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H 900

An Act protecting drinking water quality in private wells

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 14 co-sponsors

The bill defines minimum testing and inspection standards for private wells, requires pre-transfer inspections, and provides funding/assistance to bring noncompliant wells up to dr

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 900

Summary: H.900 An Act Protecting Drinking Water Quality in Private Wells

Overview

H.900, introduced February 27, 2025, seeks to protect public health by establishing minimum standards for private wells in Massachusetts, requiring testing and inspections, and enabling remedial assistance for private well owners. The bill is currently in the Environment and Natural Resources committee with a reported date extended to December 31, 2025. A hearing was scheduled for June 3, 2025. The bill is related to House Document 3597 (HD 3597).

Purpose and intent

  • Improve drinking water quality for households relying on private wells.
  • Create formal state standards for testing, maintenance, and transfer of ownership of private wells.
  • Provide financial and logistical support for remediation and treatment of noncompliant wells.
  • Clarify enforcement roles for local boards of health and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Key provisions

Definitions (Section 1)

  • Private well: A well that provides drinking water and has fewer than 15 service connections and either:
    • serves fewer than 25 individuals, or
    • serves an average of 25+ individuals daily for less than 60 days per year.
  • Private well facility: Real property (and buildings) served or potentially served by a private well.

Minimum standards for private wells (Section 2; Sections 21–22)

  • The DEP must promulgate regulations establishing minimum standards for private wells, including:
    • A defined list of contaminants to test, acceptable levels, and testing frequency.
    • Mandatory testing requirements for all listed contaminants:
    • For all newly installed private wells before being used for drinking water.
    • For all private wells prior to transfer of residential property.
  • Local boards of health may enforce these standards or adopt stricter local standards.

Transfer of title and well inspections (Section 2)

  • Private wells must be inspected within 2 years prior to transfer of title to the private well facility.
  • A complete inspection report must be provided to the buyer or new owner.
  • Certain transfers are not considered title transfers for purposes of this requirement (e.g., mortgages, refinancings, intra-family transfers, changes among spouses, guardian/trustee arrangements).

Funding and assistance for remediation (Section 3)

  • The bill adds authority to assist homeowners with treatment systems to bring private wells up to primary public drinking water standards.
  • Optional DEP-administered loan guarantees and interest subsidies for eligible projects; DEP may subcontract administration to public authorities.
  • Eligibility determinations to be made by the local board of health or DEP, focusing on projects ensuring compliance with public drinking water standards and with Title V septic system requirements as applicable.
  • An eligible project includes constructing a treatment system for a private well or addressing a noncompliant septic system.

Who is affected

  • Private well owners and real property transactions involving private wells.
  • Buyers of properties with private wells.
  • Local boards of health and the Massachusetts DEP.
  • Homeowners seeking remediation or treatment systems for private wells.

Timeline and process

  • Filed: January 17, 2025; Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: June 3, 2025 (1:00–5:00 PM).
  • Status update: Reporting date extended to December 31, 2025.
  • Next steps: Committee action and potential amendments before floor consideration.

Related and related actions

  • Related HD 3597 (replaces) referenced in the bill package.
  • Ongoing committee review in Environment and Natural Resources.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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