Read the full article by Fred Hanson (MetroWest Daily News)
“BRAINTREE — The Tri-Town Water District has received a $200,000 grant from the state to reduce the levels of a ‘forever chemical’ in the water system.
The state has also announced new regulations that will require regular testing of drinking water for a group of chemicals known as PFAS starting next year, and also sets a state limit for the levels of those chemicals. There is no federal standard.
Gov. Charlie Baker said the state is committed to making sure all residents have access to safe and clean drinking water.
‘By setting stringent standards for PFAS in drinking water, we can ensure that all public water systems across the commonwealth are testing for these emerging contaminants, while providing them the tools and resources they need to address any contamination,’ Baker said in a statement.
PFAS is an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of man-made chemicals which have been used in a variety of applications since the 1950s, from nonstick cookware and water-resistant clothing to food packaging materials and firefighting foam. They are considered a ‘forever chemical’ because they don’t break down and can accumulate in the body. They have been linked to a number of negative health impacts, from weakening the immune system of children, increasing cholesterol levels and causing tumors. They have also been shown to be a health risk for pregnant and nursing mothers.
Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros, who is chairman of the Tri-Town Water Board, said the money will be used for the engineering and design work needed for PFAS removal at the proposed regional water plant at Great Pond. The plant will serve the town as well as Randolph and Holbrook, the other tri-town members. The regional plant will replace two outdated treatment plants, one for Braintree and one which serves Randolph and Holbrook…”