Code of Massachusetts Regulations
310 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Title 310 CMR 22.00 - Drinking Water
Section 22.25 - Abandonment of Water Supply Sources

(1) No supplier of water may remove a public water system source from service or abandon a public water system source without the prior written approval of the Department. The Department will not approve any such action unless the supplier of water demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction that such action will have no significant adverse impact upon the supplier of water's present and future ability to provide continuous adequate service to consumers under routine and emergency operating conditions, including emergencies concerning the contamination of sources of supply, failure of the distribution system and shortage of supply.

(2) The supplier of water shall maintain each public water system source removed from service as an emergency source unless the Department approves its disposition in accordance with 310 CMR 22.24 or its abandonment in accordance with 310 CMR 22.25. All public water system groundwater sources approved for abandonment or permanent closure may continue to be used as non-public water system sources. The Department may require closure of certain groundwater sources in a manner that minimizes the potential for groundwater contamination and public health risk, by permanently preventing vertical movement of water within the borehole and annular space and eliminating all physical hazards at the ground surface associated with the well's construction or location. Proposals for permanent closure shall describe the closure method and materials to be used and shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval.