Waltham Drinking Water OK, As Toxic Levels Rise Elsewhere

WALTHAM, MA — The city does not have elevated toxic chemicals in its drinking water, after a spike in toxic chemicals in drinking water across the state was reported.

"I don’t have any concerns based on the info the [Massachusetts Water Resources Authority] has given Waltham," said Public Works Director Michael Chiasson.

Burlington, Wellesley and some 50 water sources have reported levels of the man made chemical PFAS a rates higher than what a new state standard allows. The Boston Globe over the weekend reported that dozens tested have exceeded PFAS standards, with many more results to be made public and sources to be tested.

Chiasson said he has been actively following the issue and connects regularly with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the agency that provides, and tests, the city's water.

Communities are facing the problem after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection last fall set a PFAS standard of 20 parts per trillion.

PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are "forever chemicals" used in things like non-stick coating and firefighting foams. They have been tied to cancer and other diseases, though it is important to note state and federal officials say more research is needed and drinking the water does not necessarily mean adverse health effects will follow.

The MWRA began to test for PFAS in 2019, to prep for the new rule, and found that because the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs are so protected, only trace amounts of the man made chemical made were found, and those results have been reported as well below the DEP limits, Chiasson said.

Waltham's water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir, about 65 miles west of Boston, and the Wachusett Reservoir, about 35 miles west of Boston. These reservoirs supply wholesale water to local water departments in 51 communities. The two reservoirs supplied about 200 million gallons a day of high quality water to consumers in 2019, according to the MWRA.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.