Code of Massachusetts Regulations 314 CMR - DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Here’s a well-rounded overview of 314 CMR — the Massachusetts regulations under the Division of Water Pollution Control:
📘 What is 314 CMR?
This title governs Water Pollution Control in Massachusetts and is administered by MassDEP under the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (M.G.L. c. 21 §§ 26–53) (law.cornell.edu).
📂 Structure & Key Sections
1. 2.00 – Permit Procedures
Rules outlining application, issuance, renewal, modification, and enforcement of water pollution control permits (surface/ground discharge, sewer, reclaimed water).
2. 3.00 – Surface Water Discharge Permit Program
Includes NPDES and state-only permits for pollutant discharges into rivers, lakes, coastal waters.
3. 4.00 – Surface Water Quality Standards
Designates water uses (e.g., cold/warm fisheries, recreation) and establishes numeric and narrative standards to protect them .
4. 5.00 – Groundwater Discharge Permit Program
Permits related to discharge into groundwater aquifers.
5. 7.00 – Sewer System Extension & Connection Permits
Rules for connecting sewers and extending lines to protect capacity and water quality .
6. 8.00 – Hazardous Waste Facility Requirements
Supplemental controls for hazardous waste facilities discharging to water systems.
7. 9.00 – Section 401 Certification
State certification for projects discharging dredged or fill materials, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
8. 12.00 – Operation, Maintenance & Pretreatment Standards
Requirements for wastewater treatment works and industrial users introducing pollutants into municipal systems (mass.gov, mass.gov).
9. 16.00 – Public Notification of Sewage Pollution
Requires public advisories for combined/sewer system overflows and untreated discharges (town.dartmouth.ma.us).
10. 18.00 – Industrial Wastewater Tank/Container Requirements
Standards for construction, operation, and record-keeping of industrial holding tanks (avon-ma.gov).
11. 19.00 – Oil Spill Prevention & Response
Prevention plans and response procedures for oil discharges.
12. 20.00 – Reclaimed Water Permit Program
Standards for reuse of treated wastewater (e.g., irrigation, industrial use) (mass.gov, law.cornell.edu).
13. 21.00 – Watershed Permit Regulations
Adaptive, nutrient-focused watershed permitting to restore water quality (law.cornell.edu).
🔍 Highlights
Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4.00)
Water use classifications include cold-water fishery (≤ 68 °F) and warm-water fishery (> 68 °F) (semspub.epa.gov).
Establishes pollutants limits to maintain water quality, including safety margins and compliance schedules .
Nutrient & Watershed Control (21.00)
Sets watershed-scale permitting aimed at nutrient reduction (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus) .
Sewage Pollution & Public Notifications (16.00)
Requires timely public warnings for sewage overflows, combined sewer discharge, or untreated spills (casetext.com).
Pretreatment for Industrial Users (12.00)
Defines industrial user vs. POTW, sets sampling, safety, and prohibited discharge standards (mass.gov).
Requires industrial wastewater pretreatment systems to meet construction and operational criteria (mass.gov).
🛠️ Why It Matters
For businesses & municipalities: These rules ensure permits comply with water quality standards, proper operations, infrastructure expansion, and pollution prevention.
For the public & environmental advocates: The norms safeguard drinking water and ecosystems, with transparency on sewage incidents and watershed health.
✅ How to Access & Monitor
Regulation text is available via Mass.gov and Trial Court Law Libraries; quarterly updates are posted (mass.gov, mass.gov).
Financial: Bound volumes are sold via the Massachusetts State Bookstore (e.g. $9.65 for Parts 8–21) (sec.state.ma.us).
Recent updates: For example, 314 CMR 4.00 standards were amended November 2021, with corrections in Dec 2021 and Jan 2022 and EPA coordination (mass.gov).
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