids under normal operating conditions.
WATERTIGHT CASING
A water well casing that has a wall thickness of 1/8 inch or more, has no seams or has welded seams, and has sections that can be joined together by watertight threads, by a weld, rubber gasket, or by cement that is not limestone or clay based that seals the well against the entrance of surface water into the groundwater.
WATERTIGHT CONSTRUCTION
Cased and grouted construction through firm formations like clay or rock. Through granular material like sand or gravel, it means that the casing pipe is of approved quality and assembled watertight.
WELL DEVELOPMENT
A procedure consisting of the removal of fine sand and drilling fluid from the water bearing sand, gravel, or rock materials opposite the well screen.
WELL VENT
An outlet at the upper end of a well casing or basement end of a non-pressure conduit to allow equalization of air pressure in a well but at the same time so constructed as to prevent entry of water and foreign material into the well.
YIELD
The quantity of water per unit of time which may flow or be pumped from a well under specified conditions.
ZONE OF SATURATION
The zone below the water table in which all interstices are filled with groundwater.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of API"," which immediately followed, was repealed 9-11-2023.
[2]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "artesian well," "ASTM," and "AWWA," which immediately followed, were repealed 9-11-2023.
[3]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "CMR," which immediately followed, was repealed 9-11-2023.
[4]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "contaminant," which immediately followed, was repealed 9-11-2023.
A. 
A well construction permit shall be obtained from the Board of Health prior to the construction of any private well. Wells regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the Mass Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.00) are exempt.
B. 
An application for a well construction permit shall be submitted by a Well Driller registered with the Department of Environmental Management or his agent to the Easton Board of Health or its agent on forms furnished by the Board. The well driller is responsible for obtaining said permit prior to well construction.
C. 
An application for a well construction permit for a drilled well shall be submitted to the Board of Health or it's authorized agent and must be accompanied by a site plan stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Land Surveyor, showing the well location by using latitude and longitude, lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, and location of any potential source of pollution within 100 feet of the lot. A permit so granted shall expire two years from the date of issue unless otherwise revoked for cause.
D. 
When submitting an application for a driven well, the required site plan need not be professionally stamped and may be hand-drawn, however, the proposed location must be staked on the lot for verification by Board of Health staff. Any deviation from the staked location must be approved.
E. 
Fees. A fee will be paid as stated on the current fee schedule for the issuance of each well construction permit may be charges by the Board of Health at the time an application is made for this permit.
F. 
Inspections. The Board of Health or its authorized Agent may inspect the installation of the well and may at any stage of construction, require necessary modifications if conditions encountered are different than those originally proposed.
[Amended 9-11-2023]
A. 
Dug wells are not permitted in the Town of Easton. A dug well is a shallow well that is generally 20 to 35 feet deep and three to five feet in diameter. Dug wells can be excavated by hand but, due to federal occupational-safety laws, are more often excavated using a backhoe. Dug wells are generally less reliable than drilled wells and should be constructed only where hydro geologic conditions preclude the construction of a satisfactory drilled well. Although the relatively large diameter of a dug well provides a large water storage capacity, these wells often go dry when the water table drops during periods of drought. These wells have shallow and wide openings and can easily be contaminated.
B. 
Driven wells are not permitted for use as potable water supplies in the Town of Easton due to the hard-glacial till and bed rock and other geological factors. Driven wells may be very simply created in unconsolidated material with a "well point," which consists of a hardened drive point and a screen (perforated pipe). The point is simply hammered into the ground, usually with a tripod and "driver," with pipe sections added as needed. A driver is a weighted pipe that slides over the pipe being driven and is repeatedly dropped on it. When groundwater is encountered, the well is washed of sediment and a pump installed.
C. 
All Geo thermal wells will be closed loop. Open loop wells or these kinds of systems will not be approved because they don't have the lasting power or the ease of maintenance found with the closed loop systems. They require an ample source of ground water because they need to be pumping constantly to provide water to the system. Additionally, there needs to be a place to dump the used water and return it to the water table. In summer months this can heat up the ground water and create contamination issues.
D. 
Drilled wells.
(1) 
Several drilling methods are used for constructing private water supply wells. The efficiency of each drilling method depends to a great extent on the type of geologic formation being drilled. Other factors that affect the efficiency of a particular drilling method include the experience of the driller, the presence of geologic anomalies, and the hydraulic head of the aquifer or aquifers penetrated.
