Massachusetts officials have announced more than $1 million in grants to 21 small public water suppliers to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
MassDEP is awarding funding to small public water suppliers who provide drinking water to fewer than 3,300 users. The grant recipients include condominium associations, schools, churches, businesses, and public buildings.
“PFAS poses a significant threat to public health and the environment, and our communities have been working extremely hard to keep our drinking water safe from these toxic chemicals,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “This grant funding will help our small public water suppliers by providing the financial support needed to put the right treatment systems in place so all residents can access clean water.”
The grants, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), are intended to pay for or reimburse long-term actions to address PFAS, such as construction of treatment systems or connection to an uncontaminated water supply.
In October of 2020, MassDEP finalized a protective standard of 20 parts-per-trillion (ppt) for PFAS in drinking water, as well as cleanup standards for soil and groundwater.
All community public water systems are required to test for “PFAS6,” the sum of six PFAS substances. If found above the state standard, water systems are required to eliminate or minimize the threat to public health by turning off a contaminated water source, connecting to a neighboring water supply, or taking other steps to ensure that clean drinking water is available to all system users.
The following small public water supply systems are receiving PFAS grants:
- Carriage House Condominiums, Boxborough – $63,126
The grant is a reimbursement for expenses related to the 2021 installation of a PFAS filtration system. - Codman Hill Condominiums, Boxborough – $108,754
The grant will help with the design and permitting of a PFAS treatment system to add to the existing treatment system for their drinking water well. - United Church of Christ, Boxborough – $16,299
The grant will reimburse the applicant for a treatment system installed last year. - Waterview Mobile Home Park, Carver – $89,425
The grant supports the installation of a granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment system in a community of elderly and disadvantaged residents. - Golden Eagle Restaurant, Clarksburg – $50,000
The grant will support testing and installation of a new drinking water well on the property. - South Grafton Water District, Grafton – $50,000
The grant will support the design of a long-term PFAS treatment system. - 28 Hastings Street Corp., Mendon – $50,000
The grant will support the design, permitting and construction of a PFAS treatment system. - Henry P. Clough School, Mendon – $31,555
The grant is a reimbursement for the design, permitting and installation of a PFAS treatment system that went online last year. - Miscoe Hill Middle School, Mendon – $50,000
The grant is a reimbursement for the design, purchase, and installation of a PFAS treatment system, adding GAC filtration to the existing drinking water treatment system. - Ardor Crossfit and Fitness, Monson – $39,669
The grant will help with the design, permitting and installation of a PFAS treatment system. - Swift River Elementary School, New Salem – $100,000
The grant will assist with the design, permitting and installation of a PFAS treatment system using anion exchange resin. - Hopping Ahead Brewery, Northfield – $38,079
The grant will reimburse for the design, engineering, and installation of a PFAS treatment system. - Petersham Town Hall, Petersham – $35,000
The grant will support the design, permitting and construction of a PFAS treatment system. - Phillipston Memorial Building, Phillipston – $50,000
The grant will help with the design, permitting and construction of a PFAS treatment system with anion exchange vessels. - New Testament Church of Cedarville, Plymouth – $50,000
The grant will help add PFAS treatment using granular activated carbon (GAC). - Princeton Town Campus and First Congregational Church of Princeton – $48,660
The grant will help with installation of a Point-of-Entry (POET) treatment system at the Town Hall Campus. A similar system is being installed at the church. - Pilot Grove Apartments, Stow – $21,925
The grant will fund the addition of a new PFAS treatment system with anion exchange vessels. - Pilot Grove Apartments II, Stow – $21,925
The grant will fund the addition of a new PFAS treatment system with anion exchange vessels. - Sutton Public Schools, Sutton – $48,466
The grant will help with the purchase and installation of a PFAS treatment system and associated engineering services. - River Crossing Condominiums, Tyngsboro – $17,417
The grant will be a reimbursement for the design and engineering of a treatment system that was developed due to PFAS6 levels over 20 ppt. - Maynard State, LLC, Westport – $69,700
The grant will help with the design and installation of a PFAS treatment system.
