Letter to the Editor: For Private Well Owners, Water Quality is as Much an Issue as Quantity
The following letter was submitted to The Boston Globe for its September 12, 2026 edition.
The editorial board is right that Massachusetts needs to rethink how it plans for a future in which water resources will increasingly be strained.
It is sadly ironic that communities near the Quabbin Reservoir, Greater Boston’s ever-abundant water source, must endure wells that run dry. Additionally, these households, like others on private wells, must be concerned not only about whether there is enough water underground but also whether that water is safe to drink in the first place.
Private wells, unlike public water systems, are not subject to statewide safety regulations and homeowners are responsible for testing their own water. Dangerous groundwater contaminants, such as PFAS, can be tricky to detect because they can be present without any noticeable changes in the taste, smell, or appearance of the water.
We need to consider both the quantity and quality of our water as we address Massachusetts’ water supply and prepare for a hotter and drier future.
Brian D. Scales
Worcester, MA
The writer is president and CEO of RCAP Solutions, a nonprofit organization that provides coordinated services and resources to individuals and communities for their long-term health and well-being, and is a founding member of the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water.