Regulatory Compliance
All persons, firms, corporations, or other legal entities performing any work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system shall strictly comply with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.; the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.00, as administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP); the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations; and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, bylaws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, technical standards, specifications, rates, and fees of the Sudbury Water District. Upon signing and submitting a General Water Permit Application, such persons or entities shall agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Sudbury Water District, its Commissioners, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to such work.

Authorization of Work
No person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity shall commence any work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system unless and until written authorization has been issued by the District in the form of a duly approved and executed General Water Permit Application, bearing the signature of the District Foreman or a duly authorized agent of the District. Any work commenced or performed without such authorization shall constitute a violation and may be subject to enforcement action as permitted by law, including, but not limited to, enforcement pursuant to 310 CMR 22.00 and the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations.

Download General Water Permit Application

Licensing Requirements
All excavation and related work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system shall be performed by a Massachusetts-licensed Hoisting Engineer who also holds an active (current) Water Contractor License issued by the Sudbury Water District.

 Download Water Contractor License Application

DOWNLOAD CURRENT LICENSED WATER CONTRACTOR LIST

Sudbury Water District is an independent municipal entity established by an Act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1934. It is separate and distinct from the Town of Sudbury and is not affiliated with the Town of Sudbury’s Department of Public Works.

Issue Certificate of Insurance Holder, License/Permit Bond (new applicant) or Continuation Certificate (renewal applicant) Obligee and Payment to:

Sudbury Water District
199 Raymond Road | P.O. Box 111
Sudbury, MA 01776

 Water Contractor License Application
A. $50.00 Annual Application Fee
B. Valid Massachusetts Hoisting License (standard or digital)
C. Certificate of Liability Insurance (see limits on application)
D. License/Permit Bond in the amount of $5,000.00 (new applicant) or Continuance Certificate (renewal applicant)
E. 3 Letter’s of Municipal Reference (renewals exempt)
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The District shall inspect all work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system to verify compliance with applicable drinking water standards, District Rules and Regulations, approved permits, and technical specifications, including but not limited:

  • Domestic water main/service installation
  • Water main tap
  • Owner-side water service repair
  • Water service disconnection (cut and cap)
  • Meter assembly installation (greater than 1 inch)
  • Fire sprinkler main/service installation
  • Backflow prevention device installation and initial inspection/test
  • Hydrant repair/installation

48-hours advanced notice is required for all appointments and apply to both domestic and fire pipe services. Appointments are not scheduled on weekends, holidays or after regular business hours.

To schedule an appointment, contact our Administration office at 978-443-6602.

The owner of record or their duly authorized agent shall be responsible for arranging all water main taps. The Sudbury Water District does not perform water main taps; however, District personnel shall be present on site to supervise and witness all taps made to the public water main. Water main taps are not permitted on Fridays or on legal holidays observed by the District.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the District may authorize water main taps outside of these restrictions in the event of an emergency, or when necessary to protect public health, public safety, or the integrity of the public water system, provided such authorization is granted in advance and in writing by the Executive Director or their designee.

Service pipe trenches shall not exceed a maximum depth of five (5) feet unless otherwise approved in writing by the District. Trench bottoms shall be free of rocks and sharp objects and shall be properly prepared and compacted to prevent settlement. All piping shall remain exposed for District inspection and approval prior to connection and backfilling.

  • Service piping shall consist of one-inch (1″) SDR 9 / AWWA C901 (PE 3408) polyethylene CTS tubing rated for a minimum working pressure of 200 PSI.
  • Tracer wire or magnetic locating tape shall be installed not less than eighteen (18) inches below finished grade.

Water meters shall be installed in a horizontal orientation, not less than six (6) inches from walls and twelve (12) to eighteen (18) inches above the finished floor. The owner of record or the their duly authorized agent shall be responsible for providing adequate structural support to prevent strain on the meter and associated piping. Meters and all associated valves shall remain readily accessible at all times and shall not be enclosed within permanent structures or obstructed by finishes, equipment, or stored materials.

Prior to installation the owner of record or their duly authorized agent shall ascertain that the dwelling and domestic service pipe is meter ready by exposing the curb valve from accumulated soils, loam etc.

