Rep. Blais files bill for private well standards

January 23, 2025

Read the full article by Chris Larabee (Greenfield Recorder)

"New legislation filed by state Rep. Natalie Blais seeks the development of minimum statewide quality standards for private wells, as well as the expansion of a financial assistance program for residents trying to remediate wells contaminated by so-called “forever chemicals,” or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Blais co-filed the House bill, HD.3597, with Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne, while Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, filed the Senate version, SD.847. If passed, the bill would instruct the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to develop standards and define testing requirements for new and existing wells, as well as require a private well to be tested upon the sale of a home, similar to Title 5 septic system regulations. Financial assistance would be made available to assist homeowners with well upgrades or remediation.

The Deerfield Democrat said she refiled the bill to follow up on work started by former longtime Berkshire County state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who retired last year, in the last Legislative session. Blais painted well contaminations as both a “public health” and “equity” issue, as not all private wells are regularly tested."