Wayland PFAS Water Distribution Begins Wednesday

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland will begin distributing bottled water to residents on Wednesday after elevated levels of potentially harmful PFAS chemicals were found in one of the town's main water sources.

Last week, town officials said the Happy Hollow well, which provides about half of the town's drinking water, tested above the state threshold for PFAS contamination. The state threshold for PFAS compounds is 20 nanograms per liter (ng/l) of water; Happy Hollow's last test on Feb. 25 showed PFAS levels at 29.18 ng/l.

RELATED: Wayland Considers 2 Ways To Fix PFAS Contamination

PFAS is short for per-and polyfluoralkyl substances, a group of chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick pans. The chemicals have only recently been recognized as a threat — the state Department of Environmental Protection only set safety standards last fall. The chemicals may pose a threat to pregnant women, infants and people with compromised immune systems.

Bottled water distribution will be held every Wednesday and Sunday at the transfer station, 484 Boston Post Road, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wayland residents will be able to get one case of water per household per visit.