We get plenty of precipitation in Massachusetts. Why is water reuse important?

It is good environmental policy to reuse water whenever possible. Overall as a state we get adequate rainfall, but there are areas where rapid growth has created stress in many water resource areas, including aquifers, rivers, ponds and wetlands. For example, in parts of the Ipswich and Charles River basins, demand has exceeded supply and water use restrictions have been implemented. A return of drought conditions similar to those in the 1960's would further compound the problem.

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Do I need a permit to use reclaimed water?

Yes, a groundwater discharge permit is required. See water reuse forms and applications.

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How many water reuse projects are there in Massachusetts?

MassDEP has approved about a dozen projects since issuing its Interim Guidelines in 2000, including Gillette Stadium, the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, watering at golf courses, and reuse at manufacturing and office facilities. In addition, a number of groundwater discharges in the proximity of public water supplies have been permitted under the Interim Guidelines in order to protect drinking water quality.

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How does MassDEP regulate water reuse projects?

In 2000, MassDEP issued Interim Guidelines on Reclaimed Water to guide the permitting and operation of water reuse facilities. In 2004, MassDEP began a comprehensive review of its Guidelines as well as national experience and the recently-published EPA guidelines. Our intent is to develop a new set of regulations to encourage water reuse in Massachusetts while continuing to protect public health.

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Why does MassDEP limit water reuse to spray irrigation on golf courses, landscaping, recharging aquifers (in some cases) and toilet flushing?

Because water reuse is a relatively new program, MassDEP has initially limited uses to those most likely to gain public acceptance. As our experience and knowledge base grows, we intend to expand the regulated uses of reclaimed water.

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What are some potential new uses for reclaimed water?

Uses in other states and that are being evaluated here include irrigation of parks and playgrounds, landscaping in nonresidential developments and cemeteries, highway landscaping, and cooling water. MassDEP has not yet made decisions on allowing additional uses.

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Why are MassDEP standards for water reuse projects so stringent?

The controlling factor in water reuse is the protection of public health. For this reason, the water to be reused must be virtually pathogen- and contaminant-free. MassDEP's Guidelines ensure that this standard is met, for example:

• The public must be told that reclaimed water is in use.
• Wastewater treatment plants producing reclaimed water are required to maintain a high level of treatment with redundant mechanical systems and backup power.
• Comprehensive monitoring of both the wastewater effluent and the groundwater is required to demonstrate that standards are met.
• For the most stringent uses, tests for fecal coliform must show a median of zero, with no test results greater than 14 parts per million.

MassDEP's Interim Guidelines are consistent with the US EPA water reuse guidelines.

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