Natick May Spend $3M To Reduce PFAS In Town Water

NATICK, MA — Natick Town Meeting will soon take up a proposal to spend $3 million to reduce PFAS contamination at one of the town's main water treatment plants.

Earlier this year, Natick discovered levels of PFAS chemicals were above the state minimum threshold at the Springvale H&T treatment facility. The state maximum threshold is 20 parts per trillion (ppt), but the levels at two locations at Springvale have measured 24 ppt and 21 ppt on average in recent months.

Under state law, communities that detect elevated PFAS levels must work on long and short-term fixes for the problem. For now, Natick has reduced its reliance on Springvale for drinking water. For the long-term fix, Natick would spend $3 million to install carbon filters at Springvale to remove PFAS, and to build a new structure to house the filters.

Last week, the Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the capital expense. Natick has also considered connecting to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply, but that could cost about $24 million between entry fees and infrastructure upgrades.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in household and industrial applications, including on nonstick pans and waterproof fabrics, and in foam used to fight fires. The chemicals can build up in the body over time, and may cause cancer, thyroid disease and birth defects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. There are multiple ways to treat water to remove PFAS, according to the EPA.

The ongoing spring Town Meeting could vote on the $3 million PFAS expense as soon as Tuesday, although there are eight articles on the agenda ahead of it.