(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

To the Editor:

Kudos to Somerville representative and House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Christine P. Barber for advancing legislation (H.900) that would establish long-overdue testing and standards for private well water in Massachusetts (H.900).

For more than half a million residents who rely on private wells, safe drinking water is not a certainty.  Unlike public water systems, private wells are not subject to consistent statewide standards.  A study found that nearly one-third of private wells in the state contain contaminants above acceptable levels, yet testing remains inconsistent.  Individual homeowners and renters have to fend for themselves in deciding when and whether to test. This bill would provide guidance on when they should test their water to protect the health of their families and prospective purchasers.

By moving this bill forward, the committee has honored private well users’ right to know that their drinking water is safe.

I am grateful to Chair Barber for her leadership on this issue and urge Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano to secure final passage of the bill in the current legislative session.

Bradley M. Campbell
President & CEO
Conservation Law Foundation
62 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110