E. 
Minimum lateral distances. Each well shall be located:
(1) 
At a minimum of 100 feet from a subsurface sewage disposal area (including reserve areas);
(2) 
A minimum of 50 feet for irrigation and geothermal wells from sewage disposal and reserve areas. Fifty feet from a septic tank for all wells;
(3) 
Ten feet from a building sewer constructed of durable corrosion resistant material with watertight joints or;
(4) 
Fifty feet from a building sewer constructed of any other type of pipe;
(5) 
Twenty-five feet from a property line;
(6) 
Twenty-five feet from a street layout;
(7) 
Fifty feet from other wells;
(8) 
Twenty-five feet from subsurface drains;
(9) 
One-hundred feet from underground oil tanks and gasoline tanks, underground oil distribution lines and;
(10) 
Twenty-five feet from the normal high water mark of any lake, pond, river, stream, ditch or slough;
(11) 
Ten feet from a dwelling or building;
(12) 
Ten feet from a permanently located swimming pool;
(13) 
Fifty feet from any sewer main;
(14) 
Two hundred fifty feet for underground pesticide;
(15) 
One hundred feet from a Stables, barnyard, Manure storage.
F. 
The Board may increase the distance listed in § 369-3C and may impose minimum lateral distances from other potential sources of contamination when in its opinion, conditions warrant such protection. All such special location requirements shall be specified as a condition of the well construction permit. In certain cases special means of protection for a well may be required such as a structure around a well near a driveway. A Potable well near a farm can be a source of high nitrates.
G. 
A well must be located on the lot which it serves and where possible, shall be located upgradient and as far removed as possible from all potential sources of contamination.
H. 
The use of acids, enzymes, degreasers, bacteria, etc. shall not be introduced into a subsurface sewage disposal system on lots containing an on-site potable water supply.
I. 
Water quantity requirements.
(1) 
The applicant shall submit to the Board for review and approval a Pumping Test Report. The Pumping Test Report shall include at a minimum: the name and address of the well owner, well location referenced to at least two permanent structures or landmarks, date the pumping test was performed, depth at which the pump was set for the test, location for the discharge line, static water level immediately before pumping commenced, discharge rate and, if applicable, the time the discharge rate changed, pumping water levels and respective times after pumping commenced, maximum drawdown during the test, duration of the test, including both the pumping time and the recovery time during which measurements were taken, recovery water levels and respective times after cessation of pumping, and reference point used for all measurements.
(2) 
To determine if the well can provide sufficient water to meet the average household daily demand, the following methodology should be employed:
(a) 
Estimate Peak Demand in gallons required to meet peak demand period of one hour (60 minutes) using Table 1 based on number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the house.
(Flow rate required in gallons per minute x 60 minutes = gallons needed for peak demand)
Table 1
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
1
1.5
2
3
4
Flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM)
2
5
6
8
3
7
8
9
10
12
4
8
9
10
12
13
5
11
12
13
15
6
13
15
17
(b) 
Calculate the volume of water the well can produce in the peak demand period of 60 minutes based on the pumping test results.
(Well yield in gpm x 60 minutes = gallons produced)
(c) 
Estimate the borehole water storage using information obtained from the Well Completion Report and Table 2. To determine the available water in feet, subtract the static water level from the Depth to the pump intake. Multiply the available water in feet times the gallons of water per foot for the well diameter to calculate the number of available gallons held in storage in the borehole (see Table 2 below).
(Total depth to pump intake — static water level) x gallons per foot of water = available water from borehole storage)
Table 2
Diameter of Well in Inches
Gallons of Water
Diameter of Well in Feet
Gallons of Water Per Foot of Water Depth
Per Foot of Water Depth
Per 100 Feet of Water Depth
1.5
0.092
9.2
2
23.5
2
0.163
16.3
3
52.9
3
0.367
36.7
4
94.0
4
0.653
65.3
5
146.9
5
1.020
102.0
6
211.5
6
1.469
146.9
7
287.9
8
2.611
261.1
8
376.0
10
4.080
408.0
9
475.9
12
5.876
587.6
10
587.6
(d) 
Subtract gallons of water held in borehole storage (Step 3) and total amount the well is capable of producing in 60 minutes (Step 2) from the estimated peak demand (Step 1) to determine if the well is capable of meeting peak demand. If the difference between the two is zero or less, the well is capable of meeting peak demand. If the difference is greater than zero, then additional volume in the form of a storage tank will be required to meet peak demand.
