Town of Oxford, MA - Private Wells

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Private Wells

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Many landowners and residences in Oxford have a private well from which they derive their potable water supply. Although the Board of Health has well regulations we do not require water quality and quantity testing for monitoring purposes after a well has been approved for use. Well owners are responsible for testing and monitoring their wells. The Board of Health recommends periodic testing is done on your well if there is a change in color, taste or odor.

Prior to the initial use of a new private well it requires minimum testing on certain parameters as follows:

PARAMETER	MAXIMUM CONTAMINATION LIMIT (M.C.L.)
Coliform Bacteria	0/100 ml - Present or Absent
Arsenic	0.05 mg/liter - Health Related
Lead	0.05 mg/liter- Health Related
Nitrate	10.0 mg/liter - Health Related
Nitrite	1.0 mg/liter - Health Related
Turbidity	No Limit
Chloride	250.0 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Color	15 color units - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Copper	1.30 mg/liter - Action Level - Aesthetic
Hardness	No Limit
Iron	0.30 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Manganese	0.05 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Odor	3 Threshold Odor Number - Aesthetic
pH	6.5 to 8.5 -Aesthetic
Sodium	250.0 mg/L-20 mg/liter - Mass DEP Guideline
Radon in Water	10,000 pCi/l - Mass DEP Proposed Guideline
VOC Screening	EPA Method 524.2

If you have any questions or concerns about any results in your water, you are recommended to seek out a professional water treatment specialist or a DEP certified laboratory.

Town of Oxford 325 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540

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