5.20.21 Press Release: Wayland's PFAS Response Update

 
Town Seal
 
Louise Miller
Town Administrator
Tel (508)358-3620
 
For Immediate Release
 
Date: May, 20, 2021
 
Re:       Press Release: Update to Wayland's PFAS Response

Contact: Thomas Holder, DPW Director
(508) 358-3678
tholder@wayland.ma.us
 
Wayland, Massachusetts - The Town of Wayland issued a statement today updating its continuing response to the presence of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS6) in the Town’s public water supply at levels above the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) maximum contaminant limit.
 
As noted in prior communications, two of the three wells at the Happy Hollow wellfield exceed the MassDEP PFAS6 standard. Happy Hollow is one of four wellfields supplying the Town with its drinking water. All other wells in town are in compliance, but continue to be monitored at this time. The short-term solution for bringing the Happy Hollow supply into compliance is to shut down one well, treat the second well showing elevated PFAS6 levels, and blend the treated water with water from the third well. 
 
On May 15, Town Meeting approved funding this short-term solution to bring the Town’s drinking water back into MassDEP regulatory compliance. Public Works Director Tom Holder provided a timeline for implementation of the short-term solution, with MassDEP review and approval anticipated by the end of May, and implementation completed by mid-July. He stated that “once the short-term solution for treatment of one Happy Hollow well is in place, we expect that the Town’s drinking water supply will be in compliance with the MassDEP standards for PFAS6. After PFAS6 levels are confirmed, and the pilot system is approved by MassDEP, we will winterize the treatment system so that it remains fully functional while we continue to work on the Town’s long-term solution.” Holder also noted that the State announced grant funding for PFAS6 remediation, and the Town is planning to apply for funds that could help pay for a portion of Wayland’s short term efforts.
 
This week, the Town is transitioning from the distribution of bottled water to the establishment of a rebate system in which any Town residents who identify themselves as being part of the MassDEP defined “sensitive subgroups,” will be eligible for a rebate on their water bill. Further information on the rebate program and instructions on how to apply are available on the Town’s PFAS6 webpage at www.wayland.ma.us/PFAS. The form itself can be accessed at www.wayland.ma.us/water-division/webforms/bottled-water-rebate-application. Residents can use this rebate to purchase bottled water in the sizes they prefer. A link to MassDEP’s information about filters is also included on the form. This switch will allow DPW staff to focus on preparing the Happy Hollow site for the equipment so that it can be up and running as soon as possible after it arrives.
 
The Town received concerned feedback from many residents regarding the use of plastic bottles for drinking water, whether Town provided or purchased by residents, and the end of the water distribution program for residents who may not be in a MassDEP “sensitive” population but are still concerned with PFAS6 in their tap water. Town Administrator Louise Miller stated, “the Town is exploring offering water refill stations so that residents are able to self-serve in their own reusable water containers. This program would be available to all residents. More information about the feasibility of such water stations for Wayland will be available next week on the Town’s webpage.”
 
The Town also released PFAS6 test results obtained at taps throughout Town. The test results mirrored the results of the testing at the Town’s well sites. Chair of the Board of Public Works Michael Wegerbauer stated, “the results were from single samples taken at locations that the Town uses for quarterly disinfection by-product monitoring. While we are confident that the results reflect the water distribution in Town, samples were taken in the morning when Baldwin, Chamberlain, and Happy Hollow were pumping, and represent results at a single point in time during high demand. We believe that it is likely that PFAS6 concentrations can vary widely both during the day and over longer time periods, and levels in the various locations may vary from the results reported.” This testing will continue monthly.
 
Health Director Julia Junghanns also reported that she had been in contact with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health toxicologist who worked with MassDEP on setting PFAS6 standards and who expressed that the 20 ppt was developed to leave a large margin of safety taking into account all ways in which people are exposed to PFAS in their daily lives through consumer products.
 
The recently approved town Meeting funds will also be used to prepare a monitoring and sourcing draft plan. The PFAS web site will continue to be updated regularly, and significant updates will be communicated via future press releases.