  • Plumbing shall be completed in a manner that permits installation of the meter closest to the point of entry of the water service pipe.
  • Meters shall be installed horizontally.
  • The meter assembly shall be installed with adequate space to facilitate maintenance, inspection and testing with a minimum of 6″ clearance from all walls and a minimum of 12-inches and maximum of 18-inches clearance from the bottom of the finished floor.
  • The owner of record shall be responsible to provide a support for the meter assembly and adjacent piping such that there is no undue strain on the piping.
  • The owner of record shall provide a suitable location for the meter assembly, associated wiring, conduits, and penetration points.
  • Provisions must be made for a location that does not interfere with beams, columns, panels, and other obstructions, both on the interior and exterior of the building.
  • The meter must be physically assessable at all times within the building, at no time shall a permanent structure be built around the meter.
  • District personnel shall install a first valve and install the water meter.
  • A Massachusetts licensed plumber shall install the second valve and pressure reducing valve.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, water service shall be turned on after:

  • The District has inspected and approved the domestic or fire service trench and pipe installation.
  • The District has installed the meter assembly (up to one-inch).
  • A backflow prevention device (when applicable) has been installed in compliance with the approved backflow prevention device design data sheet and has passed initial testing and inspection.

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, water service shall be turned on after:

  • The District has documented that the trench has been inspected and approved the installation of the domestic or fire pipe installation (when applicable).
  • The District has inspected and approved the installation of the Commercial meter assembly (applicable above 1″ in diameter.)
  • A backflow prevention device (when applicable) has been installed in compliance with the approved backflow prevention device design data sheet and has passed initial testing and inspection.

Note: Installation of Commercial, Industrial and certain Residential Buildings requiring a meter assembly measuring above 1 inch in diameter are owned and maintained by the owner of record. Maintenance, modification, relocation or removal of any meter assembly measuring above 1 inch in diameter requires prior written authorization by the District and all work shall be inspected by the District.

Only the District or those designated by the District shall turn on/off the water service at the curb valve.

  • 1-inch 3408 POLYETHYLENE (PE) standard CTS 200 PSI tubing shall be used with Direct Bury Trace Wire or Magnetic Tape (early warning tape) shall be installed in trench, (18) inches below ground surface for all pipes.

The District shall own, operate and maintain the curb valve, street-side shutoff valve (1st valve) and the water meter (up to 1-inch). The owner of record shall own all other plumbing and appurtenance(s) excluding the above mentioned, however the owner of record or their duly authorized agent is soley responsible for the protection and integrity of the meter assembly, including safeguarding against neglect, damage, freezing or theft and is also responsible to ensure that unobstructed access to the meter and valves is available at all times. Costs associated with repair or replacement shall be bourne by and billed to the owner of record.

Water meters measuring greater than one (1) inch in diameter shall be owned and maintained by the owner of record or their duly authorized agent. However, no person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity shall commence any work in connection with, or affecting, a water meter assembly (regardless of size) unless and until written authorization has been issued by the District in the form of a duly approved and executed General Water Permit Application, bearing the signature of the District Foreman or a duly authorized agent of the District. Any work commenced or performed without such authorization shall constitute a violation and may be subject to enforcement action as permitted by law, including, but not limited to, enforcement pursuant to 310 CMR 22.00 and the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations.

  • Plumbing mechanisms other than the curb valve, street-side shutoff valve (first valve) and meter (up to 1-inch) shall be owned, installed, and maintained by the owner of record.
  • The owner of record is responsible to have a Massachusetts licensed plumber install a second valve and pressure reducing valve immediately after the meter.
  • Water meters greater than 1-inch are owned and maintained by the owner of property and are subject to inspection of all work performed and periodic testing by the District.
  • The property owner shall be responsible for the protection of the meter assembly and appurtenances regardless of size from damage due to activities on the premises, freezing, theft and other possible causes.

As a condition of the demolition of any building or structure connected to the public water system, the owner of record or their duly authorized agent shall provide formal written notice to the District in the form of a signed and completed General Water Permit Application, together with the required deposit and all supporting documentation, such work shall not commence unless and until written authorization has been issued by the District in the form of a duly approved and executed General Water Permit Application bearing the signature of the District Foreman or a duly authorized agent of the District.

