Woburn Announces Bottled Water Rebate Program For High PFAS

WOBURN, MA — Woburn residents in sensitive groups can get $30 per month rebates from the city to purchase bottled water as long as the drinking water is out of compliance with state standards, Mayor Scott Galvin said.

The city reported in Dec. that its water tested above the state's maximum contaminant limit for PFAS, sometimes called forever chemicals, across third quarter tests.

The city's water tested on average at 24 parts per trillion Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances across five tests from July to Sept. The state maximum contaminant level for drinking water, set in Oct. 2020, is 20 parts per trillion.

The city's water again tested above the limit in October before falling just below it in November, according to the city website. The December test result is not yet available.

The state Department of Environmental Protection recommends sensitive groups including "pregnant or nursing women, infants under one year of age and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system" not consume, drink or cook with water above the 20 part per trillion standard.

Residents in those groups can apply for a rebate from the city to buy bottled water. One credit will be available per household.

The credit is $30 per month and will be distributed semiannually by check. The rebate will go out for each quarter the city is out of compliance.

Residents must re-apply in August, Galvin said in an announcement on the city's website.

>>Read the full announcement here.

"This rebate program is not intended to operate as a guarantee regarding any exposure to PFAS6 and does not imply that it limits exposure to PFAS from other sources, nor does it operate as an admission of liability by the City if exposure to PFAS6 does occur," the announcement continued. "The City reserves the sole right to change the terms of rebate program at any time."

Residents will need to submit written proof from a medical professional that they fall into a sensitive group, although it does not need to specify which group or why. Proof of residency and birth certificates for children under one are also needed.

You can apply for the rebate here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or [email protected].