Read the full article by Alison Bosma (Metro West Daily News)
“MILLIS – The D’Angelis Water Treatment plant is offline after the town found elevated levels of a group of state-regulated, man-made chemicals in its drinking water.
The chemicals – called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, regularly abbreviated to PFAS – are stain- and water-resistant, and used to coat everything from clothing and furniture to food packaging and non-stick cooking surfaces.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chemical may cause a wide variety of health problems, from increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer to high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Studies are preliminary.
Millis residents should have received a booklet in the mail Friday, explaining when the testing took place and what the town has done. The booklet emphasizes that the town is not in violation of the state’s drinking water regulations.
Public Works Director James McKay said the town is not yet sure where the chemicals are coming from.
Earlier this month, Massachusetts lowered the acceptable level of PFAS in public drinking water from 70 parts per trillion to 20 parts per trillion, meaning it is easier to violate the regulations. Millis found PFAS at 20.9 parts per trillion at its treatment plant in August.
That water source was shut down, and McKay said Millis’ remaining water sources are enough to cover the loss…”