Woburn PFAS Levels Inch Higher In Sept. 1 Testing

WOBURN, MA — Levels of PFAS chemicals in Woburn drinking water ticked slightly upward in a round of new testing earlier this month, still exceeding state guidelines as city officials continue to advise those in “sensitive communities” to avoid drinking or cooking with potentially contaminated water.

Mayor Scott Galvin detailed the situation in an update filed with the City Council and attached to last week's council agenda.

After crossing a state limit of 20 parts-per-trillion (ppt) of PFAS in drinking water last month, new readings on Sept. 1 showed levels of 23.9 ppt, Galvin said.

Galvin previously shared August readings of 20.6 ppt, attributing the spike to a “typical seasonal pattern” in Woburn’s water supply.

Reiterating some of that message in his communication last week, Galvin told the City Council that levels above the state’s limit “do not automatically mean there is a public health risk.”

“The 20 ppt is based on conservative assumptions that consider the populations that could be most affected,” Galvin said.

He continued, saying that the threshold assumes that individuals are already substantially exposed to PFAS chemicals from other sources in addition to drinking water.

Those who are not in sensitive populations, which include pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system, can continue to consume city water, Galvin said. This is because the hazards of PFAS contamination above 20 ppt are calculated based on a lifetime of consuming such water, he continued.

“Shorter duration exposures present less risk,” Galvin said.

PFAS chemicals can be common in various stain-resistant and/or non-stick coatings on products. They are also found in some firefighting foams and gear, though a state task-force has called for these products to be phased out of use.

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS can build up in the food chain to linger in the human body, causing a variety of negative health effects.

Woburn has grappled with its PFAS contamination levels over the years dating back to initial tests in 2015.

While numbers have fluctuated, at times spiking past the state’s 20 ppt limits, the city has averaged 17.7 ppt in water since 2020, according to Galvin.

Woburn is now looking to treat and remove lingering PFAS chemicals from its water supply, currently planning a series of upgrades to its water treatment plant.

Initial engineering studies for that project are complete, according to Galvin. The design process is now underway.

Galvin sent his recent PFAS update on Sept. 15. To date, the city was still waiting for a second round of test results due to be collected this month.

In the meantime, Woburn has rolled out certain measures to support people in sensitive populations.

There is a free water bottle filling station available at the Woburn Senior Center on School Street, sourcing water from outside of Woburn’s system to comply with 20 ppt PFAS limits.

Those in sensitive populations who need to buy bottled water can also apply for monthly rebates from the city beginning in January of next year to cover any months where the city is exceeding the 20 ppt limit.

Galvin is expected to return to the City Council on Oct. 4 to update councilors on PFAS contamination and mitigation efforts.