(3) 
The pumping test may be performed at whatever rate is desired. Following the pumping test, the water level in the well must be shown to recover to within 85% of the pre-pumped static water level within a twenty-four-hour period.
Example 1: The Well Completion Report indicates that a six-inch diameter domestic well was installed that has a pump intake set at a depth of 300 feet, with a measured static water level of 15 feet and an estimated well yield of two gpm.
A. 
Well casing materials shall consist of not less than schedule 40 steel or not less than schedule 40 PVC plastic, or other material of adequate strength and durability, and shall be free of pits, breaks, gouges, deep scratches, or other defects. Well casing shall be installed with care to avoid damage. The entire length of casing above the intake shall be watertight. Well casings for drilled wells shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter.
B. 
The top of the well casing or extension thereof shall extend 18 inches above established ground surface or above the floor of an approved pit or within a flood-proofed well house. Wells located in designated flood hazard area shall be constructed such that the well casing or extension thereof extends a minimum of 24 inches above the one-hundred-year flood elevation.
C. 
Well Screens. Wells in unconsolidated formations shall be equipped with a properly sized screen, selected so as to prevent access of soil particles that would detract from well efficiency and yield.
D. 
Protection Seal at Land Surface. The annular space between the protective well casing and the wall of the drilled hole or the surface casing shall be effectively sealed using neat cement or sand cement grout emplaced using standard grouting techniques to a depth below the frostline in order to protect against contamination or pollution by surface and/or shallow, subsurface waters.
E. 
The land around the well is to be graded so that surface water does not pond over the well, and is not diverted over the well.
F. 
Water Distribution Piping shall be connected to a drilled well by means of a pitless adapter installed below the frostline but in no case closer than five feet to the finished grade. The water distribution piping shall be made of durable material and shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from and 18 inches above sewer lines.
G. 
Cross Connection. No person, corporation, or any other business shall allow a potable or non-potable well to be physically connected into the plumbing system of any structure serviced by the municipal water distribution system. Installation of any pipe from a potable or non-potable well into any structure serviced by the municipal water distribution system is prohibited without prior written approval of the Easton Water Department.
A. 
Disinfection and Other Sanitary Requirements. All private wells shall be disinfected after construction, rehabilitation and well or pump repair before the well is placed in service. The well shall be pumped to waste until the water is as clear as possible. Thereafter the well and pumping equipment shall be disinfected with a solution containing at least 50 ppm of chlorine. The well shall remain in contact with the chlorine solution for minimum of 24 hours before the well is pumped to waste and chlorine flushed from the distribution system. All water used in drilling should be disinfected.
B. 
Well water from all drilled wells shall be sampled following development and disinfection. Chemical and bacteriological analysis shall be completed and approval of the Board of Health must be obtained before the well is used. Driven non-potable wells are not required to be tested but a sign must be clearly posted at the well stating "For Non-Potable Use Only."
C. 
Sampling. A representative sample of water shall be collected and analyzed by a laboratory certified by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and a bacteriological and chemical report shall be filed with the Easton Board of Health.
D. 
Bacterial Quality. Water samples for bacteriological analysis (coliform, standard plate count) shall be collected after purging three well volumes and after all traces of disinfectant chemicals have been removed from the well. The results of the bacteriological analysis shall meet the standards specified in 310 CMR 22.00 (Mass Drinking Water Regulations). A copy of the laboratory report is to be filed with the Board of Health.
E. 
Chemical Quality. All private wells shall be sampled and tested by a Massachusetts Certified Laboratory and shall meet the following standards.
