Understanding Water Wells In Merrimac MA

Are you thinking of installing a water well in Merrimac, MA. This article is geared towards understanding Merrimac MA Board of Health Regulations. Understanding your town regulations can be instrumental in compiling total project costs when it comes to drilling a water well in Merrimac, MA.

 1. Permit Info:  Well construction permit fee: $150.00

2. Well Location: An engineered plot plan is required when application is submitted.  Guidelines include

COMPONENT    DISTANCE                                                                         (in feet)

Septic System

Leaching Facility...................................................................   100

Septic Tank .............................................................................50

Cesspool................................................................................100

Sewer Line ..............................................................................20

Driveway..................................................................................15

Street ......................................................................................25

Buildings ................................................................................. 10

Property Line............................................................................10

Easements or Rights-of-Way.....................................................10

Pond or Watercourse

Drilled Well ................................................................................25

3. Water Quality testing: Extensive water analysis is required.  This test includes

Total Coliform Bacteria         Sodium                       Hardness       Arsenic (Total)

E-Coli Bacteria           Alkalinity                       Nitrate                  Lead

Calcium                          Ammonia                       Nitrite                   Potassium

Copper                                Chloride                        pH                       Flouride

Iron                                         Chlorine                        Sulfate                 Radon

Magnesium                              Color                            Turbidity                Flouride

Manganese                             Conductivity                   Odor/Sediment     P-dichlorobenzene

Radontetrachlorethylene            Carbon Tetrachloride    Trichloroethane    Cis-1

Dichloroethylene                      Toluene             Dichloroethylene            Ethylbenzene                         Monochlorobenzene

 4. Water Quantity testing: A four hour flow test will be sufficient. Flow tests should be conducted in the following manner. A well test done with the rig on site requires a water flow of five (5) gallons per minute or more. Less than five gallons per minute would require a consecutive two-day, four-hour flow test at five (5) gallons per minute.

5. Real Estate Transfer Requirements: Merrimac MA requires extensive quality and quantity testing when a real estate transaction occurs. 

 Wells on average in the Town of Merrimac MA range from 300-400 in depth however it’s not uncommon for wells to run shallower or deeper hence why it’s called the average. The casing depth averages at 40 feet however deeper pockets of rock are possible.

 If you have further questions contact the Merrimac Board Of Health at 978-346-4066