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MassDEP proposes stricter bacteria criteria, removes low‑quality class designations in draft surface‑water standards
Summary
MassDEP presented proposed amendments to 314 CMR 4 that would adopt EPA‑aligned methods for secondary contact recreation bacteria criteria (targeting 36 illnesses per 1,000), add a ‘PWS abandoned’ qualifier for seven reservoirs, remove unused classes c and sc, and revise site‑specific and metals‑adjustment procedures; written comments are due Feb. 9, 2026.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on Jan. 28, 2026 presented draft amendments to the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4) that would revise how the state sets bacteria criteria for secondary contact recreation, tidy classification tables, and adjust methods for aquatic‑life metals criteria.
Anna Mayer, Surface Water Quality Standards section chief, said the changes are intended to align state rules with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance and to resolve EPA comments from the 2021 standards update. The revisions described at the remote public hearing would affect both the narrative portion of the MASWQS and the classification tables that list individual waterbody uses and qualifiers. "We will not be responding to any questions or comments regarding the amended regulation during this hearing," Mayer said; MassDEP will…
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