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Massachusetts Title 5
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Massachusetts Septic Testing Law

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Information about Septic System Inspection and Testing as Regulated in Massachusetts. This document provides information about septic inspection and testing as regulated by law in Massachusetts. We include links to the actual provisions of the law and contact information for state authorities, as well as history and news release information for this topic. This information is provided by the author, as a public service; it has not been reviewed nor sanctioned by MA state authorities.

Readers should seeThe Septic Information Website
For corrections or feedback please contact the author Daniel Friedman

Click your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page or use the links shown at the left on this page. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

State Regulations in Massachusetts Regulate Septic System Inspection & Testing

New Massachusetts Septic Testing Regulations take effect 1 April, 1995, on and after which the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection, (DEP) requires that all residential property sales include septic evaluations performed by a state certified system inspector. Contact the State DEP for a current list of inspectors who have been certified.

News Updates

9/16/96 Updated link to Mass. Info on the Web - see "More Information" below.

9/20/95 Massachusetts News Reports today indicate that one out of four septic systems tested under the new law fail to meet acceptable standards of performance. Average repair costs range from $5400. to $7500. Source: NPR News.

8/2/95 Massachusetts News Reports today indicate that due to extreme costs to consumers to comply with the recent Title 5 Rules, the state is making changes to offer consumers some relief: homeowners whose old non-complying septics are shown to not be contaminating local groundwater will not be required to replace the system; some tax relief will be offered to homeowners who are required to make such replacements. Source: NPR News.

5/96 We're told that the state has made an exception for properties scheduled to be served by community sewer lines within five years.

Additional Testing Required

Lenders are expected to require that all septic testing in MA conform to the new law. The new inspections exceed traditional visual inspections which are performed in many states. Because additional inspection is required, including excavation and pumping, septic inspection fees will probably reflect this new level of effort

.

The inspector will have to locate wells and ground water sources on and near the property. The septic tank and distribution box will be opened and examined. Wells located within certain distances of the septic will have to be tested for bacteria and nitrates. Systems located within 50' of a well will fail to meet the requirements of the new law.

Standard Report Form

A new standard report form has been designed by the state. Contact the DEP to obtain a current copy.

When Required

These inspections are required to be performed within nine months prior to the sale of a property; when freezing weather or other conditions restrict inspection, a six-months grace period may be allowed.

More Information

  • The MA DEP has oodles of Title 5 info. on the web. Thanks to JSD Bourne for this update
  • The MA Department of Environmental Protection set up a Title 5 Hotline at 1-800-266-1122.
  • Another general resource: MA DEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108, (617) 574-6824 -
  • MA Department of Consumer Affairs, Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, (617)727-7780, Internet: ask@consumer.com
  • Title 5 regs (and others) are available on a Bulletin Board System: 617/292-5546 (14,400 baud, 8 data, 1 stop, no parity, 24 hrs/d, 3 lines). Email mbornstein@state.ma.us for more information.

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04/17/07 Created 7/3/95 -- File: www.inspect-ny.com/septic/septmass.htm -- Web page content & design © Copyright 2008-2000 Daniel Friedman - All Rights Reserved