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Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Resources – Drinking Water Program
Seasonal Start-up Procedure and Certification
for Non-Community Public Water Systems
Date PWS will open for season
Instructions
A non-community water system that is not operated as a public water system on a year-round basis
and starts up and shuts down at the beginning and end of each operating season must follow this
state-approved start-up procedure prior to placing all or any part of the system back into
service.
Per the requirements of the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) seasonal PWS must do the
following prior to serving water to the public each year.
1. Complete the state-approved start-up procedure listed below. Items listed below in bold are
the minimum MassDEP-required start-up activities for all systems. Items not bolded are
recommended where applicable.
2. Collect a round of special bacteria samples and receive confirmation from the laboratory that
the samples are free of coliform bacteria.
3. Once the start-up procedure is complete, indicate all start-up activities performed with dates on
the checklist below (Section A.).
4. Complete the start-up summary (Section B.).
5. Submit a copy of this completed certification form to the PWS’s MassDEP Drinking Water
Program regional office. Certification must be postmarked at least seven days prior to serving
water to the public.
NOTE: Placing the system back into service is not permitted until this seasonal start-up procedure is
completed and clean bacteria results have been confirmed with the laboratory. Failure to perform the
minimum start-up activities and/or failure to submit this certification to MassDEP prior to serving
water to the public is a violation subject to enforcement and public notification requirements.
Important:
When filling
out forms on
the computer,
use only the
tab key to
move your
cursor - do
not use the
return key.
A. Start-up Activities (required for all systems)
Notified primary and/or contract operator of date PWS will begin serving water to the
public.
Inspected all water system components including: source(s), treatment components,
distribution lines and storage tanks. Addressed any issues found during this inspection.
Activated source(s) and opened hydrant(s) and/or all faucets to flush water through entire
distribution system. Date: .
Collected coliform samples which were taken in accordance with the coliform sampling
plan on file, including any additional special samples representing the re-activated
portions of the system.* Date collected: . Number of Samples Taken:
I have received confirmation from the laboratory that the special samples were
negative for total coliform. (Results must be submitted to MassDEP on state forms or
through eDEP).
*Coliform samples taken prior to serving water to the public are considered special purpose
samples and do not count toward monthly compliance monitoring, which must still be conducted
after the PWS starts serving water to the public. If there is no routine site on the sampling plan
representing the re-activated portion of the system, ensure additional special samples are
collected at start-up representing the re-activated area(s).
