HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.05.20 email from John Beling at MassDEP to Councilor Terkelsen1
LaRosa, Thomas
From:terkfor2@gmail.com
Sent:Friday, July 12, 2024 4:22 PM
To:LaRosa, Thomas
Subject:Fwd: Town of Barnstable questions after your presentation at our "water" meeting
Dr. Kristin Terkelsen, PT, Barnstable Town Councilor, Precinct 2, 508-225-9407
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Beling, John D (DEP) <John.D.Beling@mass.gov>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2024, 8:12 AM
Subject: RE: Town of Barnstable questions after your presentation at our "water" meeting
To: Kristin Terkelsen <terkfor2@gmail.com>
Dear Dr. Terkelsen,
Thank you for your attendance at the Barnstable Town Council on April 11, 2024. MassDEP protects
drinking water sources through a variety of programs that also include the work of local municipalities.
The prohibitions cited in the MassDEP Wellhead Protection (WHP) Regulations, 310 CMR 22.21(2) must
be adopted by municipalities to protect the water supply recharge area (the Zone II) of their public wells.
Barnstable adopted these prohibitions in 1999 through a Groundwater Protection District Ordinance and
a Floor drain BOH regulation. A copy of the Drinking Water Regulations is located at
https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-2200-the-massachusetts-drinking-water-regulations/download .
The uses and activities prohibited in the WHP regulations are those that DEP has determined pose the
greatest threat to drinking water quality. These prohibitions do not include prohibiting substations or the
installation of underground cables. However, this does not mean that drinking water impacts are not
considered. For instance, the clearing of the area and the construction and materials used in the
installation of applicable structures must use best management practices and comply with applicable
zoning controls (impervious surface limits, soil replacement).
In addition, the Barnstable Board of Health (BOH) has significant authority to protect public health. This
includes public drinking water supplies. Because the New England Wind project is being privately
funded, EPA will not be conducting a Sole Source Aquifer review. However, concerned citizens in
Barnstable interested in a sole source aquifer review could work with the BOH to follow the Safe Drinking
Water Act to make a determination whether the project “causes or may cause the aquifer to exceed any
maximum contaminant level provided in any national primary drinking water standard at any point where
the water may be used for drinking water purposes . . . [or] may otherwise adversely affect the health of
persons.” If the review results in water quality concerns by the public water supplier, the water supplier
would need to contact the MassDEP Drinking Water Program in the Southeast Region at (508) 946-2760.
When a BOH determines a public health adverse effect exists, they have the authority to take a variety of
actions. They can conduct more investigation, require stricter performance standards and/or best
management practices, require a list of all hazardous materials to be used during and after installation,
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require an operating plan, require the project proponent to explain in detail how the project will not
impact the water supply, monitor the installation, and they can even prohibit a project if a significant
public threat is determined.
I hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you have any questions or need additional
information. Thank you.
John Beling
MassDEP
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-292-5500
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