Senator Eldridge and Representative Sena file environmental legislation to regulate private wells to protect drinking water from toxic chemicals
An Act promoting drinking water quality for all would standardize well testing statewide
Boston, MA – Early this month, Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Dan Sena (D-Acton) filed SD2903/HD4693, An Act promoting drinking water quality for all, which would initiate the process of creating a state private wells code.
Access to clean drinking water is essential to living a healthy life, but there is currently a major gap in water safety and public health in the Commonwealth: private wells. A million Massachusetts residents rely on private wells for their drinking water, yet no statewide regulations ensure that the water is safe to drink and free of contaminants like arsenic, E. coli, PFAS, and uranium.
An Act promoting drinking water quality for all would require The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue regulations to create a state private wells code. The code would provide standards for private wells used for human consumption, including requirements of testing for contaminants. The uniform, statewide private well testing set out in the code would ensure public health and environmental protection across the Commonwealth.
“Access to clean water is a constitutional right for all residents of the Commonwealth, not just the majority,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge. “Every year, over a billion gallons of raw or partially treated sewage enter Massachusetts waterways, impairing water quality. Public water systems are required to test their water quality to ensure that residents receive clean drinking water, but that’s not the case for those relying on private wells. This bill would help inform those relying on private wells about the quality of water they are bring into their homes, and giving to their families ”
"People should know that their drinking water is safe,” said State Representative Dan Sena. “The results from the Private Well Program so far confirm how important it is for us to be testing private wells. It is unacceptable to have over a quarter of wells with contaminant levels exceeding safe levels for consumption. That is why I am proud to have filed this legislation to address private well water quality. We must ensure clean drinking water for all, for the health, safety, and security of people across the Commonwealth."
Senator Eldridge and Representative Sena collaborated with RCAP Solutions and the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts as members of the North Central Mass Private Well Program Leadership Team, to draft this legislation. The team’s work has highlighted the importance of private well testing. RCAP Solutions’ Private Well Program to Protect Public Health has found that test results of 28% of private wells, in participating households, exceed state health standards, while MassDEP’s Private Wells PFAS Sampling Program found that 5% of households exceed the state PFAS standard. This means that over 300,000 residents may be at risk of drinking contaminated water. There is an urgent need for statewide private well standards and widespread testing.
“We are thrilled to see this new legislation introduced in the Commonwealth and applaud Senator Eldridge and Representative Sena for their leadership on this important public health issue,” said Karen A. Koller, President & CEO of RCAP Solutions. “Because there are no state-wide regulations surrounding private well maintenance, it’s critical that homeowners across the state recognize the importance of regular assessments and water testing. We are pleased to be able to fulfill our mission and support rural communities through education and advocacy for private well owners to have access to safe, healthy drinking water that is free from harmful contaminants.”
“The importance of testing your well water is reflected in this important legislation put forth by Sen. Eldridge and Representative Sena,” said Brian Scales, Executive Vice President of RCAP Solutions. “Too many homeowners take for granted that their water is safe and clean. Water is all around us, and we bathe in it, cook with it, and drink it on a daily basis. And the only way to ensure all this water is clean and safe to consume is to have it tested. RCAP Solutions and the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts have been working with these legislators and other stakeholders to provide growing awareness to this public health issue.”
“Do I support private well testing legislation? Without a doubt,” said Peg Stone, Berlin homeowner and North Central Mass Private Well Program participant. “Why? Testing well water is not only important for the health and wellbeing of everyone in the home, but unless there is specific legislation around testing requirements, how can you identify any existing problems and those that may be silently lurking beneath the water level?”
With An Act promoting drinking water quality for all, the one million Massachusetts residents who consume water drawn from private wells will be able to rest assured that the water they drink every day is safe and contaminant-free.
###
