Summary of Massachusetts' Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Environmental Restoration

This page is part of the EPA’s REUSExplorer tool, which summarizes the different state level regulations or guidelines for water reuse for a variety of sources and end-uses.
The source water for this summary is Treated Municipal Wastewater.

On this page:

• Technical basis
• Water reuse for environmental restoration approved for use in Massachusetts
• Water reuse treatment category for environmental restoration
• Additional context and definitions
• Water reuse for environmental restoration specifications (table)
• Upcoming state law or policy
• References
• Disclaimer

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This page is a summary of the state’s water reuse law or policy and is provided for informational purposes only. Please always refer to the state for the most accurate and updated information. 

In Massachusetts, water reused for environmental restoration environmental restorationThe use of recycled water to create, sustain, or augment water bodies including wetlands, aquatic habitats, or stream flow. Includes groundwater or aquifer recharge for protection from saltwater intrusion , stream flow augmentation and wildlife habitat, and source water protection. include creation of wetlands. The source of water (treated municipal wastewater) treated municipal wastewater Treated wastewater effluent discharged from a centralized wastewater treatment plant of any size. Other terms referring to this source of water include domestic wastewater, treated wastewater effluent, reclaimed water, and treated sewage. is specified by the state as municipal wastewater. The write-up below uses state terms when discussing sources or uses of water that may differ from the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer's (REUSExplorer's) terms.

Technical basis

Massachusetts approves the use of reclaimed wastewater for reuse applications related to environmental restoration, including the creation of wetlands. All applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.), including its implementing regulations, must be met in addition to any state water quality standards. Treatment requirements and performance standards are applied for the removal of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators for environmental restoration-related applications and are summarized in the table. The technical basis for developing the specifications and/or removals of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators is not explicitly specified. The specifications and/or removals of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators were derived from California’s Title 22 Water Recycling Criteria (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22).

Water reuse for environmental restoration approved for use in Massachusetts

• Creation of wetlands (Class A)

Water reuse treatment category for environmental restoration

In Massachusetts, the various classes of reclaimed water treatment are defined by their respective treatment requirements and applicable performance standards.

• For Class A recycled water, municipal wastewater requires tertiary treatment with disinfection. A chlorine residual of at least 0.5 mg/L in the reclaimed water during conveyance from the wastewater treatment facilities to each reuse site. Maintenance of a chlorine residual in accordance is not required in reclaimed water impoundments and storage basins. The Department may waive the chlorine residual requirement set forth, if the Department determines that another method of disinfection has been provided that adequately protects the public health and the environment (314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.17).

Additional context and definitions

Massachusetts defines reclaimed water as “wastewater that has been treated so that it is suitable for beneficial reuse in accordance with 314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.00”. Additionally, Class A reclaimed water is reclaimed water that meets or exceeds the effluent limits in 314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.17 (1)(b) at all times.

Discharge of treated wastewater to an existing surface water or wetland requires a Surface Water Discharge Permit issued by the Department pursuant to 314 Mass. Code Regs. 3.00 and does not involve the reuse of reclaimed water in accordance with 314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.00.

Massachusetts requires that all municipal reclaimed water plumbing and out-of-sight fixtures are colored purple and marked or stamped with the following warning every three feet or less: “NOTICE: RECLAIMED WATER – DO NOT DRINK” (314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.00). All areas at a reuse site that are accessible to the public, like reclaimed water valves, storage facilities and outlets, must have visible purple-colored public signs stating “NOTICE: RECLAIMED WATER – DO NOT DRINK” in English and any additional “locally employed language.” No cross connections are allowed between a reclaimed water system, a potable water system and all pipes conveying water for drinking, domestic and culinary purposes.

Water reuse for environmental restoration specifications

Summary of Massachusetts' Water Restoration for Environmental Restoration Specifications

Source= 314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.00

* Information about sampling and monitoring requirements such as frequency, site and quantification methods not specifically listed in the table was not explicitly specified in the State-specific regulations.

Upcoming state law or policy

No upcoming environmental restoration reuse regulations were found for Massachusetts. 

References

Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.

Reclaimed Water Permit Program and Standards, 314 Mass. Code Regs. 20.00.

Water Discharge Permit Program. 314 Mass. Code Regs. 3.00.

Water Recycling Criteria, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22.

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Disclaimers

Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if this state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on the news page.