PFAS Detected In Another Chatham Well; Levels Below State, Federal Limits

CHATHAM – PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals,” has once again been detected in a town drinking water well.

In 2021, two wells had to be shut down after PFAS levels above the state limit were detected. The levels of the chemicals found last month were below both the state and federal limits, and officials took steps to limit the use of the well in which the PFAS was detected, although it remains online.

“I think it’s important to keep the water moving,” said Public Works Director Robert Faley, “because if this is a plume of PFAS, I’d like to keep it moving along.”

While well 6, where the PFAS was detected, continues to operate at a low level, water from the well is being blended with water from other town wells which showed no sign of PFAS. Tests of the resulting water show no detectable levels of PFAS, Faley said.

He assured residents that “Chatham’s water is safe to drink, it’s been safe and continues to be safe. We are working toward preserving the quality of water in Chatham.”

There are six types of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) regulated by state and federal authorities. Faley said the chemical detected in well 6 is known as PFAS 6. Chronic health issues, including cancer, fetal development disruption and effects on the liver, kidney and thyroid have been linked to PFAS. Found in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware and many other products, the chemicals break down so slowly in the environment that they were given the “forever chemical” appellation.

PFAS was initially detected in samples from the water treatment plant off Morton Road in January at 2.11 parts per trillion (ppt), he said. Subsequent tests showed no trace of the chemical. At the time, well 6 was offline for replacement of a mechanical seal. When that well came back online in early February, untreated water from the well showed PFAS levels of 7.2 ppt, which later dropped to 3.6 ppt. The state limit for PFAS is 20 ppt; the federal Environmental Protection Agency has a proposed 4 ppt limit under review currently, a level that would have been exceeded by the first test of water from well 6.

The amount of water pumped from well 6 was reduced and the water was blended with water pumped from wells 7 and 9, said Faley. Samples of the treated water showed no detectable levels of PFAS. Additional testing is being done and the results are being monitored by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The source of the most recent PFAS detection is unknown, said Faley. It could be a contaminant on the surface or in a plume in the groundwater. “It’s really hard to pinpoint,” he said.

Well 6 is in the northwest corner of town off Ebans Way, about two miles from the Training Field Road wells where PFAS was previously detected. Those wells, 5 and 8, showed levels as high as 56 ppt, well in excess of state and federal limits. A temporary treatment system is currently in place, and a construction meeting for a permanent treatment facility was due to be held last week, Faley said. The facility will take a couple of years to complete, he added.

Meanwhile, well 8 has remained offline since PFAS was detected and well 5 is currently offline and only operates when demand is high. “It will be back online again this summer,” Faley said.

Two new wells, 10 and 11, are slated to come on line this summer. Test results show no PFAS present, Faley said.