Background

A private water supply provides water for human consumption and consists of a system that (1) has less than fifteen service connections and (2) either serves less than twenty-five individuals or serves an average of twenty-five or more individuals daily for less than sixty days of the year. The term "private well" is typically used for a well that provides drinking water for a single family residence.

Under Massachusetts General Law, (MGL Ch.111 s.122) local Boards of Health (BOHs) have primary jurisdiction over the regulation of private wells. The local BOH is empowered to adopt a Private Well Regulation that establishes criteria for private well siting, construction, water quality and quantity.

Flooding Concerns

Flood waters which inundate wells can carry large debris that could loosen well hardware, dislodge well construction materials or distort the casing. Coarse sediment in the flood waters can erode pump components. If the well is not tightly capped, sediment and flood water can enter the well and contaminate it. Wells that are more than 10 years old or less than 50 feet deep are likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage. Floods may cause some wells to collapse.

After flood waters have receded and the pump and electrical system have dried, care must be taken before restarting wells. Equipment should not be turned on until the wiring system has been checked by a qualified electrician, well contractor, or pump contractor. If the pump’s control box was submerged during the flood, all electrical components must be dry before electrical service can be restored. All pumps and their electrical components can be damaged by sediment and flood water. The pump including the valves and gears needs to be cleaned of silt and sand. If pumps are not cleaned and properly lubricated they can burn out. Assistance should be obtained from a well or pump contractor who can clean, disinfect, repair or maintain different types of pumps before turning on the pump.

MassDEP Role

Although MassDEP does not regulate private wells, MassDEP Drinking Water Program (DWP) provides assistance to owners of private wells by providing guidance on issues related to private wells, including what to do during floods. Guidance on private wells is available at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/pwfaq.htm  and recommendations for private wells inundated by flooding is available at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/weldsinf.htm

The MassDEP DWP has provided outreach to public water systems and local Boards of Public Health through the Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN). The MassDEP DWP provided links to the above reference guidance documents. Additionally, the MassDEP DWP also provided links to the guidance via the PDirector email, which contacts PWSs throughout the state electronically. It is likely that private well owners will contact local BOHs or public water systems for guidance during this emergency. MassDEP’s Public Affairs Office is also preparing a fact sheet for the press about private wells.

As we are aware Article II Minimum Standards for Fitness for Human Habitation is going through a revision process.  Due to changes in personnel and time restraints - this process has stopped and started several times and it has been currently reactivated.  Lou-Ann Clement, Director of Tewksbury Health Department is MHOA representative and she is looking for your thoughts and comments.   Please forward your them to her at lcclement@town.tewksbury.ma.us ASAP.  Thank you.

Lou-Ann C. Clement,  CHO
Director of Public Health
999 Whipple Road
Tewksbury, MA  01876
978.640.4470
fax 978.640.4472