WESTFIELD – Department of Public Works Director David Billips and Systems Engineer Heather Stayton have announced new Department of Environment Protection (DEP) test results for perfluorinated compounds in Wells 1 and 2.
Heather (Miller) Stayton, P.E., Systems Engineer with the Westfield Water Department. (WNG file photo)
Stayton said the test results confirm that both Wells 1 and 2 are below the Mass DEP health advisory guideline of 70 parts per trillion for five compounds, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency advisory for two compounds. However, Stayton and Billips both said levels in the wells have gone up since the first quarter testing.
The summary of the results of the most recent round of testing for PFAS are as follows:
Well 1: Mass DEP five compounds (PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA) total 62.7 parts per trillion. The EPA’s two compounds (PFOA, PFOS) tested at a total of 28.9 parts per trillion. In the first quarter, the total was in the 50’s, Stayton said.
Well 2: Mass DEP five compounds (PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA) total 46.3 parts per trillion. The EPA 2 compounds (PFOA, PFOS) total 20.1 parts per trillion. In the first quarter testing, the totals were at non-detect. Well 2 is not being used, but was run for testing, according to Stayton.
Currently, the Water Department is installing underground piping and a foundation in preparation for the delivery of the temporary Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration vessel for Well 2. Stayton said they don’t as yet have a date for delivery, but expect to be ready for it when it comes. “We’re working on construction, so our plant Is ready,” she said.
They will then do the setup, testing and commissioning of the vessel – working with the DEP to make sure it runs appropriately and meets all of the guidelines.
Once Well 2 is up and running, whether or not Well 1 is taken off line will depend on the demand in the system, according to Stayton. To that end, on Tuesday, the water commissioners voted at their meeting to enact an odd-even water restriction in the city beginning July 1, similar to that of the last two years. [See sidebar: Water Restriction to begin July 1]
Stayton said the Consumer Confidence Report for calendar year 2017 is also being mailed out this week to all customers. It will also be up on the city website at http://www.cityofwestfield.org/236/Water-Quality-Reports and publicly posted at City Hall in the Mayor’s Office, at 28 Sackett Street at the DPW offices, and at the Westfield Athenaeum, as well as distributed by hand to multi-resident locations.
Stayton said depending on how well and how quickly the water restriction is followed, it will decrease consumption enough to allow storage tanks to recover after the morning demand.
Stayton said the new test results from the DEP emphasize the urgency and timeliness of the need for water quality filtration; to get the temporary filtration up and running, and to go forward with a more long-term filtration system for Wells 7 and 8.
The second reading and final passage of the $13 million bond for water filtration will take place at the Special City Council meeting on Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s absolutely critical. We need to get the treatment up and running, especially with hot weather coming; when we expect consumption to increase, and with the small number of wells running in the city,” Stayton said, adding, “If Well 1 were to have a mechanical issue, we would be in dire straits on the north side of the city.”
“We appreciate people using common sense water measures, and are encouraging councilors to get this done,” Stayton said.
