Middleboro developer fined $30,000 for water violations at new townhome complex

MIDDLEBORO — A Middleboro developer has been fined more than $30,000 for failing to follow state rules around providing safe drinking water at a new residential development.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued a $30,754 penalty to 691 Wareham, LLC, the company behind Jake’s Path, a new 30-unit townhome complex in Middleboro. According to the state, the company failed to register as a public water system — a legal requirement for properties that serve drinking water to a certain number of residents.

State officials say the company also neglected to hire a certified water operator and didn’t conduct routine water testing or submit reports, all of which are required under Massachusetts drinking water regulations. The violations date back to the completion of construction in 2024.

“Multi-unit developments like apartment complexes can qualify as public water systems,” said Gerard Martin, director of the DEP’s Southeast Regional Office. “Because of the direct public health implications, owners are legally required to properly register systems, conduct regular testing, and have professional oversight.”

Under state law, any water supply that serves at least 15 connections or 25 people for at least 60 days a year is considered a public water system. Jake’s Path — with 30 two- and three-bedroom units, each around 1,400 square feet — met that threshold but was operating without the proper oversight.

The developer, Boaz McMahon, who owns and operates 691 Wareham, LLC, is now required to bring the system into full compliance. That includes officially registering as a public water provider, hiring a certified water operator, and immediately beginning regular water quality testing.

The department also ordered the company to evaluate the current water source and determine a proper location for a new well that meets all regulatory standards.