Local Voices
"Forever Chemicals" PFAS Found in Medfield Water
Contaminate linked to health issues, low infant birth weight; safe levels not definitive. Grants awarded to 17 towns to tackle problems.
A group of man-made substances developed since the 1940s has been appearing in water supplies in Medfield, across the Commonwealth, and nationwide. The substances are commonly called "Forever Chemicals" because they don't break down naturally over time.
The per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) can be found in a variety of items, including:
- Water-resistant clothing
- Stain-resistant furniture coverings
- Non-stick foil, food wrappings and pans
- Toiletry items (e.g., sunscreen, shampoo, shaving cream and cosmetics)
Research has linked PFAS to cancer, diabetes, and low infant birth weight.
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At the Medfield Water and Sewerage Board meeting on March 16, it was reported that PFAS was found in town wells, but at levels below the 20-parts-per-trillion (ppt) contaminant threshold set in new state regulations issued in October 2020. (Seven states have certain PFAS enforceable limits that are lower than Massachusetts, according to an international law firm report.)
A recently posted notice to the Medfield Town website provides greater detail about the presence of PFAS in Medfield water indicating that all but one of the town's operational wells were found to have the contaminant. The unaffected well is #6 near the Sherborn line.
Find out what's happening in Medfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Department of Public Works Director Maurice Goulet asked the board for its view on requesting an additional appropriation at this year's Town Meeting to address the PFAS issue as part of the proposed $10.3-million Water Treatment Plant Warrant Article. Board members said more time was needed to study the issue and determine cost, so the request was tabled.
Many towns that have been forced to address high levels of PFAS were recently awarded grants by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to help support system designs to treat their drinking water, or reimburse them for steps already taken.
As reported in numerous media accounts and by state representatives, MassDEP awarded PFAS grants to 17 towns totaling $3 million. Recipients included Millis, Natick, Foxborough, Mansfield, Sudbury and Hopedale.
This Scientific American article helps to provide more information about PFAS:
"Forever Chemicals are Widespread in U.S. Drinking Water."
Additional information can be found on the EPA website.