Woburn Water Chemical Levels Elevated In August, But Not A Violation

WOBURN, MA — The City of Woburn has not violated drinking water regulations despite having elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS6) during the month of August, the Woburn Water Department has confirmed.

The city is required to post the results of water contamination tests and issue a public notice if those tests violate the PFAS6 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) as established by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in 2020.

According to environmental officials, consumers in a sensitive subgroup — pregnant or nursing women, infants and people with a compromised immune system— are advised not to consume, drink, or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 ng/L.

A sample result taken on Aug. 2 at the Horn Pond Water Treatment Plant in Woburn measured 22.9 ng/L, and a second August sample, taken on Aug. 22, was 19.6 ng/L. This made the monthly average 21 ng/L.

However, according to officials, a PFAS6 MCL violation has not occurred because violations are determined by a quarterly average based on three months of testing, unless any single sample result would cause the quarterly average to exceed the MCL.

"City in compliance with Mass DEP PFAS6 MCL regulations for third quarter 7/1/23 to 9/30/23. This is (the) 4th consecutive quarter of compliance with MassDEP regulation dating back to October 2022," Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin said in a statement.

A fact sheet created by MassDEP gives consumers more details about PFA6s and how consumers, especially those in sensitive groups, can protect themselves against these chemicals in their drinking water.

The City of Woburn also has taken several steps to address PFAS6 levels in the drinking water and their impacts, including:

• A free water bottle filling station at the Senior Center, located at 144 School Street.
• A monthly rebate on the water bill for people in a sensitive population who must purchase bottled water.

City officials also said Woburn is upgrading its water treatment plant to remove PFAS6, and that a design is nearly complete and will be submitted to MassDEP for approval by the end of the month.