Private well construction in Massachusetts is regulated by local boards of health, however, if you are building a new private well for drinking water in Middlesex or Worcester Counties, you may be regulated by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health.
This joint organization is a community partnership formed in 1931 to oversee some roles typically handled by individual health board employees in Massachusetts communities. The Environmental Division of this board enforces Massachusetts Sanitary and Environmental Codes, Massachusetts General Laws, and a variety of other local regulations, including the inspection and permitting of private water wells.
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health issues well drilling applications for Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Boxboro, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Shirley, Pepperell, Townsend and Stow. If you live in one of these towns and are constructing a new private drinking water well, you will need to submit a permit application to the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. We’ve provided the well drilling permit instructions for you here.
Nashoba Associated Boards Of Health Well Construction Permit Application Instructions
- Pick up an application at the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health office at 30 Central Avenue in Ayers. Completed applications should be returned to the same office with a check for the permitting fee made out to “Nashoba Assoc. Boards of Health.” You can also download one online on the Nashoba website.
- The application is reviewed by Nashoba for completeness. Either Nashoba or the town where the proposed well will be located will also determine if any additional sampling is required.
- The permit will then be issued or denied. If denied, Nashoba will include an explanation as to why.
- If approved, the well drilling company is permitted to move forward with construction in accordance with local regulations. Once construction is finished, the well must then be disinfected.
- Property owners must find a certified laboratory to perform an analysis on the water being drawn from the newly constructed well. Before sampling is done, Nashoba must be notified of the sampling date and time at least 48 hours before the sample is taken.
- Samples are taken and submitted to the laboratory. Results are submitted to Nashoba and the local Board of Health for Review.
- The well drilling company must submit a well log/report within 30 days after the well’s completion. This report should include information spelled out in the well regulations, as well as the terms of the permit. This report serves as a Certificate of Compliance.
When filling out this application, you may notice it requires a lot of information about the depth of the well, the surrounding area, and the well construction. It is important to hire a reputable and experienced well drilling service to ensure these questions are answered accurately and that the finished well is constructed soundly.
Skillings & Sons has more than 40 years of experience drilling wells in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are certified, and our staff is well-trained. You can learn more about our company’s history and the different well drilling services we offer elsewhere on this website. If you have questions about the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health well drilling application and permitting process, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-441-6281.
