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Removing leaves from street gutters can prevent street flooding by allowing water to flow freely into runoff and drainage systems.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) has a number of regulations, policies and guidelines governing the use of their water, sewer and storm drain systems. If you are planning new construction, renovating one of Boston’s historic properties or any work on the water, sewer or storm water systems, you must familiarize yourself with these regulations, policies and guidelines. Below is a listing of these documents with links for downloading:
Governs
the use of the public and private water facilities in the City of Boston. The purpose
of these regulations is to protect public health, safety and welfare and to ensure
proper and safe operation of BWSC’s water distribution facilities. The regulations
are divided into 9 Articles/Chapters as follows: Import of Regulations, General
Provisions and Definitions; Use of Water and Water facilities; Water Service; Private
Fire Protection; Cross Connections; Private Wells; Enforcement; Appellate Procedures;
Import and Adoption.
Read about the Boston Public Health Commission's regulations regarding the industrial, irrigation, geothermal, and human consumption water wells, as amended on October 17, 2013.
Governs
the use of the public and private sewers and storm drains in the City of Boston.
The purpose of these regulations is to protect public health, safety and welfare
as well as to protect the environment. The regulations are divided into 9 Articles/Chapters
as follows: Import of Regulations, General Provisions and Definitions; Use of Sewers;
Building Sewers, Storm Drains, Connections and Appurtenances; Requirements for Design
and Construction of Facilities; Discharge requirements, Prohibitions and Restrictions;
Industrial Discharge and Pretreatment; Enforcement; Adoption; Penalties.
This specification is intended to cover all meters to be purchased for use in the Boston Water and Sewer Commissions water distribution system.
Outlines commonly used technical specifications for water and wastewater construction. Specifications for specialty construction are available upon request through BWSC’s Engineering Department. Please note that these specifications are updated on a regular basis. If you have any questions, contact the Engineering Department at 617-989-7000.
Provides the most commonly used standard details for BWSC’s water and wastewater projects. Other standard details are available upon request from the Engineering Department. Please note that the standard details are updated on a regular basis. In addition, this section contains a Site Plan Review Checklist for your use. If you have any questions, contact the Engineering Department at 617-989-7000.
Provides
specific size, diameter and material requirements for water lines, sewer pipes and
storm drains.
Provides information on how to determine if your proposed project is located within the District as well as complying with the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s (BRA) Article 32. Although BRA oversees the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District, BWSC requires additional specific information.
Governs
the requirement and installation of backwater valves in homes and businesses in
low-lying areas of Boston. If a plumbing fixture in the basement lies at an elevation
lower than the manhole cover of the public sewer in the street, sewage backup within
the home can occur. To prevent this, a backwater valve should be installed.
Guidelines
for installing a Backflow Prevention Device that protects drinking water from contamination.
Provides
the procedures for residential properties on public ways or private ways, which
are open to public use or travel, but are not connected to BWSC’s sewerage system,
to connect to the system. In addition, the policy also allows residential properties
on private ways whose connection to BWSC’s sewerage system is in a state of disrepair
or inadequate to be repaired or made adequate. The policy is divided into four Sections
as follows: Definitions; Areas of Responsibilities; Procedure for Approval of Betterments;
and Financing the Project.
Requirements
for commercial kitchen grease traps and their usage.
Covers
all billing and collection charges for water and sewer services. In addition, these
regulations describe the conditions necessary for BWSC to terminate these services
as well as the disputes and appeals process.
BWSC’s plan with EPA to improve Boston’s water quality, increase public awareness and protect the environment.