[Amended 9-11-2023]
Parameter
Limit Not To be Exceeded
Color
15 Units
Turbidity
5 Units
Odor and Taste Free of Odor and Taste
Good
PH
6.5 - 8.5
Chloride
250 mg/l
Total Iron
0.3 mg/l
Sodium (guideline)
20 mg/l
Manganese
.05 mg/l
Sulfate
250 mg/l
Magnesium
125 mg/l
Total Hardness
100 mg/l
Nitrogen-Ammonia
0.1 mg/l
Nitrogen-Nitrite
1 mg/l
Nitrogen-Nitrate
10 mg/l
Copper
1.0 mg/l
Lead
0.05 mg/l
Arsenic
0.05 mg/l
Alkalinity
100 mg/l
Calcium
150 mg/l
VOC's:
Vinyl Chloride
0.002 mg/l (2 ppb)
Benzene
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
1, 2 Dichloroethane
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
Trichloroethylene
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
para-Dichlorobenzene
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
1, 1 Dichloroethylene
0.007 mg/l (7 ppb)
1, 1, 1 Trichloroethane
0.2 mg/l (200 ppb)
cis- 1, 2-Dichloroethylene
0.07 mg/l (70 ppb)
1, 2-Dichloropropane
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
Ethylbenzene
0.7 mg/l (700 ppb)
Monochlorobenzene
0.1 mg/l (100 ppb)
o-Dichlorobenzene
0.6 mg/l (600 ppb)
Styrene
0.1 mg/l (100 ppb)
Tetrachloroethylene
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
Toluene
1 mg/l (1,000 ppb)
trans-1, 2-Dichloroethylene
0.1 mg/l 100 ppb)
Xylenes
10 mg/l (10,000 ppb)
Dichloromethane
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
1, 2, 4-Trichlorobenzene
0.07 mg/l (70 ppb)
1, 1, 2-Trichloroethane
0.005 mg/l (5 ppb)
Methyl-tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)
0.07 mg/l (70 ppb)
Polyfenal clorids
20 ppt (PFAS)
In wells drilled into bedrock the Board of Health requires that in addition to the parameters listed above, a Gross Alpha Screen and Radon test be performed. If the Gross Alpha screen detects radiation of 15 pCi/L or more, then the water must be analyzed for Uranium concentrations. If the Gross Alpha screen detects radiation of 5 pCi/L or more, then the water must be analyzed for Radium and Uranium concentrations
F. 
Treatment and retesting. Treatment for pH, alkalinity, high iron, and/or manganese, calcium, and excessive hardness is allowed; however, a retest of the continued well water is required and must meet the criteria outlined in § 369-7D or E as applicable, prior to approval of the well.
G. 
Color, Turbidity, Odor and Taste, which does not meet the specified criteria must be retested after treatment and prior to approval of the well.
H. 
Sodium. Failure to meet the sodium level of 20 mg/l specified in § 369-7E does not constitute disapproval of the well. Sodium levels which exceed 20 mg/l prior to conditioning will require the owner of the property to document and record at the Registry of Deeds, at the owner's expense, the sodium level(s) detected, the recommended sodium level of 20 mg/l, and statements notifying property owners of the recommendation of the American Heart Association regarding sodium intake for individuals placed on a dietary sodium restriction of one gram a day or less for health reasons by their physician.
I. 
Disapproval of Potable Well. Failure to meet all standards, with the exception of sodium, in § 369-7E, allowing for treatment of those parameters specified in § 369-7F and G, will require disapproval of the well as a source of potable water. Any drilled well which fails to meet potable standards, must be posted "FOR NON-POTABLE USE ONLY."
J. 
The Board may require testing for additional parameters when, in its opinion, it is necessary due to local conditions or for the protection of health, safety and welfare.
K. 
The Board recommends retesting private potable wells at least every two years, with annual testing preferable, for the parameters listed in § 369-7E, to detect any changes in water quality.
A. 
Abandoned Wells, i.e., those not in service for one year, those not intended for future use, or those which pose a potential hazard or health threat on the opinion of the Board of Health, shall be destroyed by removing, plugging or sealing by decommissioning to protect the groundwater. Wells out of use for an extended period of time shall be covered with a secured cap.
B. 
Only MA Registered Well Drillers may plug abandoned wells, Wells shall be plugged with neat cement grout, sand cement grout, concrete or bentonite grout. The grout shall be sufficiently fluid so that it can be applied through a tremie pipe from the bottom of the well upward, to a level approximately four feet below ground surface. Prior to the surface seal being placed, casing shall be cut off six inches — 12 inches below existing grade. The remaining depth of casing shall be filled with concrete. The top of the seal should comprise a concrete slab above the top of the plugged well or the boring.
