WESTFIELD–Tuesday afternoon the city released an update on the private well testing occurring in the city, which is being done by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
According to a press release sent out from the city, MassDEP has received results from eight of the 22 wells they have tested thus far. From the results of those eight wells, no perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were initially found. Previously, PFCs were found in three of the city’s wells at levels beyond what the Environmental Protection Agency gave as a lifetime health advisory, with two wells adjacent to Barnes Regional Airport being taken offline due to the contamination.
“This is good news for north side residents with private wells,” Mayor Brian Sullivan was quoted as saying in the press release. “We will continue to work with MassDEP and Barnes to ensure that 25 wells are tested. We are pleased with the results to date and plan to move forward with our water remediation plans.”
Previously, it was reported by The Westfield News that MassDEP was working along with the city and Barnes Air National Guard to investigate the extent of ground water contamination in Westfield related to PFCs.
Also, the city and MassDEP identified 150 total private wells that were within a one-mile radius of public water supply wells one, two, seven and eight, which were the wells where contamination was found in higher concentrations. Of those, 25 of the wells’ users were notified of the request from MassDEP to test the wells.
The full results may be accessed through the City of Westfield website under the water department. Also, a link was provided in the press release for results through MassDEP’s website.