All disconnection, removal, cutting, and capping of water services shall be performed strictly in accordance with District Rules and Regulations and approved technical specifications and shall be subject to inspection and approval by the District.

Backfilling shall not occur until the District has inspected that all services have been properly removed or cut and capped at the water main, to its full satisfaction.

Any work performed without such authorization may be subject to enforcement action as permitted by law, including but not limited to enforcement pursuant to 310 CMR 22.00 and the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations.

Fire protection services shall be supplied by a separate water main tap and curb valve, independent of the domestic water service. Interconnections between domestic and fire service lines are strictly prohibited. This requirement shall apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal, and applicable residential buildings, as determined by the District.

Fire sprinkler service lines may be authorized for reuse in connection with a new structure unless and until written authorization has been issued by the Executive Director.

  • Trench depth shall be a maximum of (5) feet from the surface unless otherwise approved in writing by the Executive Director.
  • Trench bottom shall be free of rocks or sharp objects and should be compacted to prevent settlement.
  • Before installation, pipe should be inspected for cuts, punctures, or excessive abrasion.
  • Pipe should be blown out before final connections are made to eliminate any dirt or sand that may have entered the pipe during installation.
  • Pipe shall be pressure tested before being fully backfilled, (partial backfill to hold the pipe in place).

Complete and Submit a General Water Permit Application together with applicable fees

Fire Protection Required Documents for each Backflow Prevention Device:

“All persons shall obtain approval from the head of the Sudbury Fire Department to the extent required by M.G.L. c. 148, § 27A, for the initial installation or retrofit for any change in the installation of any air gap separation with tank and pump arrangement, reduced pressure backflow preventer, or double check valve assembly. For these devices, a signed sprinkler permit issued under M.G.L. c. 148, § 27A shall constitute installation approval pursuant to 310 CMR 22.22.”

A Cross Connection is any actual or potential physical connection or arrangement between a pipe conveying potable water from a public water system and any non-potable water supply, piping arrangement or equipment including, but not limited to, waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain, other unapproved sources. An Unapproved Source means the source or distribution system for any water or other liquid or substance which has not been approved by the MassDEP as being of safe and sanitary quality for human consumption, including but not limited to any waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain, or non-acceptable potable water system material.

Submittals:

As required by 248 CMR 2.14, constituting installation approval pursuant to 310 CMR 22.22.  No cross connection requiring a Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer or Double Check Valve Assembly shall be installed until all required documents have been submitted to the District for review and approval.

Access/Position of the Backflow Prevention Device:

  • The backflow preventer and shut-off valves must be installed horizontally, with the bottom of the device 3–4 feet above the floor and at least 12 inches away from any wall.
  • Vertical installation may only be used if approved by the Sudbury Water District’s Cross Connection Control Program Coordinator.
  • The device must be located to allow easy access and sufficient space for maintenance, inspection, and testing.
  • The device owner must allow water line shutdowns, after reasonable notice during normal business hours, to permit testing and maintenance. If such access is not feasible, a bypass line with a District-approved backflow preventer must be installed.

MassDEP Cross Control Regulations 310 CMR 22.22  

Download Backflow Prevention Device Design Data Sheet 

Submit Backflow Prevention Device Design Data Sheet together with:

By USPS:
Sudbury Water District
P.O. Box 111
Sudbury, MA 01776

By Hand Delivery:
Sudbury Water District
199 Raymond Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

By Email:
ndwarika@sudburywater.com; radams@sudburywater.com

A final meter reading and inspection is required to transfer ownership. A Final Water Statement will be prepared for the Real Estate Settlement. Payment shall be  made in-person at the District Administration office. Upon payment in full a receipt will be provided for closing and the account will transfer to the new owner.

Any and all work conducted within a public roadway shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Town of Sudbury Department of Public Works (DPW) and shall not proceed without the issuance of all required roadway opening permits and authorizations. General Water Permit applicants shall verify pavement moratorium status with the Department of Public Works prior to initiating roadway work. Failure to comply may result in project delays, suspension of work, denial of permits, or enforcement action.