Wayland Considers 2 Ways To Fix PFAS Contamination

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland has detected elevated levels of a newly-recognized chemical contaminant in the town water supply, prompting officials to offer bottled water to schools and residents.

Wayland began testing town wells for PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, in January 2020. The town learned of elevated PFAS levels in the Happy Hollow well field in early February, according to a statement from Department of Public Works Director Thomas Holder.

"The town is currently engaged with MassDEP, working toward fulfilling Wayland’s regulatory obligations and the development of remedial actions necessary to reduce PFAS6 levels and protect public health," the statement said.

During a Board of Public Works meeting Thursday, Holder said the town is considering two options to reduce PFAS. Wayland may explore connecting with Massachusetts Water Resources Authority pipelines, or installing technology that can remove PFAS from the water. The town will mull those options in the coming weeks, Holder said.

The state Department of Environmental Quality instituted PFAS standards in October. Any water source that contains more than 20 nanograms per liter (ng/l) of the six PFAS compounds is considered above the acceptable limit.

The Happy Hollow well tested at 23.4 ng/l on Jan. 20, 22.6 ng/l on Feb. 9 and 29.2 ng/l on Feb. 25. The Baldwin Pond and Campbell wells had levels less than 10 ng/l, but the Chamberlain well tested at 18 ng/l at the end of February. Board of Public Works member Bob Goldsmith said the sharp increases in the Happy Hollow tests in February was questionable, and could indicate some kind of laboratory error. Wayland is expecting a new round of test results to come in over the next few days.

The state recommends people with compromised immune systems, pregnant or nursing women and infants avoid drinking water with elevated PFAS levels. 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.

PFAS chemicals can be found in a number of consumer and industrial products, from foam used to fight fires to spray cans. The chemicals can be found in common household products like nonstick pans, microwave popcorn bags and GORE-TEX clothing.

Other local towns are also dealing with revelations about elevated PFAS levels. Natick began testing town water sources for PFAS in November and December, and discovered the Springvale H&T station was above the state standard. Natick has reduced use of that treatment plant while town leaders study ways to reduce the chemical.

Unlike Natick, Wayland cannot reduce its reliance on the Happy Hollow wells — they provide about half the town's water, Holder said.

The bottled water has already been delivered to Wayland schools. Bottled water will be available to residents every Wednesday and Sunday at the transfer station between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. That distribution begins April 7.

Wayland has created a PFAS web page to provide residents with more information. It will go live at noon on April 2, according to the town.