A. 
Property owners must register all existing wells, potable and non-potable with the Board of Health within one year from the effective date of these regulations. Upon the transfer of property, the seller (current owner) shall be responsible to register any well on the property.
B. 
Within 30 days of the completion of a well constructed in accordance with an approved Well Construction Permit, a Well Water Completion Report must be submitted to the Board of Health as specified in 313 CMR 3.00. The property owner must the notify the Board of Health when the well is operable and must submit the necessary well analysis and pump test.
C. 
Following review of analytical results, pump tests and all other pertinent information, an inspection will be made by the Board of Health or its agent(s) to verify the well location, construction, operation of the well pump and any required posting.
D. 
A Well Registration Card will be issued to the property owner by the Board of Health if the well location, construction, operation, water quality and posting meet the specifications as detailed in these regulations.
E. 
All wells used for outdoor water use Excluding Farm irrigation documented farms in the town must maintain Odd/Even water usage and abide by all water bans put into effect by the Town of Easton Water Department.
A. 
The Easton Board of Health may, after a public hearing, vary the application of any provision of this code with respect to any particular case, when in its opinion the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice, and the applicant has proven that the same degree on environmental protection required under this code can be achieved without strict application of the particular provision.
B. 
Every application for a variance shall be made in writing, stating the specific variance sought and the reasons therefore. When the variance sought related to property setbacks as specified in § 369-3, direct abutter(s) must be notified in writing by the applicant seven days prior to the hearing at which time the request will be considered. The notice, a copy of which shall be provided to the Board of Health, shall state the variance sought, the reason therefor, and the hearing date, time and place.
C. 
Any grant or denial of a variance shall be made in writing and shall contain a brief statement of the reasons therefor.
D. 
Any variance may be subject to such qualification, revocation, suspension, or expiration as the Board of Health expresses in its grant. A variance authorized may otherwise be revoked, modified or suspended in whole or in part, only after the holder thereof has been notified in writing and has been given the opportunity to be heard.
E. 
Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board may seek relief, therefrom, within 30 days in any court of competent jurisdiction as provided by the laws of the Commonwealth.
A. 
The Board of Health or its agent(s) may enter upon privately owned property for the purpose of conducting inspections, investigating violations of these regulations and performing all other duties under these regulations.
B. 
These regulations may be enforced pursuant to the non-criminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL c. 40, § 21D and Chapter 50 of the Code of the Town of Easton. The Board of Health, the Easton Water Department and the Easton Police Department shall be the enforcing agents for purposes of these regulations.
C. 
Any person, business, corporation or other legal entity who violates any provision of these regulations for which a penalty is not otherwise provided in the General Laws, or any other state or federal code shall upon conviction be fined not less than $20 nor more than $500. Each day's failure to comply with these regulations shall constitute a separate violation.
If any provision of these regulations or the application thereof is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall be limited to said provision(s) and the remainder of these regulations shall remain valid and effective. Any part of these regulations subsequently invalidated by a new state law or modification of an existing state law shall automatically be brought into conformity with the new or amended law and shall be deemed to be effective immediately, without recourse to a public hearing and the customary procedure for amendment or repeal of such regulation.
[Amended 9-11-2023]
These regulations were adopted by vote of the Easton Board of Health, at their regularly scheduled meeting held on March 13, 2023 and are to be in full force and effect on and after April 10, 2023. Before said date, these regulations shall be published and a copy there of be placed on file in the Board of Health Offices as well as the Town Clerk's office, and filed with the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply in Boston. These regulations or any portions thereof may be amended, supplemented or repealed from time to time by the Board, with notice as provided by law, on its own motion or by petition.
The issuance of a well permit shall not be construed as a guarantee by the Board of its agency that the water system will function satisfactorily nor that the water supply will be of sufficient quality or quantity for its intended use. This permit does not relieve the permittee or any other person of the necessity of obtaining all other applicable permits and complying with all other applicable state or local statutes, by-laws, or regulations, including but not limited to the building code, zoning by-law, and wetland laws. This preceding statement shall be printed on each well construction permit issued by the Board of Health.